What to Know Before Accepting a Job

Dec 30, 2024

'Little Women' (2018) / Candlelight Media Group

Breaking into the film industry can be difficult, but knowing what to do after receiving an offer can be equally confusing. The Utah Film Commission has put together some resources to help you avoid common pitfalls and make informed decisions when accepting a new production job.

Get The Offer in Writing

All employees and contractors should have a written agreement with their employer. Some positions like background actors and day players may not get an offer letter, but all positions should expect some kind of agreement, deal memo, or paperwork. Make sure you carefully read any paperwork to ensure you understand the details of the work you will be doing and what your compensation will be (e.g. hourly rate, how many work hours are considered a “day,” when is overtime paid, etc). Keep these documents saved and organized in a way that is easy to find.

Employee v. Independent Contractor

For Employees:

Learn the difference between employees and contractors by reviewing the IRS’s criteria and guidelines from Utah’s department of workforce services.
Before accepting a contract position, many contractors estimate their net income (income after taxes and contractor fees) using the IRS’s self employment guide and/or by filing out tax form 1040- ES.

For Productions:

Productions doing business in the state of Utah should consult the Department of Workforce Services Employer Handbook, as well as the Guidelines for Employments Status if you are considering hiring independent contractors.