Hollywood stalwarts Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are rewriting the rules of the streaming pay book with their next Netflix project, โThe Ripโ.
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By securing a deal that ties bonuses for the entire production team to the filmโs success, the โArtists Equityโ founders are challenging the standard “flat fee” model and ensuring that everyone from lead actors to craft service shares in the film’s global success.
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The move is being seen as a big step, as streaming platforms usually pay workers a fixed amount and do not offer extra money even if a film becomes a hit.
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Under this agreement, all 1,200 people who worked on โThe Ripโ will be able to receive a one-time bonus if the film meets Netflix’s performance targets. The film’s performance will be evaluated over its first 90 days on the platform and compared with other Netflix titles.
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At the worldwide premiere of โThe Ripโ in New York on Tuesday night, Affleck opened up about how important he feels the need for a “decent middle wage” is for people who work behind the scenes. He also shared why he and Damon wanted a new kind of deal for the upcoming film.
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“In order to provide the decent middle-class wage that’s been provided for decades in this country, you’ve got to have compensation that works for people. And as you’ve seen, there’s been a lot of tumult, change, and transition, and so you have to adapt,” Affleck said.
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“There’s no guarantee that everyone’s going to get rich and be successful, but if you work on a project and it is successful, you ought to benefit from that,” he added.
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โThe Ripโ follows the story of two Miami cops who find hidden money. The new pay model is being closely watched, as it could influence how streaming platforms treat film workers in the future.