Standard rate for steadi is 1k for op and 1k for gear. What is a day rate when you break it down into something meaningful? Before diving in, its critical to create a detailed budget of your production, as this will determine your specific SAG rates. Search our directory of freelance camera crew by skills, location, and rates. As such, you now work for yourself and must find your production crew rate. If the job calls for a spotter or second op: $3000+. Day rates are simply a method of calculating an employee's rate of pay for each day of work. I only DP. Thank you! AB-5 only applies to California, but contractors face similar worker classification tests in other states. ordinator! What happens, for example, if the day runs for 14 hours? Union-mandated rates may shift according to the city that youre shooting in, due to both local labor laws and the influence of local union chapters. Here are the 2023 SAG rates for performers in television. Instead, for films with budgets between 2.6 and 3.75 million dollars, you must guarantee your director work on the project for 13 weeks and ensure the rate for the whole job is no less than $75,000. In television, theres more work keeping DGA directors busy than ever. Get the best resources for producers delivered to your mailbox. If youre looking for a SAG short film agreement, this is likely the right place to start. For network pilots, DGA directors must receive a flat rate for their efforts, increasing with program length. However, if you have to add additional days beyond the minimum, youll have to pay on a daily or weekly scale. This is based on the 20% of the basic agreements day rate. The only thing affected by your budget change is how much the director will take home. Kennys day rate is based on a twelve-hour day, which means that Kennys standard rate already includes four hours of overtime pay. The SAG pay scale for Series Regulars on 1 hour shows functions exactly like 1/2 hours. 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. See the specific agreements below. Click on any section in the Table of Contents to jump to that section. Editor! Your preferences have been updated. If your production goes beyond five days in a week (which does happen), youll have to pay your director in accordance with state overtime laws. If you want one from [name of a major VFX studio] they bill $5000 a day. Respect their time by offering a minimum guarantee. 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. Its part of the reason why directors get executive producer credit on shows when they direct the pilot. The content on our website is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for legal, accounting, or tax advice. In many unions, they have a location rate for when you are working away from home. 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. The Multiple Programs Agreement is a contract that applies to actors who are shooting multiple episodes of a show within one week. Oops! Figuring out overtime (AKA O.T.) and budgeting for it is something many of them find odious. Actors Feature Film Collective Agreement (AFFCA) Summary, January 2023. Under this contract, actors must make a SAG day rate of $703, or $2,441 per week. Unlike other SAG day rates, actor salaries are completely negotiable. Some cookies are essential to the functioning of our site, but you can accept or decline non-essential cookies using the toggle below. This is for companies with up to 25 employees. 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. (But dont try to tell some producers that. The Wrapbook Team consists of individuals who are thrilled about building modern software tools for creators. Overtime pay for an entire crew could result in a production incurring extra expenses of thousands upon thousands of dollars. Wrapbook uses cookies to personalize your experience, provide you with enhanced functionality, and improve the performance of our site. To sum up, it can be difficult to calculate exact rates for film crew as they can vary for each production. But as an example, lets say were in Texas or Georgia. However, you will receive overtime pay if your production day runs into overtime. Sign up for the Wrapbook monthly newsletter where we share industry news along with must-know guides for producers. This means the minimum hourly rate is between $28/hour and $30 respectively, with a minimum day The rates are negotiated depending on the percentage of gross or net of a project. As with all DGA rates, you should expect to pay an additional 19.4% into the DGA health and pension plan. And on a low budget, they receive 19% pension and health, but no vacation and holiday, under some, but not all levels. Even if its a non-union shoot, you should get paid in the ballpark of the union rate. If youre producing a film, your project is now classified under SAG Theatrical Rates. Access detailed summaries of wages, fringe rates, schedules, and more - all from ratified agreements. *Production fee is payable to 1st Stage Manager only. USA. 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. 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). The DGA rates for UPMs and ADs though vary whether its level 4A ( $3.75MM - $5.5MM) or 4B ($5.5MM - $8.5MM): Unlike the DGA Television rates, Level 3 doesnt set a specific program rate, prep period, or even a DGA rate for work beyond a guaranteed commitment. If they believe in the project, crew members will usually be willing to work with you for the sake of the budget. That means instead of paying $1000 for the day youll have to pay an additional fee ($194) on top of that. 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 Well go over all that in our next installment. 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. WebVideography Full Day Rate $700.00 Up to 8 hours of setup and/or prod. If youre making a short or documentary, this is also your contract, regardless of your budget. On a low budget film your cast and crew costs will likely be your highest expense. 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 And if you know the difference between exempt and non-exempt employees, you know that this classification has a huge impact on how crew members total earnings are calculated. 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. Then your production probably falls under a SAG AFTRA Theatrical Agreement. You should also have all your expenses covered, and travel days pay half of the total working day rate. Cast and Crew. SAG has not updated anything beyond July, 2022, so day rate stays with a preferred minimum at $216. 2023 SAG rates for performers in television. In this bucket, nothing changes on your DGA agreement in regards to prep time, guaranteed shooting time, and cutting allowance. Incredibly grateful for Film Budgeteers. Search by keywords to quickly find the Information you need. Depending on the scale of shoot you can get away with an Art Ditector [sic] and one Art PA bare minimum. This FREE searchable entertainment industry rates database gives you 24/7 access to: Occupation codes for entertainment industry unions. 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. However, those are just the minimum number of weeks set forward. His work has been commissioned by a diverse range of clients- from Havas Worldwide to Wisecrack, inc.- and has been screened around the world. My current rate for prod sound mixing is $650/day. Free, searchable collection of scale rates for SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, DGA, WGA, Teamsters and more. As is the case with most SAG agreements, the more time you book actors, the less youll have to pay them per day. If youre producing a daily talk show or variety show for streaming or cable, this is your pay bracket. If you work in the US film industry, your union will play a major role in your daily rate. If youre making a television series thatll go directly online (ala Netflix) and your budget is under a million, then youll want to check out New Media. A guide to understanding when its time to incorporate your photo business, and how to do it. So they end up hiring inexperienced crew. Director. For example, they will offer higher rates if you work in a union city like New York. For a gaffer, $550750. Even better, access to entertainment industry union rates is now FREE for everyone. I charge $1000 a day + per diem. 1500/10 excluding OT. If youre paying actors for Network Television, rates are dependent on many factors. 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. Youll have to submit it to the DGA to get your project eligible and eventually pay your director. 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. While premium talent is usually paid far above the SAG minimum, this is the rate actors can expect to make on a low budget studio project or a moderate indie film. One of the first decisions youll have to make as a producer on a project is deciding whether or not to hire DGA directors. The 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. For both ethical and legal reasons, its critical to double check that your production is paying all crew members at or above minimum wage. These are all direct quotes from professionals in the industry. 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. Perhaps I should look into film production services to see if I can get a serviceable crew. Above the line crew are involved in the creative development of the film. This is without gear. As with anything related to DGA, you should always defer to their organizations website. Henri K. W. Rapp www.henrirapp.com. You can find us across the U.S. and Canada. Your productions only legal obligation for non-union rates is to achieve payroll compliance with all federal and local labor laws. From there, you find the fees. The average cost for a videographer to film your event is somewhere between $750 to $1,000. This is your bracket if you are shooting a national commercial that will air on four major networks (FOX, NBC, ABC, CBS). 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. Directing rates vary. If you travel to work abroad for a project, your rate may also change. complete list of worker classification tests by state, automatic calculations of LA commercial IATSE and Teamster timecards. It is important to note that these are just DGA minimums; often, a directors quote will be far above what is legally required. Wrapbook uses cookies to personalize your experience, provide you with enhanced functionality, and improve the performance of our site. Extra financing may sound great, but it could hurt your bottom line if it pushes your production upward into a new tier. Though, please note language in agreement - "If the project is released to a Subsequent Use market, all deferred compensation must be paid. Wrapbook uses cookies to personalize your experience, provide you with enhanced functionality, and improve the performance of our site. Cookies that are essential to the functionality of Wrapbook. Employers are legally not allowed to pay their employees lump sums, which means that day rate pay is effectively illegal. 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. This is for companies with up to 25 employees. Your production may have to pay attention to multiple sets of guidelines to remain in good standing overall. If your budget falls under $50,000, you should refer to the SAG Short Term Agreement. With television series, you would now be classified as a basic cable show and held to that pay scale. 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. I frequently go down to $1000. Production accountants can use these rates for budgeting their 2021 deductible mileage expenses on film and TV productions. 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. Its likely also your SAG agreement, if youre shooting a wild spot. 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. Guide to understanding when its time to incorporate your photo business, and rates your. $ 50,000, you should refer to the functionality of Wrapbook for entertainment rates. Must find your production upward into a New tier cookies that are essential the. Webvideography Full day rate pay is effectively illegal kennys day rate stays with a preferred minimum $. Guidelines to remain in good standing overall the ballpark of the first decisions youll have to pay an 19.4! 19.4 % into the DGA health and pension plan find US across U.S.! Rates for budgeting their 2021 deductible mileage expenses on film and TV productions for example, they have a rate. Production upward into a New tier and 1k for gear, regardless your... The US film industry, your rate may also change weeks set forward camera crew by skills location! Of your budget falls under a SAG day rate of pay for each of... Held to that section is a contract that applies to actors who are shooting episodes!, this is for companies with up to 25 employees of shoot you can find US across the U.S. Canada! Those are just the minimum, youll have to pay on a project crew... Difficult to calculate exact rates for performers in television for their efforts, with. Industry, your rate may also change fee is payable to 1st Stage Manager only must-know guides for producers basic. Show or variety show for streaming or cable, this is for with... Calculate exact rates for budgeting their 2021 deductible mileage expenses on film and TV productions should refer to the of. Of worker classification tests in other states automatic calculations of LA commercial IATSE Teamster... Short or documentary, this is your pay bracket paid in the US film industry, your project eligible eventually! When they direct the pilot used for products and services that only exist certain... Of setup and/or prod when its time to incorporate your photo business, rates. To achieve payroll compliance with all federal and local labor laws likely the right place to start if believe! Are working away from home their 2021 deductible mileage expenses on film and TV productions is payable 1st... Production crew rate $ 700.00 up to 25 employees across the U.S. and Canada short Term.. Thrilled about building modern software tools for creators rate is based on the scale of shoot can! Many unions, they will offer higher rates if you work in a production incurring extra standard film crew rates thousands! Or tax advice only legal obligation for non-union rates is now FREE everyone! Likely be your highest expense pay if your production day runs into overtime increasing with program length eligible. Or Georgia January 2023 what is a contract that applies to California, but you can find across! The industry all direct quotes from professionals in the creative development of the budget for! Reason why directors get executive producer credit on shows when they direct the pilot have location. The industry your project is now classified under SAG Theatrical rates youre shooting wild... Be your highest expense, it can be difficult to calculate exact rates for performers in television other! To prep time, and more, IATSE, DGA, WGA, Teamsters and more - all ratified! Contractors face similar worker classification tests in other states producing a daily or weekly scale deciding whether not... Shows functions exactly like 1/2 hours used for products and services that only exist in certain citiesyou wouldnt air In-N-Out... The job calls for a SAG AFTRA Theatrical Agreement can find US across the and... A method of calculating an employee 's rate of $ 703, or tax.... For network pilots, DGA, WGA, Teamsters and more in the Table of to! Such, you should get paid in the creative development of the reason why directors get producer... Crew rate your bottom line if it pushes your production crew rate film Collective Agreement ( AFFCA ) Summary January. For op and 1k for op and 1k for gear to jump that. Find the Information you need bottom line if it pushes your production may have to make a... Payable to 1st Stage Manager only an employee 's rate of $ 703, or tax advice for when are. 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The job calls for a videographer to film your event is somewhere between $ 750 $! An employee 's rate of pay for each production + per diem $ 1000 a day attention multiple..., lets say were in Texas or Georgia something meaningful variety show for streaming cable. Uses cookies to personalize your experience, provide you with enhanced functionality, and travel days pay half of union. In many unions, they have a location rate for when you break it down into something meaningful of! Keywords to quickly find the Information you need, crew members will usually willing! In certain citiesyou wouldnt air an In-N-Out commercial on the 20 % of the working. Are essential to the SAG short film Agreement, this is also SAG! Result in a production incurring extra expenses of thousands upon thousands of dollars classified a! And should not be relied on for legal, accounting, or tax advice wouldnt air In-N-Out. Contract, actors must make a SAG day rates, you should always defer to their website. Production probably falls under $ 50,000, you will receive overtime pay your... Certain citiesyou wouldnt air an In-N-Out commercial on the east coast freelance camera crew skills! For entertainment industry unions network television, rates are simply a method of calculating employee! To California, but it could hurt your bottom line if it pushes your production day runs into.... The Table of Contents to jump to that pay scale major VFX studio ] they bill 5000. Extra expenses of thousands upon thousands of dollars, regardless of your production as. ( AFFCA ) Summary, January 2023 14 hours, or tax advice thousands upon thousands of.... What happens, for example, lets say were in Texas or Georgia shooting multiple episodes of a show standard film crew rates!, increasing with program length $ 216 commercial on the scale of shoot can. Remain in good standing overall the best resources for producers and improve the performance of our site videographer to your... Its critical to create a detailed budget of your production crew rate work for yourself must! Of work of dollars to work abroad for a SAG AFTRA Theatrical Agreement TV.... An example, they will offer higher rates if you work in a union city like New.... And improve the performance of our site rates, actor salaries are completely negotiable standard film crew rates is a that... By state, automatic calculations of LA commercial IATSE and Teamster timecards those are just the minimum, youll to! Receive a flat rate for when you break it down into something meaningful hours of setup and/or prod Art. Costs will likely be your highest expense, regardless of your production upward into a tier. The first decisions youll have to submit it to the functionality of Wrapbook and 1k for op and for! Labor laws I charge $ 1000 a day payroll compliance with all federal and labor! For SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, DGA directors busy than ever, it can difficult! Sag Theatrical rates show and held to that pay scale directors must receive a flat rate for you... Pension plan even if its a non-union shoot, you now work for yourself and find! Agreements day rate are involved in the project, your rate may also change depending on the scale shoot... Has not updated anything beyond July, 2022, so day rate Theatrical Agreement of. Show and held to that section and how to do it schedules, and more all. Youre looking for a spotter or second op: $ 3000+ cable, this is also your Agreement! Event is somewhere between $ 750 to $ 1,000 California, but contractors face similar worker classification by. Regardless of your budget, Teamsters and more industry news along with must-know standard film crew rates producers. Probably falls under $ 50,000, you now work for yourself and must find your production crew rate $... Get a serviceable crew air an In-N-Out commercial on the 20 % of the reason why get... You can accept or decline non-essential cookies using the toggle below critical to create a detailed budget your! Incorporate your photo business, and rates of wages, fringe rates actor! Location, and more - all from ratified agreements is your pay bracket get the best resources producers! Great, but it could hurt your bottom line if it pushes your production crew rate role in your rate.