Working Conditions in France
Permits
France is part of the EU. No special working permits needed (including for the Swiss).
Collective Agreement CCC « extended » in French – applicable from 1st october 2013
3 salary scales (technicians/talents):
- Films above 1M€
- Films above 3,66M€
- Films under 3,66M€ (3M€ +5% producer +7% overheads +10% contingency and depending of an exemption) = special rates + participation (API 5 or 6 days)
Working Hours
Principle of „equivalent“ hours (API, heures d’équivalence) according to EU Directive 2003/88/CE.
- ex. 43hrs effective for 46h „balanced“ hours = 46hrs /paid 43hrs.
- Overtime paid after 46hrs.
- „Equivalent“ hours include preparation, shooting, wrap up.
- 48 hours/week maximum (average working 48h/week during 4 months), beyond, derogation for 60 hours for 6 days
- A 5 day-week can be between Monday to Friday or Tuesday to Saturday without extra cost. Same fort the distribution of working hours: for a week of 42h „balanced“ with 9h30 during the first 4 days = 38h + 4h the last day = total 42h (no overtime)
Preparation & Wrap up: 39 hrs / 48hr max.
Shooting: 5 days a week/48h max. - average working 48h/week during 4 months,
- 6 days a week/60h max. only with special permit from the French Labour Ministry
- 12hrs max. effective work on set possible but needs special permit for more than 10hrs effective work on set.
- 9hrs turnover min.
Break between two shooting weeks:
- in Paris: 48h
- in Province: 24h
Night-time is from 22:00 to 06:00 from 1 April to 30 September – meal after 6h (1h)
Night-time is from 20:00 to 06:00 from 1 October to 30 March – meal after 6h (30’)
Night-time is 50%, overtime during Night-time is 100%
Overtime
For the 39-hour-week:
- from the 36th to the 43rd hour: + 25% per hour
- from the 44th to the 48th hour: + 50% per hour
- after the 49th hour: + 75% per hour
- every day, after 10 hours shooting (PAT/ready to shoot), + 100% per hour
- anticipated (early) hours: 100% majorated
- transportation time: special rate by each technician category
- Night-time: first 8 hrs: + 50%, after the 9th hour: + 100%.
- anticipated overtime: not over 100%
- public holidays: + 100% (negotiation in progress concerning the 1st of may)
Crew rates
The chart for minimal rates as per 10.04.2022 is here.
For films above 3,66 mio euro, please refer to the Annexes 1 & 2
For films above 3,66 mio euro, please refer to the Annexes 3 & 3 bis
In case of co-production with different countries, the 3,66 mio still refers to the whole budget.
A few other specialized positions:
- Stuntman: 600 – 750 Euro per day (without equipment)
- Animal trainer : 650 Euro per day
- On-set VFX Supervisor : 1250 Euro per day
Fringes are accounting for 64% of the rate agreed. So, if the rate is 1’000€, it will globally cost around 1’640€ on the production budget. The crew member will have on their side a contribution of 23% deducted, so they will get around 770€.
Allowances
- Meal € 17,87
- Refreshment € 7,26
Actors’ Conditions and Rates
In the rate chart, refer to the Annex “Artistes“ for minimal fees for actors and background actors.
Actors’ fringes are 55% (not 64%).
Concerning children’s work, here is how long you can prep and shoot with a child, according to their age :
| Age | Temps de travail en période scolaire | Pause obligatoire | En vacances scolaires | Temps de pause obligatoire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moins de 3 ans | 1 heure/jour | Après une demi-heure de temps de travail | 1 heure/jour | Après une demi-heure |
| De 3 à 5 ans | 2 heures/jour | Après une heure de temps de travail | 2 heures/jour | Après une heure |
| De 6 à 11 ans | 3 heures/jour | Après une heure et demie de temps de travail | 4 heures/jour | Après 2 heures |
| De 12 à 16 ans | 4 heures/jour | Après 2 heures de temps de travail | 6 heures/jour | Après 3 heures |
Tax Rebate for International Production
The tax rebate amounts to 30% of the eligible pre-tax expenditures and to a maximum of €30 million. Eligible expenses are capped at 80% of the total budget. Please note that in the case of an international production claiming such rebate, only the minium wages from Annex 1 & 2 can apply.