Why ‘Obsession’ Actors And Crew Were Allegedly ‘Underpaid,’ Despite Record Success
The art director of Obsession has taken to social media to express that she believes her pay on the hugely successful film was unfair. But is that valid?
- The art director of 'Obsession' posted on X that her total compensation for the film was $78,000, despite the film grossing $1.2 billion worldwide.
- 'Obsession' earned a record $420 million in its opening weekend, making it the highest-grossing release of 2026 to date.
- The film was produced by Starlight Studios with a reported budget of $180 million, of which less than 15% was allocated to below-the-line crew salaries.
- Industry analysts estimate that the top three actors received combined backend compensation of $95 million, while the art department of 47 people shared less than $2.5 million.
- The pay disparity has sparked calls from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) for stronger minimum salary floors on major studio productions.
"The art director posted: 'I poured 18 months of my life into making 'Obsession' beautiful, and I made less in total than the lead actor makes in a single day of press.'"
"A Starlight Studios spokesperson said: 'We adhere to industry-standard pay scales and are proud of the compensation we provide to all cast and crew.'"
Frequently Asked Questions
The art director of 'Obsession' posted on social media claiming she and other crew members were underpaid despite the film's record $1.2 billion box office success.
The art director stated her total compensation for the film was $78,000, a figure she argued was far too low given the film's massive profitability.
Hollywood has long faced criticism for paying below-the-line crew far less than top actors and executives. IATSE has pushed for higher minimum wages and better residual structures.
A spokesperson said the studio adheres to industry-standard pay scales and is proud of its compensation to all cast and crew.
It highlights ongoing labor tensions in the entertainment industry, especially as streaming and blockbuster hits generate enormous profits while many workers struggle with stagnant wages.
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Original source
www.forbes.com
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