Good day,
I played a very tiny role in a movie many years ago. I was told this film would play once on NBC in a t.v. miniseries. I was later without compensation after the film played hundreds of times since the first showing on NBC. Ann Rule (Writer) told me this film would play once on NBC.
They continue to use my body, brain, voice and soul to make money on me, albeit a very small part, but, still, why am I not compensated? I hope to hear from someone with an opinion on this. I have spoken to the Screen Actors Guild Law department S.A.G., also; lawyers who want big retainer money and many others to no avail. I would love to find justice for all actors/tresses who have been swindled by the big money making producers and directors.
Dead By Sunset with Annette O’toole and Ken Olin
Book: by Ann Rule: The true story of Bradley Morris Cunningham (Brad Cunningham) and Cheryl Keeton Cunningham
Karen Arthur (born August 24, 1941) is an American television and film director, producer, and actress.[2] She directed more than 40 feature and made-for-television movies, miniseries, and television series. In 1985 she become the first woman to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series.
Sincerely and Kind Regards
April Arwood
Stewart Fox
The only thing that matters are 2 things. 1) What SAG contract did you sign? 2) Not every role gets residuals - only principle performers, stunt actors and singers get residuals usually If you had a small role, like you have mentioned and you have already spoken to SAG lawyers then you know your options. Trust me, it won’t be worth suing or going after because it’s likely about $26 in residual money you are chasing. The reason the lawyers want big retainers is because they want to use a lot of time and money to throw a lot of paperwork around because they know immediately this is a nothing-burger of a case..and they take 1/3 of any settlements anyways which in this case will be almost nothing if at all. No, you were not swindled or even lied to. How does the writer know how the series will be distributed over the next 10 years? It’s not up to her. Did you sign a contract through SAG? Did it specify how many times it would air in your contract? What people say or tell you means nothing. Only the contract matters. Were you even in SAG? This seems to be the only credit you have ever had so it’s possible you actually think you are owed substantial amounts of money. It’s highly unlikely you will be owed anything and may find yourself in debt chasing down a nickel. Here’s how distribution and residuals work..you sign a contract for a speaking role, you are an active member of SAG and paid up in your dues. The fee you are paid for acting includes all the work you do on the project and the licensing terms. It should list out a yearly term like 3 or 5 years and that means the distributors (who bought and own the rights to show this project - almost never the same people who made it) get to show this project any where they can or want worldwide (unless stipulations are listed) for the fee they have already paid you. Only when that term runs out, and if the project is resold to air again = new money in - that residual payments will be triggered to pay out. These payments are never more than your original fee as now the project is old content and makes less money because of it. And these payments go until the end of that term then a new buyer picks it up and so on - each round the payments get smaller and smaller until after the 13th round it locks in at these rates forever. SAG represents all signed up and dues-paying actors with a negotiated basic contract. You can add side agreements and every actor signs them before working. So, if you think actors are being swindled how so? SAG signed off on this and represented you AND you signed the contracts. How is this a swindle? I really do wish more actors put a little more time into understanding unions and contracts and legalities along with licensing terms and distribution so they can’t just accuse Hollywood of wrongdoing every time they don’t get the payout they think they should.