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Original poster

Is anyone an actor or extra?

15 replies

aspiecat · 02/09/2021 14:25

My dd did a couple of days work as a film extra in July and has been chasing up payment. Someone finally replied to her emails and said it normally takes 4-6 months. I just wondered if this is normal for this kind of work? I'd assumed she'd have to be paid within 30 days as for most freelance work, but I don't know anything about this industry so maybe this is the norm?

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 02/09/2021 15:27

Which agency was it through if you don't mind me asking?

idontlikealdi · 02/09/2021 15:37

Did she sign any form of contract?

Original poster
aspiecat · 02/09/2021 15:52

FortunesFave dd says I can't put the agency name here as she's worried it will be obvious it's her mum complaining!

idontlikealdi yes, good point. I just had a look through the paperwork and it specifies the fee, but not payment date.

I just hoped someone might be able to say "yes it always takes months" so dd won't worry about it.

OP posts:
HollowTalk · 02/09/2021 16:14

4-6 months is ridiculous!

MatildaIThink · 02/09/2021 16:23

I am not an actor or extra, but by husband works with the film industry for around half his work in a management and consultancy role. I asked him and he said "shitty agencies are renowned for being bad payers, they seem to factor in that they can get away with not paying 10% of people, good agencies pay on 30 days or less". He also said it happens a lot more when someone is only occasional, if they have a lot of work for that person, or type of person they will always pay when they are supposed to.

BroccoliFloret · 02/09/2021 16:25

I'm a freelance writer mostly but do a bit of extra work on the side.

I always get payment within 6 weeks, at the VERY latest it's been at the end of the second month following the work. So work 1st week in September, paid end October.

I am with one of the biggest agencies around though, they don't mess around and have been in business for decades. 4-6 months is not standard terms in ANY sort of self-employment. I'd be changing agencies.

InTheNightWeWillWish · 02/09/2021 16:36

Take this with a pinch of salt because it was 15 years ago 😳

I did some extra work as a teenager, it certainly didn’t take 4-6 months to get paid. It was probably closer to 6 weeks - although felt like 4-6 months because I was a teen and wanted to spend my money in River Island. They’re taking the piss. I don’t think many freelancers could go 4 months without being paid. I think they’re banking on your daughter being a teen and too lazy/intimidated to keep chasing.

Original poster
aspiecat · 02/09/2021 19:48

Thanks for all the replies. I'll tell her to keep hassling them. It was a one off job which she was asked to do as they were looking for something very specific and contacted a club she goes to (I'm being a bit vague as she doesn't want me to give too much info). So she doesn't care about annoying the agency, but we just wanted to check if this was a normal time scale or not.

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 02/09/2021 22:28

google the name of the agency...read the reviews...see what others are saying. Perhaps they're having financial issues due to Covid and can't afford to pay people.

VetInAVat · 02/09/2021 22:30

I've always been paid pretty much straight away. With several agencies.

Original poster
aspiecat · 04/09/2021 10:12

FortunesFave I just googled and they seem to have really good reviews, which is odd. I wonder if it's because dd isn't signed on with the agency so not worth their effort. She only got to do this because the film company approached a club she goes to as they wanted young people with a specific skill. The film company are paying the agency to handle the money/admin for this group, but they are not 'proper' extras signed to this agency, so probably not worth their effort to pay them in a reasonable time, etc.

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 04/09/2021 11:29

Have any of her fellow club members been paid yet? Was it at Equity pay rate do you know? There will be a body you can contact for help with this...if it's not Equity there's probably a society of extras who can advise.

AtillatheHun · 04/09/2021 11:45

There are obligations on the production co under the equity agreement specifying timing, so the agency will be paid quite promptly. They are then sitting on your money - probably to reduce accounting costs by only doing 3 pay runs a year. Hassle the agency and ask for the date of the next pay run. If nothing forthcoming, suggest notifying equity in case they are prepared to get involved.

Original poster
aspiecat · 05/09/2021 14:08

None of the others has been paid yet. I don't know if it was an Equity pay rate. I think it was around £150 a day. We'll keep emailing them. I think dd would just be pleased now to get paid before Christmas.

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 06/09/2021 06:01

How did they say they'd pay her? If I was her, I'd invoice them. Just send an invoice and then chase that up daily. EVERY SINGLE DAY, call their office on the phone and send emails more than once per day.

Those who shout loudest get paid. Keep it very polite though.

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