Assume I own a production company and am a known filmmaker.
If I am the Writer, Director and one of the Producers of a film, how would I get paid? Where does the DGA come into play? (if they do). What are the varying sources of pay possible based on the different roles? Director, Writer/director, Director/Producer , Writer/Producer , Writer-Director-Producer . Open to hearing about TV context as well.
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In my world, you get one paycheck. Though there may be some separate accounting to ensure legal transfer of copyright so that the picture can actually be sold.
The DGA comes into play only if the production is a DGA signatory. Then DGA minimums and conditions apply then, but no other time. They may not permit certain credits being shared or certain overlapping duties. You would have to refer to the DGA agreements for that though.
Generally, no one is going to double-dip for compensation on a legitimate production. So they get one payment even though they are director and producer, and that doesn't mean they get paid double. There might be a bump recognizing their overlapping duties. Writer is different, as a writer-director should get paid as the writer as well - because that's a different set of legal rights which the producers are required to secure. Depending on your budget though, that might be a minimal payment given the director is also getting paid as director. Then of course, there are "points" on the back end which can be allocated to the director, writer, et al.
You have to be a signatory to the DGA for them to come into play. Film directors working in professional productions under the DGA guidelines earn salaries based on the type of production and the number of weeks on the job. Adding too many titles can bog down the deal. When you see multiple titles, it's usually on smaller film productions where it's easier to control things, or on larger productions with people that have really big names in Hollywood. Executive producers pull the project together, raise the funds, do the hiring. It's not easy to raise a lot of money if you don't have a name in the business.
Shadow Dragu-Mihai, Esq., Ipg Christopher Phillips True. Production of the film with your production company does not automatically equal executive producer. So what about if it's the same circumstances, but a producer instead of executive producer? What is different? How does that effect pay?
My college classmate is a DGA Director and he doesn’t know how accurate the accounting dept operates. His paychecks come from his agency (minus commission fees), and I think the DGA OFFICE tracks and pays residuals.
In the indie world, usually zilch. Maybe a few crumbs if you’re lucky. The distributor will find a way to mop up any free cash before it gets to you, unless you have a killer contact. This in itself costs a fortune in legal fees and negates anything you might make.
There are exceptions, of course.
There can be numerous producers on a project. The initial producer is the one that starts the ball rolling by finding a script and developing that script with the writer. The producer will hire the director and the other department heads like the cinematographer with the help of the director. And, of course, work on casting with the director and the casting person.
Other producers come on board depending on the size of the project. The initial producer that puts the deal together can get a development fee. If the project goes to production, producers are paid based on their deal and that can vary depending on experience and education and other factors.
Brad Havens so to be clear, in this instance, variables aside, as a writer/director/producer with my own production company - I would be paid (by the executive producer or distributor?) for my script, paid to direct the film (from pre-post production) and paid to produce (for production services - filming and editing the movie) ? That's what it is in general, in theory, and then variables and demands of the movie come into play that alter things to what they end up being?
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It purely depends on where your financing comes from. If it’s your production company, you have to raise the funds. If a studio is financing it, then the studio pays. If you’re going to wear all the hats, it’s coming out of your pocket, which is what happens at small production companies. You front all the money, including feeding the interns deli food, and then hope to sell the film/TV project at a film market.
I take cash, diamonds or gold dust (some days I work for beer).
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Ethan Frome Again, no outsude XP is going to pay one person two salaries, even if that person is actually wearing two hats. so you get paid as a director and the producing services are included, or you get paid as a producer and they directing services are included or solit them compensation in two if some line producer thinks that is advantageousfor accounting purposes (I cannot imagine it is). You do get both credits. Personally, I would choose in negotiations to be paid as the Director, and take points as the producer.
I have complete clarity on this now. Thank you all for your responses.
A question that for some reason no one seems to address is WHEN do directors get paid? Whether DGA or non-union, do they get paid up front, partial, after, weekly/min (according to DGA) per contract, etc. etc. etc.?