LAFCPUG: Misc Stuff

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Revision as of 03:45, 12 June 2008

Wages, Payment, Contracts & Copyright

We often get asked "How much should I charge?"

Well there are many factors, but mainly its down to experience and talent.

Are you on a salary or freelance?

An owner of an offline suite?

Maybe you have a full Broadcast HD or 2K Online setup?

Check around your local market and if the rates are reasonable for the services then thats the best place to start.

However for your time as an editor, there are various Unions and organisations which provide recommended pay scales for the various genres of the industry.

The Motion Pictures Editors Guild:

http://www.editorsguild.com/v2/wages.htm

US Department of Labour Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages [currently details from May 2006]

http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes274032.htm

PayScale.com is also a good site to check for various salaries here are some country specific links for Film/TV editors average salaries:

US: http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Film_%2f_Video_Editor/Salary

UK: http://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=Film_%2f_Video_Editor/Salary

Canada: http://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Film_%2f_Video_Editor/Salary

Australia: http://www.payscale.com/research/AU/Job=Film_%2f_Video_Editor/Salary

MINIMUM WAGE LAWS

If you are employed by a company, you should never work for less than minimum wage (if your country has a legal lower limit).

Report any profit-making companies advertising for "unpaid" or "work experience" workers or offering less than minimum wage to the relevant authorities.

This does not count if you are freelance/self-employed as you set your own rate.

However minimum wage limits are there for a reason, so when agreeing to do ultra-low-budget work, look at the minimum wage as a baseline rate.

Likewise, if you are an employer, be sure to keep updated on the minimum wage requirements of your country (and State), as ignorance of the law cannot be used as a defense if you are taken to court.

Links to minimum wage:

US: http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/wages/minimumwage.htm

UK: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/nmw/

Canada: http://canadaonline.about.com/library/bl/blminwage.htm

Australia: http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/LabourRelations/Content/Wages%20and%20Leave/Minimum%20wages%20and%20conditions/Minimum_wage_rates.html

CONTRACTS

Whenever possible get a written copy or at the very least a reliable witness.

Read carefully BEFORE YOU SIGN and ask about anything you are unsure of.

Never be pressured to sign without reading the contract through in full.

When writing a contract for a client be sure you don't break any laws!

If in doubt - ask a lawyer.

For freelancers and business owners here is good introduction article on writing a contract by Hal Landen:

http://www.videouniversity.com/contarti.htm

COPYRIGHT

When doing work with copyrighted material (audio/visual) make sure you have clearance before you use it.

You are liable even if the client or employer asks for it.

Even if you get them to sign that they take responsibility. This only makes them party to the infringement.

Copyright laws are different for each country so do some research as its your responsibility for anything that goes into the edit.

A comprehensive article by Douglas Spotted Eagle:

http://www.videouniversity.com/copyright.htm

Some other copyright links:

http://www.asksam.com/ebooks/copyright/

http://www.asksam.com/ebooks/DMCA/

http://www.publaw.com/index.html

Article on Parody and Fair Use: http://www.publaw.com/parody.html

Additional:

http://tvwatercooler.proboards62.com/index.cgi?board=sweat&action=display&thread=1168123455

Please note that the information in this FAQ and the links provided are intended as an informal informative guide only and cannot and should not take the place of proper legal council.