Forms & Docs

Employers must fill out a Form I-9 for every employee they hire, whether full-time or part-time, as long as the person works for pay or other compensation. Please note the documentation required from the employee.

Use this Accident Report Form to report an injury sustained in the course and scope of employment. Employee should report the injury to a supervisor at the production company immediately, and the production company should notify the Workers’ Compensation Department at Media Services immediately.

Individuals who do not have and are unable to obtain Social Security Numbers will need to apply for a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), for federal income tax purposes. This can be done with Form W-7, Application for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number:

Employers must fille out a Form W-4 for every employee they hire, whether full-time or part-time, as long as the person works for pay or other compensation. Please note the documentation required from the employee.

Studio zones are defined in many major production centers so that the “Studio” rates and rules of different unions can be applied while shooting within the Studio Zone area. While bargaining agreements often make a distinction between “Studio” and “Distant Location,” a site within the Studio Zone can be considered the same as a studio on production. The Los Angeles Studio Zone is defined as the area within a 30 mile radius from the intersection of Beverly Blvd. and La Cienega Blvd.

This form is a sample of a wage rate notice which must be filled out by the employer and given to all new non-exempt employees in California as of January 1, 2012. Exceptions are non-exempt employees working under a collective bargaining agreement AND being paid at least 30% more than the state minimum wage per hour.

As of July 1, 2015 employers must provide a notice such as this one to employees at time of hire, notifying them of their rights under the Healthy Workplace Healthy Family Act of 2014. Download the fillable version here.

California employees can have their state income tax estimated and withheld by filing a W-4 with their employers. However, the State of California cautions that this might result in having state income tax underwithheld, resulting in state tax liability at the end of the year. To calculate withholdings specifically for the State of California, employees can fill out and return form DE 4.

Order No. 12-2001, commonly known as the California Wage Order for the Film Industry, defines the working conditions and rules applicable to employees working on motion picture or TV productions in the State of California.

If an employee claims more than 10 withholdings on a Form W-4 or DE 4, or if the employee claims exemption from state or federal income tax withholding, the employer must submit copies of the W-4 and/or DE 4 to the Franchise Tax Board for review.

Green production is a popular topic these days. Filmmakers and studios are concerned with making their film and TV productions more green and environmentally friendly, and green production consulting is a growing field. But for some free advice on green filmmaking, the Producers Guild of America’s Green Committee has compiled a list of 25 tips for greening your production.

Use this Workers’ Compensation Risk Activity Form to report your United States or Canada filming particulars for our Workers’ Compensation Department. The department will be notified automatically when you submit the form.

Use this Foreign Setup Form to report your non-U.S. filming particulars for our Workers’ Compensation Department. The department will be notified automatically when you submit the form.

Learn how to fill out our ACA-compliant Feature-TV Timecards, including definitions of Full-Time, Part-Time and Variable Hour for the purposes of the Affordable Care Act.

Learn how to fill out our ACA-compliant Commercial Timecards, including definitions of Full-Time, Part-Time and Variable Hour for the purposes of the Affordable Care Act.

Employee opt-out of withholding and benefits for New York Paid Family Leave.

As of April 9, 2011 the New York State Department of Labor requires a form similar to this sample to be filled out by employers and provided to each new hire, and to all existing employees once per year.

Use this form if injured workers declines medical treatment (other than first aid provided by a set medic)

Specific to U.S. productions being shot in Canada, the U.S. – Canada Income Tax Treaty protects against double taxation, by reducing the Canadian income tax liability for residents of the U.S. who are working in Canada, and vice versa. IRS Publication 597 discusses the details of the U.S. – Canada Income Tax Treaty.

Certain job classifications within the film industry may be exempt from state and federal provisions concerning overtime. However, exempt status for film industry workers is a complicated issue. While some job classifications might be exempt on a certain production, on another production those same job classifications may not be exempt. Much depends on the employee’s role and actual responsibilities. For more information, consult the IRS guidelines for exempt vs non-exempt workers. Questions about classifying specific production employees as exempt should be directed to a labor attorney or other qualified specialist.

The United States has tax treaties with a number of foreign nations. These treaties make residents of tax treaty partner nations exempt from certain U.S. income tax. The types and levels of income vary according to each nation’s specific treaty. The tax treaties and their particular components can be found on IRS Publication 901.

You must give Form W-8BEN to the withholding agent or payer if you are a foreign person and you are the beneficial owner of an amount subject to withholding. Submit Form W-8BEN when requested by the withholding agent or payer whether or not you are claiming a reduced rate of, or exemption from, withholding.