film production payroll
Meal Penalty runs timecards, fringes, and union math for the two-person production company that can't afford a payroll department — or a lawsuit.
We know when your grip crossed into double-time at 2am. Overtime, meal penalties, and turnaround are computed before the gaffer starts doing napkin math.
IATSE, DGA, SAG-AFTRA minimums baked in and refreshed when the contracts change, so you stop bookmarking PDFs you'll never read again.
Track equipment rentals, box fees, and reimbursements per person, per day, per project. It all lands in one clean deal memo.
Your AD approves hours from their phone between setups. No screenshots of a legal pad at wrap.
W-2s, 1099s, and multi-state filings for the crew you flew in from three states away. We handle the paperwork you keep forgetting exists.
Rates, roles, and terms locked per hire, so nobody 'remembers' a different day rate on payday.
In their words
“I used to reconcile timecards at 1am in a hotel parking lot. Now the meal penalties calculate themselves and I actually sleep during a shoot. Genuinely rude how easy this is.”
“We're four people and a van. Meal Penalty is the only reason we can hire a union crew without a payroll company charging us like we're Warner Bros.”
“The union rate tables alone saved me from two grievances last quarter. It quietly knows more about my labor obligations than I do.”
Arrangements
For the solo producer running one project at a time.
For working production companies juggling multiple crews.
For established shops with a real accountant and real exposure.