Tegan Lynn MUA wrote:
So I understand that kit fees only belong in film and everyone hates them for TF etc, but there wasn't really any information in the FAQs on how they're actually used.

I may have the opportunity to work my first paid independent short film (I tested with the director/crew he works with last month) and I'd like to know how exactly kit fees work in film.

Is there a standard way the kit fee is decided upon? Do you charge a certain amount per day? Per face? Per job? Do you up your kit fee if you have to buy specific items for a character? Does the process differ from job to job? I have no idea!

It's just a local film, but I want to be as professional and knowledgeable as I possibly can. Any advice you have on the subject would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

First, look at Misunderstood/misused words and phrases for a simple definition of kit fee and other industry terms.

Since you're in Toronto, see Commercial Production Association of Toronto (CPAT) for current kit fees. Union rates (hourly) for feature films in Toronto are listed here

Tegan Lynn MUA wrote:
Thanks for the links, there's a lot of good information there. I understand what a kit fee is, and that it is charged in addition to daily rates. I was more wondering how the process of deciding what to charge for it is typically done. From the CPAT website I would infer that kit fees are charged on a daily basis. Is this typical?

My question is, since a kit fee is there to replenish the products and tools used, do you charge the same kit fee every day, or do you adjust it based on how much you used (ie: per face, even though that particular term isn't professional)? If you just did one actor's face and nothing but touch ups all day, would you charge the same kit fee you would if you did a whole bunch of faces? I haven't found an answer to this yet. I'm just wondering because since the kit fee is there to cover material costs, to me it logically makes sense that it would vary based on how much material was used. But since when were people logical? I don't want to assume and get it all wrong.

Kit fees are usually paid by the day. Many makeup artists are hired on a day-by-day basis for films since sometimes there are days with many background performers when more makeup artists are needed and other days with only the principals on set. Kit fees are a set rate per day; it may be a standard rate for that production or individually negotiated. It would be a nightmare for the accounting department to try to cope with a variable kit fee! Kit fees only apply to "industry standard" makeup and tools. Prosthetic makeup is handled in a different way.