Producer Rate Sheet
By Rebecca Green
In 2021, I created the Producer Rate Sheet as a tool for producers who are striving to build a sustainable career. It was a simple document that ended up having a big impact on the producing community. However, it has been brought to my attention, by many of you who have relied on this resource, that it is long overdue for an update and so I bring you a freshened up 2024 Producer Rate Sheet.
What is the Producer Rate Sheet?
Producers are regularly asked to give their time and knowledge, with minimal to no compensation, to organizations and individuals outside of their work as a producer. These types of requests come in the form of being asked to speak on panels, participate in listening sessions, talk to a classroom of film students, advise filmmakers, ‘help’ move a project forward, or allow someone to ‘pick their brain.’
Organizations who ask producers to lend their hard earned experience and expertise to initiatives without compensation are also often those who say they are dedicated to elevating equity, inclusion, and sustainability in the arts. However, asking for free labor goes against these principles and perpetuates an unstable ecosystem. In turn, those who are put in the spotlight or asked to share their experiences end up being only those who can afford to “give back.”
In addition, filmmakers often ask producers to do the work of the producer, advising on various stages of the process and making introductions to their established network, without formal engagement or compensation. These requests are the exact skills a producer has spent their entire career developing and by which they make a living. However, when a producer responds to a request by asking to be compensated, they are often perceived as unreasonable.
THE RATES
Admittedly, the rates are somewhat arbitrary. However, they do reflect conversations I’ve had with producers about what they feel is adequate compensation while being mindful of the current state of indie film, which is always pinching every penny.
When I first published the rate sheet, I got feedback from some that the rates were too high while others told me they were too low. It’s important to remember that the Producer Rate Sheet is meant to set a benchmark for minimum compensation and rates should be negotiated on an individual basis. Producer rates should vary based on experience level, time frame being asked of a producer, who is asking for services, and the nature of the work.
From the 2021 Rate Sheet, I have updated the rates to approximately reflect the percentage wage increases SAG has received: 7% increase November 2023; 4% increase July 2024; 3.5% increase coming in July 2025. This is a 14.5% increase.
NORMALIZE PRODUCERS BEING PAID
Producers are inherently generous people. They show up for their peers and provide impactful mentorship that arms the next generation of filmmakers to bring important stories and perspectives to the screen. Producers want to be able to open doors for others and educate our community, but there has to be a line drawn to not exploit the goodwill of producers.
A producer’s knowledge and time should be adequately valued and compensated by stakeholders who are reliant on our participation and expertise. Whether you lead a non-profit organization, run a film festival, teach at a university, or are a filmmaker trying to get your project off the ground, we ask that you reevaluate your beliefs about sustainability and your policies on compensation using this Producer Rate Sheet as a guiding star.
Access a paid annual Dear Producer subscription for only $15 for one year if you upgrade before December 31, 2024. All content will remain free until the end of 2024 and then in 2025, most content will go behind the paywall. If Dear Producer has been valuable to you in the years since its launch, I hope you will consider the $15 annual subscription as a token of appreciation for all the pieces that have been published up until now.
This post should have a tip jar so that everyone it helps could easily say "thank you". It is a great service you are providing ALL film producers Rebecca!
Thank you so much for this update and the explanation as to why producers should be paid for these things. I've appeared on numerous podcasts for free and participated as a panelist many times at no charge. I've never asked to be paid - but you can bet I'll be using your rate card from now on. :)