Animation Guild | We are 839 Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1516015
D E PA R T M E N T 35 KEYFRAME Christopher Amick TAG MEMBER AND WRITER/PRODUCER Alison Mann MANAGER AND PRESIDENT OF ANIMATION, FOURTH WALL MANAGEMENT Bradford Bricken PARTNER/MANAGER, CARTEL ENTERTAINMENT Bill Wolkoff TAG MEMBER AND WRITER/CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Matthew Ellis MANAGER, CARTEL ENTERTAINMENT Lori Shreve Blake SENIOR DIRECTOR FOR CAREER ENGAGEMENT, USC CAREER CENTER THE INSIDERS alary and title are, of course, the key components to most deal memos. For TAG members looking to advance within the industry, these are part of a larger framework of considerations—and an endgame whereby both the employee and the producer/studio are happy. To reach that endgame, there are questions to be asked, concessions to be made, and terms to be negotiated. In a deal memo itself, The Animation Guild's main role is to ensure minimum wages are being met and that the employer is contributing the proper benefit amounts. Most other items above and beyond are up to the member to work out. This can include everything from a higher salary to a carve-out (see sidebar) to additional options should the show become a hit. Considering that the deal memo is all about you, experts maintain that it's important to know what the basic deal memo contains and whether there is the potential for a first offer to be improved. As easy as it may be to accept an early offer out of fear that it will be withdrawn if you negotiate, that's not necessarily the way to get ahead. Bearing in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all formula, here are some ways to help you reach a deal you can be happy with. SPRING 2024 35