Melissa Speaks With “Women In Lighting”

January 25, 2010

http://www.womeninlighting.com/?tag=tinc-design-and-production

Posted by tinc_admin

The Perils of Cheap Production

January 22, 2010

Our culture is enamored with Cheap.  The notion of “more for less” permeates every sector of the economy.  Wal-Mart and Ikea, for example, have made money these past few years touting this philosophy.

However, at its heart Cheap is a lie, and on some level we all know it.  There is no such thing as, “more for less.”  Behind the seductive illusion of “scoring a deal” are troubling consequences our culture is beginning to face.  Consequences in regards to questionable labor practices, as with Wal-Mart, or environmental abuse, as with Ikea.

We make trade offs for Cheap, whether we know it or not.  Cheap production is no different and means three things:  Cheap design, labor, and gear.

Cheap design has little impact.  It is functional and predictable – be it with gear or techniques – emphasizing not innovation but mimicry.  Cheap design speaks to muddled branding desperately trying to reach an audience through half attempted, recycled gestures.

Regarding Cheap labor, former President William McKinley said it best, “Cheap merchandise means cheap men.”  He was speaking about five-and-dimes, but the analogy is apropos.  Knowledgeable, courteous, well trained men (and women) are not Cheap.  When things go badly, it pays to have them on your side.

Third, it means Cheap gear.  That means volume, which supersedes maintenance as a priority.  Suddenly gear is faulty and support is unreachable or far away.  The “deal” on gear suddenly costs huge money in wasted time and labor.  Was the equipment packed intelligently?  Do the pieces fit together?  Is the gear even appropriate for your job?  These aren’t the concerns of Cheap gear.

What works for Wal-Mart or Ikea spells troubling consequences for production.  In a world focused on Cheap, we all – our audiences, our labor, our clients, our world – get less for less.

Posted by tinc_admin

Are you really a Freelancer? Tinc finds out at January’s Tinc Tuesday Event

January 14, 2010

Our first official Tinc Tuesday Event held January 12th at 36th Street Studios was a great success. We set out to answer the daunting question “Are you really a freelancer?” while trying not making our heads hurt. Sometimes, understanding the IRS can seem like trying to understand the physics of a black hole. So we sought out the perfect professional to explain it to us: Bryan Stern, CPA. He has worked for some of the biggest names in finance, and owns a practice that caters to artists and entertainment professionals

So here is a re-cap of what we found out.

Plain and simple, this is a VERY complex question. Even the IRS doesn’t have an answer! There is very little information to fabricate a hard and fast rule. How do you attempt to make sense of where you fit in?

First, we defined our terms.

Employee: People who are subject to the employer’s control regarding what will be done and how it will be done. This type of person should get a W2.

Independent Contractor: People who perform services for another party where the employer controls only the result of the work, not the means in which it is accomplished. This type of person should get a 1099.

Essentially, in our industry we are all employees.

So, wait. I get paid on a 1099 but my boss tells me what and how to do my job. Does this mean, legally, I could get in trouble with the IRS? Well, no. And telling the IRS is a good way never to be rehired. Companies often misclassify their workers as Independent Contractors in order to save on costs, something the IRS is none to happy about. However, if anyone will get in trouble for misclassification it will be the employer and not the employee since you have no control over how you get paid.

However, you do have control over what to do with that income, and it is helpful to understand the advantages and disadvantages of being an employee versus an Independent Contractor.

A few we discussed:

Advantages:

Employee on a W2:

Your employer pays 1/2 of you employment taxes.

You are covered under worker’s compensation.

You are eligible for unemployment benefits.

Independent Contractor on a 1099:

You can deduct many more business expenses

You have NO taxes withheld which means more money in the short run.

Much more control over how much tax you pay

Disadvantages:

Employee:

You can only deduct a limited number of business expenses.

Independent Contractor:

You pay full amount of employment taxes

You may be subject to quarterly estimated taxes

You are NOT eligible for unemployment.

In the end, “act in good faith,” and chances are you will be just fine. File your tax returns on time, pay anything you owe and don’t deduct more that you should.

And if all of this sounds like Greek or Klingon seek out some help of the CPA variety.

Again, Thank you all who came out to get the full version. There was a lot more covered then I could possibly recap. Stay tuned for future Tinc Tuesday events. And as always, let us know if you have suggestions on future seminars.

Posted by tinc_admin

So You Think You’re a Freelancer?

January 8, 2010

Here’s the situation:  You work for multiple companies with no gaurentee of work, usually without benefits.  You pay a crippling amount for health care per month, if you even have it at all.  You pay for your own tools and your own continuing education.  The only person contributing to your retirement is you.  While Union membership is possible, often it is not available right off the bat.  Clearly you’re a freelancer.  Right?

Unfortunately, New York State and the IRS think differently.

Join us as we discuss with CPA Bryan Stern the tax implications between W2 and 1099 income, how to take advantage of your nebulous classification, and the qualities in a potential CPA you should be watching out for.  Afterwords, we’ll continue the discussion over wine and cheese.  Bring your business cards.

The Details

36th Street Studios
260 West 36th Street (Between 7th and 8th Avenue)
3rd Floor

*This* Tuesday, January 12th

6:30 PM – Doors
7 PM – Seminiar and Discussion
8:15 PM – Wine and Cheese and Networking

$10 (Cash or Charge)

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Case Study: arts>World Financial Center – A Story in Three Acts

January 3, 2010

Client Needs

arts>World Financial Center needed to find a company capable of creating immersive Lighting Designs for a myriad of events – both private and public – which constantly change throughout the year in the space’s stunning atrium, The Winter Garden.  Tinc fulfills this need in three ways.

Design

Whether the show is a private event, gospel competition, rock concert, orchestral performance, ballet, or silent film Tinc is on hand to design the lighting for whatever happens.  Every show has its own unique needs, which means no repertory plots.  New designs are generated every time so the show gets exactly what it needs.

Labor

Tinc doesn’t just dream loudly, we execute our visions too.  Tinc is onsite to install every job we design.  Working with the existing house crew, Tinc provides support and guidance needed to effectively and efficiently get the show hung, focus called, and cues written.

Consulting

The World Financial Center’s Winter Garden is an immense space, with a large, existing infrastructure and inventory.  As technology changes and evolves, Tinc works with The Technical Director and Production Director in purchasing new gear while maintaining existing inventory.  If questions arise during preproduction, Tinc is  available to head off concerns before they slow load-in down.

Results

After nearly three years, Tinc and arts>World Financial Center have forged a close relationship.  Roughly forty events a year keep Tinc’s creative juices flowing and The Winter Garden looking fabulous.  This ongoing partnership speaks to the reason why Tinc was formed:  to create great events with great people.