TV Rates/Thoughts?

Have an op to be a twister on a TV show (eee!) and they've asked rates. My contact mentioned that there would be a kit fee (don't know how much they were thinking) as well as being paid the extra's rates.

AWESOME!

That said, I've worked in TV before (I was an actor before I switched to fpbt full time), and being background/an extra, the rate is $10/hr less 15% for agent's commission. I've also been a Special Skills extra at something like $26/hr less commission (this was a few years ago and it's gone up a bit since then - it's now $29.28/hr and I no longer have an agent). Also, that's for 8.0 hours - hours 8-12 are time and a half, and hours 12+ are double time.

If you've worked in film/TV, you know it's a lot of "hurry up and wait" - I'd literally be on set for 20 minutes, but be hanging around and be paid for 14 hours, sometimes. But that's just being a general extra; obviously being special skill means you'd have to be on set waiting for the camera to roll more often than general background.

My colleague was sought out to fp and she recommended me as the twister, so obviously the studio has their eye on quality if they bothered to go to the trouble, which makes me think there's a bit of wiggle room. The TV contact has asked for our day rates. Filming would be either this upcoming Monday or Tuesday, so it wouldn't take a weekend away. This would be up to a 12-hour day.

I don't think it would be a problem getting Special Skills pay over General BG. I am wondering though, since she has requested our day rate, and not told us what we'd be getting paid (Note: Haven't gotten the job yet, lol; I need to send her a photo of my set-up), if there is more wiggle room? As of right now, my hourly rate is the same as a professional stunt coordinator (lol), so I don't think they'd be expecting that from a painter or twister...

For something like this, I don't want to be greedy. It's a weekday and there will be a fair amount of down time, so not lots of product being used (plus there's the kit fee) and last time I was one, Special Skills were treated pretty darn well.

For the kit fee I guess I'd ask what they're planning on having me do, and I can come up with a number from that...

Has anyone done anything like this? What are your thoughts?

I have no idea, but good for you! I would say that if you are happy with the skilled rates you mentioned, calculate that out for a full day.

I'd go for the special skills rate and kit fee. It's decent pay for sitting around for 11 hours and working one. You won't be flat out for the whole time (I've worked shoots too... B.O.R.I.N.G.) and if you aren't likely to get a full rate job on the same dates anyway...

It is different than a real gig... so that's what I'd do.

I was on the IATSE Approval Pending list when I was in Vancouver... and the union rates are pretty good.

Yeah, I'd ask the special skills rate too. You obviously aren't just background. They sought you out because they needed a specific skill. Do you know what the painter's rates are? You might ask her so that you'll be comparable. If you're nervous you may be asking too much, you could always leave yourself an "out" for negotiating. Let them know you'll do what you can to make this work for them (within reason).

EXCITING!! Good luck!

Thanks!

The painter and I chatted about this before following up with them, and we're on the same page. Spoke with the studio and have agreed on the Special Ability BG rate which is just shy of $30/hr with an 8.0 hour minimum, plus a kit/travel fee of $100. (She agreed really quickly, which makes me think I could have/should have asked for more...haha. If it happens again, I can always say that we used more supplies than I thought last time, etc...)

I've got to make a few pieces for set dec in my booth, and then twist a bit when the camera's rolling; shouldn't be too taxing

The cool thing is that I'm using my signage! So photos of my signs are being sent to Warner Brothers right now, to get OK'd for use - yay! Now, to see if they actually make it into the shot(s)

Finally, my worlds are colliding!

After the shoot be sure to let us know the show so we can record it... might have to go frame by frame to see you! LOL

Spoke too soon, lol.

After my last post got a call from the gal I was speaking with. I'd just sent in my invoice for the kit fee, and was going to do background paperwork on set and get that part paid separately. She'd called to say the production manager thought it would be easier to just pay me all at once, and would I be okay with $400? Keeping in mind that I was originally going to get $340, yes!

Also, they loved my set up, and would it be ok if they used my signage? Um, yeah!

Redid the paperwork and sent that off. Got the release form and signed/sent that back.

Got another call a couple of hours ago saying that they'd just been in a production meeting, and the producer had decided that he didn't want any kids at the market - ergo they didn't need any kid-related activities.

So in one fell swoop, all I'm left with is a lot of wasted time! LOL. Got told they'd keep my info on file, which could mean a frantic call on Monday saying it's a go, or I'll never hear from them again

Sadly my TVTwisting career is no further along than it was yesterday morning, but maybe next time...

*THIS* close!!