Thread: ooohh... a belly dancer in a syfy movie, how much?

I just got this email today and it looks like something I'd do for the fun of it. I'd have to make sure it's actually a syfy movie but the guy seems to know what he's talking about:

Hello-

My name is Steven Sandt. I am an independent motion picture producer. To verify this you can log onto IMDB.com and type in my name (Steven A. Sandt) and it will bring up the name of a picture I did in the year 2000. You can also go online and type the following web address: atprodco.com . I'm now working on a sci fi picture in which there is a cafe/bar scene which features a belly dancer. My wife (of 38 years) and I live in Covina. I saw your bio listed on PinkGypsy.com . Your physical appearance is suitable for the dancer I'm looking for. I'm looking for a dancer who can dance in an Egyptian or Turkish style of belly dance. The shoot would not take more than 2 hours. It would be shot in front of a green screen (for digital compositing). The picture is non-union and does not have a large budget. I would like to know what you would charge for two hours of your time (in Covina). If we can arrive at an agreeable amount I will also include you in the profit sharing for the picture with one point (1%) of the profits for your work. You would have to sign the usual contract which allows me to use the footage in my picture and also sign the profit participation contract. If you are interested, please reply to this email (actually please let me know either way so I will know you got this email).

Thanks,

Steven Sandt

I live in Covina, so it's not big travel for me, my question is how much do I charge for 2 hours?
Any help or advice ( I love bhuz) would be greatly appreciated.

This sounds like so much fun! I have no idea how much you should charge, but I think you should do it. I wouldn't count on collecting any of the 1%, but it's fun to have that option. Definitely bring a friend to the shoot, because this director is not well-known.

And chat with a lawyer about the language in the contract, before you sign it. Good luck!

sounds great. imo you should charge at least sag scale. probably more b/c you are a specialist. add residuals into your contract, in case the film does well ;)

Definetly take someone with you!

If I'm dancing in front of a 'green screen', I would want to have approval as to where, and what content it is going to be used.
I would definetly want to own some rights to my image in this case!

I'm not a lawyer...please protect yourself.

BTW,
Congratulations!!! It does sound fun!!!

(Keep us in the loop please)
:-)

Agreed, look into SAG's Low Budget Film agreement for day players. Plus specialty acts. It really isn't that much money, but there is a basic agreement. I would make sure that you got a credit, though. THAT could be valuable. And if your dance name is different than your real name - and you have a searchable website - go with your dance name.

Just commenting on gothiques comment about residuals: in general, only the above the line people get residuals. Day players, etc., very rarely.

{{{HUGS}}}

Yeah, I'd want to see what they plan to put in the background. I have heard a story on tribe about a dancer to did a green screen session. Turned out it was a porn flick.

Get your hands on that script!

I'd tell him that I'm cautiously excited about the idea of working with him. I'd tell him that, while of course I expect to be paid something for my time, investment in professional costuming, etc. I don't want that to be the sticking point in our negotiations.

I'd tell him that my bigger concern is with how the dance might be presented. So often, if bellydance is included at all in a sci fi picture, the purpose is to set up a particular location as a place of sexual debauchery -- a 'pleasure planet' or place of human trafficking/sex slavery. I'm not really interested in perpetuating the bellydance = sexual slavery notion.

I'd ask to see the script, I'd ask for a copy of the film when it's complete, and I'd want to specify in the contract that my likeness will not be appearing in anything lewd, pornographic, et.

Can non-SAG members access those rates, Tahira, or is it a benefit of membership? How does she find that info?

p.s. I like to be openminded about possiblities, but the fact that he did one legit picture 10 years ago doesn't really make him an 'independent motion picture producer.' It makes him a guy who participated in an independent motion picture once. So... has he been producing other films since 2000? Films that HAVEN'T been listed in imbd? Why does he need to mention how long he's been married? Something about this guy makes me feel cautious.

My bff works at AFTRA in contracts. If you want I can ask her what you should do and expect to receive.

hey

i was in a soap, and charged my normal party rate for that (and that was actually the scene as well), i got to pick my music myself etc and basically did part of my "usual" party gig, a few times over. so that was 150€ at the time (years ago), right now i'd charge 175€ for that.

i also was in an artsie fartsie movie, and i dont remember what we got paid for that. I think it was a 100 € or something PER dancer,

make sure to ask about the music and the music syncing, so your dancing fits the actual sound eventually. i've met several producers who seem to think they can just dub any oriental music over our dancing afterwards.

Artemisia

Originally Posted by ElissaDancer

I just got this email today and it looks like something I'd do for the fun of it. I'd have to make sure it's actually a syfy movie but the guy seems to know what he's talking about:

Hello-

My name is Steven Sandt. I am an independent motion picture producer. To verify this you can log onto IMDB.com and type in my name (Steven A. Sandt) and it will bring up the name of a picture I did in the year 2000. You can also go online and type the following web address: atprodco.com . I'm now working on a sci fi picture in which there is a cafe/bar scene which features a belly dancer. My wife (of 38 years) and I live in Covina. I saw your bio listed on PinkGypsy.com . Your physical appearance is suitable for the dancer I'm looking for. I'm looking for a dancer who can dance in an Egyptian or Turkish style of belly dance. The shoot would not take more than 2 hours. It would be shot in front of a green screen (for digital compositing). The picture is non-union and does not have a large budget. I would like to know what you would charge for two hours of your time (in Covina). If we can arrive at an agreeable amount I will also include you in the profit sharing for the picture with one point (1%) of the profits for your work. You would have to sign the usual contract which allows me to use the footage in my picture and also sign the profit participation contract. If you are interested, please reply to this email (actually please let me know either way so I will know you got this email).

Thanks,

Steven Sandt

I live in Covina, so it's not big travel for me, my question is how much do I charge for 2 hours?
Any help or advice ( I love bhuz) would be greatly appreciated.

Okay, so the SAG web page looked like they would only pay $100 a day for low budget films, but of course I would charge more than that. I'm still undecided about the 1% but I might go for it just because I can.

I am definitely bringing someone with me to the shoot and probably a male friend, a very protective male friend who wouldn't want me exposed to anything questionable. I'm not 16 years old anymore, so yes, I am very cautious and aware of my image (I wasn't going to say anything - but Sadie and Kaya - that's a no). In fact, everything Lauren said I might just reply with. ..l;,

And maybe he had some personal reasons for not making another film in 10 years, I don't know but it does make me want to ask more questions about what I'm dancing in front of.

Eshta if you can have your friend look into the contract language for me that would be great and so helpful!

For some reason, I keep thinking of that bar scene in one of Joss Whedon's Firefly episodes. If it's anything like that I'll be a happy dancer. ..g.:

Thank you everyone so so much!! And I'll keep you all updated!

For some reason, I keep thinking of that bar scene in one of Joss Whedon's Firefly episodes. If it's anything like that I'll be a happy dancer.

I loved that scene!

This sounds like a fun opportunity, I hope it works out well!

Cool, keep us posted!

Originally Posted by ElissaDancer

For some reason, I keep thinking of that bar scene in one of Joss Whedon's Firefly episodes.

LOL! That's the first thing I thought of when I saw this post!

I really hope things work out for you! Let us know what happens.

You can't ask for SAG rates if the film isn't SAG. It's most likely Non-Union, although some small budget movies are Sag. That would be my first question to the casting director: "Are you SAG-affiliated and will I receive a SAG voucher?"

Are you a character in the movie, or are you background?

If you're a character that is in multiple scenes and interacts with the actors (whether you have lines or not), then it depends on the budget of the film. If it's low budget, being produced REALLY independently, $100 for an 8 hour day sounds like reality.

If you are considered "background" (not an actual character, doesn't interact with the other characters), and it's low-budget, honestly don't expect much. But for a bigger budget, better produced, $150-$200 for an 8 hour sounds right. That includes your "specialty skill" title.

The pricing isn't the same as a private party gig, etc.

By the way, I was an extra in an independently-produced movie a few years ago. The movie was completed, but hasn't been released yet. Prepare to be patient - these aren't like Hollywood films!

On the upside, your footage is much less likely to be edited out of a smaller film. Crossed fingers!

Oh, duh, I just re-read his initial e-mail.
He is telling you it's low-budget and independent, and you are "featured" in one scene. I think $100 is going to be his maximum, and probably beyond what he wants to pay; that's why he's offering 1% of the profits.

You should ask if he already has distribution for the film, or if he is still in the process of selling it. His offer of 1% of profits won't do you any good if he hasn't sold it to a distributer.

Yes...don't take a percentage instead of payment...it should be in addition to. :)

Okay, so I sent back an email earlier today pretty much laying out all of my (our as community) concerns. Here's what he wrote back:

I'm so glad that you're interested in doing the picture. Your comments show that you take your dancing seriously. Is there any possibility of shooting between July 1 and July 6? If not, that's ok, I'm sure we can find a mutually-acceptable date and time.
The amount of $200 is quite reasonable, and you will receive 1% of all profits. Let me put your mind at ease concerning the nature of this picture. I don't make exploitation pictures. This picture contains nothing that is obscene or lewd. There is no nudity or sexual content. There is not even any bad language or vulgarity. The picture could come close to getting a "G" rating, but your dance scene (and some action scenes) would probably bump the picture into "PG".
I am in the middle of a rewrite even though we have been shooting for some time. Fortunately, on this picture we have been shooting the scenes in order (something I almost never do). The first quarter of the picture remains unchanged. My rewrite involves bringing in elements from another script I once wrote. This is where the cafe/bar scene comes in. On Saturday I will scan scenes 1 through 7 into the computer and email them to you. I'd do it tomorrow but I'll be gone all day. To give you the ultra-condensed synopsis: present day protagonist finds time machine. He travels into the future and helps a woman (who is a slave) escape. They travel farther into the future where they help rebel forces battle a repressive governmental entity (shades of Star Wars!). Scenes 1 through 7 only take you up to your scene (in scene 7) but you will at least get some appreciation as to the type of picture this is.
I will write an addendum to our contract that requires me to show you the picture as it moves through production and requires me to get your approval in order for me to use your image in the picture. I don't think that will be a problem-I am sure that you will be glad that you decided to be a part of this production. I have high hopes for this picture.

Of course the storyline reeks of Star Wars but it still looks like fun. I'll still push for a copy of the movie, credit, specifications in contract, etc. AND bring someone with me.

Sounds exciting! Please keep us posted!

whooowhoo, i'm all excited for you!

It seems a bit unusual to offer you 1% of the profits, I've never heard of that.
But congrats, just be cautiously optimistic!

i have friends who have done music for movies, and they had % deals as well, it's not very uncomon for the movie industry.

I liked his response.

I just wanted to update everybody. I did the shoot today and it went very well. My dance partner went with me and watched and was a witness when I signed all the papers. The studio (with the green screen) was set up in his house with all the lighting and shot the sequence several times. I watched what he taped afterward and it looks very professional and very cool. My friend said she was reminded of the older, vintage shots of belly dancers in a cafe.

All in all it turned out well and the producer and his wife seemed like very nice, quiet people who have high hopes for this film.

I'll keep everyone updated =)

How cool! As a sci-fi lover, I am intrigued..

You will definitely have to keep us posted. i'm glad it went well.

This sounds like it was a lot of fun. (I have some belly dance friends that are acting in an independent film too. I think one of the characters is an evil belly dancing sorceress.)

Nice , just go and have fun .



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Originally Posted by Karnak

I think one of the characters is an evil belly dancing sorceress.)

oh... I've met a few of those. ..g.: