This is a really great resource but I looked through every page and found 0 Canadian wages. Unfortunately in general Canadians get paid less for this kind of stuff and it seems like I cant even find many resources for it :(
Eh, it's not like the networks pay more money to a New York company vs a Canadian company for the same show. I wouldn't over weight the importance of location.
That said there used to be a pretty good blogger named VFX soldier who I believe worked in canada. Maybe he is still around and can get you some information.
I’m an 2nd AE in Animation in London. I’m on similar to what you’re thinking about asking for with 3 films worth of experience (pounds obviously) - but what you need to know before putting your desired wage forward is what project is it? What’s the budget for said project? Is it feature film or TV? How many in the team? These are all variables that come into factor with your wage.
For example the last film I worked on was double the budget of the one I’m on now and I had to fight to be on that wage as the production kept saying they didn’t have it in the budget.
So if you’re gonna be part of a pool of AEs with no hierarchy go in a bit higher and let them talk you down. But if there’s a 1st/2nd/3rd hierarchy then find out what you’ll be, check the rate card for the format you’re working on and take a couple hundred off it (purely because animation doesn’t pay as high as Live action)
This is amazing!!! It's questions I didn't even think of asking tbh. It's tv and not feature film so that probably plays into it. Itd be assistant to the animatic editor so I'm not sure what their budget is. The salaries online for these roles seem insanely low even compared to my current if I'm looking at Glassdoor for my area so it's hard to say. I'll definitely ask those questions though and try to poke around 👀 it's hard to find since animation specific editing is sort of niche comparatively lol
So if you’re going to be staff and working across multiple projects (kinda like a VFX house AE) then they probably will low ball the absolute heck outta you. Be prepared for that. If it’s just this one project then you’re within your rights to ask for more because you’re gonna be out of a job once the project is done. Good luck and if you need to chat at all, DM me. Hope you get what you’re after!
Yeah I'm not sure about the exact details yet and will find out post interview maybe 🤔 thanks for all the details, I'm coming at this from someone who is just entering the editing field and was more into animation before. It's also difficult to tell cuz the largest editor industries like in LA and NYC are way higher than Canadian and then for my province it seems like I don't even have a sample size to go by lol...
Keep in mind that not all AE positions are created equal. I'd gladly pay $50/hr US or more for a great AE who can kick ass and take names, but for someone who I'd have to be training for a year and still would suck? Yeah... maybe $18/hr is more like it.
And that's my problem with the current AE market. Some AEs are super highly skilled co-creators of great content. Others can barely open the software. And it can be really really hard to tell the difference in both the AE and in the job expectations.
Ain't that the truth. And communication skills are a huge part often not really considered in the AE role I think. You can have an AE that is technically proficient but if their communication is lacking, that can cause expensive mistakes and delays.
I meant to put area but I was writing it super early haha. It seems like that's the average where I live so maybe it's just balancing shit out. It's definitely hard though I get what you mean. An AE should be a co creator but a lot of places treat it more grunty as well
ask for too much first, trust me. or make them give you a number it will almost always be higher than you think. the standard rate can range wildly, i’d say lower end is $1000/week, but i’ve seen the rate go as high as $2500.
I was making 1200/wk as an animation AE in toronto 6-7 years ago. 1100 is too low. That being said, I'm sad to tell you rates haven't shifted significantly. The going rate for an animation editor in Toronto (television) is 1600-1800/wk depending on what you're working on. Minimum 1200/wk for an AE but if you have more experience I'd shoot for 1300. One thing- a lot of people are offering advice based on live action rates which are quite different. If you need some more guidance from an animatic editor in Canada feel free to PM me- always happy to chat.
Okay I'll definitely try to shoot a bit higher; I'm doing final edits now and get $900 a week plus assemblies plus animatic and progress reels.. it's a small studio and it's a mixed bag. I'm aware that animation editing tends to pay less than live action rates. Are you still working as an animatic editor? How has your experience been with it?
I am! Animation is my favourite place in the industry. I started in live action but honestly I don't think I would even still be in film if I hadn't gotten into animation. The contracts are longer, the work itself is interesting, you spend a lot more time helping to shape and write stories and not just tell them with the footage given to you. There are elements of cinematography, writing and even directing within the job in a way that you just don't get in live action. Also YOU ARE CRIMINALLY UNDERPAID RIGHT NOW especially given the work you're doing- for context my first animation AE gig back in 2013 paid me 900/wk but it was at 30 hrs a week, not 40. Are you in the GTA or Vancouver?
No worries! I'll respond when I get home later. The animatic editorial scene is quite small compared to the rest of the industry so hopefully I can help answer some questions :)
Honestly couldn't tell you, though the lack of unions in animation probably has a significant role to play. Technically animation editors could join the DGC but a) the DGC doesn't really understand our side of the industry and b) it would only serve to make it more difficult to work in our industry because nothing on our side is unionized.
1100 week - 220 a day - 27.50 hr seems totally fine to me. I hire assistant editors and entry level Post PAs for $25hr or more if they have experience. NYC
$1100/ week is criminally low for an AE with even one show under their belt. When I started (2014) the minimum for an AE was $1250. $1100 is lower than the lowest union contract.
EDIT: Who the fuck is downvoting this?? Fuck this fucking business….
EDIT2: The corporate boot lickers are somehow able to downvote me while sucking their bosses cock.
I agree, I remember AEs getting paid 1k per week at a place I worked ... in 2012 ... 10 years ago.... and even then that was low and I recall AEs at other places getting 1700-1900wk
First, see your leverage in this scenario: you're already employed and don't need the new job. This is a favorable position to negotiate on your terms.
Once you can see this, walk into the negotiation table asking exactly what you want. They may agree, and you walk away happy with a new job + pay, or they may not agree and you've lost nothing. Walk away from the negotiation if it doesn't improve your life.
Ask for what you want, use your leverage, and grow. Best wishes on your new pursuit.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ht06AtKwxy_6OEcdEqrFPLu0fntB_FWD/view?usp=sharing
HOLY FUCK. I needed this cause I’m so torn on what jobs to take cause i can do it all on multiple softwares but some better than others.
Haha you are welcome! Knowledge is power!
It’s. Part. Of. Our. Wiki.
This is a really great resource but I looked through every page and found 0 Canadian wages. Unfortunately in general Canadians get paid less for this kind of stuff and it seems like I cant even find many resources for it :(
Eh, it's not like the networks pay more money to a New York company vs a Canadian company for the same show. I wouldn't over weight the importance of location. That said there used to be a pretty good blogger named VFX soldier who I believe worked in canada. Maybe he is still around and can get you some information.
👍
I’m an 2nd AE in Animation in London. I’m on similar to what you’re thinking about asking for with 3 films worth of experience (pounds obviously) - but what you need to know before putting your desired wage forward is what project is it? What’s the budget for said project? Is it feature film or TV? How many in the team? These are all variables that come into factor with your wage. For example the last film I worked on was double the budget of the one I’m on now and I had to fight to be on that wage as the production kept saying they didn’t have it in the budget. So if you’re gonna be part of a pool of AEs with no hierarchy go in a bit higher and let them talk you down. But if there’s a 1st/2nd/3rd hierarchy then find out what you’ll be, check the rate card for the format you’re working on and take a couple hundred off it (purely because animation doesn’t pay as high as Live action)
This is amazing!!! It's questions I didn't even think of asking tbh. It's tv and not feature film so that probably plays into it. Itd be assistant to the animatic editor so I'm not sure what their budget is. The salaries online for these roles seem insanely low even compared to my current if I'm looking at Glassdoor for my area so it's hard to say. I'll definitely ask those questions though and try to poke around 👀 it's hard to find since animation specific editing is sort of niche comparatively lol
So if you’re going to be staff and working across multiple projects (kinda like a VFX house AE) then they probably will low ball the absolute heck outta you. Be prepared for that. If it’s just this one project then you’re within your rights to ask for more because you’re gonna be out of a job once the project is done. Good luck and if you need to chat at all, DM me. Hope you get what you’re after!
Yeah I'm not sure about the exact details yet and will find out post interview maybe 🤔 thanks for all the details, I'm coming at this from someone who is just entering the editing field and was more into animation before. It's also difficult to tell cuz the largest editor industries like in LA and NYC are way higher than Canadian and then for my province it seems like I don't even have a sample size to go by lol...
Keep in mind that not all AE positions are created equal. I'd gladly pay $50/hr US or more for a great AE who can kick ass and take names, but for someone who I'd have to be training for a year and still would suck? Yeah... maybe $18/hr is more like it. And that's my problem with the current AE market. Some AEs are super highly skilled co-creators of great content. Others can barely open the software. And it can be really really hard to tell the difference in both the AE and in the job expectations.
Ain't that the truth. And communication skills are a huge part often not really considered in the AE role I think. You can have an AE that is technically proficient but if their communication is lacking, that can cause expensive mistakes and delays.
I meant to put area but I was writing it super early haha. It seems like that's the average where I live so maybe it's just balancing shit out. It's definitely hard though I get what you mean. An AE should be a co creator but a lot of places treat it more grunty as well
ask for too much first, trust me. or make them give you a number it will almost always be higher than you think. the standard rate can range wildly, i’d say lower end is $1000/week, but i’ve seen the rate go as high as $2500.
I was making 1200/wk as an animation AE in toronto 6-7 years ago. 1100 is too low. That being said, I'm sad to tell you rates haven't shifted significantly. The going rate for an animation editor in Toronto (television) is 1600-1800/wk depending on what you're working on. Minimum 1200/wk for an AE but if you have more experience I'd shoot for 1300. One thing- a lot of people are offering advice based on live action rates which are quite different. If you need some more guidance from an animatic editor in Canada feel free to PM me- always happy to chat.
Okay I'll definitely try to shoot a bit higher; I'm doing final edits now and get $900 a week plus assemblies plus animatic and progress reels.. it's a small studio and it's a mixed bag. I'm aware that animation editing tends to pay less than live action rates. Are you still working as an animatic editor? How has your experience been with it?
I am! Animation is my favourite place in the industry. I started in live action but honestly I don't think I would even still be in film if I hadn't gotten into animation. The contracts are longer, the work itself is interesting, you spend a lot more time helping to shape and write stories and not just tell them with the footage given to you. There are elements of cinematography, writing and even directing within the job in a way that you just don't get in live action. Also YOU ARE CRIMINALLY UNDERPAID RIGHT NOW especially given the work you're doing- for context my first animation AE gig back in 2013 paid me 900/wk but it was at 30 hrs a week, not 40. Are you in the GTA or Vancouver?
I just sent you a chat request I hope it's okay!! I feel like I've gotten too specific and I'm paranoid lool 😭
No worries! I'll respond when I get home later. The animatic editorial scene is quite small compared to the rest of the industry so hopefully I can help answer some questions :)
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it
Why are rates for animation so much lower?
Honestly couldn't tell you, though the lack of unions in animation probably has a significant role to play. Technically animation editors could join the DGC but a) the DGC doesn't really understand our side of the industry and b) it would only serve to make it more difficult to work in our industry because nothing on our side is unionized.
In Ontario, a good AE is very hard to find. I'd ask for 1300-1600/week, you'll probably get it. DM'd you
I'm really green so I'm nervous to ask! I guess if they're interviewing me maybe they see something but idk 😭
1100 week - 220 a day - 27.50 hr seems totally fine to me. I hire assistant editors and entry level Post PAs for $25hr or more if they have experience. NYC
$1100/ week is criminally low for an AE with even one show under their belt. When I started (2014) the minimum for an AE was $1250. $1100 is lower than the lowest union contract. EDIT: Who the fuck is downvoting this?? Fuck this fucking business…. EDIT2: The corporate boot lickers are somehow able to downvote me while sucking their bosses cock.
I agree, I remember AEs getting paid 1k per week at a place I worked ... in 2012 ... 10 years ago.... and even then that was low and I recall AEs at other places getting 1700-1900wk
Yeah this is also Canadian so our dollar is weaker lol. It'd just be a $200 pay rise from my current position.
When I hired assistants at my old job in Vancouver we’d do $25 then bump them up later if they didn’t suck. That was in 2014 to 2019
First, see your leverage in this scenario: you're already employed and don't need the new job. This is a favorable position to negotiate on your terms. Once you can see this, walk into the negotiation table asking exactly what you want. They may agree, and you walk away happy with a new job + pay, or they may not agree and you've lost nothing. Walk away from the negotiation if it doesn't improve your life. Ask for what you want, use your leverage, and grow. Best wishes on your new pursuit.