Starstruck actors in China struggle to make a little extra
Staff Reporter 2013-07-21 08:51
Extras prepared to act as a corpse are entitled to a bit more money — such a role is considered bad luck. (Photo/CFP)
While A-list movie stars in China can now command eye-watering sums, the pay for most performers in the movie and TV industry remains very low, as evidenced by the recent recruitment drive by Hengdian World Studios in Zhejiang, the world's largest film lot, which listed the pay scale on offer for supporting artists, such as 5 yuan (US$0.81) a day to be a funeral mourner, 30 yuan (US$4.90) to act as a victim of violence, and 60 yuan (US$9.75) to portray a prostitute.
According to the recruitment announcement posted on the website of Hengdian World Studios, would-be male actors must be taller than 1.65 meters and female actors 1.55 meters, and both must have a senior-high school education or higher. It also contains a tariff of compensation for reference, including 40 yuan (US$6.50) for an eight-hour work day, plus 5 yuan an hour for overtime or 10 yuan (US$1.63) between midnight and 5:00 am. Martial arts earn a higher pay scale of 200 yuan (US$33) while anyone with a speaking part is entitled to extra pay starting at 20 yuan (US$3.30) a day, which goes up in accordance with the amount of lines they have to deliver.
For extras, the pay is even lower: 30 yuan for an extra who takes a beating, 5 yuan for funeral mourners, and an extra superstitiion bonus of 1 to 10 yuan (US$0.16-$1.63) for someone who impersonates a corpse, to compensate for possible bad luck.
Many would-be stars have signed contracts with an actors' union which is responsible for recruiting actors for movies, as well as ensuring they get paid.
Mr Zhao, who has worked as an extra, says due to the popularity of movies and TV programs, compensation for movie/TV stars has been climbing constantly but pay for background artists remains meager. These hopefuls must bear the hardship if they hope to become a regular member of the cast, whose monthly pay may reach 2,000 yuan (US330), on top of accommodation and board. This level of pay, however, is still inferior to the average store clerk. Some extras if they are lucky may gain a contract that entitles them to daily pay of 500-800 yuan (US$81-$130), but only if they are deemed to look good and can deliver their lines well.
In 2011 alone, some 150 movie and TV production teams were operating out of Hengdian World Studios, hiring 250,000 extras and 30,000 contracted actors. Over 10 production teams currently operate in Hengdian every week.
