Hard economic times hit Hollywood. Movie star salaries once topped $25 million a movie. Falling DVD sales has seen this fall. Actors in the movies up for Oscars tonight have not yet been paid. The total to be paid to the leading stars in all the top ten films combined comes to a grand figure of $20 million - full amount. Young people just don't see why movie stars have to be paid so highly. The over-thirties pay to see movies and they go less these days.
Producers, executives and agents just don't want to talk about pay to actors. It is such a touchy subject. It's as if they fear the wrath of actors and they want to keep the truth from the public. Now studios want to sign deals where actors are paid only if there is a profit. The break even point is talked about so much.
Only a few current stars like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt can still get $20 million plus, but Pitt's payment is $10 million upfront and the rest if the movies make more than break even. Brad Pitt's co-stars in the "Hurt Locker" had to take a pay cut. Most work at Guild Minimum which is $65,000 including food.
It seems the days when actors could swan around most of the time picking and choosing whether to work on this or that film are over. Many taking up acting now will find it difficult to make a full time living. Rather than sunning themselves on yachts and partying, most will be on unemployment benefits when out of work.
Producers, executives and agents just don't want to talk about pay to actors. It is such a touchy subject. It's as if they fear the wrath of actors and they want to keep the truth from the public. Now studios want to sign deals where actors are paid only if there is a profit. The break even point is talked about so much.
Only a few current stars like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt can still get $20 million plus, but Pitt's payment is $10 million upfront and the rest if the movies make more than break even. Brad Pitt's co-stars in the "Hurt Locker" had to take a pay cut. Most work at Guild Minimum which is $65,000 including food.
It seems the days when actors could swan around most of the time picking and choosing whether to work on this or that film are over. Many taking up acting now will find it difficult to make a full time living. Rather than sunning themselves on yachts and partying, most will be on unemployment benefits when out of work.
