1 minute read
MGM LION ROARS ON STAGE
AS STREAMING RISES IN POPULARITY, HOLLYWOOD LOOKS SET TO CHANGE ITS LONG-STANDING POLICY ON STANDARD WAYS FOR PAYING AND CONTRACTING TALENT.
Instead of depending on a theatrical release for their back-end pay, actors are now starting to seek a larger percentage of streaming revenues or even a percentage of revenues linked to increasing screaming subscriber numbers. With studios seemingly more focused on increasing that subscription revenue than the box office receipts, talent agents are advising clients to start negotiating for their own interests if movies are going to continue being released on streaming sites. The Scarlett Johansson v Disney lawsuit reported earlier in this issue is playing a large part in that change with actors seeking more money up front. Disney has moved fast to head off another Black Widow style problem with a further potential
streaming wars prompt pay battle franchise by locking up Emma Stone to reprise her role in a sequel to the studio’s 2021 hit Cruella - but is keeping details of the agreed contract secret. One policy the wider industry might well follow is that of HBO+ which has been reworking terms of their contracts with talent to offer a bonus to performers based on their streaming service profits. But whatever the future distribution models in the industry, the actors’ union is demanding fair pay for its members.
“Nobody in any field of work should fall victim to surprise reductions in expected compensation” said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris.
In one of her last statements before stepping down as SAG-AFTRA President, Gabrielle Carteris said: “Nobody in any field of work should fall victim to surprise reductions in expected compensation. Disney and other content companies are doing very well and can certainly live up to their obligations to compensate the performers whose art and artistry are responsible for the corporation’s profits.”
