Drl-admin: Created page with "'''So, someone wants to rent your droid?''' At some point, the situation will present itself where your droid is going to want to be rented. This article will give you some..."

2018-11-30T21:16:58Z

Created page with "'''So, someone wants to rent your droid?''' At some point, the situation will present itself where your droid is going to want to be rented. This article will give you some..."

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'''So, someone wants to rent your droid?'''

At some point, the situation will present itself where your droid is going to want to be rented. This article will give you some guidelines on what is acceptable, how to protect yourself, and most importantly how to get paid.

Before we start, let's lay some ground rules for doing “gigs”. I always think of them in 2 ways. Charity and an event where someone else will benefit, usually in the form of driving paying customers to them.

You should '''NEVER''' charge for a charity event. Should you expect some compensation for a charity event? It is not unreasonable to ask for parking to be provided and not have to pay any entrance fee. However, this is for a charity, so there may be out of pocket expenses. The charity is helping others, and really, that is what we are all about. The reward of the experience should be compensation enough.

So now, let's cover non-charity events. I will try to cover several examples from my own experiences and talking with others.

These are:
*Free comic Book day at a comic store / May 4th
*Star Wars reads day
*Events at a science center
*Shooting a fan made film
*Providing ambience at a pay to enter event
*Providing ambience at a free to enter event
*Shooting a music video with a small company
*Providing droids for a TV show
*Providing droids for an interview / doing an interview
*Weddings
*Parties (Non birthday)

==What is acceptable?==

This is a very gray area, however there are some things you should never do. Birthday parties are a good example of what not to do. But why not? What is the harm? LFL/Disney lets us do our thing because we do not abuse it. Anything you do should portray your astromech and the droid builders clubs and LFL/Disney in a positive, kid friendly light. Having your droid out for Star Wars night at your local strip club is never a good idea. Providing ambience for an event is generally acceptable, when the event is for promoting a product launch this is where you need to start being mindful and read the next topic.

'''At what point do I need to check to make sure this is ok?'''

Most local events do not need approval from LFL/Disney. When it comes to any kind of product launch or to promote a product or store, this is where you need to contact LFL/Disney. If the product is licensed, they will give you guidance, if it is not an official product, they will also give you guidance. Usually they want to verify that the product being promoted has paid the correct licensing and can do what they are asking.

More details about this topic are covered here:
http://astromech.net/forums/showthread.php?22963-LFL-on-Promotional-Publicity-Character-Appearances

General guidelines taken from above link:
*OK
**fan conventions
**charity events
*Need to check:
**ANY high-profile event such as sporting event (see additional rules for sporting events)
**TV appearance
**Promotional spot
**Toy release
**Video game release
**Etc

'''I asked vs. they asked you.'''

I use this question to help dictate how the conversation will go.

If I approach you and want my droid at your event, then I am at your mercy and do not have as good of a bargaining chip for compensation.

If you are approached, that means they want you, and as such should be prepared to compensate you in some form. If you want me, I should not have to pay anything out of pocket, this includes travel, storage, entrance fees parking etc...

==Compensation==

'''What is a reasonable compensation expectation?'''

Notice I did not say get paid? Compensation comes in many forms. Yes, there is a cash compensation, but there are other perks to be had that can offset money. This is all up to you. Consider who is asking you to bring your droid.

First thing, always negotiate your own deals, don't let anyone else do it for you. Why should they benefit from your work/time? Don't let someone else be your pimp.

Let me throw this out to you. SAG or Screen actors guild rate for a day as just set dressing is 152 dollars. As soon as the actor becomes a focal point, that rate is 880 a day. Now, this is for an actor who has paid their dues and paid to learn how to act and joined the union. Is your droid an actor? If you are renting out your droid, Hollywood rates are usually about 500 dollars a day or a weekly rate. Depending the situation, there is the rental of the robot, and it needs an operator. Charge accordingly.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Class !! Rate
|-
| Day Performer || $880
|-
| Daily Stunt Performer || $880
|-
| Weekly Performer || $3,053
|-
| Weekly Stunk Performer || $3,280
|-
| General Background || $152
|-
| Special Ability / Photo Double || $162
|}

- See more at: http://www.sagaftra.org/locals/new-england/local-news/new-theatrical-rates-2014-2015#sthash.JwbVnwDO.dpuf

Keep in mind that this is simply for the use of your droid. Do not forget to factor in and charge for parking, any travel time (should be 20/hour or what you think your time is worth), gas if traveling, any special rentals if you don't have the means to transport your droid, etc… Essentially, you should have no out of pocket expenses.

'''Things to consider to help guide you:'''

How much of your time do they want, and what are they expecting of you? In the end, figure out what your hourly rate is, and what is your minimum? This helps to give you a baseline. Then ask: Do you have to take a day off from work to do this? What would you make in a day? Don't forget, you also are giving up a vacation day to do this.

==Situations==

''So, let's talk some situations''

*If it is your local comic book store, well, they are not millionaires (usually) or big companies, but they want you there for ambiance, and more importantly bring in paying customers. They benefit, and you should receive some form of compensation, be it some free comics, some exclusives or even a good discount. And usually, these are pretty fun.
*Shooting a fan made film. This is a tough one. What do actors get paid? This is where you have to decide what is fair to you. Is this a video they are going to sell, or just show at Celebration? Don't let them abuse your droid. Travel expenses and some form of compensation be it a copy of the video or something is fair.
*SW reads day or science center. Ok, don't charge for these. This is a type of charity / giving back to the community. You should get parking and free entrance. The reward here is giving back.
*Providing ambience at a pay to enter event. Consider what they want you to do. Are you staying in one place? Are you having to go on stage? Will there be protection for you and your droid? You should get parking and free entrance. Maybe some swag. If they are making money, you need to be compensated. Typical rate is 250. During a high demand event such as Comic Con, this rate is typically double.
*Providing ambience at a free to enter event. You should get parking and free entrance.
*Shooting a music video with a small company. Expenses, plus? Depends on the situation, is this a small company that has a budget for things like this?
*Providing droids for a TV show - Work with LFL/Disney. Really let the SAG rates guide you here as a minimum.
*Providing droids for an interview / doing an interview. You probably won’t get paid for this.

In the end, you may have 10,000 dollars or more in your droid in materials alone, if it were that easy, everyone would have one, they don't, so you have to decide what is it worth to you to take your droid out to make someone else money and potentially damage your droid.

And oh yeah, any damages to your droid should be compensated / repaired by the renter. Most larger companies will have an insurance writ, I generally say 25K for value, your mileage may vary.

'''They want me to fill out a 1099, really?!?'''

Yes. If you are doing any kind of legit gig, you will have to fill out a 1099 and provide your social security number for tax purposes. But Why?? You are in the temp employ of these people and as such, they will have to report you on their payroll which in turn gets reported to the IRS. It's just a fact of life.

'''They want my droid to do something it currently does not do / They want to modify my droid'''

Some request are for a droid that performs a certain task. If your droid cannot currently do it, depending on the request you can mention that that “feature” can be added for a price, or if it is a big enough production, they may fabricate it for you. My R5 has its own cup holders built in now. Here again, consider what it is they are asking you to do and if it might damage your droid to the point of having to replace parts. Are you willing to wait a year for steel feet to come back around? What if they damage your JAG rocket boosters? They do not care about your droid, or appreciate all of your hard work. I was asked to run my droid into a wall. Repeatedly. They got a little upset because I would slow down so it only kissed the wall. Had I damaged the droid, the whole shoot would have been over, so be mindful of what they are asking, and what your droid can do.

'''How do I get gigs?'''

Typically most official character appearances and events are pushed through to your area 501st Garrison. Lucasfilm usually prefers to work directly with them. Make yourself known to your local garrison to act as a "guest of the 501st" otherwise send your info and photos of your droid to Este or Rachel as outlined in the link above and any requests in your area will flag your location. Now that LFL is under the Disney® blanket this process is more important than ever.

You can also ask certain venues, but remember to check with LFL/Disney to make sure it is ok, and that since you asked, you are at the disadvantage if you are expecting to get compensated.

And under no circumstances, should you advertise that you have a droid for rent or solicit yourself.

'''But, I'm a rockstar, and I should be treated accordingly!'''

R2 is a big star. Yes, R2 is the star, not you. Can you make certain request to make the event more easy/enjoyable? Yes, but he is the star, not you the owner. Requesting a personal dressing room, only stocked with brown M&M’s is a bit over the top…

'''I have been asked to an event, but the requestor is MIA. How long should I wait?'''

If your contact is unavailable at the agree upon time, it's not a big deal, they are probably dealing with something. I would say 30 minutes is about the limit of no contact before I pack up my toys and go home. But, i have special needs while I am waiting. This is where experience comes in to play. You are the only one who knows what you need. You are the only one who can let the venue know what you need. If you see the weather is not going to be ideal, make plans with the venue leading up to the event. In other words, as you see potential problems, let the venue know before hand.

One last thing, just because a venue is being unprofessional doesn't mean you should be. General rule for me is to fulfill what I said I would do. Do not let anyone else's actions change your professionalism. Of course I'm sure I've not adhered to that 100% of the time, but I think I've done a good job at it.

Droid Rental - Revision history

Drl-admin: Created page with "'''So, someone wants to rent your droid?''' At some point, the situation will present itself where your droid is going to want to be rented. This article will give you some..."