Gagenempfehlung
As a collective, we recommend the following guideline rates for feature films, series, and commercials, while simultaneously demanding appropriate, equal, and fair pay for documentaries and other areas .All amounts are in Euros for employment contracts and include bonus payments (SZ) and vacation compensation (UEL).
Our recommendations apply to the respective calendar year. They are intended as guidelines, are non-binding, and do not replace the collective agreement (Kollektivvertrag) as the legal basis..
These recommendations are updated at the beginning of each year. If you are interested, you can subscribe to receive the updates via our newsletter (email) – please register at Contact Form, Thema “Gagen Newsletter”.
If positions in the camera department need to be filled temporarily (as an addition or replacement), we petition that, for assignments of one day, the employment be registered as a fixed-term contract rather than as a day-to-day, casual, or marginal employment. For short-notice positions, we also consider it a sign of appreciation to pay for at least a 12-hour day, regardless of the actual hours worked.
FEATURES, SERIES & STREAMING
Guideline fees valid from February 1, 2026
| Weekly Flat Rate 60 hrs/week | 1/4 day rate for 12 hrs | 1/5 day rate for 12 hrs | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Assistant Camera (1st AC) | €2.520,00 | €670,00 | €540,00 |
| 2nd Assistant Camera (2nd AC) | €2.010,00 | €510,00 | €410,00 |
| Digital Imaging Technician (DIT) | €2.320,00 | €600,00 | €480,00 |
| Data Wrangler (DAT) | €1.710,00 | €420,00 | €340,00 |
| Video Assist Operator (VAO) | €1.795,00 | €470,00 | €380,00 |
| Video Playback Operator (VPO) | €1.475,00 | €380,00 | €300,00 |
| Camera Trainee (Filmaushilfskraft) | €950,00 | €290,00 | €230,00 |
COMMERCIALS
Guideline fees valid from February 1, 2026
| Daily Flat rate for 10 hrs | Checkout Flat Rate up to 5 hrs | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Assistant Camera (1st AC) | €545,00 | €272,50 |
| 2nd Assistant Camera (2nd AC) | €410,00 | €205,00 |
| Digital Imaging Technician (DIT) | €495,00 | €247,50 |
| Data Wrangler (DAT) | €340,00 | €170,00 |
| Video Assist Operator (VAO) | €380,00 | €190,00 |
| Video Playback Operator (VPO) | €290,00 | €145,00 |
All figures are indicative gross salaries for employees, including bonus payments (SZ) and vacation compensation (UEL).
The 1/4-day and 1/5-day rates listed in the feature film table are the exact minimum rates stipulated in the collective agreement (KV) for 12 hours each, including overtime pay (rounded up to the nearest decimal). These are the legally mandated minimum daily rates. Above-standard remuneration is NOT included.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONs
- If appropriate qualifications apply (e.g., through special training or many years of professional experience), remuneration above the collectively agreed minimum wage (KV Mindestgage) is justified.
- Allowances according to the collective agreement (KV) for night hours, weekends, and public holidays are not included in the guidelines.
- Box Rental Fees (for own equipment) is to be negotiated individually and before the start of the employment relationship.
- Preparation days require registration.
CALCULATION OF WORKING HOURS
- Within a city area / at the company location: Working hours begin upon arrival at the filming location (call time) and end upon departure from the filming location (wrap time).
- Outside of a city area / company location: Working hours are calculated from leaving the city limits or hotel until returning to the city limits or hotel.
- For drivers of vehicles (camera trucks or crew transport): Working hours begin with departure from the garage and end with return there.
- The 30-minute lunch break will not be deducted after the 10th hour.
INFORMATION ABOUT FEATURE FILM
Unser “Spielfilmschreiben”, das wir nun seit einigen Jahren an alle Produktionsleiter*Innen und Produzent*Innen per e-Mail versendet haben, ist nun hier zu finden.
CONTINUE READING
We would like to offer a few recommendations for fictional film productions—specifically tailored to the role of camera assistant—with the aim of preventing or alternatively supporting repetitive discussions and negotiations:
1.a Weekly flat-rate fee
A salary above the minimum rate is appropriate, depending on professional experience.
The job profiles we have defined for all roles within the camera department—as well as the Digital Guide—can be found on our website: https://kameraschwestern.at/berufsbilder/
1.b Daily fees
When does the 1/4 day rate apply and when does the 1/5 day rate apply?
(Definition: der KV bezeichnet das als ein 1/4 oder ein 1/5 der Wochengage; aber es ist der Satz für einen Tag, daher nennen wir das “Tagesgage”.)
A 1/4-day rate is only charged if 1 day is worked on 1 production within 1 week. Any work performed more than 1 day within 1 week is charged at a 1/5-day rate.
Please note: The figures shown in the table do not include any additional pay (above the minimum wage) to account for training and professional experience!
2. Working Hours
Working hours are calculated as follows:
– Vienna city area: Set – Set (for drivers, this applies from garage to garage)
– outside: city limit to city limit, or hotel to hotel
Furthermore, the following points are also important:
– for overnight stays: hotel (if possible, including breakfast)
– Lunch break: no deduction after the 10th hour
The statutory rest periods—at least 11 hours daily and 36 hours on weekends—must always be observed.
Night hours (between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.) are subject to a 50% surcharge; if these hours also constitute overtime (i.e., the 9th through 12th hour), they are subject to a 100% surcharge.
In case of a tightly scheduled shooting day, we would like to point out any additional work that may be required by the camera department due to unexpected circumstances or the filming itself (e.g., cleaning the equipment after filming in very dirty locations).
2.a Breaks
According to our Collective Agreement (KV), 2 breaks must be scheduled for any shooting day exceeding 10 hours. The first break (lunch break) —lasting 30 minutes and occurring between the 4th and 6th hour—is unpaid. The second 30-minute break, which takes place after the 8th hour, is paid. Consequently, we do NOT deduct any break times in our timesheets.
See also Collective Agreement (KV), Section 5, Paragraph 4
3. Preparation Days
Preparation work for feature films / series requires 3 days per camera unit for 1st and 2nd camera assistants and 2 days for VPO/VAO and DIT/DAT. Up to 2 additional days are needed for each additional camera unit, especially for special equipment (e.g., gimbal) and special requirements (lens & distortion grids, color management for monitors, camera sensor, etc.) depending on the project requirements or DoP instructions.
For 1st camera assistant additional preparatory tasks are involved (e.g., creating camera equipment lists, coordinating between crew/production team and rental houses, attending meetings, tech recces, lighting setups, and travel times), which are billed on an hourly basis.
Preparation days require registration.
4. Transportation for Camera Equipment
Transport logistics must be discussed in advance with the production management/unit production management team and should, whenever possible, be organized by the production department (vehicle transfers/parking).
The driver’s daily working time (for the calculation, see section 2, "Working hours") must not exceed a maximum of 12 hours.
Vehicles have a maximum permissible total weight that must under no circumstances be exceeded. Therefore, if overloading is anticipated (e.g., when carrying more than one camera unit), we recommend renting a larger vehicle (such as a 7.5-tonne truck) or two separate vehicles (3.5 tonnes each).
Batteries are not to be charged overnight in the camera vehicle (due to fire risk); instead, they must be charged under supervision at or near the set. An adequate power source (mains power, generator, power bank, etc.) must be provided by the production team.
5. Camera Trainee (formerly camera traineeship / internship)
We would like to point out that a camera trainee is not allowed to take on a fixed task with personal responsibility in our team, because this person should learn something in our department. A trainee cannot therefore replace a 2nd AC or a Video Playback Operator! (see https://www.wko.at/service/arbeitsrecht-sozialrecht/pflichtpraktikant-arbeitsrechtlich.html)
6. Miscellaneous
As a contribution to Green Producing, we kindly ask that all employment-related documentation (employment notices, employment contracts) be provided in digital format. Furthermore, we request that the registration confirmation be sent automatically by the start of employment, that payroll documents be submitted no later than the last day of the month (in each case as a PDF), and that salary payments be made—on a voluntary basis—on the first day of the following month.
INFORMATION ABOUT Commercials
Unser “Werbefilmschreiben”, das wir seit vielen Jahren an alle Produktionsleiter*Innen und Produzent*Innen per e-Mail versendet haben, ist nun hier zu finden.
The daily rate for commercials applies to 10 hours at constant underlying conditions:
CONTINUE READING
We would like to offer a few recommendations for commercial film productions—specifically tailored to the role of camera assistant—with the aim of preventing or alternatively supporting repetitive discussions and negotiations:
1. Daily Base Fee
The daily base fee covers 10 hours of work under an employment relationship. Working time is calculated based on the entire duration during which work equipment is being moved.
Working hours are calculated as follows:
– Vienna city area: Set – Set (for drivers, this applies from garage to garage) or, respectively, camera rental house
– outside: city limit to city limit, or hotel to hotel
Furthermore, the following points are also important:
– for overnight stays: hotel (if possible, including breakfast)
– Lunch break: no deduction after the 10th hour
Overtime will be compensated as previously agreed. A daily rest period of 11 hours must be observed.
2. Administrative fee for Camera Assistants
Preparatory work (testing and collecting camera equipment, camera vehicle, loading gear, travel time, etc.) is compensated at 50% of the standard daily base rate for all involved crew members, provided the time spent does not exceed 5 hours. If preparatory work exceeds 5 hours, a full daily base rate will be charged. Preparation days must be registered in advance; for engagements lasting longer than one day, we petition the employment be registered as a fixed-term contract rather than as a day-to-day, casual, or marginal employment.
Additional work arising from unexpected circumstances or the filming process itself (e.g., cleaning equipment after a shoot in a dirty environment) is not included. Such tasks are counted as working time and must be compensated based on the hourly rate.
3. Tasks outside of on-set and filming work
For project-related tasks that are not directly associated with on-set or filming activities (e.g., travel time, tech recces, lighting setup), we charge on an hourly basis, calculated from the standard daily fee.
Regarding vehicles and batteries, please refer to the INFORMATION ABOUT FEATURE FILM!