When I was an actor on Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black,” it actually COST me money to be on seasons 3 and 4. I was cast as a “local hire,” which means they don't pay for travel and I had to fly myself out.
But I was so excited for the opportunity to be on a show I loved, I took the hit. It’s maddening.
Many people think that being on a major show is a golden ticket to financial security. But for most actors, that’s not the case -- especially when it comes to shows on Netflix and other streaming platforms.
Right now, actors like me are on strike because we need to update the system. Corporations like Netflix are finding ways to cut our wages, and the middle-class working actor is getting screwed.
For many, going on strike means putting everything on the line to stand up for what’s right and fair. If we’re going to take on the multibillion-dollar entertainment industry -- and win -- we need to do it together. We need your help.
The Entertainment Community Fund provides emergency financial assistance to performing arts workers who are unable to pay their basic living expenses. This includes housing, food, utility bills and healthcare. According to The Hollywood Reporter, aid requests in L.A. tripled in the first month of the strike.
Netflix told the "Orange Is the New Black" cast: "We can’t pay you very much. We’re pinching pennies." But then they bragged to their shareholders that they’re making more than they’ve ever made. And the CEO’s make tens of millions of dollars.
Actors have not been fairly compensated by any stretch of the imagination. While groups like the Progressive Change Institute work to strengthen national union laws through advocacy in Washington DC, we are on the streets fighting for a fair contract today.
In solidarity,
-- Beth Dover, Actor and proud SAG-AFTRA member
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