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Real experiences from real actors. Anonymous. Unfiltered.
Peacock Indie feature — 15 days at $250/day, mixed feelings overall
Long shoot for a Peacock Indie original — 15 days, $250/day non-union. The good: they paid on time every two weeks during the shoot, meals were fine, and the DP was a real pro who made everything look way more expensive than the budget. The bad: the schedule kept changing with less than 24 hours notice, we had two 14-hour days back to back, and the script got rewritten three times during production. I think the AD was in over their head. Not terrible, not great. Wouldn't turn it down if the rate was better next time.
Lionsgate indie horror — SAG modified low, best safety protocols I've seen
Worked on a Lionsgate-distributed indie horror. SAG modified low budget agreement, so the rate was about $630/day for my 5 shooting days. What impressed me most: safety meeting every morning, stunt coordinator present for any physical scenes, and the AD was strict about 12-hour turnaround times. Even the fake blood had allergy warnings posted. This is what professional indie filmmaking looks like when people actually give a damn. The script was solid too — not just jump scares.
Day player on an A24 indie — union rates, incredible set culture
Got called in for a day player role on an A24 indie feature shooting in upstate New York. SAG ultra-low budget agreement — $335/day. 10-hour day with two full meal breaks and real catering. The crew was genuinely respectful — the director actually asked if I was comfortable with the scene blocking before we started. Hair and makeup had their own dedicated area. Night and day compared to the micro dramas I usually do. Only downside: it was one day. I'd work with them every week if I could.
The intimacy coordinator question — how to bring it up professionally
I've been on 3 sets now where there were intimate scenes and no intimacy coordinator. Twice I just dealt with it (uncomfortable but not unsafe). Once I asked if there would be one and the director got defensive. Here's what I've learned works: ask during the booking stage, not on set day. Frame it as 'for everyone's comfort and protection.' If they react badly to the ask, that tells you everything you need to know about how the set will be run.
Micro drama: forced call, 6hr turnaround, toxic AD
We wrapped at 1am and the call sheet for the next day said 7am. That's a 6-hour turnaround. When I brought it up, the AD literally said 'this isn't union, we don't do turnaround.' The lead actress was in tears by day 3. The director was oblivious. I walked on day 4 and they threatened not to pay me for the days I'd already worked. I got paid eventually but it took 3 weeks of emails. The rate was $400/day which would have been fine if the conditions weren't abusive.
Web series: 'deferred pay' = never getting paid
Took a web series gig that offered 'deferred compensation — $500/day when the project sells.' The project was actually well-produced and the director was talented. But it's been 8 months and obviously nothing has sold. I knew the odds going in but still feel dumb. The conditions were fine — 10 hour days, meals provided, safety was good. But working for free is still working for free no matter how nice the set is.
Indie horror film: 4 days, $200/day, genuinely unsafe stunts
Took a low-budget indie horror gig. The rate was $200/day for 4 days. On day 2, they wanted me to fall down a flight of stairs. No stunt coordinator. No pads. The director said 'just tuck and roll.' I refused and they were visibly annoyed but let me do a simulated version. On day 3, another actor actually got hurt doing a 'simple' scene involving fake glass that turned out to have real sharp edges. Nobody had insurance. I finished the shoot but reported them after.
DramaBox shoot: 18 pages/day, but the team was great
Just wrapped a 5-day DramaBox shoot. The pace was insane — 18 pages per day minimum. But the crew was organized, meals were on time, and the director actually knew what they wanted. Pay was $600/day. Not amazing but not terrible for non-union. The intimacy coordinator situation was a bit awkward — there wasn't one, but there was a kissing scene. I just set my own boundaries and the director respected them.