Film Accounting Glossary
Flat deal
What is a flat deal?
Also called flat rate, or all-in rate.
A flat deal pays a crew member or vendor one weekly or daily rate covering all hours worked, with no separate overtime.
Flat deals are common on non-union commercials and low-budget shoots and are restricted or prohibited under most union agreements, where hours have to be paid at scale. Even where permitted, wage and hour law sets floors, so a flat rate that produces sub-minimum effective pay is a liability, not a saving.
Example
A non-union commercial pays a swing $850 flat for the day. If the day runs 16 hours, the effective rate is $53 an hour, and in some jurisdictions that is a wage and hour problem regardless of what the crew member agreed to.
Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.
Where you'll see it
Common on non-union commercials and low-budget shoots, restricted or prohibited under most union agreements. Wage and hour law still sets the floor.
Common mistake
Assuming consent makes a flat rate lawful. Wage and hour law sets a floor regardless of what was agreed, and long days can push the effective hourly rate below it.
Related questions
- Is a flat rate legal on a film shoot?
- Only where the applicable union agreement permits it and the effective hourly rate still satisfies minimum wage and overtime law in that jurisdiction.
- Where are flat deals common?
- Non-union commercials and low-budget shoots. Most union agreements require hours to be paid at scale, which restricts or prohibits them.