Amidst the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, actors are using social media platforms to expose the low wages they receive from film and TV productions, as well as their meager streaming residuals. The latest actor to shed light on this issue is Tommy Dorfman, known for their role in the hit show “13 Reasons Why.”
Dorfman took to their Threads account to reveal the amount they were paid for their work on the first season of “13 Reasons Why.” They disclosed that their earnings for the entire first season amounted to $29,953.24 before deducting agency and manager fees (20%) and taxes. Dorfman elaborated that they worked on 8 episodes over a span of six months and were involved in promotional activities, including shooting key art for the show. Despite their contributions, Dorfman shared that they were kept on set without pay and struggled to qualify for insurance. This revelation comes in the wake of the show’s first season accumulating a staggering 476 million view hours within the first 28 days of release. Dorfman’s conclusion is clear: this is why actors are striking.
Dorfman is not alone in revealing the inadequate streaming earnings. Mandy Moore, star of “This Is Us,” recently expressed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that she has received checks ranging from a penny to 81 cents as compensation for the show’s streaming deal with Hulu. Furthermore, Sean Gunn, who appeared in the Warner Bros. Discovery-produced series “Gilmore Girls,” disclosed to THR that he had received minimal to no residuals for the show’s streaming distribution on Netflix.
These revelations from actors highlight a systemic issue within the entertainment industry. Despite the immense popularity and success of these shows, actors are not reaping the rewards they deserve. As streaming platforms continue to dominate the industry, actors are realizing that their earnings are not reflective of the viewership and impact their work generates.
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The SAG-AFTRA strike, which began earlier this month, is a direct response to these unfair practices. The union is fighting for fair compensation, better working conditions, and improved residual payments for actors. The strike aims to pressure major entertainment companies, including streaming platforms, to address these concerns and make substantial changes to the industry’s structure.
Actors rely on residuals as an essential part of their income. Residuals are additional payments that actors receive when their work is rebroadcasted or distributed through various mediums, including streaming platforms. These payments are intended to compensate actors for the continued use and popularity of their work. However, as Dorfman’s and others’ experiences demonstrate, the current residual system is deeply flawed, with actors receiving shockingly low amounts for their contributions to highly successful projects.
It is important to note that actors are not solely focused on their own financial concerns. They are also fighting for better working conditions and protection against exploitation. Dorfman’s mention of being kept on set without pay raises significant concerns about fair treatment and compensation for the time and effort actors put into their work.
As the strike continues, it is essential for industry leaders to listen to these actors and address their grievances. The success of streaming platforms and the rapid growth of the industry should not come at the expense of those who make it possible. Fair compensation, proper working conditions, and transparency in residual payments are fundamental rights that actors deserve.
In conclusion, actors like Tommy Dorfman and others are using social media as a platform to shed light on the unfair wages and residual payments they receive in the entertainment industry. Their experiences reveal the need for significant changes in the way actors are compensated and treated in the industry. The ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike is a crucial step towards achieving these changes and ensuring that actors are fairly rewarded for their contributions.
