A Step-by-Step Tutorial for Using Gorilla Ratebook

A Step-by-Step Tutorial for Using Gorilla Ratebook Gorilla Ratebook is a powerful, industry-standard tool used by entertainment production companies to track, manage, and apply union labor rates. Whether you are budgeting for a commercial, an indie film, or a major studio television series, accurate labor cost calculation is critical. This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step walkthrough to help you navigate Gorilla Ratebook and integrate it seamlessly into your production workflow. Step 1: Understand the Core Structure

Before entering data, it helps to understand how Gorilla Ratebook organizes information. The system is built on a hierarchical structure:

Unions/Guilds: The overarching organizations (e.g., IATSE, DGA, SAG-AFTRA, Teamsters).

Locals: The specific regional branches of a union (e.g., IATSE Local 600 for camera operators).

Agreements/Contracts: The specific tier or budget level governing the project (e.g., Low Budget Theatrical Agreement, Commercial Agreement).

Job Classifications: The specific roles within that contract (e.g., Key Grip, Gaffer, Sound Mixer). Step 2: Initialize Your Project Profile

To ensure the Ratebook applies the correct rules, you must first define your project parameters.

Launch the Software: Open Gorilla Budgeting and navigate to the Ratebook module, or launch the standalone Ratebook application.

Set the Production Location: Select the state, region, or city where physical production will take place. This filters the available union locals.

Select the Project Type: Choose your project type (Feature Film, Television, Commercial, New Media).

Define the Budget Tier: Input your estimated budget range. Union rates change drastically depending on whether your project is a Tier 1 indie or a studio blockbuster. Step 3: Browse and Filter Union Rates

With your project profile set, you can now locate specific labor rates.

Navigate to the Rate Matrix: Open the global rate table screen.

Filter by Union: Use the dropdown menu to select the specific union you need to budget for.

Select the Effective Dates: Ensure the rate table matches your physical production timeline. Union rates typically escalate annually (often on July 1st or August 1st).

Locate the Position: Scroll through the job classifications or use the search bar to find the specific crew role. Step 4: Map Rates to Your Budget Layout

Once you find the correct rates, you need to link them to your budget lines.

Open Your Budget: Keep your main production budget open alongside the Ratebook window.

Select a Budget Category: Go to a specific department section, such as Account 2100 (Camera Department).

Link the Rate: Click the “Link to Ratebook” icon next to the crew position (e.g., First Assistant Camera).

Choose the Payment Basis: Select whether the rate applies to an 8-hour day, a 10-hour day, or a 12-hour flat rate, depending on the contract rules. Step 5: Configure Fringes and Overtime Rules

Union labor costs involve more than just an hourly wage. Gorilla Ratebook helps automate the complex math behind benefits and penalties.

Apply Fringes: Check the boxes for the mandatory union fringes associated with that specific local, such as Pension, Health, and Welfare (PH&W) percentages or daily caps.

Set Overtime Triggers: Verify that the overtime rules match the contract. The system automatically calculates time-and-a-half (1.5x) after 8 hours or double-time (2x) after 12 hours based on your selection.

Account for Travel and Idle Days: If shooting on location, use the Ratebook settings to apply specific distant location rates or idle day allowances. Step 6: Update and Audit Your Rates

Union agreements change frequently due to newly negotiated contracts or scheduled annual increases.

Check for Updates: Use the built-in update feature to download the latest rate tables from the cloud.

Run a Budget Audit: Before locking your budget, run a Ratebook audit report. The software will flag any manual entries that deviate from official union minimums or highlight expired rate periods. Conclusion

Mastering Gorilla Ratebook eliminates the guesswork and manual research traditionally associated with entertainment payroll budgeting. By accurately mapping your project to the correct union agreements, updating your tables regularly, and factoring in automated fringes, you can build bulletproof budgets that protect your production from unexpected labor overages. If you want to dive deeper into the software, let me know: