Working Conditions in South Africa

Permits

EU and US residents get a standard entry permit for 90 days when they arrive in South Africa. An extension of another three months is possible if applied in a timely manner. For a working permit, special timelines need to be followed in principle “before” arriving to South Africa, although certain exceptions are now possible for the film industry.

Social Insurances and Fringes

Typical fringes are as follows:

  1. 2% for training if you are using the government incentives rebate scheme. This sum can be used towards interns on the production;
  2. 1% payroll cost;
  3. 0.5% SA Workers Compensation;
  4. 1% to Skills Development Levy;

Definitions

Time Out is the interval of a minimum of 4 hours required for a producer to create a Split Shift (day/night). The crew does not have to go to hotel/home. Split Shifts should be announced before the first shooting day.

Gear Check and Pre-light day is where a maximum of 5 working hours (half a standard working day) is worked.

Night Shoot is when the call time is 3pm or later. If a shoot is called at 12pm but does not wrap before midnight, it shall be deemed as a night shoot.

Day Shoot is a shooting day that starts after 2.30am

A Continuous Day is a 10.5 hour day with no break for lunch.

On Set Crew is defined as crew that is forced to remain on set. These are usually pre-approved by the UPM. Those not classified as On Set Crew are expected to work 12 hour days during Continuous Days before any applicable overtime.

Crew Rates and Working Hours

Guideline of crew rates and other budget elements.

There are no film crew unions in South Africa and conditions are generally negotiable. However there is a very strict code of conduct, with mutual respect between crews and producers. The general acceptable practise on films is for crews to work 12 hours per day including wrap out time and including the main meal. On shoots of 4 weeks or less, crews generally work a 6 day week, 12 hour day including travel and a main meal. On longer shoots it is preferable to shoot a 5 day week or to alternate between 5 and 6 day weeks. This latter practise becomes highly advisable for shoots longer than 6 or 8 weeks. It is important to define in advance if the weekly rate consists of 5 or 6 days or alternate 5/6 day weeks, or else a 5-day week deal could lead to a surcharge of x1.5 for any 6th day introduced later.

Turnaround is 10 hours from return to unit base/wrap/technical wrap to call-time. Time for travelling distances over 50km to set or unit base are usually calculated in the turnaround.

Premium days are paid at double rate unless agreed otherwise.

A 7th day worked is payable at a premium day rate regardless if it was a travel day or filming day. If a 7th day falls on a Sunday or Christmas Day, New Year, Day of Goodwill and Easter Friday the same premium day rate generally applies with no higher cost.

Split Shifts days are paid at normal standard day rates, unless the Split Shift day is a Premium Day in which case Premium day rates apply. Split Shifts must be at least 3 hours apart and the set cannot be beyond the 50km radius or 45min driving time.

Travel days are paid at a half day standard rate. On premium days, a standard day rate may be paid by prior agreement, else a premium rate is applied. Designated drivers are paid normal work rates and overtime rates.

Travelling over 50km on a shoot day between home/hotel and set will be charged at normal pro-rata rates.

Pre-light days and Technical Recces are paid with a half day’s standard daily pay, for up to five working hours. Premium rates apply for a premium day.
Following two consecutive weeks of night shoots, a third night shoot week will be a 5-day week and a 6th day will be paid at a premium rate.
An unpaid Hiatus period is possible if the crew is advised 7 days in advance. The hiatus cannot be longer than one week unless it is in the Xmas/NY period.

Overtime

Runners, trainees, all production staff, Creative HOD’s (DOP’s, Production Designer, Costume Designer and 1st AD) are generally excluded from overtime.

Rate is as follows: 1st 4 hours x 1.5. It is also possible to calculate the rate as 1/72nd of the weekly rate. Such rates need to be agreed in advance with crew. On premium days, overtime is based on the premium day rate and not on the standard day rate.

Overtime is charged in quarter hour increments. Wrap called after the quarter hour will be rounded up and wrap called up to the quarter hour will be rounded down.

Meals

If a call time is before 7.30am breakfast should be provided. There will not be more than six hours between meals. Meal allocation time is 45 minutes. An applicable third meal must involve a break of at least 15 minutes. If wrap is called before the third meal begins, then the meal is “off the clock”. Meal time is calculated on the meal location if this is away from the set.

Cancellation

For cancellations within seven days a two week penalty fee shall apply. Cancellations within 8-14 days prior to commencing, will incur a one week penalty fee. No cancellation applies if a cancelled crew member is confirmed on another production. Once a crew member commences, in case of termination a 7 day notice needs to be given by either crew or producer.

Insurance

Crews are responsible for their tools and belongings.

Talent Rates & Conditions

There are no set fees for talent. Below is a guideline per call.

Standard working hours for Talent is 12 hours with 12 turnaround hours

Child actors shall have a chaperone on set, a tutor should be supplied if they are on set for 3 or more consecutive days. Teaching has to take place between 8am and 6pm.

Child actor hours should be as follows:

Call Time

For locations over 50km away crew members can only expect travel remuneration for travel costs when no transport is provided.

Allowances

Car allowances range from R750 to R1500 per week depending on the type of car. Instead of charging a car allowance, mileage can be reimbursed as per agreed amount depending on the vehicle type.

Per Diems range from R200 to R350 per day.

Sources

Information about the cash rebate