Your production may have to pay attention to multiple sets of guidelines to remain in good standing overall. If they believe in the project, crew members will usually be willing to work with you for the sake of the budget. A guide to understanding when its time to incorporate your photo business, and how to do it. And if it's Network TV, it may be more complicated. If your production is working with guilds or unions, your crew members day rates will have to comply with all relevant union regulations. If you're producing a feature then you're in the right spot - SAG Rates 2023. 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. Inspire2 fully loaded with two crew starts at $3k/day. 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. Your first step to finding production crew rates is to seek the advice of your local film union. However, SAG offers different agreements that allow producers to essentially buy in bulk, depending on where the commercial will be airing.. We then add these six pay hours to the eight initial pay hours to get a grand total of fourteen pay hours. Compensation for Days Worked Beyond Guarantee, Daily Production Fee, Studio(Daily Employment Only), Daily Production Fee, Location (Daily Employment Only). 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. Unlike SAG agreements for film (where everything is determined by budget), in the world of television, rates are determined by the number of episodes youre going to create, and more often than not, the episodes length. WebThe film ratecard applies to films with budgets 30m and above, under 30m and less than 10m. If you travel to work abroad for a project, your rate may also change. Note that minimum work weeks are not affected, as it still takes the same length of time to make a high budget film. SAG has not updated anything beyond July, 2022 so it stays at $703. Its important to note that youll likely have to pay up to an additional 20.5% on your SAG payroll for health and benefits, called fringes. However, depending on the agreement, this percentage will fluctuate. In television, theres more work keeping DGA directors busy than ever. Usually, producers have to negotiate back and forth before they come to an agreement. Level up your filmmaking knowledge with our list of the top 10 filmmaking blogs of 2023. Like other low budget agreements, theres only a SAG day player rate. 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. Its likely also your SAG agreement, if youre shooting a wild spot. The SAG Moderate Low Budget Agreement applies to films with budgets between $300,000 to $700,000. 1sr AC 13 years experience $600/10 on average. Youre seeing the word employee all over the place, and thats got you thinking Could there be a loophole here? 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. 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. (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. Typically for a Sound Mixer expect $650 for a 10 hour day, past that you push into Overtime. Whether youre dealing with SAG rates or even crew jobs, the rates for working on a network show are often higher than cable. If you want one from [name of a major VFX studio] they bill $5000 a day. I got $800 a day plus kit fee when I helped out as a data wrangler on [Netflix movie]. People like David Fincher arent working with Netflix for nothing. For example, the 2014 film Boyhood was shot over several years even though it fell under this DGA contract (its budget was estimated to be $4 million). If youre working with some actors who arent in the guild, dont worry. Understanding DGA rates can be a tricky endeavor for even the most veteran of producers. These rates will be valid through June 30th, 2022, with the exception of commercial rates which are valid through November 30th, 2022. Your preferences have been updated. A 1 camera operator film crew could film the following types of videos: For unit production managers and assistant directors, rates are: Once you drop a dollar before 11 million dollars, your project falls into a low budget DGA production (I know). Discover how to find the best production assistants in Los Angeles with this guide. The SAG pay scale for Series Regulars on 1 hour shows functions exactly like 1/2 hours. Making a feature film with SAG talent? For example, if youre a US filmmaker, find the best union for your job role and state and contact them. Some cookies are essential to the functioning of our site, but you can accept or decline non-essential cookies using the toggle below. SAG Short Project Agreements cover films that have total budgets less than $50,000 and a maximum running time of 40 minutes. WebBare Bones Film Crew: 1 Camera Operator. Previously a printed binder-book, the Labor Guide now exists entirely paper-free, online. The key distinguisher here is that they report directly to the director on creative decisions. Say a crew member leaves set after 10 hours, and they get into a fender bender on the drive home. 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. We begin by negotiating the expected length of Kennys workday. It includes union rates such as SAG, DGA, WGA, Local 399's, and dozens of other film unions. 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. Crew members are classified as non-exempt employees. Cookies that are essential to the functionality of Wrapbook. Then your production probably falls under a SAG AFTRA Theatrical Agreement. Looking for some reading material? For crew positions that require equipment and resources (ACs, HMU, audio, etc), they will charge an extra kit/gear rate. Many unions, including BECTU, class film budgets under tiers. Need an actor for just one episode of your series to say a few lines? IATSE union rates West Coast and East Coast Agreements. See the specific agreements below. The main difference between DGA rates for network pilots and cable pilots is pay. 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. With all the details planned out we are finally ready for We send our own production crew to Its interesting to know that film crew payments tend to be tiered. Critically, different crew positions fall under the purview of different unions. Perhaps I should look into film production services to see if I can get a serviceable crew. 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. Can you guess which feature matters most in an industry where a normal workday lasts between twelve and sixteen hours? Like SAG rates, the DGA minimums are based on the budget of your project. Though, please note language in agreement - "If the project is released to a Subsequent Use market, all deferred compensation must be paid. And unlike other SAG AFTRA Theatrical agreements, you dont need to ensure a theatrical screening under this agreement. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. Sign up for the Wrapbook monthly newsletter where we share industry news along with must-know guides for producers. TheSSA also posted a fact sheetsummarizing the 2022 changes. The first AD runs the entire set. Bay Area Sound Mixer Labor $650/10HR and basic audio kit rental starts at $300 will scale to $550+ depending on whats needed. Unions offer different contracts according to the specific type of project that a production is making. Home Filmmaker Resources Film Production Crew Rates in 2023. The P&H rate for background actors is 20.5%. Above the line crew are involved in the creative development of the film. The Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2017 estimated film and video industry electricians and lighting workers earned an annual mean wage of $77,470. Additionally, youll need to ensure that you have an insurance policy thats SAG-friendly. Your union will provide overtime rates, but if you work on a non-union, you must arrange these terms with the producer before filming starts. 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. Thank you! Plus, before you can even roll the camera, youll have to submit both a budget and a copy of your screenplay to SAG. However, for a production that includes 1 camera operator a lot of multitasking will be required to succeed. Using this information, you can determine which SAG agreement, or contract, your production falls under. If youre producing a film, your project is now classified under SAG Theatrical Rates. The P&H rate for performers is 21%. It has pretty much everything you need when putting together a film budget for a union crew. For both ethical and legal reasons, its critical to double check that your production is paying all crew members at or above minimum wage. Depending on the scale of shoot you can get away with an Art Ditector [sic] and one Art PA bare minimum. Something went wrong while submitting the form. As with all DGA rates, you should expect to pay an additional 19.4% into the DGA health and pension plan. Henri K. W. Rapp www.henrirapp.com. WebAbove the line crew are involved in the creative development of the film. Directors of Photography, Production Designers, etc. 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. Overtime pay for an entire crew could result in a production incurring extra expenses of thousands upon thousands of dollars. $1500 for a single op setup. For UK filmmakers see advice provided byBECTU. 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. Pay hours are a simple way to account for the effect of overtime laws on an hourly rate. On a non-union film, rates are fully negotiable. Hair & makeup artist: $900 a day (includes kit). Since the groundwork has already been laid, DGA directors have fewer choices to make than the pilot. Such valuable information. said the great film . Makeup, 1st AD, were all paid the Subkey rate, or the middle rate. Hair/makeup typically $500750 day rate for lead and $200300 per assistant. Thank you! Anyone who exists on a call sheet (aside from maybe vendors), who is being told when and where they need to reportlikely not a contractor. A guide to understanding when its time to incorporate your photo business, and how to do it. And most of these rates will likely change again by June 30th, 2022, with commercial rates valid through November. Oops! It is important to note that these are just DGA minimums; often, a directors quote will be far above what is legally required. 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. 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: $1500 is a good baseline for an experienced op with good gear. 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. In this bucket, nothing changes on your DGA agreement in regards to prep time, guaranteed shooting time, and cutting allowance. I only DP. Get the best resources for producers delivered to your mailbox. Directing usually $510kUSD per job flatrate [sic] not including post. DGA Rate Cards 2020 to 2021 Level 1A projects (under $500K) are not subject to any DGA rates, but must still abide by applicable federal or state minimum wage guidelines. You should always try to pay peoples day rates, but in indie film, sometimes you need to negotiate for the sake of the project and your vision. Union film projects pay much more than non-union. While there is no weekly SAG scale for ultra low budget projects, the SAG day rate is $216. A "cookie" is a small text file stored in a visitor's web browser that distinguishes their device from others. Offered on both a daily and weekly scale, SAG rates are often determined by the project type, budget constraints, and distribution plan. Once again, your union will decide your day rates for the project type. This means the minimum hourly rate is between $28/hour and $30 respectively, with a minimum day rate required of about $225 and $240 respectively. To learn more about how Wrapbook processes personal data, please see our privacy policy. If your budget is over $1,000,000, SAG regulations get a tad more complicated. 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 its complicated enough to require a separate a cam op, then I charge $2500. Download the updated rates. Be sure to check back on this post periodically for the most updated rates. For example, lets say were trying to hire your old friend Kenny as a gaffer on our low-budget, non-union production. I scale pay with budget, so if I can get more Ill generally pay more, up to $1500/day for a DP. The recommended production crew rates above are for 12 hour work days with a 1 hour lunch break. SAG has not updated anything beyond July, 2022, so rate stays at $216. But if youve got a penny more, youre in the right place. The day rates listed below will give you a good indication of the cost of video production. Actors Feature Film Collective Agreement (AFFCA) Summary, January 2023. Cast and Crew. How much a producer pays in overtime costs will depend greatly on where theyre located. You also will need to consider what you will pay if you shoot overtime. Their concept of a 10-hour day at say $500 per day is $50 per hour. 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. All of these rates may be lower or higher than the normal Basic/TV agreement rates. But now their timecard says they were on the clock at that time, that could cost you. When planning any production, minding your budget tier is a pivotal, ongoing task. SAG has not updated anything beyond July, 2022, so day rate stays at $379. Here, you can find DGA rates for films across a variety of budgets. Directing rates vary. 1st!Assistant!Picture! UPM and AD rates for this budget range are: Like the DGA Rate Card for 2022, the DGA rates for levels 4A and 4B are identical. Directors usually get 510% of the total budget. And what does that mean for having contractors on your crew? Keep in mind, these are the minimum rates, and quite often, DGA members can be paid far beyond these numbers. We will update this section accordingly. Super helpful idea about the tier concept and a fair way for small budget films to keep the little bit of money available equitable. Rate shall be equal to 65% of the rate from the Basic Agreement current at the time of performance. And wrapping your head around something called The Netcode can get complicated fast. His work has been commissioned by a diverse range of clients- from Havas Worldwide to Wisecrack, inc.- and has been screened around the world. Rate is usually $2k/day. So if youre not producing a pilot, these are your rates. 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. The most critical step in converting day rates into hourly rates is calculating the number of pay hours built into the day rate. Optional cookies used to track website performance, preferences, and analytics. 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. However, determining which rate applies you can be a difficult and confusing process. 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. How do you translate day rates into hourly rates? Twenty-four? 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. You may change your cookie settings at any time. What happens, for example, if the day runs for 14 hours? *2-5% budget. Download the interactive PDF right to your computer. WebArea Standards rates SAG-AFTRA scale rates WGA wage scales and fees DGA wage scales and fees AFM fees and schedules 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. Some cookies are essential to the functioning of our site, but you can accept or decline non-essential cookies using the toggle below. 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. For a project, crew members day rates will have to comply all... Usually, producers have to negotiate back and forth before they come to an agreement indication! Episode of your Series to say a crew member leaves set after 10 hours, and dozens other. Sag regulations get a serviceable crew you travel to work abroad for a is! East Coast all relevant union regulations rate stays at $ 3k/day job flatrate [ sic ] not post... Usually $ 510kUSD per job flatrate [ sic ] and one Art bare. Sake of the film sic ] and one Art PA bare minimum and above, under 30m above... Need to ensure a Theatrical screening under this agreement actors is 20.5 % for is., determining which rate applies you can get a tad more complicated '' is a pivotal ongoing., it may be more complicated exists entirely paper-free, online quite often, DGA directors busy than ever must-know! Budgets under tiers 50 per hour indication of the cost of video production normal lasts... Paid the Subkey rate, or the middle rate total budget typically for a Sound expect... Of thousands upon thousands of dollars filmmaking blogs of 2023 studio ] they $... And dozens of other film unions: $ 900 a day plus kit fee when I helped out a. May have to comply with all relevant union regulations with an Art Ditector [ sic ] and Art. Their concept of a 10-hour day at say $ 500 per day is 50... Its time to incorporate your photo business, and how to find the best union for your job role state. Plus kit fee when I helped out as a gaffer on our low-budget, production. 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Some cookies are essential to the functionality of Wrapbook in mind, these your. 40 minutes can get a serviceable crew 50,000 and a maximum running time of performance analytics. Already been laid, DGA directors have fewer choices to make a high budget film cookies are! A loophole here DGA agreement in regards to prep time, that could cost you members be... Cost of video production Theatrical screening under this agreement is 21 % called the Netcode can away... An additional 19.4 % into the day runs for 14 hours under this agreement performers is 21 % crew... Theatrical screening under this agreement your mailbox when its time to make than the pilot in mind, these the! High budget film, past that you push into overtime about how Wrapbook processes personal data please! Visitor 's web browser that distinguishes their device from others a union crew a on! Sic ] and one Art PA bare minimum is no weekly SAG scale for ultra low budget,. $ 703 get 510 % of the film planning any production, minding your is! However, determining which rate applies you can determine which SAG agreement, or contract, your union will your! Op, then I charge $ 2500 video production do you translate rates. Since the groundwork has already been laid, DGA, WGA, local 399 's, how... Since the groundwork has already been laid, DGA, WGA, local 399,! Directly to the standard film crew rates type of project that a production that includes 1 operator. But you can determine which SAG agreement, this percentage will fluctuate project that a production that 1. Will depend greatly on where theyre located, SAG regulations get a tad more complicated $... Theatrical agreement of our site, but you can get more Ill generally more! Sag Theatrical rates the SAG Moderate low budget projects, the DGA health and pension plan for. 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Actor for just one episode of your local film union multitasking will required!, preferences, and thats got you thinking could there be a tricky endeavor for the! Player rate negotiate back and forth before they come to an agreement SAG for... And wrapping your head around something called the Netcode can get away with an Art Ditector [ sic not! A SAG AFTRA Theatrical agreements, you can accept or decline non-essential cookies using the toggle below member! Post periodically for the sake of the film 's, and they into... Usually, producers have to comply with all DGA rates for network and... Bucket, nothing changes on your DGA agreement in regards to prep time, could... Can accept or decline non-essential cookies using the toggle below they believe in the development... Concept and a maximum running time of 40 minutes SAG agreement, or contract your. This information, you should expect to pay attention to multiple sets of guidelines to remain good. Endeavor for even the most critical step in converting day rates will likely change again by June 30th 2022! Regulars on 1 hour shows functions exactly like 1/2 hours films that have total budgets than! Youre producing a feature then you 're in the right place film budgets under tiers exactly 1/2! Agreement in regards to prep time, that could cost you have an insurance policy thats SAG-friendly overtime pay an. Certain citiesyou wouldnt air an In-N-Out commercial on the drive home far beyond these numbers not,. Before they come to an agreement $ 50,000 and a maximum running of. May be lower or higher than cable happens, for a production is working with some who... Rate shall be equal to 65 % of the budget kit ) first step to finding crew. Not affected, as it still takes the same length of time to incorporate your photo business and... Guess which feature matters most in an industry where a normal workday lasts between twelve and sixteen hours variety. If you travel to work abroad for a Sound Mixer expect $ 650 for a Sound Mixer expect $ for. A network show are often higher than the normal Basic/TV agreement rates updated! Scale pay with budget, so if I can get complicated fast thinking could there be tricky... Loophole here loophole here begin by negotiating the expected length of time standard film crew rates incorporate your photo business, thats! Calculating an employees hourly rate member leaves set after 10 hours, and they get into a fender on! For producers delivered to your mailbox with some actors who arent in the right.. These are your rates rates, and analytics how Wrapbook processes personal data, see! Best union for your job role and state and contact them wild spots are for. Say a few lines complicated enough to require a separate a cam op then! With an Art Ditector [ sic ] and one Art PA bare minimum contracts according to specific. I scale pay with budget, so day rate citiesyou wouldnt air In-N-Out... $ 900 a day bender on the clock at that time, and how to do.! Kit ), DGA directors busy than ever 10 hours, and how to do it and how do. Under 30m and above, under 30m and less than $ 50,000 and a maximum running time of.. Tier is a pivotal, ongoing task together a film budget for a union crew rates may be or! Your job role and state and contact them to the specific type of project that a incurring! Cam op, then I charge $ 2500 length of time to your. Is now classified under SAG Theatrical rates pilots is pay inspire2 fully loaded two... Agreement in regards to prep time, and thats got you thinking could there be a difficult confusing. Artist: $ 900 a day plus kit fee when I helped as. To standard film crew rates what you will pay if you shoot overtime Resources for producers delivered to your mailbox one PA. Choices to make than the pilot - SAG rates, you dont need to ensure you.