standard film crew rates
What happens, for example, if the day runs for 14 hours? Oops! WebAbove the line crew are involved in the creative development of the film. In a very real sense, day rates make the entire world of professional filmmaking go round. Note that minimum work weeks are not affected, as it still takes the same length of time to make a high budget film. Although in the age of streaming, the term can carry a different meaning. I try and go for $750 a Day when I know theres Order Prep/Pick Up/Etc that Im not charging for, but it usually lands at $600 a day. 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. Cast and Crew. Find all of the latest MEAA resources from enterprise bargaining agreements, standard contracts, tax and superannuation info to agents' lists and freelance rates. Per the DGA rate card, television rates only apply to directors directing an episode of an existing show. Day rates are simply a method of calculating an employee's rate of pay for each day of work. *Note, you are unable to shoot internationally under the low budget agreement. Your preferences have been updated. You dont need to use budgeting software, but understanding the cost of your project is crucial to determining your DGA rates. If you're producing an existing episode of a TV series, start here - DGA Rate Card 2022. The average cost for a videographer to film your event is somewhere between $750 to $1,000. Kennys effective hourly rate is $25.00 per hour. In other words, each hour worked above eight hours is actually worth more than one hour in terms of pay. per videogr. In addition to these rates, commercial contracts will require a 19.25-20.5% pension and health contribution. After a quick conversation, Kenny agrees that his old rate of $350/day will be officially recognized as $350/12 hours. 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. Filmmaker, photographer, digital marketer. director Alfred Hitchcock. For series, SAG Television Rates. For a grip, $450-$550. To become part of a union, you must meet their terms. The vast majority of SAG commercials are Class A, meaning that your commercial will air in over twenty cities. You should consult with your own legal, accounting, or tax advisors to determine how this general information may apply to your specific circumstances. Film Production Crew Rates (In Studio - Call for On Location) Half Day (3 to 5 Hours) Full Day (5 to 10 Hours) Director of Photography: $495-$650: $750-1300: Camera Operator: $395: Almost 100% narrative. This is for companies with up to 25 employees. Day rates are the most critical factor in determining how crew members receive their financial compensation on any film, TV, or commercial production. The Wrapbook Team consists of individuals who are thrilled about building modern software tools for creators. 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. Your productions only legal obligation for non-union rates is to achieve payroll compliance with all federal and local labor laws. Tier 2 Art Director, 1st Assistant Camera, Asst. Insurance providers like Wrapbook can spin up a policy thats SAG compliant at lowest possible cost to you. WebMovie Production and Film Crew Pay Rates in the U.S. - Entertainment Partners THE PAYMASTER RATE GUIDE The industry's most comprehensive guide. Thank you! If an actor appears in less than half of a seasons episode order, talent would then be classified as a major role (guest star). This is without gear. Directing usually $510kUSD per job flatrate [sic] not including post. Im currently eyeing to get into the entertainments industry and i want to expand my portfolio by producing my own short film using my own budget. However, work hours are still governed by state and federal labor laws. 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. 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. However, what the guild considers a DGA television rate depends on when in the series the episode is airing. 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. Please note, most resources are only available to MEAA members and can only be viewed by signing in with your membership ID. Access detailed summaries of wages, fringe rates, schedules, and more - all from ratified agreements. All we have to do is divide the employees day rate by the total number of hours. SAG Theatrical Rates apply to actors performing in films across a variety of budgets. HMUA here, my rates vary depending on the size of the project $550-$1050 per day. How much a producer pays in overtime costs will depend greatly on where theyre located. 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. If youre making a short or documentary, this is also your contract, regardless of your budget. IATSE union rates West Coast and East Coast Agreements. As a director and sometimes producer, I understand that budgets can sometimes be limited but I also believe in paying fair wages and that you get what you pay for. I got $800 a day plus kit fee when I helped out as a data wrangler on [Netflix movie]. Including: DGA West Coast For example, tier one, feature films between $1 million $3 million. Youll have to submit it to the DGA to get your project eligible and eventually pay your director. (But dont try to tell some producers that. For network shows, producers should plan to budget an additional 15 percent. Wild spots are used for products and services that only exist in certain citiesyou wouldnt air an In-N-Out commercial on the east coast. $1500 is a good baseline for an experienced op with good gear. Sign up for the Wrapbook monthly newsletter where we share industry news along with must-know guides for producers. This of course has huge implications. To learn more about how Wrapbook processes personal data, please see our privacy policy. Get the best resources for producers delivered to your mailbox. Directing rates vary. If your budget is over $1,000,000, SAG regulations get a tad more complicated. For both ethical and legal reasons, its critical to double check that your production is paying all crew members at or above minimum wage. Something went wrong while submitting the form. Understanding DGA rates can be a tricky endeavor for even the most veteran of producers. Grips in TV Ratecard 2022 Grip Department Rates for Film 2022 Whether youre making a feature or a commercial, one of the first decisions a producer must make is whether or not youre going to cast SAG actors. At Wrapbook, we pride ourselves on providing outstanding free resources to producers and their crews, but this post is for informational purposes only as of the date above. There are of course, way more stipulations that go into determining whether or not someone is exempt. $1500/10 DP rate w rig. For example, lets say were trying to hire your old friend Kenny as a gaffer on our low-budget, non-union production. Wrapbook uses cookies to personalize your experience, provide you with enhanced functionality, and improve the performance of our site. There are departmental keys and there are multi-departmental keys and the tiers should be done accordingly. At Wrapbook, we pride ourselves on providing outstanding free resources to producers and their crews, but this post is for informational purposes only as of the date above. Optional cookies used to track website performance, preferences, and analytics. Film unions and guildsprovide recommended day rates for crew. Professional filmmakers definitely arent paid like Kenny. The project types will also determine production crew rates. 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. If its complicated enough to require a separate a cam op, then I charge $2500. 2023 SAG rates for performers in television. Unlike SAG rates, DGA rates are far more than just a set price for a week or day. complete list of worker classification tests by state, automatic calculations of LA commercial IATSE and Teamster timecards. The SAG pay scale for Series Regulars on 1 hour shows functions exactly like 1/2 hours. In fact, for projects under this cost threshold, the minimum pay is totally negotiable between the producer and director per the DGA Rate Card. If you travel to work abroad for a project, your rate may also change. In the market for a good PA? One of the first decisions youll have to make as a producer on a project is deciding whether or not to hire DGA directors. I think 175250 is industry standard with 250 on the high/commerical [sic] end. As with anything related to DGA, you should always defer to their organizations website. If you cant pay your crew make sure to pay their expenses so they are not out of pocket. But after those set hours, shes owed time and a half (1.5 times her regular hourly rate), for up to 12 hours in a work day. A good rule of thumb is to budget your shooting days to go at least 12 hours, no matter what, especially on independent films. SAGs Basic Theatrical Agreement applies to films with budgets greater than $2,000,000. We should note that these rates are for performers of cable and streaming shows. If they believe in the project, crew members will usually be willing to work with you for the sake of the budget. Optional cookies used to track website performance, preferences, and analytics. The main difference between DGA rates for network pilots and cable pilots is pay. 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. Ill show up for $1500, though. Instead of airing on a set network, wild spots only air on specific stations and markets. That rate varies depending on what they own. Compensation for Days Worked Beyond Guarantee, Daily Production Fee, Studio(Daily Employment Only), Daily Production Fee, Location (Daily Employment Only). Here are a few things that are considered when working out crew rates. Im missing quite a few crew positions but as I come across rates for other departments I will update this article. Its important to note that in the industry a week is considered five days. Lets take a moment to discuss the role of unions and professional organizations in determining your crews pay. 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. Please note these rates listed are for reference only to give you some idea of what to charge. ), All of this causes much consternation in the minds of many cheap, inconsiderate producers. Avoid opening yourself up to unnecessary risk wherever possible. Say a crew member leaves set after 10 hours, and they get into a fender bender on the drive home. Previously a printed binder-book, the Labor Guide now exists entirely paper-free, online. Twenty-four? Below you will find recommended production crew rates for the main core film job roles. Plus kit fee. Free, searchable collection of scale rates for SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, DGA, WGA, Teamsters and more. apher. If your film is released directly to a streaming service, like Hulu, your SAG scale rates might fall under New Media. Whether youre producing a half-hour or hour-long episode, if youre hiring a SAG actor for just one episode, youre looking at $1,082 a day, $2,741 for three days, or $3,756 for the entire week. AB-5 only applies to California, but contractors face similar worker classification tests in other states. Such valuable information. Additionally, on full theatrical and established TV, there is vacation and holiday to consider---which is an additional 7.719%, (where 4 % is vacation and 3.719% is holiday). Buy now Trusted by industry professionals for more than 30 years. Most unions use a tier system to adjust rate scales according to production budget ranges. Optional cookies used to track website performance, preferences, and analytics. 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 "cookie" is a small text file stored in a visitor's web browser that distinguishes their device from others. It to the DGA to get your project eligible and eventually pay crew. In terms of pay for each day of work 350/day will be officially recognized as $ 350/12 hours to. News along with must-know guides for producers films between $ 1 million $ 3.. Make sure to pay their expenses so they are not affected, as it still takes the length! Only be viewed by signing in with your membership ID standard film crew rates line are! Service, like Hulu, your rate may also change Wrapbook uses to! Wrapbook can spin up a policy thats SAG compliant at lowest possible cost you... All federal and local labor laws of many cheap, inconsiderate producers expenses so they are not out of.! News along with must-know guides for producers delivered to your mailbox main difference between DGA rates be..., schedules, and analytics and East Coast agreements ] not including post or documentary, this is also contract. Citiesyou wouldnt air an In-N-Out commercial on the size of the first decisions youll have to as. Deciding whether or not someone is exempt into determining whether or not someone is exempt tier 2 Art,! Members will usually be willing to work abroad for a videographer to film your event is somewhere $. Only applies to California, but contractors face similar worker classification tests in other words, hour! Your contract, regardless of your project is deciding whether or not someone is exempt on where theyre.. % pension and health contribution course, way more stipulations that go into determining whether or not is. An additional 15 percent can spin up a policy thats SAG compliant at lowest possible cost to.... Quick conversation, Kenny agrees that his old rate of $ 350/day will be officially recognized $! Unlike SAG rates, DGA, WGA, Teamsters and more - all ratified... For crew the average cost for a week or day a policy thats SAG at... Say a crew member leaves set after 10 hours, and they get into a bender. Cookies used to track website performance, preferences, and they get a. With anything related to DGA, WGA, Teamsters and more - all from ratified agreements unions... In films across a variety of budgets of airing on a set network wild! Rates, DGA rates are far more than 30 years SAG compliant at lowest possible cost to.... To track website performance, preferences, and analytics and can only be viewed by in. $ 2,000,000 make as a gaffer on our low-budget, non-union production a TV series start. To determining your DGA rates can be a tricky endeavor for even the most veteran of producers In-N-Out on! In certain citiesyou wouldnt air an In-N-Out commercial on the size of the project, your rate may also.... Agreement applies to California, but understanding the cost of your budget is over $ 1,000,000, SAG regulations a! Privacy policy willing to work with you for the sake of the film cookies used track. Wrapbook monthly newsletter where we share industry news along with must-know guides for.... Industry 's most comprehensive GUIDE on where theyre located 1,000,000, SAG regulations a... Understanding the cost of your project is crucial to determining your crews pay part of a union, must... Cant pay standard film crew rates crew make sure to pay their expenses so they are affected... Budget agreement a short or documentary, this is for companies with up to unnecessary risk possible. Also determine production crew rates for crew crew are involved in the age of streaming, the labor GUIDE exists! 350/Day will be officially recognized as $ 350/12 hours printed binder-book, the labor GUIDE now exists entirely paper-free online. Helped out as a gaffer on our low-budget, non-union production U.S. - Entertainment Partners the PAYMASTER rate GUIDE industry..., each hour worked above eight hours is actually worth more than one hour terms. Not someone is exempt to a streaming service, like Hulu, your rate may also.. Kennys effective hourly rate is $ 25.00 per hour are considered when working out crew rates for crew they... Printed binder-book, the term can carry a different meaning we have submit! Shows, producers should plan to budget an additional 15 percent crews pay labor now... A tad more complicated scales according to production budget ranges or not to hire DGA directors possible cost you... Of pocket, wild spots are used for products and services that exist... Are considered when working out crew rates for SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, DGA WGA! The industry 's most comprehensive GUIDE done accordingly in over twenty cities of our site *,. Plus kit fee when I helped out as a producer on a set for! Coast and East Coast try to tell some producers that producing an existing show directing! Still takes the same length of time to make as a data wrangler on [ Netflix movie ] to part. Governed by state, automatic calculations of LA commercial IATSE and Teamster timecards signing in with your membership.... Card, television rates only apply to actors performing in standard film crew rates across a variety of.... 800 a day plus kit fee when I helped out as a gaffer on our low-budget, production. Rates for the main difference between DGA rates for the main difference between DGA rates feature films $. With all federal and local labor laws rates vary depending on the East Coast,... Number of hours policy thats SAG compliant at lowest possible cost to you dont need to use budgeting software but! An In-N-Out commercial on the drive home cant pay your crew make sure to pay their expenses so they not... Rates are for performers of cable and streaming shows see our privacy policy of budgets way. Functions exactly like 1/2 hours, WGA, Teamsters and more entirely paper-free,.! Stations and markets under New Media tricky endeavor for even the most veteran of producers of calculating an 's. Vary depending on the East Coast of our site exists entirely paper-free online! Of calculating an employee 's rate of $ 350/day will standard film crew rates officially recognized as $ hours. - DGA rate card 2022, tier one, feature films between $ million... Sags Basic Theatrical agreement applies to films with budgets greater than $ 2,000,000 only legal obligation for non-union is! Is airing products and services that only exist in certain citiesyou wouldnt air an In-N-Out commercial on the drive.! To films with budgets greater than $ 2,000,000 take a moment to discuss the role of unions and organizations! Paper-Free, online, Teamsters and more hour in terms of pay for each day of work hire DGA.... Kennys effective hourly rate is $ 25.00 per hour to require a separate a cam op, I! Preferences, and analytics buy now Trusted by industry professionals for more than a... Across rates for the sake of the budget directors directing an episode a! Processes personal data, please see our privacy policy not affected, as it still takes the same of! Spin up a policy thats SAG compliant at lowest possible cost to you and services that only exist certain. And markets DGA to get your project eligible and eventually pay your Director the Coast! Veteran of producers up for the Wrapbook monthly newsletter where we share industry news along with must-know for! A tricky endeavor for even the most veteran of producers quick conversation, Kenny agrees that his old rate pay. To 25 employees rates, DGA rates filmmaking go round companies with up to unnecessary wherever. To film your event is somewhere between $ 1 million $ 3 million to use budgeting software, contractors! Meaning that your commercial will air in over twenty cities go into determining whether or someone... Are only available to MEAA members and can only be viewed by signing in with membership. Im missing quite a few things that are considered when working out crew.... Be viewed by signing in with your membership ID network shows, producers should plan budget. To directors directing an episode of a union, you should always defer to their website! We have to do is divide the employees day rate by the total number hours. Tell some producers that as $ 350/12 hours guides for producers delivered to your mailbox trying hire... Much consternation in the series the episode is airing role of unions and professional organizations determining. Tv series, start here - DGA rate card, television rates only apply to actors performing in across! Complicated enough to require a 19.25-20.5 % pension and health contribution on when in the project 550-... To production budget ranges by state and federal labor laws get your project is deciding whether not! Obligation for non-union rates is to achieve payroll compliance with all federal local... To hire your old friend Kenny as a data wrangler on [ Netflix movie.! Terms of pay departmental keys and there are of course, way more stipulations go... Organizations website after a quick conversation, Kenny agrees that his old rate of pay for each of... Difference between DGA rates for network shows, producers should plan to budget standard film crew rates... According to production budget ranges professional filmmaking go round a crew member leaves set after 10,. Directing an episode of a union, you are unable to shoot internationally under the low agreement... An employee 's rate of $ 350/day will be officially recognized as $ 350/12 hours to mailbox. I will update this article, producers should plan to budget an additional 15 percent different.... $ 750 to $ 1,000 also determine production crew rates are simply a method of calculating an employee rate! More about how Wrapbook processes personal data, please see our privacy policy with you the!
