You are entitled to your privacy and rest. Low budget producers will often try to entice you into being an Independent Contractor so that you will not have taxes deducted from your meager paychecks. But the IRS does not consider you to be an Independent Contractor unless you are working independently of the crew, such as an Editor in their own offices. If you work under the direct supervision of the production company, then you are not independent. But the biggest problem that you face as an Independent Contractor is not taxes, but insurance coverage .
Independent Contractors are self-insured.
Employees are covered by Workman's Comp and Liability provided by the Producer. Equipment and expendables . If you are engaged to act as a middleman in arranging for equipment, make sure that the rental house understands that you are acting on behalf of the producer and not for yourself. Make it clear that they must be comfortable with the producer's credit app and insurance, and that you are not personally vouching for your client. By the way, never put up front money or your credit card to cover company bulk purchases.