Art Director of 'Obsession' Sparks Debate Over Low-Budget Film Crew Compensation
Sally Choi, art director for the indie film 'Obsession,' posted on Instagram about earning only $6,741.36 after taxes despite the film being made for $750K and projected to earn $250M. She argued that below-the-line crew members are undercompensated and often do more work than contracted, while she and others worked paycheck-to-paycheck. The incident has sparked online debate about fair compensation in independent filmmaking, with critics arguing she agreed to the rate beforehand and should use the film's success as a career credential rather than seek retroactive payment.
Sally Choi, the art director for the surprise hit indie film 'Obsession,' posted on Instagram expressing frustration about her compensation relative to the film's financial success. She disclosed that she earned $300 per day as art director, totaling $6,741.36 after taxes with no mileage reimbursement, while the film was produced for $750K and is projected to earn $250M. Choi acknowledged she knew the rate beforehand and agreed to it, but emphasized she was living paycheck-to-paycheck and that below-the-line crew members often perform additional unpaid work on indie productions. She called on other filmmakers to share their rates to shift industry practices. The post generated significant online backlash, with commenters arguing that crew members take no financial risk unlike producers and investors, that the film credit itself is valuable for career advancement, and that complaining about an agreed-upon rate demonstrates entitlement. Supporters of Choi's position were fewer, though some acknowledged the broader systemic issues with crew compensation in independent filmmaking.
What's missing
The article does not include Choi's full follow-up response, which appears to have been cut off mid-sentence. Additionally, there is no statement from the film's producers, investors, or production company addressing the compensation structure or Choi's claims. The article also lacks broader industry data on typical art director compensation rates for indie films of various budgets, which would provide context for whether her rate was unusually low.
What different sources said
- Daily WireRight
The Real Drama Behind ‘Obsession’ Started After The Credits Rolled
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