5 Self-Study On-Line Courses on Film Production Payroll:
SAG Daily & Weekly Performers, DGA, IATSA National Low Budget (crew) & IATSE Area Standards(crew)
Self-Study On-Line Courses:The 6 comprehensive on-line self-study courses, have been designed to make it as practical and as lively as possible. For every Guild/Union the Agreement,
worksheet templates,
every form required for the film payroll process,
every pertinent payroll rule referenced to the exact Section/Article of the Agreement,
partially prepared timesheets for you to complete
and completed timesheets (for your review or comparison to your calculations),
are all downloadable from my website to your computer.
Recommended Starting Point - SAG Day Performer (Schedule A):
In my experience SAG is the most complex payroll, and it is also the one Guild/Union that is on (almost) every film production in the USA.
So, I have taken the time to prepare "Introductory Videos" and "Quiz Videos" for SAG Schedule A - Day Performers. (Similar videos will follow for the other courses as, and if, needed - your feedback will help me decide if you need it).
For example, when you see "Intro Dog" click on it for an introduction to that particular section (for example, auditions, overtime, etc). At the end of each section will be "Quiz Dog". Click on it for a video-quiz which you can automatically email to me (need MS Outlook or Firefox's Thunderbird). I also have a "Tip Dog" icon to indicate that the written
note is an important tip. See the icons here:
If you haven't done film payroll before, the following terms are thoroughly cleared up in the SAG Schedule A (Day Performer) course - :
Base Rate
Basic Work Day/Week
Call time and Wrap
Meal Breaks and Non-Deductible Breakfast
"Studio" and "Distant" Locations
Travel rules regarding payroll
Overtime
Rest Period Violation
Meal Period Violation
Money Break
etc
These terms recur throughout all of the unions and guilds in the film industry. When thoroughly, and practically, understood, the other Guild/Union courses become so much easier to work through.
Watch This Video to See How It Works
Pricing on the Full (Detailed) Self-Study On-Line Courses:
1. SAG Day Performer (Schedule A) Price: $95.50
SAG Day Performers (Schedule A): the rules for calculating "Gross Pay" are referenced to the specific SAG Codified Basic Agreement for Schedule A (Day Performers). Emphasis is on
practicing the calculation
of Gross Pay with actual timecards, all the while applying the SAG related rules, until you have a smooth working knowledge of SAG payroll.
_______
2. SAG Weekly Performer (Schedule B) Price: $95.50
SAG Day Performers (Schedule B): the rules for calculating "Gross Pay" are referenced to the specific SAG Codified Basic Agreement for Schedule B (Weekly Performers). Schedule H (Stunts) and Schedule F (Deal Performers) are also quickly covered - Note: once you know Sch. A and
B Performers the rest fall into place very quickly. Emphasis is on
practicing the calculation
of Gross Pay with actual timecards, all the while applying the SAG related rules, until you have a smooth working knowledge of SAG payroll.
_______
3. DGA Price: $74.50
DGA: the rules for calculating "Gross Pay" are referenced to the specific DGA Basic Agreement. The DGA covers the Director, UPM and AD's. All rules relating to calculating Gross Payroll are practiced, including the calculation of "Production Fees" and "Completions
of Assignment". Emphasis is on practicing the calculation of Gross Pay with actual
timecards, all the while applying the DGA related rules, until you have a smooth working knowledge of DGA payroll .
_______
4. IATSE National Low Budget Agreement: Price: $74.50
Includes a 1 hour recorded webinar where we go through a weekly timecard utilizing a template and referring to each applicable rule. See this very short clip to some idea of how it works:
IATSE National Low Budget Agreement (IANLBA): The IATSE rules for overtime, etc. vary according the size of your budget and the geographical location of the production. Without being properly oriented it can seem very confusing - it's complex, but easily sorted out when you understand the basics. There is one IATSE Agreement that has the same rules throughout the USA and Canada. It is the "IATSE
National Low Budget Agreement". It covers all IATSE union film productions less than $12Mil. This is the agreement that we will work with the most as it covers all productions less than $12Mil throughout North America.
The following On-Line Course need to have the links completed. As I am currently working I need to have some week-ends free to finish them off. They will be ready on Monday, April 11th, 2011
5. IATSE Area Standards Agreement Price: $74.50
IATSE Area Standards Agreement: The IATSE Area Standards rules for rates, overtime, rest period and meal period violations are applicable on film productions greater than $12Million in most geographical regions throughout the mid-west and southern states (not New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco). After learning the above guilds and the IANLB Agreement, this will seem easy.
*** All of 5 as a package with 15% Discount Total Price Discounted 15%: $416.00
About John Gaskin, Testimonials and Benefits John Gaskin has worked on more than 40 film and TV productions, working in 5 different countries over 2 1/2 decades. He has worked on all sizes of productions, including 2 with Ron Howard.
INSTRUCTOR: John Gaskinis a working Production Auditor. At the time of this writing he is the Production Controller on "Devil", a feature film production developed and produced by M. Night Shyamalan. John also has a Proprietary School licensed in the State of Michigan (License #20090034). John has worked in the film production business since 1985, primarily as a Film Production Auditor.
John has worked on 45 different productions in 5 different countries, working with greats such as Ron Howard, Frank Oz and Walter Salles - as well as small independent films and TV episodic productions, pilots and mini-series. During his career many of his assistants have gone on to become Key Accountants (another term for the Production Auditor).
John also has Supervising Producer credits - see his resume on IMDb. In his previous seminars he was touted as the Billion Dollar Man because the accumulated budgets that have been under his control has exceeded a Billion Dollars.
John's book, "Walk The Talk" is required reading at the University of Southern California's Cinematic Arts (Peter Stark Graduate Producer's Program), as well as the Producer's Program at the University of Tampa, where John has an open invitation to deliver seminars. John's book is also used and recommended by at least one mentor, Michael Glick, at the American Film Institute. John has numerous Internet articles on Google Knol and EzineArticles and enjoys answering your questions on his blog - film production.
John has several 'Testimonials' but his favorites are from Ron Howard and David Valdes (David worked with Clint Eastwood for a chunk of his career and has been an independent producer for some time in his own right). Click here to see Ron Howard's letter, and here for David Valdes's hand written note. Another testimonial that John is proud of is Peter D. Marshall's book review. Peter is a 35 year veteran film director and instructor. Visit John's Web Site for more testimonials. For a quick 2-minute video of Testimonials, CLICK HERE. When Ron Howard asked John why the budget was so high on a feature film production they were doing in New York, John was tongue tied. After that John was determined to get it right the next time, so he wrote a book, called "Walk The Talk" which shows any filmmaker, or any novice film producer, how to "Direct the Money" during a film production.
To see more about John's credentials see the following:
Some quotes to give you a concept of my basic nature - my workshops are never boring:
"Over a year ago I opened a dialogue with you with the hopes of gaining more knowledge of production accounting practicing and some tips for really breaking in... And I just wanted to let you know that as of today, I am 4 days away from wrapping out my first show as Key Accountant. It was only an 800K feature, but a feature nonetheless.... And in a rebate state (North Carolina).
We payrolled
all crew
(non union), SAG, and background... So every week, I had three individual payrolls. Plus obvious things like AP and Petty Cash... But I made it through! Just wanted to say thanks for the help." - Josh, North Carolina
"The presenter (John Gaskin) was excellent...candid, straightforward, respectful of the audience. I especially liked the real life examples, they're the best way to learn about finances. The casual format stimulated great conversation between audience and presenter." Christy,CPA Florida
"I took John’s 2 day budgeting workshop, and his one day Michigan film credit
workshop in August. He is wonderful! The time flew by, and I found
myself hoping he would re-do his production accounting workshop in Michigan, so
I could attend that as well! He provided us a lot of very useful, and current materials.
At our workshop we all brought laptops, and had hands on experience
learning to use Movie Magic Budgeting. John is very good at
teaching this material, and provided us with many valuable tips and
tricks. He has a wealth of real-world experience, and often spiced up his
presentation by sharing this experience with us. A few who had planned on
taking only the Budgeting workshop, decided to stay and signed on to take the
Michigan Film Credit workshop he offered the next day – and two of them had no
plans to film in Michigan!Carol A,CPA Michigan
Testimonials: Below is a video clip of attendees from one of my workshops in Toronto.
"I had such a great time this weekend. It was a pleasure to meet John and take in the wealth of knowledge he was willing to share with us. It was also great to see someone who is a finance professional be successful in a field that (when all the money talk is over) nurtures the creative drive of so many individuals." Marie M., CA- Came to Toronto from Baltimore.
"I just wanted to thank you both for the excellent workshop. It was really well organized & delivered, full of great content, and fun! It was also a place to network. I really look forward to future seminars." Craig L.,CA, Toronto
Honestly, I have attended a lot of seminars to keep up with the required 40 hours of CPE for my CPA status and this was easily one of the best ones I've been to. The venue, the topics, instructor and the class participants were all excellent. John keeps things interesting by adding his personal experiences and was always great at explaining nuances/ terms specific to the
industry
-
having
the materials
emailed before the seminar was also very helpful." Irene W., CPA, came to Toronto from Ohio
"John
Gaskin and what he shares is just not available, ANYWHERE! John 's
workshop seminars are perfect, they are the ONLY SHOW IN TOWN for the
seasoned film professional or aspiring filmmaker; or that CPA , lawyer,
general business person wanting make a career change or added value to
what they do, by segueing into the entertainment business.
John Gaskin is film professional that instills trust and enthusiasm and
calls it as it is! From his years of experience as a production auditor
/accountant/ production executive ( all my higher powers) with his
expertise in budgeting, cost reporting, dealing with bond companies,
managing contracts of every description, working with producers(and
being one himself), production managers and studio executives ensure a
production is produced on time and on budget. He brings his vast
cross-over disciplinary skills and experience to an nuts and bolts
result in his book "Walk The Talk", which I use in my producing course
at University of Tampa. His presentations ( including EP budgeting & scheduling)and workshops are just not
the how to's... but the why's . He shares all the interpersonal goings
on with the bottom line- the result. And the money involved to get that
result. I am grateful to have discovered "Walk the Talk" and John
Gaskin and look forward always to introduce John's his book and
information that I have found there, and no where else!" Tom Garrett, University of Tampa
Participants Understanding: John Gaskin will be consulting the participants understanding of the materials during the workshops with practical drills, direct questions, short quizzes, etc. The number of “Contact Hours”
during the course will be provided to you for your purposes.
Attendance &
Participation:Attendance will be
taken. The “Clock-Hours” and the results of the attendee’s practical
assignments and random quizzes (both
verbal and otherwise) will form an integral part of John Gaskin's assessment of your understanding of the materials.
Refunds Policy:All fees paid by the applicant shall be
refunded if the applicant is rejected by the instructor (John
Gaskin) before enrollment. An application fee of $25.00 may
be retained if the application is denied. All fees paid by the applicant
shall be refunded if requested within 3 calendar days after starting the
workshop. All refunds shall be returned within 30 days.
Includes a 1 hour recorded webinar where we go through a weekly timecard utilizing a template and referring to each applicable rule. See this very short clip to some idea of how it works:
