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| Dynasty |
 Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2011 7:40 pm |
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Joined: 27 Sep 2009
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Not much to say on this really... but just about anyone can "act" onscreen for millions but they're griping about the Voice Actors contracts for a franchise that "generates billions of dollars through global syndication, as well as DVD and merchandise sales"? So the cost of a few people who voice for the show- some of whom are really talented... that's going to break them?
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/fox-says-cant-afford-more-simpsons-without-cuts-185337352.html
I say this because I thought things were getting a bit better lately (though I've forgotten why). But it seems like if they step back, the whole appreciate might? Or do I need to think this through after some sleep? XD |
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| CB |
| Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2011 11:40 am |
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Joined: 14 Dec 2007
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Hard to say what's best at this late stage in a phenomenally successful run for an animated TV series: I was never comfortable with the idea of major box-office draw Movie Star salaries for animation voice acting, to begin with. And unless a top-tier Celebrity has also written or directed, or produced one of their own projects, I really don't think it's a good idea for any individual talent to be paid astronomical budget-busting salaries to the detriment of the entire production, either. Great writing, direction and technical artistry are of equal importance when the Characters are the driving factor in a project's eventual success on the open market; and with great success there should be plenty to reward everyone who brings those hit characters to life with a more sensibly generous distribution of "the spoils".
In today's atmosphere of diminishing returns in broadcasting, production costs should probably be adjusted accordingly, so long as network and studio executives are also subject to the same sacrifices. Otherwise, regardless of how crazy performers' rates may be, they shouldn't have to carry such budget reductions on their own. |
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| Mike Sommer |
| Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 1:18 am |
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Though the pay seems on the excessive side, I can say people tend to be paid exactly what they are worth. Now it seems Fox has decided they are not worth the $400,000 per episode that they willingly agreed to in 2008.
From what I'm understanding the cast has agreed to a 30% cut which would put them in the $280,000 range- this wound be about their per episode earnings form 2004 to 2008. Fox want's a 45% cut, which would be about $220,000 per episode - still, not chump change.
From what I can figure out is that in the past 23 years each actor has earned about $42,257,000±: for a grand total of $253,542,000± for all six actors, for the 23 seasons. This salary could have been paid for by little more than half of the box office for The Simpson's Movie ($527,071,022 ($12.50 of which is regretfully mine)).
For a franchise that has earned billions I say, get all that you can guys. And can I get my $12.50 back? |
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| Lucien |
| Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 10:20 am |
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| Mike Sommer |
| Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 11:39 am |
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Lucien wrote: The term I'm unclear on here is 'profits.' Is he referring to merchandising sales?
The big money comes from syndication and merchandise. |
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| Lucien |
| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 9:53 am |
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| Aren't there already residual structures in place for reruns under the Unions, or does syndication go beyond that? Same for video sales. |
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| Mike Sommer |
| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 4:48 pm |
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If you look at it as a pie, residuals are just the cruddy dried outside crust.
Whereas getting a percentage, is receiving a slice of the pie- filling, crust and all.
You can look at taking a percentage as residuals, but residuals from everything: Video sales, Merchandise, Licensing, Syndication profits, anything that generates profit for the franchise. That's why it's sweet deal- if and when you can get it. About the only work one would ever have to do ever again with a franchise like The Simpson's, is endorsing the checks when they come in. |
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| CB |
| Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 11:22 pm |
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As far as I know, just as overscale session deals are made individually, residual deals may likewise be negotiated - to balance or enhance the performers' front/back-end contract particulars, as a whole package.
Union rates are merely a point of reference for these kinds of custom/star pay negotiations; "scale" being the minimum acceptable amount determined for each specific category of performance and usage/duplication of the work, once completed. There are no general rules governing payment above scale rates. |
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| Dynasty |
| Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 7:39 pm |
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Joined: 27 Sep 2009
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CB wrote: In today's atmosphere of diminishing returns in broadcasting, production costs should probably be adjusted accordingly, so long as network and studio executives are also subject to the same sacrifices. Otherwise, regardless of how crazy performers' rates may be, they shouldn't have to carry such budget reductions on their own.
I guess that's part of what surprised me about this discussion, at this particular time.
(Sorry I vanished... trying a new "better" Internet company that's terrible.) |
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| Lucien |
| Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 1:01 pm |
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Joined: 14 Dec 2007
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| You make a good point; the Simpsons in no way needs celebrity power to keep it in the public eye. The characters themselves are celebrities. |
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