Frequently Asked Questions

TimeCardRobot has built-in rules for the Basic Agreement (major studio and network TV), Pay TV Agreement, Streaming (SVOD), Low Budget Theatrical (Tiers 1–3 plus Ultra Low Budget), Videotape Agreement (live TV, talk shows, awards, game shows, sports), and Commercial (AICP) agreements. Non-union productions are also supported using state labor law overtime rules. Each contract comes with accurate, built-in rules for overtime, meal penalties, turnaround, and more.

Yes. TimeCardRobot is a fully native macOS app — time entry, calculations, and PDF export all work with no internet connection. When you're back online, any changes sync automatically to your other Macs via iCloud.

TimeCardRobot is currently available for macOS on the Mac App Store. An iOS version is in development and will be available in the future, allowing you to manage time entries on the go.

TimeCardRobot uses Apple's CloudKit framework to sync your shows, crew rosters, and time entries across every Mac signed into the same Apple ID. Sync happens automatically in the background whenever you're online. Your data is stored in your personal iCloud private database — we don't have access to it, and it isn't shared with any third party. If you'd prefer to keep everything on a single Mac, you can disable sync in System Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → TimeCardRobot.

Two trials, layered. Every new download gets a 14-day in-app trial — full access to every feature, no credit card required. When that ends, you can subscribe to keep using the app, and each subscription comes with its own App Store free trial on top: Monthly is free for 1 month before launch pricing of $1.99/month kicks in (which holds for 6 months, then renews at $2.99/month), and Yearly is free for 3 months before launch pricing of $9.99/year kicks in (which holds for the first year, then renews at $19.99/year). Launch pricing is valid for subscriptions started before September 1, 2026; after that, Monthly subscriptions begin at $2.99/month and Yearly at $19.99/year. Both auto-renew through your Apple ID and can be canceled anytime in App Store settings, including during the trial. The Lifetime purchase is $19.99 during launch ($49.99 after September 1, 2026), a one-time payment with no trial. Two trials, layered. Every new download gets a 14-day in-app trial — full access to every feature, no credit card required. When that ends, you can subscribe to keep using the app, and each subscription comes with its own App Store free trial on top: Monthly is free for 1 month before it starts charging $2.99/month, and Yearly is free for 3 months before it starts charging $19.99/year (about 44% off the monthly rate). Both auto-renew through your Apple ID and can be canceled anytime in App Store settings, including during the trial. The Lifetime purchase ($49.99) is a one-time payment with no trial.

The lifetime purchase at $49.99 gives you permanent access to TimeCardRobot and all future updates. You pay once and own the app forever — no recurring charges. This includes any new contract types, features, and improvements that are added over time.

TimeCardRobot supports PDF templates for both Cast & Crew and Entertainment Partners, the two most common payroll companies in the entertainment industry. The exported time cards match the standard formats expected by each company.

Yes. While TimeCardRobot comes with accurate built-in rules for each contract type, you can override any individual rule to match special deal memo terms. This includes overtime thresholds, meal penalty amounts, turnaround requirements, per diem rates, and more.

Yes. TimeCardRobot is primarily built for camera department heads managing a full crew, but it also includes a My Work view for individual crew members. Tag yourself in your preferences and the app automatically collects every week you appear on across all your shows — with tabs for Paychecks (with inline reconciliation against your actual deposits), Charts (earnings and hours visualized by month, contract type, and location), and Totals (year-to-date summary with a projected year-end estimate).

TimeCardRobot supports all standard camera department classifications: Director of Photography, Camera Operator, Technician, 1st Assistant Camera, 2nd Assistant Camera, Digital Imaging Technician (DIT), Loader, Still Photographer, Portrait Photographer, Camera Utility, Digital Utility, and Video Controller. If your production has a role that isn't on the list, you can also add up to 5 custom classifications with their own rates.

Your data is stored on your Mac and synced to your personal iCloud private database via Apple's CloudKit framework. We don't have access to it — your productions, crew details, and time entries stay entirely under your control. TimeCardRobot doesn't use analytics, tracking, or any third-party services. See our Privacy Policy for more details.

You can reach us anytime at support@timecardrobot.com. We're happy to help with setup questions, feature requests, or any issues you encounter.