Is This Trip Worth It?

travel-shoot math for performers

A studio or content-trade trip sounds great until you do the math. Scene rates are not take-home pay — flights, hotels, testing, and every day you can't film or cam come out of it first. Stack every scene on the trip and see what you actually keep.

what the studio offered vs. what it costs you ↓

RATE PER SCENE ($) SCENES BOOKED THIS TRIP

YOUR EXPENSES only what YOU pay — if the studio covers it, put $0

DAYS AWAY Days you can't film, cam, or post your own content. WHAT YOU'D MAKE PER DAY AT HOME ($) Average daily take-home from subs, PPV, and cam when you stay home.

AGENT / PLATFORM CUT {{ agentPct }}%

Percentage of the booking pay that goes to an agent or booking platform.

the real math on this trip

− agent / platform ({{ agentPct }}%)− {{ agentFmt }}

− travel & shoot expenses− {{ expensesFmt }}

− income you'd have made at home− {{ lostFmt }}

beats staying home by{{ netFmt }}

trip profit per day away{{ perDayFmt }}

prof's tip

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The scene rate is not the pay

A $1,500 scene with $700 of travel costs and two days you can't film your own content can pay less than staying home. Run the math before you say yes.

Ask what's covered — in writing

Many studios cover flights, hotel, or testing if you ask. Get who-pays-what confirmed before you book anything, then only enter what comes out of YOUR pocket.

Go deeper

Business & Money guides → negotiating rates, contracts, and what to ask before any booking.

Estimates only. Rates, fees, and costs vary — confirm your own numbers. Taxes aren't included: you owe them on home income too, so they don't change whether a trip is worth it — just set aside your usual %. Not tax or legal advice.