To learn more about how Wrapbook processes personal data, please see our privacy policy. Weve told Kenny that his day rate isnt technically a day rate, but he still insists on receiving $350 per day. Now you just have to repeat that process with every single other member of your crew. This is your bracket if you are shooting a national commercial that will air on four major networks (FOX, NBC, ABC, CBS). DGA rates depend on the type of production youre producing, your schedule, as well as your budget. Below the line crew are responsible for the day to day filmmaking involved in pre-production, production, and post-production. Despite having three low budget options, the SAG Ultra Low Budget Agreement only applies to films (and short films) that are $300,000 or less. Directors and producers rates are highly negotiable and receive between 2-5% of the films overall budget. Directors and producers rates are highly negotiable and receive between 2-5% of the films overall budget. Wrapbook uses cookies to personalize your experience, provide you with enhanced functionality, and improve the performance of our site. Need an actor for just one episode of your series to say a few lines? Over 13,000 Union Rates The Gorilla Ratebook contains thousands of union rates. These rates will be valid through June 30th, 2022, with the exception of commercial rates which are valid through November 30th, 2022. Something went wrong while submitting the form. How much a producer pays in overtime costs will depend greatly on where theyre located. IATSE union rates West Coast and East Coast Agreements. I frequently go down to $1000. Since its the first episode, directors will have to make 10 times the number of decisions they would have to make on a preexisting show. Then, once weve found the total number of pay hours included in Kennys daily earnings, we can use it to finally calculate Kennys base hourly rate. 400600(ish) in my area for makeup. All of these rates are based on a crew that works in the United States in major markets (unless indicated). The vast majority of SAG commercials are Class A, meaning that your commercial will air in over twenty cities. (Who often end up costing the producer and the film more money due to their inexperience, slowness, and/or flat out ineptitude, relative to that of an experienced crew. The P&H rate for performers is 21%. Art!Department!CoD! Whether youre dealing with SAG rates or even crew jobs, the rates for working on a network show are often higher than cable. Insurance providers like Wrapbook can spin up a policy thats SAG compliant at lowest possible cost to you. Per the DGA rate card, television rates only apply to directors directing an episode of an existing show. SAG rates for multiple programs are put on a weekly scale, with $2,784 per week for both 1/2 Hour and 1 Hour Programs, $3,272 per week for 90 minute programs, and $3,856 per week for two hour programs. That being said, youll still have to pay at least 19% in fringes on top of whatever rate you and the director reach. AssistantArtDirector! While made up with some of the best talent in the world, working with the Screen Actors Guild comes with its own set of rules. Cookies that are essential to the functionality of Wrapbook. Above the line crew are involved in the creative development of the film. For example, tier one, feature films between $1 million $3 million. The SAG Moderate Low Budget Agreement applies to films with budgets between $300,000 to $700,000. Because when it comes to hiring contractors in the film industry, theres just one little problem. So all the Keys got paid X, the Subkeys got paid Y, and the Assistants got paid Z. Film unions will have a recommended rate of pay you can use as guidance. In Kennys case, we divide a rate of $350 by a pay hour total of fourteen. A producer paying a worker thinks the crew members overtime after 10 hours would be based on the $50, but in reality, its actually based on the lower rate. Add and save notes within the PDF for future use. However, SAG offers different agreements that allow producers to essentially buy in bulk, depending on where the commercial will be airing.. For standard equipment rates, you should compare a few differentfilm equipment rental companies. determining whether or not someone is exempt. This is for companies with up to 25 employees. I usually dont have any trouble getting $650/day. Every sound mixers rates vary, but remember your paying for skilled service. TheSSA also posted a fact sheetsummarizing the 2022 changes. $700750/10 as a 1st, and ~$600700 as a 2nd. Professional filmmakers definitely arent paid like Kenny. In addition to these rates, commercial contracts will require a 19.25-20.5% pension and health contribution. On a small film, it might benefit your production to pay everybody the same flat rate, and not worry about time and a half or double time, but that should only be if youve got a fairly cohesive group of people working on your film to begin with, and probably only if your crew is made of up largely inexperienced people. If your project is going straight to the web, start here - SAG Rates 2023. Instead of airing on a set network, wild spots only air on specific stations and markets. I have seen a lot of producers trying to hire film crew in Los Angeles for sub-standard rates so I got the idea to compile together a list of rates based on discussions that Ive seen in various private online groups. When budgeting a film crew for a union picture, the rates and work hour limits and thresholds are set by the union and you pay them. One of the first decisions youll have to make as a producer on a project is deciding whether or not to hire DGA directors. The SAG Low Budget Agreement applies to films with budgets between $700,000 and $2,000,000, making this the SAG pay scale of most independent films. Mostly camera op or 1st AC. In the eyes of the DGA, pilots get special treatment - DGA Rate Card 2022. Thank you! If youre producing a daily talk show or variety show for streaming or cable, this is your pay bracket. Sometimes day rate. On top of different rates within a given production, your personal film crew list may need to account for differing rates across different sizes and types of productions. Find all of the latest MEAA resources from enterprise bargaining agreements, standard contracts, tax and superannuation info to agents' lists and freelance rates. Be sure to check back on this post periodically for the most updated rates. The 1st use SAG commercial rates are: While not as popular as Class A, the SAG Commercial Agreement Class B applies to commercials that will air in six to twenty cities. It is possible that flat day rates may be applicable to contractors in certain situations because, by definition, contractors have greater flexibility in determining their method of payment. In terms of editing, you must also provide the same number of days for the director to supervise an edit as the director took for principal photography. Your preferences have been updated. Tier 2 Art Director, 1st Assistant Camera, Asst. Whats the difference, right? Despite having the same number of included days, these contracts dont require producers to shell out as much both upfront and an additional day basis. Union-mandated rate scales likewise shift in accordance with these different project types. Directors of Photography, Production Designers, etc. Offered on both a daily and weekly scale, SAG rates are often determined by the project type, budget constraints, and distribution plan. Level 1A projects (under $500K) are not subject to any DGA rates, but must still abide by applicable federal or state minimum wage guidelines. Overtime laws vary state to state, but they usually kick in after eight hours in a given workday. However, you can negotiate based on your experience. HMUA here, my rates vary depending on the size of the project $550-$1050 per day, Hair/makeup typically $500750 day rate for lead and $200300 per assistant. Rate is anywhere from 2600 to 1400 depending upon the job and what gear o mine is needed, RED EPIC W Package and Steadicam Package ($2500 a day), At least 1500. Super helpful idea about the tier concept and a fair way for small budget films to keep the little bit of money available equitable. DP rate is $1300/10hr day. It doesnt matter if he works one hour or eight hours or sixteen hours, if Kenny worked one day, hes getting paid $350 for that day. Thank you! Every crew member deserves a minimum guarantee. That is, if your production stops filming on a particular day after 4 hours, you still owe them 8 hours in pay. Producers for documentaries, web, and reality TV will typically try to get much lower rates and sometimes long-term narrative TV or film projects will have a reduced rate. If youre working with some actors who arent in the guild, dont worry. Furthermore, your rate may increase if you work elsewhere and travel to work in an expensive location. Here are the 2023 SAG rates for performers in television. Sometimes a 1015% (or more) of budget. For instance, if you hired an employee- lets call him Kenny- at a day rate of $350, you would pay Kenny $350 for each day that he works. depends on how big of a crew usually on a commercial 650 gaffer key grip 650 bestboys respectively 600 electrics and grips 550 each, then you gotta rent a grip truck. Through a background that blends project development with physical production across multiple formats, Loring has developed a uniquely eclectic skillset as a visual storyteller. End of story. Foley!Artist!2! Regardless of the commercials scale, the DGA commercial rates for directors must be at least $1,573 for the day or $6,292 for a 5-day week. Back to Leftbrainer Back to Leftbrainer Contact Numbers for Union Rates: DGA: (212) 581-0370 PGA: (310) 557-0807 IATSE Local 479 : (404) 885-9134 IATSE Local 320M (Savannah): (912) 233-8538 You can find us across the U.S. and Canada. Say a crew member leaves set after 10 hours, and they get into a fender bender on the drive home. DIT $700 (plus gear, which changes per job in the $500-$1500 range). You may change your cookie settings at any time. Recommend this to any filmmaker, producer. While premium talent is usually paid far above the SAG minimum, this is the rate actors can expect to make on a low budget studio project or a moderate indie film. If youre making a short or documentary, this is also your contract, regardless of your budget. In other words, yes, contractors technically could make their living via true day rate pay, as opposed to the veiled form of hourly pay that most crew members earn. The Wrapbook Team consists of individuals who are thrilled about building modern software tools for creators. Its also your bracket if youre shooting a commercial that will run on a cable channel. You should consult with your own legal, accounting, or tax advisors to determine how this general information may apply to your specific circumstances. The weekly salary is 10% less than it would be on the basic DGA theatrical contract, also reflected in the compensation beyond guaranteed work and daily employment rate. This is for companies with up to 25 employees. Your email address will not be published. Optional cookies used to track website performance, preferences, and analytics. Rate is usually $2k/day. ), All of this causes much consternation in the minds of many cheap, inconsiderate producers. Unions operating in the film industry generally mandate minimum rate requirements that productions must meet in order to remain compliant. Right now Im doing a Union $3mil feature for $2k/week. Set to expire March 31st, 2025. Here, you can find DGA rates for films across a variety of budgets. It is vastly superior to EP's Paymaster and Showbiz's Labor Rate Guide. Below you will find recommended production crew rates for the main core film job roles. Unlike SAG rates, DGA rates are far more than just a set price for a week or day. Your preferences have been updated. Standard rate for steadi is 1k for op and 1k for gear. But for non-union films, its a bit different. Every creatives rates will vary, but these are the standard day rate charges for the most common crew members: Documentary DP (Director of Photography): $400-$1,200 Commercial DP: $650-$2,000 Full-Service Video Production: $1,500-$300,000 (flat rate) Drone Operator: $500-$1,400 Commercial Video Editor: $400-$1,000 A guide to understanding when its time to incorporate your photo business, and how to do it. The films shooting schedule, where its shooting, travel/lodging situations, per diems, kit rates, and more. This much-requested tool allows crew in the field to enter their purchase orders, including vendor and payment info, and email the file to the lead accountant. And if you know the difference between exempt and non-exempt employees, you know that this classification has a huge impact on how crew members total earnings are calculated. It has pretty much everything you need when putting together a film budget for a union crew. Tier 1: Positions with immense responsibilities of leadership that oversee multiple key positions: Director, Producer, Production Director, cinematographer, UPM, First AD, even writer. Need a run and gun production crew or videographer on location? Oops! A typical film production day is 12 hours long, for overtime you will need to pay additional wages. To learn more, check out our complete list of worker classification tests by state. For Principal Performers, deferred compensation under this Agreement for this purpose may not be less than 20% of the applicable day rate from the Basic Agreement current at the time of performance per day for Principal Performers.". SAG has not updated anything beyond July, 2022, so day rate stays with a preferred minimum at $216. I usually see PA rates from 175200 (on the high end) in Atlanta. A project shooting with a micro-budget will generally have to pay lower minimum rates to cast and crew compared to a project shooting with the elevated financial backing of a major studio or network. Job Role. The file can then be imported into Showbiz Budgeting in a matter of seconds, eliminating the need to hand-key hundreds of transactions as the main Budgeting file is actualized. Directing usually $510kUSD per job flatrate [sic] not including post. In the market for a good PA? Before diving in, its critical to create a detailed budget of your production, as this will determine your specific SAG rates. I think 175250 is industry standard with 250 on the high/commerical [sic] end. UK. SAG has not updated anything beyond July, 2022 so it stays at $703. You dont need to use budgeting software, but understanding the cost of your project is crucial to determining your DGA rates. A guide to understanding when its time to incorporate your photo business, and how to do it. per videogr. In addition, they will help to arrange your rate and workers rights, such as break hours and overtime pay. Makeup, 1st AD, were all paid the Subkey rate, or the middle rate. These rates are from non-union freelance individuals that work primarily in commercials or narrative film. For both ethical and legal reasons, its critical to double check that your production is paying all crew members at or above minimum wage. The P&H rate for background actors is 20%. Grips in TV Ratecard 2022 Grip Department Rates for Film 2022 This summary includes key conditions, classifications, rates and allowances from July 1, 2022. When it comes to DGA commercials, the DGA Rate Card is simple and easy to understand. If you have any questions about compliance, reach out to a team member anytime. THESE SOFTWARE PRODUCTS MAY HELP: Luckily, weve put together this comprehensive guide, breaking down the SAG rates of 2023 so you can determine what you might owe for a principal performer. Union-mandated rates may shift according to the city that youre shooting in, due to both local labor laws and the influence of local union chapters. But what about the reverse? Beyond general labor laws like AB-5, day rates in film production are also influenced by other, industry-specific forces. It can take many years of working in the film industry before you have enough experience to join a union. A guide to understanding when its time to incorporate your photo business, and how to do it. Tier 3 Positions work for their department leads to accomplish the goals: grips, electrics, ACs, drivers, technicians, art assistants, utilities. Avoid opening yourself up to unnecessary risk wherever possible. WebWhile ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $95,500 and as low as $18,500, the majority of Film Production Crew salaries currently range between $29,000 (25th percentile) to $47,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $69,500 annually across the United States. How many hours does an employee have to work to earn their pay? If youre curious about other union rates, be sure to check out our updated SAG Rates for 2022. Well, if you care to ask a production accountant, theyll tell you that the difference is massive. Every negotiation will be different. In the market for a good PA? This is all for Inspire 2. You should consult with your own legal, accounting, or tax advisors to determine how this general information may apply to your specific circumstances. The first AD runs the entire set. All depends on production and their budget. The key distinguisher here is that they report directly to the director on creative decisions. If you cant pay your crew make sure to pay their expenses so they are not out of pocket. You may change your cookie settings at any time. *Production fee is payable to 1st Stage Manager only. Feature films, television shows, commercials, and new media all operate under slightly different regulations. For more on SAG compliance, discover how to budget SAG payroll. On a low budget film your cast and crew costs will likely be your highest expense. Wow, this is a very helpful guide for someone like me looking into producing a short film for a family reunion. Traditionally, the Netcode was divided into either front of the book or back of the book rates where front of the book deals with either non-network or network non-primetime programs, (like soaps, game shows, award shows, or specials), while back of the book rates were often used for dramatic programs. Please note, most resources are only available to MEAA members and can only be viewed by signing in with your membership ID. Cookies that are essential to the functionality of Wrapbook. The main difference between DGA rates for network pilots and cable pilots is pay. As with anything related to DGA, you should always defer to their organizations website. While there is no weekly SAG scale for ultra low budget projects, the SAG day rate is $216. the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced Oct. 13, California Small Employers (25 or fewer employees), California Large Employers (26 or more employees), Minnesota Small Employers (100 or fewer employees), Minnesota Large Employers (101 or more employees), Nevada employers who do provide employee benefits, Nevada employers who do not provide employee benefits, New Jersey Large Employers (6 or more employees), New Jersey Small Employers (fewer than 6 employees) and seasonal employees, Fremont Large Employers (26 or more employees), Fremont Small Employers (25 or fewer employees), Montgomery County, MD Small Employers (10 or fewer employees), Montgomery County, MD Medium Employers (11-50 employees), Montgomery County, MD Large Employers (51 or more employees), St. Paul, MN Macro Employers more than 10,000 Employees, St. Paul, MN Large Employers 101 10,000 Employees, St. Paul, MN Small Employers 6-100 Employees, St. Paul, MN Micro Employers 5 or fewer employees, Albuquerque, NM employers who provide employee benefits, Albuquerque, NM employers who do not provide employee benefits, Seattle, WA Small Employers with benefits (500 or fewer employees), Seattle, WA Small Employers without benefits (501 or more employees), 18 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes for qualified active duty members of the Armed Forces, and. Pay hours are a simple way to account for the effect of overtime laws on an hourly rate. Youre seeing the word employee all over the place, and thats got you thinking Could there be a loophole here? End of story. Beginning January 1, 2022, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) is: Starting January 1, 2022, the maximum earnings subject to the Social Security payroll tax will increase by $4,200 to$147,000up from the $142,800 maximum for 2021,the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced Oct. 13. If youre making a studio flick, then chances are this is where youll find your DGA rates. While this agreement may seem like it perfectly applies to your film, its important to note that you need to release your film initially in theaters to qualify. Kennys effective hourly rate is $25.00 per hour. For companies with 26 or more employees, the threshold is $62,400. If youre producing a film, your project is now classified under SAG Theatrical Rates. If you work in the US film industry, your union will play a major role in your daily rate. And I believe I am cheap and that is for local shoots. If your film is released directly to a streaming service, like Hulu, your SAG scale rates might fall under New Media. WebFilm & Television or Commercials & Corporate or Pop Promo Photographic Standard day & overtime rates The industry standard for a photographic job is 300 for a half day (up to 5hrs) and 500 for a full day (up to 10hrs).Overtime where applicable is charged at 20% of the daily rate per hour. The P&H rate for background actors is 20.5%. Producer. If a lot of pre prep is needed, thats a separate charge. Some commercials are shot over several weeks. In television, theres more work keeping DGA directors busy than ever. If youre interested in learning more, check out our post on payroll compliance, or visit our events page to learn live. New Media productions with budgets between $250,000 and $700,000 should expect to pay major performers either $335 per day, or $1,116 per week. Crew members are classified as non-exempt employees. A day rate is still subject to change if the planned amount is exceeded. In California, there is a daily overtime limit of 8 hours, whereas in New York, as long as the weekly limit of 40 hours isn't reached, a worker could work 10 hours and then begin accruing overtime after that. If youre a cheap producer working with a crew youre paying a flat rate, with no time and a half or double time, then at the very least youll want money set aside to keep your crew from mutinying should you need to go long in those rare emergencies. will generally be paid at the top of the scale, while Production Assistants and other departmental assistants will be paid at the bottom. Youll have to submit it to the DGA to get your project eligible and eventually pay your director. If youre booking a big name guest star in one episode, then in the eyes of SAG this is usually classified as a major role performer. Ive been working freelance gigs in Knoxville, TN for 2 years. Take our quick quiz and well point you to the contract thats yours. Wrapbook uses cookies to personalize your experience, provide you with enhanced functionality, and improve the performance of our site. The content on our website is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for legal, accounting, or tax advice. Well go over all that in our next installment. I charge $1000 a day + per diem. On the one hand, you want to make sure you get the best, most experienced non-union crew possible without breaking the bank, but on the other, you want to make sure that the rate youre offering your crew is competitive or at least not too far off the mark from what your crew gets paid typically on other non-union shoots. I know union assistants cant make less than $450/day, so use that as a guide. As you can tell, the contract language here can often become confusing and widely varied, so always consult with the DGA first. We should note that these rates are for performers of cable and streaming shows. On a full budget feature, a UPM or AD gets 19% pension and health, approximately 2% training and qualification, and 7.719% vacation and holiday. For this reason, the DGA broke directing pilots out into its own category. Unlike the SAG rates for Class A, you have to pay slightly more if New York City is one of your cities, which is why most opt for the first agreement. Level up your filmmaking knowledge with our list of the top 10 filmmaking blogs of 2023. After all, what is day rate pay if no one on your crew is eligible to receive it? Including: DGA West Coast Your preferences have been updated. For a non-union film budget, youll want to do your homework when it comes to crew rates. Thank you! Unless, of course, youd prefer to handle payroll the easy way. Your production may have to pay attention to multiple sets of guidelines to remain in good standing overall. Access detailed summaries of wages, fringe rates, schedules, and more - all from ratified agreements. For UK filmmakers see advice provided byBECTU. Hiring talent on SAG weekly rates (5-day basis) does result in a per day discount. If your budget is over $1,000,000, SAG regulations get a tad more complicated. If your project falls between 3.75 and 8.5 million dollars, youll have to pay your directors 25% less than they would make under the basic DGA theatrical contract. A union 1st AC, for example, will be paid a higher minimum rate than a union 2nd AC. Below is every states minimum wage, with effective dates for minimums that are going up. WebMovie Production and Film Crew Pay Rates in the U.S. - Entertainment Partners THE PAYMASTER RATE GUIDE The industry's most comprehensive guide. Some producers cranking out bad movie after bad movie would rather burn through a production with a newbie crew and end up shooting more days and paying more in rentals than try to convince their investors or buyers that a higher-paid crew or even union crew makes more financial sense.). Actors Feature Film Collective Agreement (AFFCA) Summary, January 2023. Loring is a Los Angeles-based writer, director, and creative producer. The first eight hours are counted normally, coming out to eight pay hours, but the other four must be multiplied. I get hired a lot to op or run a gimbal as well so Im running double duty a lot of the time and that hikes the price up a little bit. Whereas Theatrical SAG rates depend on budget, SAG commercial rates depend on where and how many times youll be airing the commercial. Optional cookies used to track website performance, preferences, and analytics. Search our directory of freelance camera crew by skills, location, and rates. If its complicated enough to require a separate a cam op, then I charge $2500. Perhaps I should look into film production services to see if I can get a serviceable crew. Dramatic still means scripted narrative. Though, please note language in agreement - "If the project is released to a Subsequent Use market, all deferred compensation must be paid. Looking for some reading material? Here is a quick breakdown of day rates per department. 2nd ac $350/10. Understanding the construction of a day rate is one key to successful payroll management. When Im doing super basic stuff, it usually comes out to $850950/day. Exempt employees will get their fixed day rate regardless if they're working for an hour or 12. Looking for some reading material? I basically dont fly my octa any more, but it started at about 5k. Lets take a look. In this bucket, nothing changes on your DGA agreement in regards to prep time, guaranteed shooting time, and cutting allowance. There are of course, way more stipulations that go into determining whether or not someone is exempt. SAG-AFTRA rates are the minimum amounts of money the Screen Actors Guild will allow its members to work for on a given project.