You Did What?

Why yes, we can deduct the cost of your bail and the damages to your hotel room from your final check. Thanks for asking!

I Know Where You Live

One of the actor's on my show was constantly calling/emailing/asking for his checks. He seemingly had no shame because we all heard various stories about why he needed his money oh so badly.
1) His wife spends every dime if she gets hold of it first
2) His kid is in a private school with a hefty tuition
3) His mortgage his very high

In the end, he was fairly nice about it but really, I don't need to know all of your business. Just fill out the paperwork and sign your contract and you will get every dime coming to you. And when it comes time for the final check, it's weird that you are so eager to have it sent over that you gave me your home address...

The Forgotten Blog

Was going to delete this blog but I can't decide. Sure, there are plenty of stories to tell but I just don't know if I can take the time to log on to yet another site to post them. Going to have to think about it a bit more...

Stunt Coordinators

I can't decide if this Stunt Coordinator is ignorant about his SAG contract or he's playing stupid to get more money (actually, I wonder that about a lot of crew). 

Here's a real email conversation (I refer to people by their title to cover my ass):

hi adwpayroll

I think  you  handling performer  payroll...

I  think  I am  missing a  6th day on my last check  for  oct 9th.

we  worked that saturday the  9th and  my weekly is  a  5  day  weekly.

or Maybe  its  coming  seperately ...

thanks

Stunt Coordinator (SC)

SC,

Your contract did not specify your rate as being for only 5 days but I have confirmed the deal with the UPM. The APOC will have a revised contract drawn up for you to sign. In the future, you may want to make sure your deal is specified on the contract to avoid any confusion or delays in payment.

Thanks,
adwpayroll

adwpayroll

u  bet

I  would  be under  scale  which  sag  would  crucify me....

SC

Actually, the Schedule K Flat Deal contract precludes any overtime, premium, or penalty payments and 6th days are premium payments. SAG would have had no reason to complain at all about me not paying you for a 6th day per your signed contract. And considering current scale is $4958 a 6th day paid would equal $6445 which is far below what you are making on this show. So there wouldn't be any complaints about being under scale, either.

But I have had confirmation from the UPM that your $8250 rate is meant for just 5 days. The APOC will do a revised contract and I will correct the payments.

adwpayroll

Ok great

Good to know for the future

Thanks

SC
 

You be the judge...

 

It's Never Enough

I once worked on a show with an actor who made a lot of money ($10 million). Each week, for 11 weeks, his check was a little more than $900,000.00. EACH WEEK. And the "little more"? That amount was more than I made in 6 weeks. So what do I overhear from this guy when he thinks no one is nearby? A phone call to his agent complaining that he needs more money, that he's not making enough. Welcome to Hollywood!

Welcome to Payroll

I've been doing payroll for the movies since 1999 - not forever but a long time in this business. I can't share too many details about my work but I can answer questions and maybe share some stories. And rant - I can definitely rant about some of the absurd stuff that comes across my desk.

So if there's anything you've ever wanted to know about how movies get paid or if you work in the industry and have a question about how something should be paid, let me know.

Just remember - I pay the people who make movies, I am not a Certified Public Accountant.