Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar, renowned filmmakers behind 'Sing Sing' and 'Jockey,' delve into their revolutionary payment model where everyone on set, from actors to production assistants, earns the same rate. They explore the perks of equitable compensation in film, emphasizing transparency and collaboration among all contributors. Their discussion highlights how this model not only supports fair pay but also fosters a strong team mentality. Plus, they touch on Tom Cruise's legendary coconut cakes and predict possible Oscar nominations.
The innovative payment model in 'Sing Sing' eliminates pay disparities by providing equal compensation and equity to all participants, reinforcing shared value.
Despite challenges in larger productions, the filmmakers advocate for scalable elements of their model, promoting sustainable filmmaking without sacrificing artistic integrity.
Deep dives
Equitable Payment Model in Film Production
An innovative payment model was implemented in the film 'Sing Sing', allowing all participants, from the lead actors to production assistants, to receive equal pay based on the SAG minimums. This approach aimed to eliminate pay disparities that typically exist in film productions, reinforcing the idea that everyone involved holds the same intrinsic value in the project. This model not only provided pay raises for lower-wage workers but also meant more veteran actors took pay cuts. This equal compensation structure highlights a shift in the industry towards prioritizing collective ownership and profit sharing.
Successful Financial Outcomes
Despite the unconventional payment structure, 'Sing Sing' emerged as a financial success, with all 92 participants in the project receiving checks following its acquisition by A24. The filmmakers demonstrated that this model could yield profits even if the box office performance wasn't extraordinary, as revenue streams from international distribution and home video deals contributed to overall earnings. Transparent profit-sharing allowed all contributors to benefit from the project's success, challenging the traditional notion of Hollywood's financial dynamics. The model has proven effective enough to warrant the creation of a new company focused on replicating its success in future films.
Equity and Participation
In the proposed payment structure, equity is distributed among all cast and crew based on the time invested in various stages of the project, creating shared investment and motivation. This means that participants earn points correlating to their time and level of contribution, fostering a sense of partnership rather than mere employment. The incentives are especially pronounced during promotional efforts, where actors involved in marketing the film can further increase their equity stakes. This model encourages a culture of collaboration and accountability, promoting higher-quality work through shared responsibilities.
Challenges of Scaling the Model
While the payment model has been well-received in smaller independent films, questions remain about its scalability in larger productions with traditional budgets and star power. The filmmakers acknowledge the difficulty of applying this equitable approach in more commercially driven films, prompting discussions about adjusting the model's principles rather than scrapping the concept altogether. They emphasize that even introducing elements of the model — such as profit sharing for lower-level crew members — in higher-budget projects could lead to systemic improvements. As the industry faces economic challenges, innovations like these may provide pathways to sustainable filmmaking without sacrificing artistic integrity.
Matt is joined by filmmakers Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar to talk about their unique payment model behind their latest film, ‘Sing Sing.' They discuss how they managed to pay everyone on set, from lead actor to production assistant, the exact same amount of money while offering everyone who worked on the film equity in the film and still make everyone happy (02:17). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the potential for a Best Picture nomination for a particular film. Matt also reveals that he has finally got his hands on the famous Tom Cruise coconut cake (24:55).
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