What exactly does Sally Choi want here?
The OBSESSION art director/set decorator says she made $300 a day and less than $7,000 total on the film, which is now heading toward a massive box office run.
I get why that stings.
But OBSESSION was a $750,000 indie movie. Nobody knew this thing was going to blow up. Nobody was working on a guaranteed studio hit.
That is how indie films work.
People wear multiple hats. People take lower rates. People gamble on the credit, the experience, the relationships, and the hope that the movie becomes something bigger.
This one did.
And yes, it sucks when a movie explodes and the below-the-line crew does not share in that upside.
But who is supposed to cut the check now?
Curry Barker? Focus Features? The producers? The distributor that bought the movie after it was already made?
If the ask is backend for indie crews after acquisition, say that.
If it is bonus pools, say that.
If it is better minimums, say that.
But vague “we need to turn this industry around” posting without a clear ask can backfire fast.
She did good work.
She should use OBSESSION to get better-paying jobs immediately, because that is usually how this business works.
But everyone on that movie was gambling.
The difference is the gamble actually paid off.
The OBSESSION art director/set decorator says she made $300 a day and less than $7,000 total on the film, which is now heading toward a massive box office run.
I get why that stings.
But OBSESSION was a $750,000 indie movie. Nobody knew this thing was going to blow up. Nobody was working on a guaranteed studio hit.
That is how indie films work.
People wear multiple hats. People take lower rates. People gamble on the credit, the experience, the relationships, and the hope that the movie becomes something bigger.
This one did.
And yes, it sucks when a movie explodes and the below-the-line crew does not share in that upside.
But who is supposed to cut the check now?
Curry Barker? Focus Features? The producers? The distributor that bought the movie after it was already made?
If the ask is backend for indie crews after acquisition, say that.
If it is bonus pools, say that.
If it is better minimums, say that.
But vague “we need to turn this industry around” posting without a clear ask can backfire fast.
She did good work.
She should use OBSESSION to get better-paying jobs immediately, because that is usually how this business works.
But everyone on that movie was gambling.
The difference is the gamble actually paid off.
This post really blew up, if you want to support Indie movies and watch a film where nobody got paid check out my crappy little found footage film I made 15 years ago
https://x.com/i/status/2059697951954637026
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