Payroll & Production Accounting Services – Cast, Crew & Staff across all of entertainment

ABS has been the “Independent Filmmaker’s Choice”® for film and television payroll for over three decades, providing production teams with knowledgeable and reliable employer-of- record payroll service that emphasizes client experience and industry expertise.

The entertainment industry is filled with its own unique set of challenges: from compliance with complex union rules and agreements, to unusual hours and a fast-paced work schedule, and our experienced team understands what it takes to ensure a smooth process for first-time producers and industry veterans alike.

Our staff has the knowledge and proper system in place to meet the cast and crew payroll needs of low budget filmmakers, offering a high-quality experience at a great value for indie projects.

Services include:

  • ATL and BTL paycheck processing
  • Hour calculations based on Timecards/Exhibit G’s
  • Federal and State employee tax withholdings
  • Employer payroll tax contributions and reporting—including year-end W2/1099 forms
  • Compliance with wage and hour laws in all States
  • Union pension, health and welfare contributions, reporting, and administration for all major unions including SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, IATSE, and Teamsters
  • Unemployment insurance claim administration
  • Workers compensation insurance coverage & claim management
  • 401(k) and other retirement/ insurance plan contributions or earning deductions

Please reference our full SERVICES categories to the left to find out how ABS can best serve your needs.

Film Payroll

Our client satisfaction sets us apart from other film payroll companies, but we’ve also earned a reputation for working with producers across all budget sizes. Whether you’re working on a short film passion project or your next indie feature, ABS has you covered for cast and crew payroll. That flexibility has helped us maintain a great relationship with indie filmmakers and producers working at all levels in the entertainment industry, from single-day shorts to features in the $10 Million range.
ABS is also featured on SAG-AFTRA’s list of approved payroll houses, which means you can feel confident in choosing ABS as your experienced SAG payroll company on your next film.

Cast and crew payroll services include:

  • ATL & BTL paycheck processing
  • Hour calculations based on Timecards/Exhibit G’s
  • Federal and State employee tax withholdings
  • Employer payroll tax contributions and reporting—including year-end W2/1099 forms
  • Compliance with wage and hour laws in all States
  • Union pension, health and welfare contributions, reporting, and administration for all major unions including SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, IATSE, and Teamsters
  • Unemployment insurance claim administration
    Workers compensation insurance coverage & claim management
  • 401(k) and other retirement/ insurance plan contributions or earning deductions

TV Payroll

ABS was a pioneer in the industry when it comes to television payroll, helping lead the way with reality TV on early breakouts like “The Real World” and “Making the Band”. Original television content has never been stronger than it is now, and we’re excited for the opportunities that presents to indie producers. From TV pilots and demo reels to full episodic seasons, ABS is your one-stop shop for television payroll for talent both behind and in front of the camera.

Cast and crew payroll services include:

  • ATL & BTL paycheck processing
  • Hour calculations based on Timecards/Exhibit G’s
  • Federal and State employee tax withholdings
  • Employer payroll tax contributions and reporting—including year-end W2/1099 forms
  • Compliance with wage and hour laws in all States
  • Union pension, health and welfare contributions, reporting, and administration for all major unions including SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, IATSE, and Teamsters
  • Unemployment insurance claim administration
  • Workers compensation insurance coverage & claim management
  • 401(k) and other retirement/ insurance plan contributions or earning deductions

Commercial & Corporate Video Payroll

The production world moves fast, and nowhere is that more true than in the commercial and corporate arenas. Jobs are often awarded to production companies just days before shooting starts, and that makes our quick turnaround time the easy choice for your commercial shoots. Setup a payroll account and worker’s compensation insurance coverage within 24-48 hours for:
-Product & Event Commercials
-Still Photography Shoots
-Corporate, Industrial, or Educational Training Videos
-Music Videos

ABS is also signatory under the SAG-AFTRA Corporate, Educational and Non-broadcast Video agreement, which means less hassle on your end and even quicker setup for payroll.

Cast and crew payroll services include:

  • ATL & BTL paycheck processing
  • Hour calculations based on Timecards/Exhibit G’s
  • Federal and State employee tax withholdings
  • Employer payroll tax contributions and reporting—including year-end W2/1099 forms
  • Compliance with wage and hour laws in all States
  • Union pension, health and welfare contributions, reporting, and administration for all major unions including SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, IATSE, and Teamsters
  • Unemployment insurance claim administration
  • Workers compensation insurance coverage & claim management
  • 401(k) and other retirement/ insurance plan contributions or earning deductions

Staff Payroll

Make sure your entertainment industry employees get paid accurately and on-time each payday, all while reducing the workload of your in-house staff. Whether you’re a production company, effects house, dubbing studio, or other entertainment affiliate—ABS can take on your full-time staff as well as handling your one-off project onboarding. With payroll processing in all States and compliance with all the major union Collective Bargaining Agreements, ABS has the ability to cater to your entertainment staff payroll needs.

Employee payroll services include:

  • Hour calculations based on Timecards/Exhibit G’s
  • Federal and State employee tax withholdings
  • Employer payroll tax contributions and reporting—including year-end W2/1099 forms
  • Compliance with wage and hour laws in all States
  • Union pension, health and welfare contributions, reporting, and administration for all major unions including SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, IATSE, and Teamsters
  • Unemployment insurance claim administration
  • Workers compensation insurance coverage & claim management
  • Direct Deposit available for staff/ongoing productions
  • 401(k) and other retirement/ insurance plan contributions or earning deductions

Live Entertainment Payroll

Live entertainment is a vital component of the industry, and our dedicated staff is experienced with payroll services for live theatre productions, resort shows, music venue events, and much more. Our simple and easy-to-use system allows quick payroll submission and turnaround times, ensuring a smooth process for your live entertainment production team.

Performer and crew payroll services include:

  • ATL & BTL paycheck processing
  • Hour calculations based on Timecards/Exhibit G’s
  • Federal and State employee tax withholdings
  • Employer payroll tax contributions and reporting—including year-end W2/1099 forms
  • Compliance with wage and hour laws in all States
  • Union pension, health and welfare contributions, reporting, and administration for all major unions including SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, IATSE, and Teamsters
  • Unemployment insurance claim administration
  • Workers compensation insurance coverage & claim management
  • 401(k) and other retirement/ insurance plan contributions or earning deductions

Other Entertainment Payroll

Many of our clients’ projects fall outside “traditional” entertainment, and we’re always looking for new opportunities to help production teams achieve success. From interactive media and voice-over work, to EPK and behind-the-scenes documentaries, ABS is eager to discuss your project even when other payroll companies say no.

Employee payroll services include:

  • ATL & BTL paycheck processing
  • Hour calculations based on Timecards/Exhibit G’s
  • Federal and State employee tax withholdings
  • Employer payroll tax contributions and reporting—including year-end W2/1099 forms
  • Compliance with wage and hour laws in all States
  • Union pension, health and welfare contributions, reporting, and administration for all major unions including SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, IATSE, and Teamsters
  • Unemployment insurance claim administration
  • Workers compensation insurance coverage & claim management
  • 401(k) and other retirement/ insurance plan contributions or earning deductions

Production Accounting

With 30 years of industry experience in entertainment production accounting, ABS is “The Independent Filmmaker’s Choice”® when it comes to assisting producers on Indie projects. Working closely with your production team members, our dedicated production accountants will maintain your financial records digitally from prep to post.
Whether you need a production accounting team on-site, or a professional production accountant that can work remotely, our custom production accounting solutions will ensure that you know where your production stands financially. Industry-standard detailed cost reporting will keep you on track and on budget, and help keep you and your financiers happy.
Getting studio quality reporting is not out of the question, and our clients save thousands of dollars with our professional, courteous and effective production accounting services. No matter what sized production you have, keeping accurate track of costs is a must. Let ABS put together a production accounting plan that will fit your budget.

Productions’ requirements and budgets will vary, but production accounting services will typically include:

  • Setting up a locked budget
  • Booking all expenses
  • Bank reconciliation
  • Tracking Petty Cash
  • Industry-standard 7-Column cost reporting
  • Generating a Final Cost Report

BondIt Media Capital

BondIt Media Capital was founded by industry professionals looking for a progressive solution to an ongoing issue — access to reliable production / feature film / entertainment funding.

Founded in 2013 by partners Matthew Helderman and Luke Taylor, BondIt has established itself as an industry leading film and media finance firm. Since inception BondIt has participated in the financing of over 250+ feature film and television projects ranging from micro-budgets to studio level projects.

Recent projects include Ira Sach’s Little Men, starring Greg Kinnear and Alfred Molina, which premiered domestically at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and internationally at the 2016 Berlin Film Festival — and was released by Magnolia Pictures theatrically across the US. Aftermath starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and set to be released by Lionsgate in 2017, King Cobra starring James Franco and Christian Slater which premiered at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival and released by IFC in 2016, The Brits Are Coming starring Uma Thurman, Tim Roth, Sofia Vergara, Parker Posey and Stephen Fry was co-produced with legendary producer Cassian Elwes and is set for release in 2018, 31 directed by Rob Zombie and set to be released by Lionsgate and Saban in late 2016, and The Journey Is The Destination which premiered at the 2016 Toronto Film Festival.

BondIt Media Capital can assist with projects needs ranging from:

  • SAG / DGA / IATSE Union Deposit Loans
  • Domestic and international pre-sale / licensing agreement / MG loans
  • Domestic and international tax credits / rebates / grants loans
  • Bridge loans
  • Working capital / receivable factoring for media / entertainment companies
  • Gap loans

Buffalo 8 – Development / Production / Post-Production

Founded in 2012 by partners Matthew Helderman and Luke Taylor, Buffalo 8 Productions has established itself as a full service media company focused in development services, production, post-production, management and finance based in Santa Monica, California with films premiering and awarded at Sundance, Berlin, Toronto and SXSW.

Recent projects include Ira Sach’s Little Men, starring Greg Kinnear and Alfred Molina, which premiered domestically at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and internationally at the 2016 Berlin Film Festival — and was released by Magnolia Pictures theatrically across the US. As You Are premiered at Sundance 2016 winning the Special Jury Prize and was acquired for release by Amazon Studios. The Brits Are Coming starring Uma Thurman, Tim Roth, Sofia Vergara, Parker Posey and Stephen Fry was co-produced with legendary producer Cassian Elwes and is set for release in 2018. Valley of Bones was acquired by Sony Pictures in 2017 for a domestic theatrical release.

Other notable projects include the Spike Lee directed Netflix Original film Rodney King starring B8 Management client Roger Guenveur.

On the Creative Services side the company has produced creative content for brands such as VH1, Viacom, Blinds.com, PetNet, Dolby, Love Begins At, Sony Studios and Sniff and Barkens releasing both national campaigns as well as branded content.

B8 Services can assist with projects needs ranging from:

Development Services:

  • Creative Feedback
  • Line item budgeting
  • Stripboard scheduling
  • Business Planning
  • Finance Planning
  • Consulting
  • Cast Attachments
  • International Sales Agency Attachments
  • Development Executive Services

Production Services

  • Line Producer / UPM services
  • Preferred Crew
  • Casting Space
  • Office Space
  • Rentals

Post-Production Services

  • Audio Services
    • Voice Over
    • ADR
    • Dubbing
    • Translations
    • Dialogue Mixing
    • Final 5.1 Mixing
  •  Video Services
    • Editing
    • VFX
    • Color Correction
    • DCP Creation
    • Rendering
    • Authoring
    • Encoding
    • Layoffs
    • DVCAM
    • Digibeta
    • HDCAM
    • HDCAM SR
    • EPK

MFE – Insurance Services

MFE Insurance Services streamline your purchase of entertainment insurance with a team that understands the time constraints and unique demands of the industry.

With MFE’s efficient online platform, clients can access their policy information and issue COI’s 24/7.

Communication is key to your success, and MFE’s team is ready to find out how to meet your production’s needs for annual, short-term, or special event insurance coverage.

MFE Insurance Services can assist with insurance needs across the following areas:

  • Film & TV
  • Special Events
  • Promoters
  • Drove & UAV
  • Touring
  • Live Perfomance
  • Nightlife
  • Cancellations
  • Rigging