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  • Is there a live human available if I have questions?
    Yep! While we are super modern and things are digital, there is always a human in the loop. You will have your very own live human, not a ‘bot’, to go to with questions.
  • What steps does HT take to ensure data security?
    Multi-factor Authentication - Access to customer data is restricted by the principle of least access. Users must leverage MFA on any devices used to access data. Fraud Monitoring - We actively monitor our software for potential vulnerabilities and enlist third-party firms to conduct regular penetration testing. SOC II Certified - We are SOC II Certified and use industry-standard encryption to secure your data, both in-flight and at-rest.
  • Why do you charge monthly subscription fees in addition to payroll handling fees?
    Because HT is not JUST a payroll processing platform… It's so much more! As with all talent payroll processing providers, we charge an industry-standard handling fee to cover the complexities and compliance issues associated with payroll processing. But HT is a complete commercial talent project management tool, of which payroll is an important, but frankly, small part. HT is a modern, intuitive platform that streamlines your talent production workflow from Estimates, Casting, Booking, and Contracts, through Production, Session & Completion Reports, Talent Payroll, and ongoing Rights and Expirations Tracking. Your modest initiation and subscription fees ensure that your onboarding is smooth and provides for ongoing development, updates, and improvements.
  • Do you offer 3rd Party Union Signatory services
    We have carefully selected a collaborative 3rd Party Union Signatory partner .
  • Are Casting Agents required to work within the platform?
    No, but it sure does help maintain data integrity from the casting notice we draft within the platform; as it flows into the Booking Sheet and beyond supporting the project workflow we’ve created. We encourage all our casting partners to give it a try!
  • Why do I have to go through an onboarding process?
    Have to? Or get to? Who doesn’t want to do their onboarding digitally? And once you’re aboard, you won’t have to complete another document on set (for Hailstorm Talent projects, that is), which means your PII is no longer vulnerable. You’ll also be able to pop in and update your information in the event of an address or bank change or document expiration because after all, you’re the Talent in Hailstorm Talent. And you now have your very own portal.
  • How does HT handle talent i9 verification?
    Talent will complete an i9 form during the digital onboarding process and will securely upload their IDs. HT integrates with the Department of Homeland Security’s ‘E-Verify’ platform to confirm talent work eligibility prior to their arrival on-set. As a final step during production talent will present their IDs for visual inspection, at which time the 2nd AD will complete and digitally sign the employer portion of the i9.
  • Can users access Personally Identifiable Information?
    Nope! Performer-Talent will of course be able to view and update their own information but beyond that only authorized HT ‘Super-Admins’ can access Talent’s PII.
  • Will Performer-Talent be notified when they paid? Do you send checks?
    Absolutely! No more waiting for checks that were mailed to an old or wrong address. We only process payments via ACH so talent and agents will receive them securely and so much faster than the USPS.
  • Do you offer talent and/or agents access to their rights expirations?
    You betcha! We will eventually offer a monthly subscription to talent and authorized agents who are interested in our rights tracking tool specific to each project and performer.
  • Do you offer Business Affairs support?
    Hailstorm Talent was actually designed by Hailstorm, a remote and modern business affairs team, www.hailstorm.io. You can email hello@hailstorm.io for more information.
  • Does your platform use A.I.?
    A.I. technology is not currently in use on HT’s platform. While we’re certainly exploring ways that we might leverage A.I. in the future, to be honest it has to catch up with B.A.I. (Business Affairs Intelligence) before we’ll consider using it. ;)
  • What happens if WIFI goes down on set? Can we work offl ine to get contracts signed?
    During beta testing and our initial launch, the use of HT’s platform on-set or elsewhere will require a WiFi/Internet connection. But we’ve got your back! In the unlikely event that you expect to be at a production location where WiFi may not be available, please contact your BA and HT representatives in advance and we will organize a workflow to handle it. A near future App release will allow for ‘off-line’ use which will update info as soon as a WiFi signal becomes available.
  • As a PA or Production Company 2nd AD, how long will I be able to access the project I’m working on?
    Typically production company personnel will have project access from the time the Booking Sheet is submitted through the Production phase when timesheets are filled and contracts are signed. Once ALL talent contracts are signed and fully executed the production company access will end.
  • Do we have to use a tablet on set or can we use a mobile phone?
    A tablet will provide the best on-set user experience for Production, Talent PAs and 2nd ADs, allowing for finger or stylus initials and signatures, taking of talent photos and attaching them to talent contracts all on one device. A laptop will be your second best friend on-set. Mobile phones can absolutely be used by talent to Docu-Sign their contracts and any other required documents while on-set, but will not provide a fully functional user interface.

FAQs

FYIs

Working with Minors

Children In Film 

  • Provides links to each of the 50 states’ labor laws regarding the employment of minors in general, as well as minors working in the entertainment industry. In addition, it clarifies which states require children to have work permits, which states require producers to have a permit to employ minors, and what, if any, requirements the state has regarding education on the set. 

Actors Federal Credit Union 

  • Provides minor trust accounts with no minimum deposits required. 

On Location Education 

  • Provides tutors in all 50 states. 

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