What To Do When You Don’t Get Paid

If you are struggling to get paid for your acting work, it can be very frustrating. The two weeks you wait for that check quickly turn into a month. And the money you expected to come in and cover some expenses is nowhere to be seen. You call your agent, or the producer named in the pink slip, and get a vague answer with an empty promise to see your money at some point.

But you have a feeling that you won’t get paid. Especially when even some industry pros give you poor advice such as, “Forget about it, it’s a non-union job,” or, “It’s not worth the time and energy for only this amount of money.” Well, any check you are owed is worth pursuing.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some common payment pitfalls that many actors fall into, and provide you with practical solutions for ensuring that you always get paid. Don’t let payment woes hold you back – read on to find out how to fix the problem.

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Understanding Your Right To Get Paid

We all want to get paid for our work, but unfortunately, many actors aren’t aware of the common issues that can arise with payment for their roles. Most actors also have a very vague notion of their rights, and how to collect payment that is due to them for acting work. 

Knowing how to manage payments for acting gigs properly is vital for any actor’s success, as it ensures that you’re not only paid for your work in a timely manner but also that you’re receiving the full amount due. With that in mind, let’s look at a few ways to ensure you don’t end up short-changed and learn how to get the most out of every acting job.

Creative and reliable payment solutions are key to ensuring that you successfully get paid. Thankfully, many production companies are starting to rely on apps to pay actors. Before you accept such terms as being paid through an app, ask the person informing you how payment is going to work when you can expect the payment, and whether or not the app has a notification system in case of overdue payment.

If you are getting paid through the old-school method of signing a voucher/slip and expecting a check in the mail, also ask for the latest date by which your check should arrive. Although legally that amount of time should not exceed two weeks in most states, some payers might still be used to taking their time paying actors. You still have the right to know whether or not you are being paid after a reasonable wait for payments to be processed.

[Read also: 5 Ways To Spot Acting Scams]

The Union Might Help You Get Paid

A common misconception is that an actor has to join a union to be protected against being stiffed. Unions are great at holding productions accountable. And you have the right to be paid for your work. Even if you have not joined SAG-AFTRA or another acting union yet. 

Unions are also great to inform actors in general about their rights – including those who are not their members. They understand that some actors are not ready to join (sometimes they do not even qualify to join yet) but that, at some point, they will, and they may give you information on how to get paid. But you will have to ask. Look at their websites, call them, and tell them you would like to know how to proceed when your payment is overdue. 

[Read also: SAG-AFTRA: When Should You Join?]

Agents Must Make Sure You Get Paid

If you have an agent, you must ask them to handle overdue payments. It is their contractual obligation to make sure you receive your payments in a timely manner. An agent works on commission. But they should never treat you as “less than” an actor whose paycheck is higher than yours.

If your agent thinks a payment is not worth pursuing because their commission is too small for the trouble, they are breaching the contract they have with you, which is a serious legal offense. Moreover, if an agent is dismissive of your concerns about payment, they are a bad agent and should be fired. 

[Read also: 5 Things To Know About SAG-AFTRA Vouchers]

Getting into legal territory

And, speaking of legal obligations, keep in mind that Small Claims courts are available. They are a low-cost (sometimes free) resource for anyone who is owed money, including actors.

Check your local county for the rules on how to open a claim with Small Claims. Bring original documents and copies of any documentation that helps prove you worked and are yet to get paid. Save documents you can bring to court. Call Sheets, written agreements, and emails. Also, the names and contact information of the people you have contacted are all good to bring to court.

When someone hires you for pay, they must do so, as agreed. That is whether or not your payer is a big production company or a low-budget independent producer. You do not have to forgive them.

[Read also: The Emotional Toll of Being an Undervalued Actor in Hollywood]

Conclusion

Actors should take the time to research the industry. That is so they understand their rights and payment expectations. In addition, that is how they know what to look out for and can confidently ask for what they deserve. 

Beware of common myths such as you are too new to the industry to go after money someone owes you. Or that a non-union job is a gamble. Work is work. And when someone agrees to pay you for your work, they must do so after the job is complete.

Create a plan that outlines payment methods, timelines, and other key details. That can help avoid potential pitfalls so everyone involved is on the same page. 

Always ask questions and get clarification on how much you will receive and when. Also, document that information. That can be crucial to help you if you need to pursue legal action. Most importantly, always communicate with your agent. Even if they seem reluctant to make sure you get paid. In that case, this should be their last assignment.

[Read also: 6 Reasons to Never Pay to Be in a Talent Showcase]

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