How much should I pay a dancer hourly for a video on average?

I think it all depends. Is it a music video?

quote:

Originally posted by Mystique:
How much should I pay a dancer hourly for a video on average?

I've only recently discovered the Message Boards, and this question is from July, but I wanted to respond anyway, because it's good info for dancers (and others) to have.

Since you asked how much should you pay dancers, I'll let you know how much professional dancers get paid to be in a video. I'm assuming it's a music video. Professionals don't get paid on an hourly basis, they are contracted at a daily rate (or it could be weekly if it's a television series or film.)

The Screen Actors Guild has an Agreement for Music Videos, (however it's not easy to get information from SAG about it. Dancers should call 323-549-6864 for info, and to let them know that the info should be more easily accessible!)

Meanwhile, here are SAG's guidelines for DANCER salaries for Music Videos:
Taping/Filming Days: Minimum Daily Wage (10-hour day) - $475.00

If the budget for the video is over $200,000 (High Budget), the Minimum Daily Salary is $800.00

For Rehearsal Days (that are separate from filming days): Minimum Rate (for 8-hour day) - $250.00

Overtime has to be paid when rehearsal days go over 8 hours or shooting days go over 10 hours. (Time-and-one-half for first 2 hours overtime; double-time after that.)

Work on Sundays require payment of double the daily rate.

Unlike the TV/Film contract, dancers in SAG Music Videos are not paid higher rates for Solo work. (In TV/Film contracts, there are separate rates for "Solo/Duo", "3 to 8 dancers", and "9 or more dancers". It's different in Commercials.)

(There are also additional compensations due for Hazardous Work and Stunts. I can post a list of what SAG denotes "Hazardous" -- you can probably use your common sense -- doing a double-pirouette is generally not considered hazardous -- doing a double-pirouette on a small platform 15 feet off the ground with fireworks going off around you is undoubtedly considered hazardous. Knee work is considered hazardous, as is some acrobatics work.)

So... that's the long answer. The short answer is that a great many music videos are non-union, and dancers get screwed by working for free or for pennies. Since the minimum SAG wage comes to $47.50 per hour, that's a good number to be aware of when you're deciding what you should pay dancers to work in a music video. If you want the dancing in your video to be good, use professional dancers... and pay them fairly.