I'm currently writing and plan to direct a web based series. I'll be shooting on mini-dv. The episodes will be freely available on the internet, so I won't be making a profit in that capacity (though I imagine there's a slim possibility of making some sort of profit down the line). I'm not necessarily opposed to paying actors a small wage, but I'm not sure how much, if any, to pay beyond food and transportation. Also, I'm unclear about whether I can use SAG or AFTRA actors. Can anyone help?
I read a book recently that stated that we have to pay actors at least minumum wage. I guess I don't see myself as an "employer" per se, and I'm not sure what I need to know about taxes, etc. if I am to consider myself an employer. I don't plan to start a company, I am just going to be a sole proprietor (unless I need to do otherwise).
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I read a book recently that stated that we have to pay actors at least minumum wage.
I'd be interested in that book. What is the title?
The SAG rules are very clear. I don't know AFTRA rules, but I'll bet all the info is on their web site. Depending on you total budget you may be able to use the SAG Experimental Agreement. Off the top of my head I can't recall the exact numbers, but by entering into that agreement with SAG you can use their actors with little or no up front payment.
But you ARE required to follow all their rules regarding hours, breaks, meals and working conditions. Sometimes it's easier to hire non-union.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
The book is Digitial Filmmaking 101 by Dale Newton and John Gaspard. pg 71: "The federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audited the film-and-video industry's practices and found that most people - actors, crew, directors, producers, etc. - were hired as independent contractors... Then the IRS looked closely at the nature of these jobs and found that most of them met the statutory description of employees, not independent contractors. So today, only a few positions, such as director and producer, can qualify as independent contractors on a production... If you have employees (actors and crew), you have to pay them minimum wage..."
They recommend becoming a non-profit company and hiring actors and crew as volunteers. I was hoping all this wouldn't be necessary for me, since I'm not trying to make a profit.
Thanks for that book!
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
