Chapter 21 Special Treatment
“Believe me, for a mere four hundred thousand dollars, it’s not worth it.”
Andrew was expressionless and seemed serious, but his words were full of joking. He was obviously a The cold-faced smiler has his own kind of chicness.
Anson gently raised his chin and looked at Andrew with an expression of humility and expectation.
“So, are you saying my salary is higher than this number?”
Andrew: ...
What! possible!
In the entire Hollywood entertainment industry, it is not the top one percent of the pyramid, but in terms of average income, movie actors are far ahead.
Then there are film directors, film producers, and film screenwriters.
Then TV actors, TV directors, TV producers.
Then there are the relevant practitioners in the music industry, including singers, producers, etc.
Next are the TV writers, cameramen, lighting engineers, editors and so on.
In general, movies are the first step, followed by television, music, hosts, models, etc. On the one hand, it is reflected in the average income, and on the other hand, it is also reflected in the industry status of employees. The historical status of film as the seventh art has indeed been rising.
In the television industry, big-name actors can earn as much as US$150,000 to US$300,000 per episode, experienced backbone actors can earn US$70,000 to US$100,000, and average newcomer actors can earn US$150,000 to US$100,000 per episode. The starting salary is US$10,000 and the maximum salary is US$20,000. If it is a supporting role, it may be lower.
However, what is slightly special about the television industry is that actors’ salaries will gradually increase as the number of seasons increases, but the ceiling will always exist.
The work that broke the pay ceiling in the television industry was "Friends."
In 1994, "Friends" was launched. Before the first three seasons, the six leading actors had different salaries, ranging from US$20,000 to US$40,000 per episode.
The highest paid person in the first season was David Schwimmer, who played Ross, at $40,000 per episode, because he was the first actor chosen by the series and he was also the show’s main character. One of the main creators of the first season of the series, it can be said to be the absolute core of the first season of the series.
Coming to the sixth season, the six leading actors have reached an agreement on the salary of US$120,000 per episode.
Currently, although NBC has renewed the seventh season, salary negotiations between NBC and the six leading actors are still ongoing. This is also the reason why the ratings of the series are still important. On the one hand, it is the bargaining chip of the six leading actors. On the other hand, there is the psychological expectation of the TV station, and the two sides are in a tug-of-war state.
Whether it is David Crane as the producer, the six actors as the signature of the series, or the main creative team of the show, no one is exception. They are all a community of interests, and everyone will prosper and everyone will suffer. , ratings are equally important to them all.
The most special thing about "Friends" is that the six actors work together as a team and advance and retreat together. They require that the six people have the same pay, and there is no distinction between the main and supporting roles.
In the first episode of Season 6, in order to protest against the bias in Emmy nominations, six actors uniformly added the suffix of all cast and crew names with Monica, who plays Monica, in the end credits. Counteney-Cox's new husband's surname, "Arquette," is a way of indicating that all six actors are starring in the series.
Similarly, no one is willing to negotiate with the TV station alone, just like an iron plate, which also prevents the TV station from taking advantage of loopholes.
It is precisely because of this that, judging from the historical trajectory, they succeeded:
The salary for each episode of Season 7 and Season 8 is US$750,000; the salary for each episode of Season 9 and Season 10 is a history-making US$1 million.
History begins here.
Looking back to Anson——
Four hundred thousand dollars in salary?
This is simply impossible.
Objectively speaking, the remuneration calculation methods for fixed cast members, rotating supporting actors, and guest guests are all different.
Fixing the cast and rotating supporting roles are all about the long term, and the baseline for single-episode remuneration is naturally lower; guest appearances are a one-time deal, and the guest appearance usually ends in one episode, and the remuneration is different. The calculation method, even the budget of the crew is listed separately as another clear goal.
It is precisely because of this that guest speakers often target big names.
But even so, four hundred thousand dollars is still impossible.
Andrew raised his eyes and glanced at Anson. Looking at the serious expression on his face that was new to the world and humbly asking for advice, he immediately realized that he was in a cocoon——
Clearly Anson was kidding, how could this guy not know anything about Hollywood?
Andrew bit the cigarette butt hard.
“Actually, I’m talking about the liquidated damages after signing the confidentiality agreement. Four hundred thousand dollars is not enough.”
“But think about it, maybe you don’t care about this little money at all?”
"So..." Andrew trailed off, paused, and looked carefully at Anson's expression.
"Emma Roberts level?"
The subtext is, is your backstage as strong as Emma Roberts?
The reason is very simple. It allows David Klein to pay a salary of 50,000 US dollars to invite a guest. Anson's backstage is self-evident.
For reference, when Robin Williams was invited to be a guest in the third season of "Friends", the salary was also $50,000.
Although the price is already at the level of the third season, the point is, that is the legendary comedy star Robin Williams, and what about Anson?
Without contrast, there is no harm.
According to Andrew's experience, if you only have a guest role in a TV series and it is only for one episode, although there may be some differences depending on the weight of the role, it mainly depends on the agent's negotiating ability, and the final salary is estimated to be difficult. Over $10,000.
In 2000, this was the norm.
Andrew looked at Anson's expression carefully, and then noticed a light glow in Anson's deep eyes, revealing a slight smile.
"Is that all?"
Anson said.
Andrew was stunned. So, was Anson bluffing, or was he really strong behind the scenes?
However, from Anson’s expression, one could not tell a single reason.
The air became slightly tense in the silence.
Andrew immediately stopped at the cliff——
He didn't care or be curious about the subsequent inside story, so he stopped there.
Some secrets can be explored; but some secrets may be dangerous.
Sitting upright and handing over the confidentiality agreement and the performance agreement, Andrew returned to his business-like attitude, and his professional expression seemed to never change.
"OK."
"I believe that you already know everything you should know and shouldn't know."
"According to the contract agreement, the shooting time is from nine in the morning to five in the afternoon, with a two-hour break in between. If it exceeds time, you have the right to leave the set directly, but if the crew does not allow it, you can call my phone number or the union lawyer, and we will handle it for you."
"If nothing else happens, the shooting period is Monday and Tuesday. , if additional reshoots are needed, it will be Thursday or Friday, and we will notify you at that time."
9 to 5?
For Anson, this is a new and unheard of world. It turns out that Hollywood actors are the same as ordinary white-collar workers?
Snap.
Andrew closed the document and looked at Anson with wide eyes, "So, are there any other questions?"
Anson sat up straight and looked at Andrew seriously, "Yes. ”
Andrew raised his eyes with a cigarette in his mouth.
Anson paused and said, "You are so anxious to finish work, do you expect to get off work as soon as possible?"
Andrew: ...
Ha, ha, very funny.
The cute new entertainment author is rolling around to report. I beg all book friends to give you a lot of support. Be sure to read the latest chapters and compare your thoughts!
(End of this chapter)