UK. Level up your filmmaking knowledge with our list of the top 10 filmmaking blogs of 2023. Originally Published Dec 19, 2017 @ 16:48. Oops! And unlike other SAG AFTRA Theatrical agreements, you dont need to ensure a theatrical screening under this agreement. Whereas Theatrical SAG rates depend on budget, SAG commercial rates depend on where and how many times youll be airing the commercial. $1,200-$1,800 (more, depending on the experience/skill). Download the interactive PDF right to your computer. 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. The content on our website is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for legal, accounting, or tax advice. For New Media projects less than $250,000 (but greater than $50k), expect to pay performers a minimum rate of $125 per day. I charge $1000 a day + per diem. How do you translate day rates into hourly rates? Were a team of compassionate and curious people dedicated to solving complex problems with sophisticated solutions. Because when it comes to hiring contractors in the film industry, theres just one little problem. Thank you! Every negotiation will be different. said the great film . The first step in calculating an employees hourly rate is figuring out how many hours make up the day in their so-called day rate. Level up your filmmaking knowledge with our list of the top 10 filmmaking blogs of 2023. The minimum compensation for a Second Unit Director is $1,500 per day. Expect the unexpected. Under this agreement, those actors are allowed to work with a Taft-Hartley agreement, as with most SAG agreements. Its not only vital to the success and morale of the film, its the professional thing to do. The P&H rate for performers is 21%. Wrapbook document.write(new Date().getFullYear()). *Production fee is payable to 1st Stage Manager only. In NYC for a very low budget scripted shoot (non-commercial) you are looking at $400-$650/12 for the Art Director and $225-$250 for the PA. Art PAs typically get paid a bit more than a regular PA because they need more experience than a set PA and their job is specific. Also remember that if youre expected to provide your own kit (such as camera, electrical, audio, or grip), you should charge extra for the rental. Henri K. W. Rapp www.henrirapp.com. Something went wrong while submitting the form. Using this information, you can determine which SAG agreement, or contract, your production falls under. AssistantArtDirector! Applied to films with budgets starting at $11 million dollars, this part of the DGA Rate Card outlines both minimum weeks allowed for a project along with pay expressed on a weekly scale. Crew members are classified as non-exempt employees. Sign up for the Wrapbook monthly newsletter where we share industry news along with must-know guides for producers. How many hours does an employee have to work to earn their pay? Others are shot in a few hours. Sound gear rates are based on the needs of the shoot, $300 is a great starting place, but anything passed [sic] a basic kit will increase the price. Ten? (Twice her hourly rate. Before diving in, its critical to create a detailed budget of your production, as this will determine your specific SAG rates. If you have any questions about compliance, reach out to a team member anytime. Search our directory of freelance camera crew by skills, location, and rates. That being said, many crew members factor in many other elements than rate when it comes down to deciding whether or not to take a film gig. Over 13,000 Union Rates The Gorilla Ratebook contains thousands of union rates. A guide to understanding when its time to incorporate your photo business, and how to do it. *2-5% budget. Per the DGA rate card, television rates only apply to directors directing an episode of an existing show. What happens, for example, if the day runs for 14 hours? Take our quick quiz and well point you to the contract thats yours. Unlike SAG rates, DGA rates are far more than just a set price for a week or day. Previously a printed binder-book, the Labor Guide now exists entirely paper-free, online. 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. Under this contract, actors must make a SAG day rate of $703, or $2,441 per week. The content on our website is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for legal, accounting, or tax advice. Kennys hypothetical hourly rate of $25.00 puts him well above the minimum wage requirement in California. If you're producing a feature then you're in the right spot - SAG Rates 2023. Inspire2 fully loaded with two crew starts at $3k/day. Download the updated rates. $750/10 is common. Day rates are simply a method of calculating an employee's rate of pay for each day of work. View their latest rate updates here, valid through November 30th, 2022. Optional cookies used to track website performance, preferences, and analytics. These are all direct quotes from professionals in the industry. WebVideography Full Day Rate $700.00 Up to 8 hours of setup and/or prod. For the latest and greatest union rates, we like to recommend the Paymaster Rate Guide. Once again, your union will decide your day rates for the project type. And wrapping your head around something called The Netcode can get complicated fast. Wrapbook uses cookies to personalize your experience, provide you with enhanced functionality, and improve the performance of our site. With the pay hours total in hand, calculating hourly rates is an easy task. Counting some of the best working directors in its union, The Directors Guild of America comes with a few dozen rules you must follow to work with its talent one of which is paying minimum DGA rates set out in the DGA Rate Card. DGA Rate Cards 2020 to 2021 To learn more about how Wrapbook processes personal data, please see our privacy policy. However, work hours are still governed by state and federal labor laws. Its important to note that youll have to pay an additional 19% on your DGA payroll for health and benefits, called fringes. You can see the new pension and health plan numbers here. SAG actors are paid weekly for their time: $4,520 per week for appearing in every episode, $5,042 per week for appearing in more than half, and $5,897 per week for appearing in half. Experienced crew members and producers will be well aware of how crew members day rates function. Because many productions plan for shoot days to run longer than 8 hours, day rate amounts are contracted to likewise correspond to a higher total number of hours per day. However, if you have to add additional days beyond the minimum, youll have to pay on a daily or weekly scale. For crew positions that require equipment and resources (ACs, HMU, audio, etc), they will charge an extra kit/gear rate. Note that the SAG rates increase the less an actor appears, as those actors will be working fewer weeks for less overall net pay. And what does that mean for having contractors on your crew? Some cookies are essential to the functioning of our site, but you can accept or decline non-essential cookies using the toggle below. You may change your cookie settings at any time. 1sr AC 13 years experience $600/10 on average. This is based on the 20% of the basic agreements day rate. To learn more about how Wrapbook processes personal data, please see our privacy policy. Most unions use a tier system to adjust rate scales according to production budget ranges. In this bucket, nothing changes on your DGA agreement in regards to prep time, guaranteed shooting time, and cutting allowance. Its important to note that youll have to pay an additional 19% on your DGA payroll for health and benefits, or fringes.. Though, please note language in agreement - "If the project is released to a Subsequent Use market, all deferred compensation must be paid. Some commercials are shot over several weeks. But if youve got a penny more, youre in the right place. That being said, youll still have to pay at least 19% in fringes on top of whatever rate you and the director reach. Professional filmmakers definitely arent paid like Kenny. Directors and producers rates are highly negotiable and receive between 2-5% of the films overall budget. If youre interested in learning more, check out our post on payroll compliance, or visit our events page to learn live. Web5! know the difference between exempt and non-exempt employees. The rates for films with budgets 30m and above should be read in conjunction with the new agreement covering major motion pictures introduced on 2 April 2018. Under most DGA contracts, you pay a lump sum for the entire production process. Before going into the rates, be sure to have at least a rudimentary budget of your project. WebSearch & Hire Film Crew Hiring the right film production crew doesnt have to be a pain. Thank you! Its interesting to know that film crew payments tend to be tiered. Making a television pilot is an extremely laborious process. In the market for a good PA? Since the groundwork has already been laid, DGA directors have fewer choices to make than the pilot. But theres still one more step to go before were finished. WebBare Bones Film Crew: 1 Camera Operator. The key distinguisher here is that they report directly to the director on creative decisions. So if youre not producing a pilot, these are your rates. 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. A day rate is still subject to change if the planned amount is exceeded. The taxable wage cap is subject to an automatic cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) each year based on increases in the national average wage index, calculated annually by the SSA. Through a background that blends project development with physical production across multiple formats, Loring has developed a uniquely eclectic skillset as a visual storyteller. It includes union rates such as SAG, DGA, WGA, Local 399's, and dozens of other film unions. complete list of worker classification tests by state, automatic calculations of LA commercial IATSE and Teamster timecards. 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. Its likely also your SAG agreement, if youre shooting a wild spot. Per the DGA Rate Card, you have to guarantee a set number of days for pre-production, shooting, and post. For network pilots, DGA directors must receive a flat rate for their efforts, increasing with program length. The Showbiz Labor Guide has been the go-to authority for guild and union rates in the entertainment industry for over 25 years, including SAG-AFTRA scale. Get the best resources for producers delivered to your mailbox, If youve ever worked on a film set or had to pay a crew member, you probably know that most film professionals have a common favorite phrase: What is my day rate?. If a production department tried to manage their payroll like you manage Kenny, their crew would probably revolt. This is how much you charge for your work per hour, day, or week. Here is a quick breakdown of day rates per department. On several of our features we made for Brooklyn Reptyle Films, we set up what amounted to basically a tiered system of pay, and/or deferred pay, for our crew. Your email address will not be published. Really has helped me develop my project further with fairness, balance and credibility. WebHire Film Crew - On Location or In Studio. The first eight hours are counted normally, coming out to eight pay hours, but the other four must be multiplied. Additionally, youll need to ensure that you have an insurance policy thats SAG-friendly. The first AD runs the entire set. Above the line crew are involved in the creative development of the film. One of the first decisions youll have to make as a producer on a project is deciding whether or not to hire DGA directors. Below are the four basic steps of calculating day rates. For series, SAG Television Rates. were all paid the Key rate, or the highest rate. The day rate norms in one region may shift in another, and going out of your way to establish a shared perspective early on may help your production team avoid any unnecessary conflict or confusion down the road. Wrapbook uses cookies to personalize your experience, provide you with enhanced functionality, and improve the performance of our site. 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. Loring is a Los Angeles-based writer, director, and creative producer. Wrapbook uses cookies to personalize your experience, provide you with enhanced functionality, and improve the performance of our site. End of story. Animator!3! However, that does mean youll have to pay for the rest of production on those days too. Can you guess which feature matters most in an industry where a normal workday lasts between twelve and sixteen hours? director Alfred Hitchcock. The linked agreement above reads that if it isnt updated then 35% of the Theatrical Basic is used to determine these rates. The Multiple Programs Agreement is a contract that applies to actors who are shooting multiple episodes of a show within one week. Due to the immense amount of work directors put into a film, the DGA rates are most commonly expressed on a weekly scale with minimum work commitments. Jump into the database of searchable union rates for the following: The Labor Guide also displays overtime rates and guarantees per job category, plus a section of Fringe rates such as Pension, Health and Vacation pay. Your preferences have been updated. The films shooting schedule, where its shooting, travel/lodging situations, per diems, kit rates, and more. 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 Required fields are marked *. DGA rates depend on the type of production youre producing, your schedule, as well as your budget. These same producers will then work the crew for as long as they want, and not have to worry about paying overtime. Keep in mind, these are the minimum rates, and quite often, DGA members can be paid far beyond these numbers. Wrapbook uses cookies to personalize your experience, provide you with enhanced functionality, and improve the performance of our site. $1500/10 DP rate w rig. WebAbove the line crew are involved in the creative development of the film. As you can tell, the contract language here can often become confusing and widely varied, so always consult with the DGA first. Were a team of compassionate and curious people dedicated to solving complex problems with sophisticated solutions. Even if its a non-union shoot, you should get paid in the ballpark of the union rate. Feature films, documentaries, and short films fall under this DGA agreement - DGA Rate Card 2022. That being said, if youre going long every single day of your shoot, dont expect your crew, even an inexperienced crew, to stay on the show. However, you will receive overtime pay if your production day runs into overtime. Of course, unions will have their own stipulations based on collective bargaining agreements. SAG has not updated anything beyond July, 2022, so day rate stays at $379. 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.". 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. In general, your day rate will increase the higher the project budget. For more on SAG compliance, discover how to budget SAG payroll. We take our crew members hourly rates, multiply them according to the number of hours expected in a normal workday, and label the resulting amounts day rates.. WebDistant Location Minimum Rates: Effective 07/31/22: 5400 Gen. Foreman (per week) 5401 CLT (hourly) $54.98: 5403 ACLT (hourly) $49.90: 5411 Sub-Foreman: $51.71: 5421 Chief Rigging Tech. Say a crew member leaves set after 10 hours, and they get into a fender bender on the drive home. For both ethical and legal reasons, its critical to double check that your production is paying all crew members at or above minimum wage. But youre a smart producer. 1.5 years as a full time DP $1000/day NYC but I most often get my full rate out of state. What the inexperienced crew member might not realize is that labor laws dictate that for the first 8 hours of a shoot, shes supposed to be paid straight time, or for the first 40 hours she works in a week. To clarify, lets return to Kenny for an illustration. 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. As with most everything television, your minimum DGA rates depend on where your pilot is being aired initially and its length. In this guide, we break down the most current DGA rates according to the 2022 DGA Rate Card, so you can determine what you might owe your director on your next project. Under this SAG contract, producers pay $5,951 per week for major role performers on a half-hour program, and $9,522 per week for hour-long programs. There are many things to consider like job role, production types, budget, and experience. Looking for some reading material? 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. In general, these DGA rates are cheaper across the board for projects lacking old broadcast money. The cost of the videographer will vary based the number of hours of raw footage, the size of the video crew required, the amount of editing and retouching, the final length of the video, the location, and any additional services you request. Tier 3 Positions work for their department leads to accomplish the goals: grips, electrics, ACs, drivers, technicians, art assistants, utilities. A union 1st AC, for example, will be paid a higher minimum rate than a union 2nd AC. The minimum for UPMs and ADs are as follows:UPM: $3,6191st AD: $3,441, Key 2nd AD: $2,306All other 2nd ADs: $1,325. Note that minimum work weeks are not affected, as it still takes the same length of time to make a high budget film. Determine which SAG agreement, or week Labor laws Netcode can get complicated fast wild... 13 years experience $ 600/10 on average receive a flat rate for performers is 21 % things... Wrapbook monthly newsletter where we share industry news along with must-know guides for producers translate day rates into hourly is. Second Unit director is $ 1,500 per day like to recommend the Paymaster rate Guide before were.. That you have to worry about paying overtime the higher the project type easy task this contract actors..., so day rate ballpark of the film industry, theres just little! 13,000 union rates the Gorilla Ratebook contains thousands of union rates the Gorilla Ratebook contains thousands of rates! Understanding when its time to make than the pilot 1.5 years as a producer on a is! The linked agreement above reads that if it isnt updated then 35 % the. Really has helped me develop my project further with fairness, balance and credibility data, see... Rate will increase the higher the project type the key rate, or week and dozens of film! Paid in the right spot - SAG rates depend on budget, and improve the performance of our site but... Make than the pilot youll be airing the commercial hourly rate of pay for each day of work day. Where your pilot is an extremely laborious process 2022, so day rate of $ 703, or fringes on! Stage Manager only valid through November 30th, 2022 ensure a Theatrical screening under DGA. A tier system to adjust rate scales according to production budget ranges something called the Netcode can get complicated.... Are still governed by state and federal Labor laws how many hours does an employee 's of. Rate Cards 2020 to 2021 to learn more about how wrapbook processes personal data, please see our privacy.! Production crew doesnt have to pay an additional 19 % on your DGA agreement - DGA Card. It includes union rates the Gorilla Ratebook contains thousands of union rates and. La commercial IATSE and Teamster timecards the creative development of the Theatrical basic is used to determine these rates Cards. In an industry where a normal workday lasts between twelve and sixteen hours fairness, balance and credibility for hours! 'Re producing a pilot, these are the minimum wage requirement in California budget your. To earn their pay decisions youll have to worry about paying overtime in this bucket, changes... Quiz and well point you to the functioning of our site, but the other four must be multiplied scale... If the planned amount is exceeded decide your day rates for the entire production process of pay for each of! Then work the crew for as long as they want, and cutting allowance curious people dedicated to solving problems... To production budget ranges Manager only their payroll like you manage Kenny their... Director on creative decisions rate is figuring out how many hours does an employee to! Two crew starts at $ 3k/day sophisticated solutions to incorporate your photo,. Our website is not intended to provide and should not be relied for! 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That does mean youll have to pay an additional 19 % on your DGA payroll for health and benefits or... To ensure that you have an insurance policy thats SAG-friendly for the latest and greatest union rates, sure! The performance of our site, but the other four must be multiplied right place, its professional. Number of days for pre-production, shooting, and they get into a fender bender on the 20 of! $ 1,200- $ 1,800 ( more, depending on the drive home it includes union,! Television, your union will decide your day rate is figuring out how hours! Increasing with program length, discover how to do it $ 700.00 to... $ 1000/day NYC but i most often get my full rate out of state since the groundwork already. Need to ensure a Theatrical screening under this contract, actors must make a high film! Make up the day in their so-called day rate types, budget and. Where your pilot is an easy task day of work can determine which agreement. Normal workday lasts between twelve and sixteen hours where and how many times youll be the! Performers is 21 % your project per day thousands of union rates the Gorilla Ratebook contains thousands of rates! To incorporate your photo business, and more reads that if it isnt updated 35! An employee have to pay for each day of work course, unions will have their own based... On payroll compliance, discover how to budget SAG payroll morale of the.... Is being aired initially and its length on those days too and quite often, DGA must... Your budget which feature matters most in an industry where a normal workday lasts between and... Must be multiplied that film crew - on location or in Studio, if you 're a... The film a printed binder-book, the contract language here can often become confusing and widely varied, so rate. Processes personal data, please see our privacy policy were finished latest rate updates here, valid through 30th! Must be multiplied going into the rates, and improve the performance our... The type of production youre producing, your day rates for the entire production process film... With two crew starts at $ 3k/day industry, theres just one little problem will the... Filmmaking blogs of 2023 all direct quotes from professionals in the industry and should not be relied on legal. To make than the pilot the drive home well point you to director... Of days for pre-production, shooting, and post unions use standard film crew rates tier to. This contract, your day rates function is still subject to change if the planned amount is exceeded the home! List of worker classification tests by state and federal Labor laws over 13,000 union rates such SAG... My project further with fairness, balance and credibility i charge $ 1000 a day + per diem crew. Feature films, documentaries, and rates with most everything television, your schedule, as will. Linked agreement above reads that if it isnt updated then 35 % of the film, like. The DGA rate Card, you dont need to ensure a Theatrical screening under this agreement, actors! 2-5 % of the top 10 filmmaking blogs of 2023 pilot, these are your rates agreement..., where its shooting, travel/lodging situations, per diems, kit rates DGA... Should not be relied on for legal, accounting, or week going into rates! Multiple Programs agreement is a Los Angeles-based writer, director, and standard film crew rates have to make as a on! Will be paid a higher minimum rate than a union 1st AC, for example, will be aware. Are still governed by state and federal Labor laws make than the pilot detailed of. Consider like job role, production types, budget, SAG commercial rates depend on,! Day of work DGA agreement - DGA rate Card, television rates only apply to directors directing an episode an... Charge for your work per hour, day, or $ 2,441 week... Were a team of compassionate and curious people dedicated to solving complex with... Create a detailed budget of your project be multiplied isnt updated then 35 standard film crew rates of the basic agreements day.! The experience/skill ) 600/10 on average an easy task webhire film crew payments tend to a. Be airing the commercial of course, unions will have their own stipulations based on collective bargaining.! Member anytime, day, or week directors and producers will be well aware of how crew members day function! List of the Theatrical basic is used to track website performance, preferences, and dozens of film! That if it isnt updated then 35 % of the film industry theres. Their payroll like you manage Kenny, their crew would probably revolt can determine which SAG agreement, those are... For health and benefits, called fringes to eight pay hours, but the other four must multiplied... Governed by state and federal Labor laws production fee is payable to 1st Stage Manager only a department... Director, and improve the performance of our site project type of our site rate Guide just one problem. Of production youre producing, your schedule, where its shooting, dozens! They want, and how many hours standard film crew rates up the day runs into overtime something called Netcode! Between 2-5 % of the Theatrical basic is used to track website performance, preferences, and often! Cutting allowance and sixteen hours pay if your production, as well as your budget kennys hypothetical hourly is. Guides for producers DGA directors view their latest rate updates here, valid through November,... If youve got a penny more, depending on the drive home but if got...