How Much Do Actors Get Paid Per Movie?

Susan B Sheldon/Shutterstock

Let’s start with the basics: What’s the foundation for every single contract, episodic or film? You probably think the answer has something to do with the size of your paycheck. Well, size doesn’t always matter. Unless you’re a huge star, your compensation will be based on something more relative: time. All of these deals are about how long you have to work.

Now, let’s factor in schedules. The primary difference between episodic work and film work is the length of time it takes to create the finished product. Network dramas such as “NCIS” are shot in eight days. Comedies and cable shows take a little less than that. But movies are a different breed. Depending on the budget and scope, a feature film shoot can run a few weeks for an indie or several months for a major studio production.

Taking all of that into consideration, the type of agreement you sign when you book a movie will depend on how long they need you. That’s why the three basic contracts are all based on time.

• Daily film contracts: If your role is relatively small and can be shot in less than a week, production will put you on a daily contract and they’ll guarantee the amount of days you’ll be needed. The pay will probably be scale plus 10% commission, unless you have quotes. But here’s where it gets interesting: Let’s say they buy you for two days at $1,500 per day. That’s $3,000 guaranteed, even if they shoot you out on that first day. And if production needs you longer, you’ll get an additional $1,500 for every day above the two you were promised.
• Weekly film contracts: For this contract, your part is larger and they want you for at least five days, so production will put you on a weekly contract and will guarantee the number of weeks you’ll be needed. The amount you’re paid will probably be scale plus 10%—unless you have those precious quotes. And here’s the sweet part: If you end up working one week and one day, they’ll pay you for two weeks!
• Run-of-the-picture film contracts: First things first: Congratulations! You booked a lead or a major supporting role, and production needs you from start to finish. That means they’re going to pay you one lump sum for the entire shoot. The union’s Schedule F contract guarantees a minimum of $65,000 for run-of-the-picture deals, and that can be negotiated up based on the length of the shoot. (Small indies will put you on a weekly contract.) Naturally, you cannot accept other jobs during this period because production will expect you to be completely available at all times.

There are other variations when it comes to movie contracts, but these are the basics. Once you get past the schedule and your compensation, there are more deal points that need to be negotiated—the big ones are billing and your dressing room, and if the film shoots on location, travel and accommodations also have to be worked out.

Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

As discussed in our comprehensive guide to how much actors get paid, your compensation per movie depends on how many days you are needed on set and how much your agent can negotiate. A film shoot can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months. 

SAG rates, which productions must pay union actors, are based on the budget of the film. Every major film and television studio in Hollywood operates under a SAG-AFTRA contract, so those minimums apply, and agents negotiate more for their clients if necessary.

Actors start out at a day rate, and if they are needed for longer, the payment scheme is bumped up to a weekly rate, and then to a run-of-the-picture rate.

• Leads and supporting players: $65,000/shoot. As a lead or supporting player, your role likely extends the length of the entire shoot, and you’re making a minimum of $65,000 (the run-of-the-picture rate). 
• Performers: $1,082/day. On a film with a budget of at least $2 million, under the SAG-AFTRA theatrical contract, the minimum day rate is currently $1,082 per day, and $3,756 for the week.
• Extras: $187/day. Background actors make $187 a day, although they will be paid more if required to get wet or work in a smoke-filled environment, personally provide props, have body makeup or oil applied to more than half their body, or use special skills. 
• Stand-ins: $219/day. Stand-in actors earn $219 a day. 

Generally, the smaller the role and the earlier you are in your career, the smaller the paycheck. For example, Brad Pitt made just $6,000 in the 1991 film “Thelma & Louise,” his first major role. Fast-forward to 2019, Pitt was paid $10 million for “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” The lesson: There’s no shame in starting small.