standard film crew rates
In this ultimate guide, well talk about what day rates are, why the term day rate can be misleading, and how to calculate a crew members day rate pay for yourself. For myself, and a full kit, its around $1,200/day. There are many things to consider like job role, production types, budget, and experience. This is for companies with up to 25 employees. Almost 100% narrative. A day rate that corresponds to a 12-hour day, for instance, must account for approximately 4 hours of overtime pay per day (at least in California, unions, and in states where there is a daily overtime limit). Be sure to check back on this post periodically for the most updated rates. However, SAG offers different agreements that allow producers to essentially buy in bulk, depending on where the commercial will be airing.. A guide to understanding when its time to incorporate your photo business, and how to do it. Calculating production crew rates is no easy task. In general, your day rate will increase the higher the project budget. Overtime pay for an entire crew could result in a production incurring extra expenses of thousands upon thousands of dollars. Actors Feature Film Collective Agreement (AFFCA) Summary, January 2023. Your production may have to pay attention to multiple sets of guidelines to remain in good standing overall. $1500 is a good baseline for an experienced op with good gear. The most efficient way to determine current rate guidelines is to reach out directly to an appropriate union representative, but these rate minimums are generally influenced by at least four different factors: The most basic factor in determining union rate mandates is the exact role that a given crew member fills. Be an industry insider with EP's newsletters and alerts. At this point, you might be tempted to think that the flat rate vs. hourly rate debate is irrelevant. *Note, you are unable to shoot internationally under the low budget agreement. However, you will receive overtime pay if your production day runs into overtime. Looking for some reading material? A day rate is still subject to change if the planned amount is exceeded. But now their timecard says they were on the clock at that time, that could cost you. Level up your filmmaking knowledge with our list of the top 10 filmmaking blogs of 2023. uction. However, its also important to communicate with your crew and ensure that youre operating with a mutual understanding. You should also have all your expenses covered, and travel days pay half of the total working day rate. For network pilots, DGA directors must receive a flat rate for their efforts, increasing with program length. But as an example, lets say were in Texas or Georgia. Directing rates vary. If youre making a short or documentary, this is also your contract, regardless of your budget. Level 1A projects (under $500K) are not subject to any DGA rates, but must still abide by applicable federal or state minimum wage guidelines. 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. Per the DGA rate card, television rates only apply to directors directing an episode of an existing show. The films shooting schedule, where its shooting, travel/lodging situations, per diems, kit rates, and more. Ten? Unlike other SAG day rates, actor salaries are completely negotiable. However, for a production that includes 1 camera operator a lot of multitasking will be required to succeed. If youre looking for a SAG short film agreement, this is likely the right place to start. For that same $500 for 10 hours, the hourly rate would be $45.45. 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. They will have recommended rates for films within a budget range. Of course, unions will have their own stipulations based on collective bargaining agreements. 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. People like David Fincher arent working with Netflix for nothing. will generally be paid at the top of the scale, while Production Assistants and other departmental assistants will be paid at the bottom. 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. DIT $700 (plus gear, which changes per job in the $500-$1500 range). In order to determine your DGA rates, youll need to know both your budget and episode length. 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. $1500/10 DP rate w rig. It is vastly superior to EP's Paymaster and Showbiz's Labor Rate Guide. And what does that mean for having contractors on your crew? Director. For both ethical and legal reasons, its critical to double check that your production is paying all crew members at or above minimum wage. All of these rates are based on a crew that works in the United States in major markets (unless indicated). Under this contract, actors must make a SAG day rate of $703, or $2,441 per week. 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. Overtime laws can vary from state to state, but the gist is that employees eligible to receive overtime (non-exempt employees) will receive significant bumps in their base hourly rates after they exceed a certain number of hours worked in a given day and/or week. Discover how to find the best production assistants in Los Angeles with this guide. If you want one from [name of a major VFX studio] they bill $5000 a day. Need a run and gun production crew or videographer on location? Tier 3 Art Department Assistant, 2nd Assistant Camera, 2nd AD, were all paid the Assistant rate, or the lowest rate. Once thats settled, we get to do some math. In California, overtime pay starts at a factor of 1.5x, so we take the four hours of overtime baked into Kennys rate and multiply them times 1.5 to get six pay hours. Production accountants can use these rates for budgeting their 2021 deductible mileage expenses on film and TV productions. Though exceptions may occur, areas that see higher volumes of production will generally maintain higher minimum rates than those that see lesser volumes of production. Under most DGA contracts, you pay a lump sum for the entire production process. For more on SAG compliance, discover how to budget SAG payroll. Below the line crew are responsible for the day to day filmmaking involved in pre-production, production, and post-production. You can find us across the U.S. and Canada. End of story. Directors and producers rates are highly negotiable and receive between 2-5% of the films overall budget. Unlike DGA television rates, directors have a greater number of included days baked into their agreement. The rates are negotiated depending on the percentage of gross or net of a project. Please note these rates listed are for reference only to give you some idea of what to charge. Get the best resources for producers delivered to your mailbox. This is based on the 20% of the basic agreements day rate. Its important to note that in the industry a week is considered five days. Now, in California or for unions, that same rate would be interpreted as 8 hours at their regular rate + 2 hours at time and a half. director Alfred Hitchcock. The first eight hours are counted normally, coming out to eight pay hours, but the other four must be multiplied. If their contract stipulates a 12-hour day and the day runs for 10 hours; theyll likely still be paid for a 12-hour day. If youre making a studio flick, then chances are this is where youll find your DGA rates. If your project falls between $700,000 and $1,000,000, the minimum youll have to pay SAG talent is either $630 per day, or $2,190 per week. TheSSA also posted a fact sheetsummarizing the 2022 changes. Search our directory of freelance camera crew by skills, location, and rates. If you end your day early, they cant just go and jump on some other film crew that day to make up for the lost hours. Directors of Photography, Production Designers, etc. Amazon, Instagram, YouTube are just some of the destinations the Screen Actors Guild classifies as new media. Whether youre making a film or series, they both fall under this agreement as long as your budget is between $50,000 and $1,000,000. Find all of the latest MEAA resources from enterprise bargaining agreements, standard contracts, tax and superannuation info to agents' lists and freelance rates. Here are a few things that are considered when working out crew rates. A good rule of thumb is to budget your shooting days to go at least 12 hours, no matter what, especially on independent films. The only thing affected by your budget change is how much the director will take home. THESE SOFTWARE PRODUCTS MAY HELP: From there, you find the fees. Kennys day rate is based on a twelve-hour day, which means that Kennys standard rate already includes four hours of overtime pay. This is your bracket if you are shooting a national commercial that will air on four major networks (FOX, NBC, ABC, CBS). AB-5 puts the onus on employers to prove that workers are independent contractors through a more stringent ABC worker classification test before actually classifying them as such. And most of these rates will likely change again by June 30th, 2022, with commercial rates valid through November. Optional cookies used to track website performance, preferences, and analytics. 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. The logic behind this is that those crew members booked out your show, making them unavailable for any other work that day. No matter what your budget level, theres bound to be a bit inequity when it comes to how much Crew Member A is paid versus how much Crew Member B is paid. However, the pay per week is higher as are all SAG rates, when you consider that youll have to pay health and pension on top of it. This of course has huge implications. Tier 2 positions with department leadership but who report to someone other than the director directly and are usually highly technical: Gaffer, Art Director, Camera Operator, DIT, Set Dresser, Greens, Key Grip, Wardrobe, Transpo, Crafty etc. However, those are just the minimum number of weeks set forward. 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. In Kennys case, we divide a rate of $350 by a pay hour total of fourteen. Below are the four basic steps of calculating day rates. Were a team of compassionate and curious people dedicated to solving complex problems with sophisticated solutions. This summary includes key conditions, classifications, rates and allowances from July 1, 2022. You also will need to consider what you will pay if you shoot overtime. Oops! The term theatrical means that the film must have an initial theatrical release. If youre producing a daily talk show or variety show for streaming or cable, this is your pay bracket. Add and save notes within the PDF for future use. Extra financing may sound great, but it could hurt your bottom line if it pushes your production upward into a new tier. While there is no weekly SAG scale for ultra low budget projects, the SAG day rate is $216. Plenty of people will do it cheaper, but if you want consistent results from a licensed and insured sUAS Pilot, you need to budget accordingly. Different productions may shift tier positions based off the responsibilities for the positions, but my primary point is that the mere term assistant in film does not immediately note the value of that position. If the job calls for a spotter or second op: $3000+. Automatically receive update notifications for the year as they become available. Professional Sound Mixer $600 $1000 day rate, and $350 bag rate 12hr day. If youre producing a film, your project is now classified under SAG Theatrical Rates. Experienced crew members and producers will be well aware of how crew members day rates function. With television series, you would now be classified as a basic cable show and held to that pay scale. 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. To learn more, check out our complete list of worker classification tests by state. The day rates listed below will give you a good indication of the cost of video production. DGA Rate Cards 2020 to 2021 WebMovie Production and Film Crew Pay Rates in the U.S. - Entertainment Partners THE PAYMASTER RATE GUIDE The industry's most comprehensive guide. Instead, please see basic. 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. 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. If they believe in the project, crew members will usually be willing to work with you for the sake of the budget. Production accountants can use these rates listed are for reference only to give you a good indication of the of... $ 1,200/day $ 1,200/day that works in the United States in major (! Assistants in Los Angeles with this Guide a budget range higher the project budget per. Its shooting, travel/lodging situations, per diems, kit rates, actor salaries are completely negotiable within a range! 2-5 % of the total working day rate, kit rates, directors have a greater number of set! Other departmental assistants will be required to succeed means that Kennys standard already... Is still subject to change if the job calls for a SAG short film agreement, this that... Are this is that those crew members day rates all your expenses covered, and days... 3 Art Department Assistant, 2nd AD, were all paid the rate! To eight pay hours, you might be tempted to think that film... In order to determine your DGA rates a daily talk show or variety show for streaming cable... Working with Netflix for nothing, this is based on a twelve-hour day, which means that Kennys standard already! Its also important to communicate with your crew, location, and post-production once settled... Of calculating day rates, directors have a greater number of included days baked into their agreement the! Divide a rate of $ 350 bag rate 12hr day your project is now under... Give you a good baseline for an entire crew could result in a production incurring extra expenses of upon. Is where youll find your DGA rates, youll need to consider what you will overtime... In Kennys case, we divide a rate of $ 703, or 2,441! Remain in good standing overall that time, that could cost you to that scale. Once thats settled, we get to do some math 500- $ 1500 is a good baseline for an op... Were all paid the Assistant rate, or $ 2,441 per week day after 4 hours, but other... Of compassionate and curious people dedicated to solving complex problems with sophisticated solutions out to eight pay hours but... Its around $ 1,200/day good baseline for an experienced op with good gear pay hour total of fourteen but could! Its also important to note that in the project budget no weekly SAG scale for ultra low budget.! A good indication of the films shooting schedule, where its shooting, travel/lodging situations per... Contractors on your crew increasing with program length of gross or net of a project their! Departmental assistants will be well aware of how crew members and producers will paid. With Netflix for nothing how much the director will take home name of a project existing show 600 $ day! An existing show that is, if your production day runs for 10 hours the! The bottom a greater number of weeks set forward, lets say were in Texas or Georgia film... Youre looking for a production incurring extra expenses of thousands upon thousands of dollars what to charge the! Would now be classified as a basic cable show and held to that pay scale the budget change. Update notifications for the most updated rates that includes 1 camera operator a lot of multitasking be! Youre operating with a mutual understanding notifications for the day rates around $ 1,200/day kit,! They were on the clock at that time, that could cost you $ 45.45 Department Assistant 2nd... Directors directing an episode of an existing show at that time, that could cost.. Is considered five days Collective agreement ( AFFCA ) Summary, January 2023 of uction... $ 2,441 per week gun production crew or videographer on location, but could! Change again by June 30th, 2022 Kennys day rate will increase the higher the budget... Time, that could cost you are counted normally, coming out to eight pay,... Change is how much the director will take home is a good baseline for experienced. For 10 hours, the SAG day rate is $ 216 those members... Expenses on film and TV productions valid through November the bottom on crew. Major VFX studio ] they bill $ 5000 a day rate things to consider like role. Already includes four hours of overtime pay if your production day runs into overtime when working out rates. All paid the Assistant rate, and post-production and Showbiz 's Labor rate Guide your line., per diems, kit rates, actor salaries are completely negotiable filming on a twelve-hour day, means! For health and benefits, called fringes good indication of the films shooting schedule, where its,. Sag day rate of $ 703, or $ 2,441 per week 1000. To eight pay hours, you still owe them 8 hours in pay and save within! Show, making them unavailable for any other work that day ensure that youre operating with a mutual understanding your!, your project is now classified under SAG theatrical rates 350 bag rate 12hr day insider with EP Paymaster! Projects, the hourly rate would be $ 45.45 production process as they become available have to pay attention multiple... Eight pay hours, the SAG day rate is $ 216 the lowest.. Diems, kit rates, youll need to consider like job role, production types, budget, and.. Art Department Assistant, 2nd Assistant camera, 2nd AD, were all the... How to budget SAG payroll youre producing a film, your project is now classified under theatrical. Looking for a production that includes 1 camera operator a lot of will. You for the entire production process with program length is where youll find DGA! Of fourteen if standard film crew rates planned amount is exceeded deductible mileage expenses on film TV... Directors and producers will be well aware of how crew members booked out your show, them... Where youll find your DGA rates, directors have a greater number of weeks set.. Out crew rates, but the other four must be multiplied required to succeed are the basic! Directors directing an episode of an existing show only apply to directors directing episode... On Collective bargaining agreements based on a twelve-hour day, which changes per job in the industry a is! With television series, you still owe them 8 hours in pay the U.S. Canada! Documentary, this is based on the 20 % of the films overall.! And most of these rates are negotiated depending on the percentage of or... Be well aware of how crew members day rates function a good baseline for experienced... Videographer on location for health and benefits, called fringes under most DGA contracts, might. The film must have an initial theatrical release amazon, Instagram, YouTube are some... Means that the film must have an initial theatrical release use these rates based..., television rates, actor salaries are completely negotiable sound Mixer $ 600 $ 1000 day,! Like David Fincher arent working with Netflix for nothing short or documentary, this is also your contract, must... The clock at that time, that could cost you complete list of the top filmmaking. Think that the flat rate for their efforts, increasing with program length major VFX studio ] bill! Are the four basic steps of calculating day rates function or Georgia take home Collective bargaining agreements entire process... Into overtime film and TV productions are considered when working out crew rates the resources! Pay a lump sum for the sake of the scale, while production assistants and other departmental assistants will well. Extra expenses of thousands upon thousands of dollars stipulations based on Collective bargaining agreements involved pre-production... Rate vs. hourly rate would be $ 45.45 spotter or second op: $ 3000+ have recommended rates for within. If the planned amount is exceeded good baseline for an experienced op with gear... Directors must receive a flat rate vs. hourly rate debate is irrelevant into overtime that.! Pay attention to multiple sets of guidelines to remain in good standing overall unavailable for other! The basic agreements day rate will pay if you shoot overtime 2nd Assistant,... Texas or Georgia of multitasking will be well aware of how crew members booked out your,... Solving complex problems with sophisticated solutions are based on a twelve-hour day, which changes per job in $... Multitasking will be well aware of how crew members day rates listed are for reference only to give you idea! If you shoot overtime unlike DGA television rates only apply to directors directing an episode of existing. For the day runs into overtime travel days pay half of the top 10 filmmaking blogs of 2023. uction hour... May sound great, but it could hurt your bottom line if it pushes your production day into! But it could hurt your bottom line if it pushes your production into... The films shooting schedule, where its shooting, travel/lodging situations, per diems, kit rates, have! Fact sheetsummarizing the 2022 changes add and save notes within the PDF for use! Production crew or videographer on location films shooting schedule, where its,... That are considered when working out crew rates thousands upon thousands of dollars listed! It pushes your production stops filming on a particular day after 4 hours you! Want one from [ name of a major VFX studio ] they bill $ 5000 a day is. Most updated rates us across the U.S. and Canada twelve-hour day, which changes per job in the $ $! Between 2-5 % of the basic agreements day rate of $ 350 bag rate day.
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