Compositor salary expectations?

[eev776]

Hey guys, what is a salary expectation for compositing job in medium size company, in film industry? Company in Halifax gives me two options 6 month or 18 month.
Thanks a lot for advise!

[eev776]

test

[Yossarian!]

I don't think you'll get an answer here. There's too many variables at play. Negotiate whatever package you feel you're worth.

[hype]

yep, i agree. closely guarded secret! knowing what all your peers make breeds jealousy in the workplace, and there's already too many politics to dance around without introducing that into it.

[Whelkn]

rent for apartment=weekly rate--try that for starters

[eev776]

Sound clear thank you Whelkn.

[ShadowMaker SdR]

Of course when you take Whelkn's advice you'd still have to allocate time to beg for food. So my calculation would be rent+food+insurance=weekly rate

[stevenbray1]

Of course when you take Whelkn's advice you'd still have to allocate time to beg for food. So my calculation would be rent+food+insurance=weekly rate

rent+food+beer+dvds=weekly rate

It really varies and, to be honest, that sucks.

It's a new year and I'm up for two jobs. All I can do in the interview is tell them what I got for my last job and watch the expression on their faces?

Then I either adjust the figure down (if they look freaked out and I really want the job) or kick myself for not pretending it was more.

[unxetas]

I think he meant monthly rent = weekly salary, but I could be wrong!

I was thinking that's a bit optimistic, but I just realized that's pretty much what I'm getting haha.. I do pay quite a lot for rent, but if I divided that by two (pretending that my girlfriend did pay half the rent..) it would be pretty accurate.

This has been discussed before, but I still think people are too secretive about this, trying to make it sound like a really big deal.. The truth is, those of us who ask don't really care about what "you're" earning yourself, but more of an average kind of thing. Here in London it surely depends on your skills bla bla bla, but you can expect 75 gbp a day as a starter roto/prep artist.

It doesn't really hurt anyone to know this, and I'm sure everyone working in London is aware of that basic figure. It would certainly help if people around other parts of the globe would share the average starting salary - not what you're getting, but what's usually the "rule"..

[unxetas]

Also, if you're relocating, it's really hard to calculate your weekly rates if you're not sure how much rent and food will cost..

[haz]

also dont forget the usual things like bills, travelling expenses and any student loans you have to pay back???

Cheers

HaZ

[hype]

yeah, i agree that it sucks that its so secretive.

what does an entry level digital artist make here in the states? maybe $15-$20 an hour? I'm not 100% sure.

[girlcompositor]

yeah, i agree that it sucks that its so secretive.

what does an entry level digital artist make here in the states? maybe $15-$20 an hour? I'm not 100% sure.

I would say that's about right. I've heard of people starting making a little more and a little less, but that's a good range.

I was pretty much told 1 week for whatever rent costs. Everything else you should be able to make in the other three weeks. Although to be honest. I don't quite make rent, well... after taxes that is. But in the past I haven't made rent in a week and been ok with money to put away.

[Aruna]

I posted what I made when I first started, here on VFXTalk a while back.. It was in Canadian dollars, and I don't recall exactly which thread it was in. FYI, it was $9/hr CDN, nine years ago. That barely covered rent after taxes. I had to split it with my girlfriend. Luckily the place we lived at was only $350 each, and I took the bus to work, uphill both ways.

Your question is vague. What is your skill level and talent? Is this a project hire for 6 or 18 months? Why such the huge time difference? What project is it for? What's the standard of living in Halifax?The $15-20 range sounds right these days, maybe up to $21-24 depending on the location. Again, this varies from shop to shop and your negotiation skills.

Don't expect to make big money starting out. There is a lot of competition, and companies are willing to get the best person at the most affordable price. When I was switching companies early in my career, I often tossed out a number and mentioned that it was adjustable based on project length and hours per week. They came back with a number, and I negotiated from there. These are the numbers that I think would work well for artists based on production experience. These would be per hour based on a 40 hr work week, and not a freelance rate either.

0-1 years: $15-20
1-3: $20-28
4-5: $29-34
5-7: $35-38
8-9: $39-46
10-12: $47-55
12+: $55+

These numbers are not a hard and fast rule, and you will probably get more at bigger companies. Often these number don't work for supervisors, who work on a project basis and get one lump sump or stipend during the show. Your mileage may vary. As well, some companies may not decide to pay you your asking price based on your experience, even if you've had 5 years in production. All that comes down to your reel and how you present yourself and especially your competence in a team oriented environment, under pressure. Leads and supervisors will skew the numbers as well.

Also, just FYI, anyone can throw out numbers, just like statistics. You have to do your own research as well, and sometimes it just takes working in the industry for a while and asking questions to your fellow coworkers. Occasionally you'll get blown off, but sometimes they will tell you, and you can gauge your experience and salary against theirs.

A tip.. Sometimes I'll sell myself a little short just to get in.. Once in, do a great job, and you'll be that much more valuable to them if they want you to stick around. You'll have a little bit more bargaining power, since you've proved your worth early.

Another tip. Never say no. (Didn't I write this in a Tip of the Week somewhere?)

[Aruna]

Oh, wanted to add one other thing.. If I was in charge of hiring, I wouldn't pay $25 (or any other arbitrary rate) just because. I'd have to make sure they got along with other people, performed well under pressure, and took direction without complaining or making excuses. I see these things way too often.

So tell us, eev776.. Who are you and what is your background?

I apologize if I sound curt when writing these posts, just like getting to the point.