Home / Arts and Entertainment / Indie Film's $300/Day Art Director Speaks Out
Indie Film's $300/Day Art Director Speaks Out
6 Jun
Summary
- An art director earned $300 daily for a film projected to gross $250 million.
- The indie production, with a $750K budget, is nearing $175 million worldwide.
- Crew members volunteered, receiving only gas money and mileage reimbursement.
Sally Choi, the art director for the indie horror film 'Obsession,' has voiced significant regret over her compensation on the production. The film, which had a modest budget of $750,000, is now projected to achieve a staggering $250 million at the worldwide box office. Choi stated she was paid only $300 per day, resulting in a take-home pay of $6,741.36 after taxes, with no mileage reimbursement.
Choi acknowledged agreeing to the indie production rate at the time, driven by her financial situation. However, she highlighted that many other crew members were essentially volunteers, compensated only with gas money and mileage. This meant some individuals had to cover their own expenses to work on set for a film that has become a breakout success.
Her public statement has ignited discussions within the film industry about compensation for below-the-line workers and the significant disparity between production costs, box office returns, and crew pay. Some industry figures have shared similar experiences, while others have criticized Choi for potentially damaging professional relationships.
