|
A lot of actors in Shanghai often wonder if they are getting ripped off with the amount of pay they are getting. So, as a professional actor, what kind of pay should you expect?
Below is a general breakdown of wages (in Chinese currency) actors should expect to get per day based on the roles they’re cast for. Please note these wages are a general guide. When determining what rate to ask for, take into consideration your acting experience and skills.
Extras – 400-800 (for all medias – TV shows, commercials and films)
Featured (under 5)* - 800-2,500 (for TV shows and films)
Featured (over 5)** - 1,500-3,000 (for TV shows and films)
Principal – 2,500-4,000 (for TV shows, films and commercials)
Supporting – 3,000-5,000 (for TV shows and films)
Co-starring – 3,500-6,000 (for all medias)
Starring/Lead – 4,000-10,000 (for all medias)
* means a role that is under 5 lines
** means a role that is over 5 lines
Personally, one day should not be more than 10 hours. All hours after that should be paid at time and a half. So, let’s say you are getting paid 5,000 for 1 day at 10 hours but you work for 15, the additional 5 hours will be paid at time and a half (750/hr.) which means you would make 5,000 (10 hrs.) + 3,750 (5 hrs.) = 8,750 for that day.
In order to incorporate and make 10 hours as 1 day a norm, we all need to stick together and insist on this for every acting role we get, including extras. If we don’t, agents and production companies will continue to take advantage of us. They’ve done that for too long now. It’s our turn to say “No More” and force them to accept our terms.
Agents and/or production companies will resist the “1 day equals 10 hours” and anything after that, time and a half. Especially agents. Why? One major reason is it cuts into their commissions and they will say the production companies don’t have the budget to pay more. Assume they’re lying.
|
Ask the Experts 
