Georgia background extras get paid on average 11.00 less per hour than other major cities. So, should Atlanta background extras go on strike?
Atlanta has quickly become the Hollywood of the South. With North Carolina ending their previous tax credit system and Louisiana on the verge of getting rid of their tax credit system, in the near future Atlanta’s film industry will explode. In addition, the number productions filming in Atlanta, Georgia are increasing forcing producers to need more and more extras to work on their feature films.
In comparison to cities like Los Angeles and New York, Georgia is a right to work state. Which means the following:
The Right to Work principle–the guiding concept of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation–affirms the right of every American to work for a living without being compelled to belong to a union. Compulsory unionism in any form–“union,” “closed,” or “agency” shop–is a contradiction of the Right to Work principle and the fundamental human right that the principle represents. The National Right to Work Committee advocates that every individual must have the right, but must not be compelled, to join a labor union. [Source]
That may not sound like a big idea however, union background extras makes $148/8 that is equivalent to $18.50 an hour. In comparison, a non-union background extra in Atlanta makes on average $8/hour. Producers are saving 10.50 per hour for every background extra when they decide to film in Georgia. In an industry where employees average around six figures a year, a background extra humbly makes on average $10,000.
According to sources, when a background extra joins the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA)Â they are blacklisted in the industry. and they will no longer get hired unless they agree to working for less than union pay.
But, it gets worse. Recently, Lifetime Network’s Devious Maids decreased their pay for background extras from $8/hour to minimum wage. Which may mark the start of a new trend in the Peach State where more and more producers hire extras at minimum wage instead of hiring union actors.
Sharknado 3 crew members recently went on strike in the middle of production due to the lack of fair compensation and wages. According to reports, crew members of the upcoming Syfy feature film, ‘Sharknado 3′ have walked off set in order to unionize. Picketing started on Tuesday morning outside of the Sharknado 3 production offices.
But, it begs the question, with more and more TV shows and movies paying background actors less and less, should background extras hold a strike and demand fair pay? Or is it fair for producers to pay actors 10.50 less per hour because it still provides a job to the community?
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