One of the first things to do when getting your upcoming film production squared away involves picking out the right payroll provider.
It’s important to know that just as each film project has its own unique features and specialties, so does each payroll provider. Unlike typical payroll providers, entertainment payroll providers must step out of the typical norm to properly serve the needs of film productions. Finding the right entertainment payroll service will vary based on the scope of your upcoming project to find a payroll to best suit your needs.
In this blog, we’ll define the role payroll services play within your production and go over things to consider when deciding which provider is best for you. Additionally, we’ll provide you the industry’s top payroll companies and highlight the features of each company.
Entertainment Payroll Companies At a Glance
| Payroll Provider | Specialty | Clients |
|---|---|---|
| ABS Payroll | -Independent filmmakers -Feature films -Shorts -New media -Music videos -Commercials | -No Man’s Land -JiuJitsu -Ana -Big Action -Big Adventure -Big Game |
| ART Payroll | -Independent filmmakers -Feature filmsShorts -New media -Music videos -Commercials | |
| CAPS (Previous Media Services) | -Commercials | |
| Cast & Crew | -TV -New media -Live events -Independent film features | |
| Entertainment Partners | -Film -TV -Digital -Commercials | -The Voice -That’s My Jam -Abbot Elementary -Hacks -Ozark -The Bear |
| Extreme Reach | -Film -TV -Live event productions | |
| Greenslate | -Feature films -New media -Live events | -I, Tonya -Moonlight -Search Party -You Were Never Really Here -Sorry to Bother You -Say Yes To The Dress -The Devil All The Time |
| Revolution Entertainment | -Commercials -TV -Music videos -Feature films | -Showtime -Netflix -Amazon -History -Paramount Network -AMC |
| The TEAM Companies | -Talent -Live events -Music videos | -McCann Worldgroup – Verizon -Goodby Silverstein & Partners -Stellantis -High Dive -Squarespace |
| Wrapbook | -Feature Films – Unscripted Film & Tv -Commercials -Music Videos -New Media -Live Events | -London Alley -Ghost Robot -Smuggler -JN -Tuff -College Humor -W&M |
The Role of Entertainment Payroll Companies
Entertainment payroll companies act as the official employee on record for your production. They handle and process payments and tax forms needed for all of the talent and crew members involved in your project.
Unlike general payroll companies, entertainment payroll companies understand the legalization and rules involved within the film industry such as tax rules, labor laws, union contacts and more.
Entertainment payroll companies also understand that your production will not run as any other typical job and must be responsive at all hours. This allows them to effectively process payments and paperwork on time for your production.
A few reasons you may want to consider hiring a payroll company include:
1. Compliance with labor laws:
The entertainment industry is heavily regulated when it comes to labor laws, and it can be challenging to navigate all of the different regulations and requirements. An entertainment payroll service can help ensure that all payments are made in compliance with local, state, and federal labor laws.
2. Simplified payroll processing:
Entertainment payroll companies can handle all aspects of payroll processing, from calculating pay rates to issuing paychecks or direct deposits. This can save producers a significant amount of time and allow them to focus on other aspects of the production.
3. Reduced liability:
By working with an entertainment payroll company, producers can reduce their liability for payroll-related issues, such as incorrect tax filings or missed payments. The payroll company takes on much of the legal and financial responsibility for these tasks, leaving the producer free to focus on creative and logistical aspects of the project.
4. Streamlined administration:
An entertainment payroll service can also handle other administrative tasks, such as setting up new employees in the payroll system, managing employee benefits, and handling paperwork related to taxes and insurance. This can help streamline the production process and make it easier for producers to manage their employees.
Commercial Production vs Entertainment Payroll Companies
A commercial production payroll provider typically specializes in managing the payroll and related administrative tasks for businesses involved in commercial productions, such as TV commercials, corporate videos, or advertising campaigns. They are experts in navigating the unique needs and requirements of the entertainment industry, including union regulations, talent contracts, and production schedules. These providers offer services tailored to the specific demands of commercial production companies, ensuring timely and accurate payment to crew members, talent, and vendors while also handling taxes, insurance, and other compliance matters related to payroll.
On the other hand, an entertainment payroll service provider offers similar services but caters to a broader range of entertainment projects, including feature films, television shows, theater productions, music videos, and live events. They may have a more extensive understanding of various entertainment industry standards, regulations, and union agreements across different sectors of the entertainment industry. Entertainment payroll providers may offer additional services tailored to the needs of their clients, such as production accounting, budgeting, and labor relations support.
In essence, while both types of providers specialize in managing payroll for entertainment-related projects, commercial production payroll providers focus specifically on the needs of commercial productions, whereas entertainment payroll services cater to a wider array of entertainment ventures.
Things to Consider When Choosing an Entertainment Payroll Service
Choosing the right entertainment payroll company is important to ensure they can meet any and all needs for your production. Which entertainment payroll company is right for you will vary on several factors:
1. Specialties
Every entertainment payroll company will be different in terms of the type of projects they service, the size of the budgets as well. Additionally, what makes them stand out are the digital software they have in place that can make paying talent seamless. They are created with the intention of being user-friendly, time saving and to keep all your records organized and in one place. It’s important to consider these factors as it will highly influence your overall experience paying talent.
2. Union contract knowledge
Your team will consist of talent and crew members that will come from different unions such as SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, Teamsters, AFM or others. Each of these organizations will carry their own set of rules and regulations, and their own terms of contract. Choosing an entertainment payroll service that has great understanding of union contracts for all of these unions will make your payroll process run smoothly.
3. Reviews
What their clients have to say on previous projects is another good way to see if the payroll company will work for your production. Most entertainment payroll companies provide good client testimonials on their page that only reinforces their solid reputation and track record of quality service.
Top Film Production Payroll Services in the Industry
Here, we have listed our top picks for film production payroll providers. Each payroll company has unique features that sets them apart from the rest; the type of projects they service, union contract knowledge, the digital software they have in place and more.
1. ABS Payroll
ABS Payroll is best known for independent filmmakers, making feature films, shorts, new media, music videos and commercials. They are project flexible as they handle projects with a wide range of budgets, stating “no project is too small or too short” that has made them the ideal pick for independent filmmakers.
Number of employees: 50
Age of company: 30+ years
Specialty: ABS Payroll specializes in feature films, shorts, new media, music videos and commercials.
What they do: In addition to payroll, accounting, and residuals, ABS now offers enhanced cybersecurity protocols and digital audit support.
Services: ABS offers a wide range of entertainment payroll services including:
- [NEW] AI performer compliance tracking for SAG-AFTRA digital replica rules
- [NEW] Cross-border payroll for Canada and UK indie productions
- ATL & BTL paycheck processing
- Hour calculations based on time cards/Exhibit G’s
- Federal and State employee tax withholdings
- Employer payroll tax contributions and reporting—including year-end W2/1099 forms
- Compliance with wage and hour laws in all States
- Union pension, health and welfare contributions, reporting, and administration for all major unions including SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, IATSE, and Teamsters
- Unemployment insurance claim administration
- Workers compensation insurance coverage & claim management
- 401(k) and other retirement/ insurance plan contributions or earning deductions
Clients they serve: Some projects they have worked on include:
- No Man’s Land
- JiuJitsu
- Ana
- Big Action
- Big Adventure
- Big Game
Digital Tools: ABS digital tools will give you the following features:
- Cost reporting
- Organize multiple budgets per project
- Payroll integration
- Navigation and User Interface
- Reporting Functions
- Live Tech Support
Contact information
- Website: ABS Payroll
- HQ Location: 7530 N. Glenoaks Blvd, Suite 100, Burbank, California 91504
- Phone Number: (818) 848-9200
2. ART Payroll
ART Payroll provides payroll services to various organizations in the production of TV, radio, commercials, film, new media and in-house corporate film and video. They have the knowledge and experience to advise you on union contracts, and act as employee of record for both cast and crew.
Number of employees: 15+
Age of company: 30+ years
Specialty: ART specializes in talent for TV, commercials and new media with added expertise in AI performer contract compliance for ad campaigns.
What they do: Acting as employee of record for your production they are able to provide the following services:
- [NEW] Digital portal for real-time payroll status
- [NEW] AI compliance reporting for commercials
- Withholding and payment of taxes
- Unemployment insurance and claims
- Worker’s compensation insurance and claims
- Processing of year-end W2 forms
Additional services they offer include:
- Talent and Crew Payroll
- Broadcast Business Affairs Support Services
- TV and Radio Ad Traffic and Network Clearance
- Secure Online Account Access
Contact information
- Website: ART Payroll
- Address: 26 Gregs Way, Suite A, Tamworth, NH 03886
- Phone Number: (603) 367-9955
3. CAPS (Previously Media Services)
Entertainment Services company Cast & Crew has grown dramatically through its acquisition strategy in recent years, purchasing entertainment payroll company CAPS in 2016 and most recently Media Services in February of 2020. Since then, the parent company has merged the two companies with CAPS serving as the commercial payroll provider. CAPS is best known to provide services to commercial production companies. Their years of experience has allowed them to create a modern system with proper industry expertise and specialized software.
Number of employees: 200 employees
Age of company: 30+ years
Specialty: CAPS specializes in commercials with a stronger focus on digital/social campaigns and branded content.
What they do: CAPS provides payroll services to commercials, tours and live events and venue industries. Services they provide include:
- [NEW] AI talent tracking for SAG-AFTRA contracts
- [NEW] Cross-border payroll for commercials in Canada/UK
- Commercial accounting software
- Employer-of-record payroll for crew, union or non-union
- Workers’ compensation and unemployment liability coverage
- Crew onboarding, including mass hiring events
- Digital hour collection and onboarding
- Commercial industry experts
- Live event and tour payroll expert
Contact information
- Website: CAPS
- HQ Location: 2300 Empire Avenue, 5th Floor, Burbank, CA 91504
- Phone number: (818) 848-6022
4. Cast & Crew
Cast & Crew provides entertainment payroll services to productions in film, television, digital media, live events, now offering enhanced AI-powered compliance tools. Their years of experience allows them to provide digital solutions, expert financial services, and cloud workflows that help streamline payroll processes.
Number of Employees: 1000+ employees
Age of Company : 45+ years
Specialty: TV, New Media , Live Events and Independent Feature films
What they do: Cast & Crew provides payroll services to productions in film, television, digital media and live events including:
- [NEW] Stronger integrations with state tax incentive portals
- Experienced and dedicated staff
- ATL, BTL and back lot
- Highly flexible, scalable and robust system
- Customized reports
- Tax filing and administration
Digital tools: Cast & Crew has several digital softwares including:
- Start+
- [NEW] SmartIncentives for tax credit tracking
- Digital solution that lets you process start documents and crew deals.
- Stay current with contractually stipulated union crew scale rates
- Hours+
- Digitally submit your crews time cards
- Access to crew time cards and visibility to hours-to-gross pay
Contact information
- Website: Cast & Crew
- Phone Number: (818) 848-6022
5. Entertainment Partners
Entertainment Partners is an entertainment payroll company that specializes in film, TV, digital and commercial projects. Providing services in the US, Canada and the UK they are able to provide workforce management, residuals, tax incentives and other production management solutions.
Number of employees: 5,000+
Age of company: 40+ years
Specialty: Entertainment Partners specializes in film, television, digital, and commercial projects.
What they do: Entertainment Partners provide services to the US, Canada, and UK including:
- US – EP US is the statutory employer for certain talent and crew for
- Employment taxes
- Workers’ compensation
- Unemployment and state disability insurance
- Handle of employer functions at federal, state and local levels
- Canada – EP Canada is an employer for employment taxes and pays talent and crew under EP Canada’s name.
- Handle of employer functions at federal and provincial levels.
- Workers’ compensation
- UK – Sole employer of the client’s talent and crew for all purposes
- Process payroll for talent and crew in the name of the client
- [NEW] EU
- Payroll support in France, Spain, Germany
Clients they serve: Entertainment Partners has serviced clients including:
- The Voice
- That’s My Jam
- Abbot Elementary
- Hacks
- Ozark
- The Bear
Digital Tools: Entertainment Partners has several digital software products, including:
- EP SmartAccounting: Allows for payment processing, document uploading, and audit reporting. It is integrated with SmartStart and SmartTime for digital onboarding and timecard entry, SmartPO for digital PO’s and EP Payroll for paperless payroll and direct deposit.
- EP Scenechronize: Cloud synced to organize, manage and distribute production documents
- Military-grade closed-loop security
- EP SmartResiduals
- Interpret agreements
- Process residual payments
- Automate reporting
- Military-grade security and audit protection
6. Extreme Reach
Extreme Reach services the advertising industry and entertainment industry, providing crew payroll and vendor payments for TV, film, new media, commercials, brand content, festivals and live events. They are known for their “world-class customer service” having implemented modern technology that gives their clients a more successful experience.
Number of employees: 5,000+
Age of company: 15 years
Specialty: Extreme Reach specializes in all types of film, TV, live event with added expertise in multi-platform advertising campaigns.
What they do: Extreme Reach provides the following services:
- [NEW] AI performer clause tracking
- Preparation and calculation of payroll
- Unemployment insurance
- Payment, compliance and reporting for all unions, guilds and trusts
- Complete ACA compliance management, tracking, analytics and reporting
- Federal, state and local tax reporting and remittance
- Guild reporting and pension, health and welfare (PH&W) remittance
- Automated residuals payments, tracking, estimates, analytics and reporting
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- End of year W2 and 1099 distribution
Digital Tools: Extreme Reach has the following digital tools in place:
- [NEW] Luca AI upgrade for real-time compliance alerts
- Luca cloud for production accounting to manage and analyze budgets
- Linx for onboarding, timecards and hours-to-gross
Contact information:
- Website Extreme Reach
- HQ Location: 3 Allied Drive, Suite 130, Dedham, MA 02026
- Phone Number: +1(818) 860-0410
7. Greenslate
Greenslate is a production accounting and payroll app and is best known for providing service to projects including film and TV, new media, commercials and live events. Their technology allows for high-touch payroll accounting and support to production companies, filmmakers and producers.
Number of employees: 600 employees
Age of company: 20+ years
Specialty: Greenslate specializes in feature films, new media and live events.
What they do: Greenslate offers entertainment payroll and business services including:
- Process of union and non-union projects
- Digital startwork to onboard crew
- Digital timecard submissions
- Payroll auditing features
- Digital approvals with history tracking
Clients they serve: Some projects they serviced include:
- I, Tonya
- Moonlight
- Search Party
- You Were Never Really Here
- Sorry to Bother You
- Say Yes To The Dress
- The Devil All The Time
Digital Tools: Greenslate is an all in one application that comes with the following features:
- [NEW] AI Payroll auditing features
- Customizable reports
- Payroll auditing features
- Purchase orders
- Production dashboard
- Incentives dashboard
- Crew expenditure
- Training platform
Contact information
- Website: Greenslate
- HQ Location: 333 N Glenoaks Blvd #415, Burbank, CA 91502
- Phone Number: (212) 206-1099
8. Revolution Entertainment
Revolution Entertainment offers payroll services to commercials, music videos, TV, live events, animation, and feature films. They pride themselves with their slogan “we do more” providing entertainment payroll services, labor compliance, production software, healthcare administration, production accounting and tax incentive support.
Number of employees: 250
Age of company: 6+ years
Specialty: Revolution Entertainment specializes in commercials, music videos, TV and feature films.
What they do: Revolution Entertainment provides a variety of services including:
- Entertainment payroll services
- Healthcare insurances
- State tax incentives
- Modern digital softwares
Clients they serve: They have served clients such as:
- Showtime
- Netflix
- Amazon
- History
- Paramount Network
- AMC
Digital Tools
- [NEW] ProHire AI – Faster onboarding, hours-to-gross solutions, access to timecards and start forms.
- ProHire – onboarding, hours-to-gross solutions, access to timecards and start forms.
- ProBooks – Production accounting that minimizes manual processes with easy data entry and reporting.
- SetKeeper – Cloud-based platform to organize, manage and distribute production documents.
- TrueBudget – Budgeting platform for commercials, music videos, promos, and more.
- ProCal – web-based production calendaring software.
- ProAnalytics – Access data across disparate systems such as annual hiring trends, cost reporting, payroll, employment taxes, fringes, project performance, 1099 and more.
Contact information
- Website: Revolution Entertainment
- HQ Location: 1210 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506
- Phone Number: (818) 562-7866
9. The TEAM Companies
The TEAM Companies offer payroll services to union and non-union talent, music touring and crew payroll for advertising, music, artist tours, production, visual effects and video game industries. Their years of experience has given them the knowledge to understand contracts from organizations such as SAG-AFTRA, AFM, ACTRA, DGA, UDA and IATSE. They were recently acquired by Cast & Crew ( # 4)
Number of employees: 500
Age of company: 20+ years
Specialty: The TEAM Companies specializes in talent, live events and music videos.
What they do: The TEAM Company provides the following serves to your production:
- Computation of payroll
- Issuing paychecks
- Payroll tax remittances
- Union benefit contributions
- Unemployment claims
- Year end W2 statement
- Employee onboarding
- Training
- Union and non-union crew payroll
- Tax incentive
Clients they serve
- McCann Worldgroup – Verizon
- Goodby Silverstein & Partners
- Stellantis
- High Dive
- Squarespace
Digital Tools
- Talents and Rights Management – Session and residual estimating, completion reports and residual payments authorization. For concert tours; streamline payments for crew, musicians and singers.
- TTC Online – Web-based onboarding and timecard system specifically for commercial and short-form content production.
- TTC Clear – Manage the clearance of commercials.
- KAT AI (Knowledge At Team) – AI-powered assistant for talent and production business affairs.
Contact information
- Website: The Team Companies
- HQ Location: 2300 Empire Ave, 5th Floor, Burbank, CA 91504
- Phone Number: (818) 558-3261
10. Wrapbook
Wrapbook provides payroll services to commercial projects only at this time, but has expanded to include international payroll compliance for Canada and UK. They have an effective app based system that automates the onboarding process.
Number of employees: 300
Age of company: 6 years
Specialty: Wrapbook specializes in commercials with digital-first workflows for global ad campaigns.
What they do: Wrapbook help set your production with a variety of services, such as:
- [NEW] AI-based compliance verification
- [NEW] Expanded insurance options for international shoots
- Business ACH Connector
- Ongoing project payrolls
- Auto-calculation overtime rates
- Timecard review
- W2
- Payroll tax withholding
- ACH direct deposits
- Invoiced based payments
- Tax documents
- Payments and pay stubs
- Employee workers’ compensation
- International workers’ compensation
- General liability
- Online insurance application
Clients they serve: They have provided services to clients such as:
- London Alley
- Ghost Robot
- Smuggler
- Park Pictures
- Wrigley Media Group
- Intuitive Content
- Radical Media
What they’re best at: Crews for commercial productions
Contact information
- Website: Wrapbook
- HQ Location: 228 Park Ave S #36206, New York, NY 1003
- Phone Number: (845) 367-9679
Conclusion: Wrapping Up the Best Entertainment Payroll Companies for Film Productions
In the spotlight of seamless payroll management, these entertainment payroll companies take the center stage. With each provider specializing to meet the needs of your next production, they ensure both talent and production teams are in good hands.
Therefore, selecting the appropriate entertainment payroll service becomes crucial to effectively address all your production requirements.
CMS, as a third-party union signatory and back-office production support specialist, we work with all commercial production payroll services that allows the production staff of its clients to choose which is best for their project.
If you’re looking to streamline back-office production for your upcoming project, we’d be delighted to help. Contact us today to set up a consultation.