Open Letter to Lead Actors
from Peter Coyote
Posted on Deadline Hollywood by Nikki Finke, 7.21.08 --
Dear Colleagues,
A small minority of actors are internationally known, iconic figures, whom audiences flock to see in films and on television. Producers know these actors as the best means to insure return on their investments and reward them appropriately for that security. In addition to talent, these actors have had that extra measure of good fortune, and have been propelled to the very top of our profession. It is to these actors that this letter is addressed, because your good fortune may have insulated you from issues currently afflicting the majority of actors who support you as the ‘friends’, ‘lovers’, ‘cops’, ‘lawyers’, ‘judges’, ‘villains’, and ‘side-kicks in films, and who are also hard-working, talented and skilled professionals.
Since 1990 the earnings of the top leading actors have increased exponentially while the salaries of nearly all other actors have been systematically driven down. In many cases, the earnings of established character actors have been rolled back by 60-70 percent. This occurs, in large part, because the working professional (as opposed to the star) is at a disadvantage when negotiating in the new corporatized production environment. We do not possess a unique, marketable (and often media exploited) brand, and consequently lack the power to make or break the existence or profitability of a film. Consequently, respected, veteran actors with numerous credits and hard-earned “quotes” now routinely receive "take-it-or-leave it" offers, often at “scale”---a beginners wage.
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Thanks Peachybc!
posted by thereel @ 9:16 AM
3 Comments:
geeezus,
why must the actors even have to go through this. there is more than enough money being made to give them what they deserve.
but big wigs suffer from what i feel is the worst of the seven deadly sins. greed.
i remember when schools were losing sports and music programs becuase of funding. i wondered why the pro players, and rappers,and musicians didnt step up and donate some of their millions to keep the programs alive.
no one is famous straight out of the whomb. all actors had start somewhere.
i say to the"big" stars, unions and who ever else it may apply to:
remember eating cold cuts for dinner every day? waiting tables to survive while looking for work in movies or theatre? remember being turned down for a part because you werent quite polished, remember wondering where your next meal or money for your rent or utilities would come from while you work looking for work?
take that feeling and multiply it by all of your fellow industry workers who may suffer the same fate if you strike.
im food industry,
i know what it's like to be a prep cook or sous chef and watch the chef get all the glory even though it was you who did all the hard work.
i worked hard for my position of authority but i stiil make sure i look out for those who are in the position that i once was.
you guys should do the same.
never forget the blood, sweat and tears, the hungry nights or being turned down or fired.never
forget where you came from.
we all know God does not like ugly and the same way he blessed you with all that you have...
it can disappear over not
thrust me.
get your heads out of your butts do the right thing!!!!!!!!!
Thank you to Peter Coyote-excellent letter-well put-
Regi.
Good letter from Coyote and also the post from phillipo. I actually pay more attention to the supporting roles and character actors than the stars--many of them carry the show, IMHO.
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