Dutch Tilt – how much should you be paid?

We spoke to Jules van Den Steenhoven of the Netherlands Society of Cinematographers (NSC) about their new iPhone and iPad app that maps global salaries for production and post-production professionals. Some things like this have been tried in the past, none it would seem as successfully as the NSC’s app is proving to be. But what was their approach to gathering this information and how current is it? For example, does it take into account month to month currency fluctuation? And just why is this being done by the NSC anyway?

fxg: Why did you write this app? What caused the Society to think it was needed?

For a long time it was ‘not done’ to speak about money in our society. But since the crisis there was a tendency in the industry to look more to the costs than the quality. We looked for a tool to prevent that that quality would drown in a sea of ​​ambition to make film and TV productions for less money. It’s more a tool for producers, TV managers, film funds, film investors etc than crew members. Crew members know very well when they are underpaid. But the tool might help them with negotiations.

fxg: How did you decide on rates? Was this based on a survey or talking to members?

The rates were based on research by the members of the NSC and other societies in Holland.

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fxg: The app quotes skill rates around the world. If this converts currencies – is that conversion rate locked in or does it get updated?  Or are the numbers for Australia based on your research of say Australia? Does it have unique numbers for each major market or does it just convert from Euros?

No – we made a correction based on the ‘Big Mac rating’ and a currency conversion. The rating for function, years of skill etc are for every country the same. The exchange rate is, for most of the countries, corrected daily. It’s depending on the HTML list of the ECB (European Central Bank). If countries are not on that list we correct the data once in a while.

fxg: How will the app be updated? Do you see an annual review?

The rating of function, years of skill are stipulated by the members of the NSC every year. The minimum hourly wage correction twice a year is dictated by the Dutch government.

fxg: There are many many jobs on a film – how did you decide on the ones to include and exclude?

We just made a start. If needed we can can adapt the list every year.

fxg: The user interface is particularly nice – very well designed – especially the sliding experience scale – but the choice of art work is particularly effective and beautiful – and yet unusual. Who designed the UI ?

Thanks, sometimes you become awake with some ideas. The minimum hour wage, the sliding experience scale, Big Mac rating were some of them.

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fxg: What has the response been to its accuracy? I have read many accounts of people nodding and agreeing – what feedback have you had?

The publicity started last week so the feedback is coming. In the months of development we were very afraid that someone should shoot a hole in the project. Most of the people involved in the project had no financial background. Since January we presented the app to producers, film funds, the board of the Dutch public broadcasters. They were all very happy to have a kind of standard. From that moment we had the feeling the app could work. It’s a tool for every one to prevent people being underpaid. Overpaying is not a problem.

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fxg: Are there more apps like this coming?

Who knows, there a a lot of subjects in the industry which need better tools to improve communication.

fxg: Finally how big and active is the Society? Could you share with us the Society’s scope?

In total we have about a hundred members. Half of them are working as directors of photography.

For more on the app click here.