Budget Curiosities

[Roberto Lequeux]

I have been doing research regarding SAG low budget contracts to find a sweet spot and know "all" about that. The main tidbit being that SAG Modified Low's budget caps of 625k/725k/937k depending on qualifying incentives is where SAG rates practically double.

However I need to read up on budget caps impacting cinematographer rates. Could someone tell me a bit about the budget caps that would impact a low budget feature regarding DP rates?

[David Mullen ASC]

There's nothing about other crew rates in the SAG contracts, it's just that you are limited in how much your overall budget can climb before you fall out of the low-budget category. How could the Screen Actors Guild tell anyone how much to spend on a DP, editor, gaffer, etc.? It's out of their jurisdiction. But spending too much on some crew members may cause your budget to go beyond the low-budget category.

Now there are low-budget IASTE agreements, which is a different thing altogether.

[M Most]

I have been doing research regarding SAG low budget contracts to find a sweet spot and know "all" about that. The main tidbit being that SAG Modified Low's budget caps of 625k/725k/937k depending on qualifying incentives is where SAG rates practically double.

I would contact SAG to see if any of these break points have changed in the new contract. I don't think they have, but the new contract is now approved.

[Roberto Lequeux]

David, I guess it didn't come out clear. The Low Budget contract goes all the way to 2.5m so the only thing to keep in mind for cast rates are those thresholds. I meant to ask about other unions only, and was merely pointing out what SAG caps are currently. I would really appreciate any info you could share on DP rates.

Mmost, I haven't called since about a month ago, good point.

[M Most]

David, I guess it didn't come out clear. The Low Budget contract goes all the way to 2.5m so the only thing to keep in mind for cast rates are those thresholds. I meant to ask about other unions only, and was merely pointing out what SAG caps are currently. I would really appreciate any info you could share on DP rates.

In the current Low Budget Theatrical agreement, there are only 3 rates specified, identified as Key, 2nd, and 3rd. The Director of Photography, the Operator, and the DIT are defined in the contract as being "subject to negotiation," although the negotiated rate cannot be lower than the Key rate on a Tier One production (production budgeted at no more than $4.23 million), which is $21.14 per hour. There are, of course, benefits as well, and these are spelled out in the contract. If you call Local 600, I'm sure they'll be happy to email you a copy of the contract.

[Roberto Lequeux]

Would I call a Minnesota office or would the LA guys have the same deal as up there?

[M Most]

Would I call a Minnesota office or would the LA guys have the same deal as up there?

600 is a national local. The contract has provisions for all production areas. There are specific designated production cities, but it is a national contract.

[Roberto Lequeux]

I gave them a call but not much help there. I briefly spoke with a lady that treated me like I had the pest :(. She said DP rates for my budget range are definitely negotiable, which I guess is all I need to know from them..?

I put in a call to IATSE. They were very nice. :) I should be getting a rates sheet e-mailed any moment. However it seems they cover positions I am not (can't) consider hiring union members for:

Script Supervisors/Continuity Coordinators
Teleprompter Operators
Production Office Coordinators
Assistant Production Office Coordinators
Art Department Coordinators
Production Accountants
Assistant Production Accountants
Payroll Accountants