Author: Michelle Brannan

As the global entertainment industry continues to flourish and expand, the need for efficient and reliable entertainment payroll services has never been more important. According to Forbes, entertainment spending reached nearly $37 Billion in 2021. With productions growing in both scale and complexity, successful projects of all sizes demand the management expertise of seasoned payroll providers. 

Between setting up casting auditions, approving creative materials, and staying within budget, producers have their work cut out for them. And payroll is a huge part of that. Why not make it simpler with an efficient, seamless, entertainment payroll service? 

We at LÜK are dedicated to making producers’ lives better…so we’ve researched some of the top entertainment payroll providers specializing in various aspects of the entertainment world, including talent payments, pre-production, and international computations. 

Discover the perfect fit for all your payroll requirements so your production can be easy, breezy, and stress-free. 

Who handles payroll in productions?

In entertainment productions, the payroll management process requires a unique blend of expertise, industry knowledge, and attention to detail. Production companies often rely on professional accountants or specialized payroll service providers to ensure a seamless payment process across all parties involved. 

Entrusting payroll to experts ensures adherence to industry standards and compliance regulations, facilitating the smooth functioning of project timelines. These professionals also manage call sheets, commercials, compliance, accounting, union requirements, and more, making it critical to partner with a top-notch payroll provider.

What’s included in entertainment payroll services?

Entertainment payroll services encompass an extensive range of responsibilities, addressing various aspects of production finance. These include:

• Accurate calculations of wages, premiums, tax deductions, and union contributions for talent, crew members, and entertainers
• Expert handling of complex payroll processes and regulations for both domestic and international productions
• Detailed tracking of performance and participation in creative projects
• Management of call sheets and other essential production documentation
• Compliance with industry standards and regulatory changes, as well as the negotiation and securing of relevant tax credits and incentives
• Providing customizable and personalized support tailored to the unique demands of each production, spanning from pre-production planning to post-production financials

With a comprehensive approach and specialized industry expertise, entertainment payroll service providers cater to the diverse needs of clients throughout the entertainment industry, ensuring a smooth and successful production experience.

By entrusting the right partner with your payroll needs, you can focus on the creative aspects of your project while knowing that the financial side is in expert hands.

Top Entertainment Payroll Services

With the unique demands and complexities of the entertainment sector, it’s crucial to choose a reliable and efficient payroll service provider. Now let’s dive in and explore your options!

1. LÜK Network

Best for: Photoshoot productions 

LÜK Network specializes in providing payroll solutions tailored to the entertainment industry’s unique needs. Our user-friendly platform allows for easy tracking and management of payroll for independent contractor cast and crew members. LÜK’s full-coverage solution correctly classifies freelancers, manages worker’s compensation and payroll taxes, and pays talent from multiple agencies with just one invoice. 

Of course, we’re more than just an entertainment payroll service. Zooming all the way out, LÜK provides all the tools and services producers need to simplify their workload and free them up to focus fully on the creative needs of their shoot. 

Services:

• Entertainment payroll processing
• Pre-populated invoices and automated approvals
• Compliance management
• Correct worker classification
• Transparent and fast payment via FlashPay
• Tax management
• Talent and crew booking tools 

Choose LÜK Network for a tailored and efficient payroll experience in the entertainment industry–and much more. 

2. Entertainment Partners Payroll Services

Best for: Large-scale film and television productions

Entertainment Partners (EP) is a provider of payroll services in the film industry, boasting an impressive track record of successful partnerships with top studios and productions. Their SmartStart and SmartTime solutions help streamline the onboarding and timekeeping processes, making payroll management a breeze. EP ensures compliance with labor laws and union rules, mitigating risks associated with complex entertainment payrolls. 

With their extensive Scenechronize platform, you can manage budgets, schedules, and documents all in one place. 

Services:

• SmartStart onboarding
• SmartTime timekeeping
• Budgeting and scheduling
• Customer support and assistance

3. Extreme Reach

Best for: Advertising productions

Extreme Reach offers an end-to-end payroll solution designed for the advertising and entertainment industries. Their cloud-based platform enables seamless management of talent and crew payments, ensuring timely and accurate disbursements. Extreme Reach’s platform also offers tax and union compliance features and flexibility to accommodate payroll projects of any size. 

Services:

• Talent and crew payment processing
• Tax and union compliance features
• Scalable payroll operations
• Powerful reporting tools
• Dedicated support team

4. Media Services

Best for: TV, film, media, and commercial productions

Media Services offers an entertainment payroll solution, Showbiz Timecards, which provides a suite of tools for managing payroll, budgeting, and scheduling. In addition to payroll services, they provide production accounting, tax incentives, and software training for entertainment professionals. 

Services:

• Showbiz Timecards payroll management
• Accounting software integrations
• Production accounting services
• Tax incentives and software training

5. Wrapbook

Best for: Independent creators in various entertainment sectors

Wrapbook is a modern payroll solution designed specifically for film, TV, and commercial productions. Their platform helps simplify the payroll process, from onboarding talent and crew to processing payments and generating reports. 

The platform also offers a digital timecard feature, making it easy to track hours and approve timecards. With built-in financial tools, you can manage your production budget effectively and monitor expenses in real time. Wrapbook’s dedication to security ensures your sensitive financial data remains protected. 

Services:

• Digital onboarding for talent and crew
• Digital timecard feature
• Built-in financial tools for budget management
• Secure and efficient payment processing

6. Willa Pay

Best for: YouTubers, actors, and influencers

Willa Pay is a payroll solution for freelancers and independent contractors in the entertainment industry. Their platform simplifies invoicing, payment tracking, and tax management for both talent and employers. With Willa Pay, you can process payments quickly and securely, to help improve cash flow and reduce administrative burdens. 

The platform also provides a tax management system, ensuring compliance with tax regulations for independent workers. Willa Pay’s innovative approach to freelance payroll fosters collaboration and financial transparency between employers and talent in the entertainment industry. 

Services:

• Freelancer and independent contractor payroll processing
• Invoicing and payment tracking
• Tax management system
• Quick and secure payment processing
• Dedicated customer support

7. Cast & Crew

Best for: Film and television productions

Cast & Crew provides entertainment payroll services, catering to the unique needs of film, television, and live event productions. Their PSL+ platform streamlines the payroll process, managing everything from timecards to tax filings. They also have reporting solutions that allow you to track expenses and analyze production financials.

In addition to payroll, Cast & Crew offers production accounting, tax credit consulting, and workers’ compensation services.

Services:

• PSL+ payroll platform
• Tax filings and compliance management
• Robust reporting tools
• Production accounting and tax credit consulting

8. ABS Payroll

Best for: Commercials, films, and TV productions

ABS Payroll is a reputable provider of payroll services, specializing in independent films, television, and commercial productions. ABS Payroll’s platform offers an accurate payroll process, including timecard management, tax filings, and direct deposits. They also offer additional services such as production accounting, tax incentives, and workers’ compensation. 

Services:

• Independent film, TV, and commercial payroll services
• Timecard management and tax filings
• Customized reporting tools
• Production accounting and tax incentives

9. Greenslate

Best for: Film, TV, and commercial projects

Greenslate offers innovative and eco-friendly payroll solutions for film, television, and commercial productions. Their cloud-based platform streamlines the entire payroll process, from onboarding to payment disbursement and reporting. With a focus on sustainability, Greenslate eliminates paper waste by utilizing digital timecards, paystubs, and tax forms.

Services:

• Eco-friendly payroll management
• Digital timecards, paystubs, and tax forms
• Production accounting and tax credit consulting
• Software solutions for financial management

10. Top Sheet

Best for: Film, TV, and commercials

Top Sheet offers a user-friendly payroll solution designed specifically for the entertainment industry. Their platform streamlines the payroll process, handling timecards, payment processing, and tax filings.

Services:

• Streamlined payroll processing
• Advanced reporting tools
• Accounting software integrations
• Secure financial data protection

11. TEAM Companies

Best for: Music, TV, film, and commercial production

The TEAM Companies is a provider of payroll services for the entertainment industry, offering customized solutions to suit your production’s specific needs. With all-inclusive services such as payroll processing, tax filings, and reporting, TEAM Companies helps streamline your payroll operations. In addition to payroll services, TEAM Companies offers production accounting, tax credit consulting, and workers’ compensation solutions. 

Services:

• Customized payroll solutions
• Tax filings and compliance management
• Production accounting and tax credit consulting
• Workers’ compensation services

12. NPI Entertainment Payroll

Best for: Theatrical, film, and live entertainment productions

NPI Entertainment Payroll is a provider of payroll services, focusing on film, television, and commercial productions. NPI’s platform streamlines the payroll process, managing timecards, tax filings, and direct deposits. NPI Entertainment Payroll also provides production accounting services and tax incentive consulting. With personalized customer support, NPI offers a seamless payroll experience for entertainment professionals.

Services:

• Specialized entertainment payroll services
• Timecard management and tax filings
• Powerful reporting tools
• Production accounting and tax incentive consulting

12. CAPS Payroll

Best for: Film, television, and live events

CAPS Payroll is an adaptable payroll solution provider, catering to film, television, live events, and commercial productions. Their platform handles everything from timecard management to tax filings and payment disbursements. 

Services:

• Entertainment payroll services for film, TV, live events, and commercials
• Timecard management and tax filings
• Powerful reporting tools
• Accounting software integrations

Use the Best Entertainment Payroll for Your Shoot

Accurate and timely payroll management is essential for building trust with your cast and crew, as well as adhering to the complex labor laws and regulations in the entertainment industry. Each payroll company on this list offers specialized solutions tailored to the unique needs and requirements of different sectors within the entertainment world, ensuring that your specific payroll needs are met with precision and expertise.

By choosing the right payroll service, you can mitigate risks, ensure smooth operations, and ultimately focus on bringing your creative vision to life.

LÜK Network is the top entertainment payroll choice–in addition to offering a full suite of producer tools designed to streamline your casting and payment processes. With LÜK’s innovative and user-friendly platform, you can confidently manage your entertainment payroll while maintaining compliance with industry regulations.

Plus, with our suite of producer tools, we simplify the casting and booking process for clients by providing a single point of contact for accessing a diverse range of talent. We assign a personal booking specialist to each client, who handles all aspects from start to finish, including castings, availability checks, and digital/polaroid requests. 

Don’t leave the success of your production to chance—ensure that you have the right payroll partner on your side. 

Accidents happen during productions. Things can get hectic and one loose wire can change everything in a matter of seconds. The solution? A comprehensive workers’ compensation insurance or workers’ comp policy. 

As a producer, it’s your job to make everything for production is taken care of, and getting the proper production insurance for your workers is part of the process. Without insurance, specifically workers’ comp insurance, you could face legal and financial ramifications that can end your production and negatively impact your career.

What is Workers’ Compensation Insurance? 

Workers’ compensation insurance, also called workers’ comp, provide your talent and crew with the benefits or medical care they need if they experience an injury or illness related to the job. 

If someone is injured on set, workers’ compensation insurance can provide financial assistance to cover the cast and crew’s medical bills and rehabilitation expenses. This coverage usually applies to full-time employees but it’s also advisable for your workers’ comp insurance to cover independent contractors working on the production.

This type of insurance can also prevents producers (cough, cough, you) from being sued.

Is It Illegal to Not Have Workers’ Comp?

It depends on the state you’re in. For example, Texas doesn’t require employers to have workers’ compensation insurance. California, on the other hand, requires that every employer have workers’ compensation benefits if they hire one or more employees under the California Labor Code Section 3700.

Again, though it’s not required to have workers’ comp for independent contractors, if you don’t, you’re opening up yourself and your production to being sued, fined, or inundundated with medical expenses. Contractors can sue if they’ve received an injury, especially if the injury makes it harder for them to earn income or impacts their quality of life. 

Employees vs Independent Contractors

When dealing with entertainment insurance, taxes, and legal documentation, it’s critical to be able to correctly classify who’s an employee and who’s an independent contractor. 

An employee is someone that receives a wage or salary from the company that they work for. They have an employee contract and must follow the company’s rules, policies, etc. 

Independent contractors aren’t considered employees, nor do they get paid a salary. They’re hired for projects or certain tasks and are only paid for the time they are hired to complete a project. 

California uses the AB5 law to define the differences between employees and contractors via the ABC test. The criteria include: 

• A: The worker is free from the control and direction of the hiring entity in performing the work. This a test to see if the worker receives any direction from the employer or if the employer has any control over the worker. This also includes behavioral and financial control as well. Is the worker receiving any instruction from the employer while working? Are they getting paid a salary, or are they at risk of losing money if they miss a workday? 
• B: The worker performs work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business. If the company outsources the worker to complete tasks that can be handled internally, it’s most likely a contract job. 
• C: The worker is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, or business of the same nature as the work performed for the hiring entity. If workers with specific skills have their own projects or run a small business, they are more likely to be contractors than employees.

Knowing how many employees and independent contractors you’re hiring will help ensure you have the right workers’ comp insurance coverage for your production.

The Risks of Not Having Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Your Production

When it comes to a film event or photoshoot, there’s a plethora of ways that some can get injured. Aside from the models and talent you’ve cast, there’s your sound crew, lighting crew, set designers, assistants, and more. In a busy environment, it’s easy to fall victim to a faulty wire or falling prop. 

If you don’t have workers’ comp insurance, there’s a lot at risk. 

Legal Risks

Legal matters can be long-term…which means they can be costly. Some legal risks included: 

• Getting Sued: Contractors can take legal action against you if they get hurt while working on your project. If your production is particularly dangerous and requires stunts, the use of fire, etc., it’s advised that you get insurance for everyone involved.  
• Penalties: You can receive regulatory penalties and your production may even get shut down for good. Penalties vary depending on that state–and you’ll have to pay them out of pocket. 
• Criminal Charges: You could face criminal charges or jail time for not having insurance. This also varies depending on the state you’re working in. For example, in Pennsylvania, intentionally not having insurance coverage is a felony resulting in up to 7 years in prison with a fine of $15,000.  

Financial Risks

As a producer, you’ve got a set budget to bring your vision to life. That budget also needs to cover pay for your talent, crew, catering, equipment, or anything else you’ll need for your show or shoot. 

• Lost Wages: If a worker can’t get work and make a living after getting injured on your set, you’ll have to cover these wages–which can add up quickly. 
• Lawsuit Expense: Lengthy lawsuits are time-consuming, costly, and interfere with completing your production. 
• Medical Expenses: Medical fees add up. This goes beyond paying for an ambulance and initial medical fees: you may have to pay out-of-pocket for surgeries, hospital rooms, medication, physical therapy, and more. 
• Getting Fined: The state can fine you for hiring talent without having workers’ comp insurance. For example, according to the California Labor Code, not having workers’ comp insurance is a criminal offense, with fines starting at 10,000 dollars. 

Reputational Risks

Reputation matters in the entertainment industry. If a model or actor gets injured while working with you, and you don’t have insurance to cover them, this could lead to bad press. 

Not only could this prevent talent and crew from working with you, but it can also mean colleagues could be hesitant to collaborate. If other producers know you failed to get proper coverage for your workers and talent and put them at risk, they may not be interested in joining your projects.

Make Workers’ Comp Simple for Your Production

Workers’ comp insurance is a must, and you need to have it before you start working on your production. But on top of overseeing an entire production, you probably don’t have much time to look and find the best coverage for you and your employees.

Well, LÜK is here to help. Our payroll software covers all aspects of worker compensation,  freelancer classification, and tax payments and allows for paying talent from multiple talent agencies with only one invoice. 

Our team is passionate about what we do and is more than capable of making your job easier. And we’d love to keep you from getting sued for not being properly covered.