Quote:
Originally Posted by Stu from NYC
Cutting costs in terms of actors salary does not seem to be in the cards.
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I earlier briefly commented on your post, but not directly on what were your concerns and your mis concept of the business. I was in the business for 40 years not as an actor but as a crew member. 35 years in the field and 5 years negotiating contracts for my local. Even though these strikes are having an effect on the members of my local member's employment and when it is settled the members will not reap any of the benefits, they support it. WHY?
Over the year I seen there are 3 pay grades when it comes to actors.
The stars who we all know, what they eat, who they are sleeping with and what type of tooth paste they use. These actors will make more in one movie than most people will make their entire life, these actors are in the minority. The second on the list are the actors we recognize and have seen them in many movies but we most likely won't even know their names, they are working stiffs who just make a decent living in the business. The last group who are actually the majority are known as extras or in some cases if they're lucky Under 5, which means they will have fewer than five lines of dialogue. Even though they list their profession as actors. They usually support themselves as waiters, sale clerks at department stores, I've even work with doormen. The unfortunate fact most of these people will never make in the field they love and as they pursue this, they will have little to no saving, no hospitalization and will always live hand to mouth. This is the true nature of the business. While many of the executives are earning as much as the stars. I hope this will give you a better understanding of the business.