The entertainment industry has been hit by a wave of strikes as actors and screenwriters demand fair wages, higher streaming residuals, and protection against the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Among those taking a stand is the talented actress Mandy Moore, known for her role as Rebecca Pearson on NBC’s hit series This Is Us. In recent interviews, Moore has shed light on the meager streaming residuals she has received for her work on the show, sparking a broader conversation about the financial challenges faced by actors in the digital age.
Mandy Moore, who has gained critical acclaim for her portrayal of Rebecca Pearson, recently spoke out about her disappointing streaming residuals during the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. Despite the immense success of This Is Us and its dedicated fanbase, Moore revealed that she has only received minuscule payments for streaming revenue. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Moore shared that she and her business manager have received checks for as little as a penny or two.
Moore’s experience with streaming residuals stems from the show’s digital deal with Hulu, where each episode of This Is Us is made available for streaming the day after its original broadcast. While the show’s popularity has remained steady on Hulu, Moore expressed her frustration with the small amounts she has received, stating that she has only received “very, very tiny checks, like 81-cent checks” for her work. This issue highlights the disparity between the success of a show and the financial compensation received by its actors.
The issue of streaming residuals goes beyond Mandy Moore and This Is Us. Many actors in the industry have historically relied on residuals to support themselves financially between projects. Residuals are additional compensation paid to actors when their TV shows or movies are replayed. Actors who have been fortunate enough to work on successful shows with a high number of episodes could rely on residual income to sustain themselves during lean periods of work.
However, the landscape of the entertainment industry has changed dramatically. As Moore pointed out, the world and business have evolved, making it increasingly difficult for actors to rely on residuals as a source of income. The rise of streaming platforms and the shift towards digital distribution have reshaped the way audiences consume content, leading to new challenges for actors in terms of compensation and financial stability.
Mandy Moore’s revelations about her streaming residuals come at a time when Hollywood is facing one of its most significant labor disputes in decades. The SAG-AFTRA strike, which began in July, has brought together actors and writers in their fight for fairer deals and improved working conditions. Both SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) are in dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the representative body of production companies.
The actors’ demands include higher pay deals, especially from streaming services like Netflix, and improved payments for their work in the face of less lucrative streaming deals. Additionally, concerns about job security in the age of AI have also been raised, as actors want assurances that their roles won’t be taken over by digital counterparts. With the strike ongoing, actors like Mandy Moore have taken to picket lines and social media to voice their grievances and call for change.
Mandy Moore’s experience with streaming residuals reflects a broader shift in the entertainment industry. The traditional model of relying on residuals as a source of income has become increasingly challenging due to the rise of streaming platforms, digital distribution, and changing viewer habits. The advent of on-demand streaming services has revolutionized the way audiences consume content, but it has also posed new challenges for actors in terms of financial compensation and job security.
In the past, successful shows with a substantial number of episodes in syndication could provide actors with a reliable stream of residual income. However, the shift towards streaming has disrupted this model, as payments from digital platforms often pale in comparison to those from traditional broadcast and syndication deals. As a result, actors like Mandy Moore find themselves receiving meager checks for their streaming residuals, even for highly popular and critically acclaimed shows.
Mandy Moore took to Instagram to clarify her statements and express her hope for a resolution to the strike soon. She acknowledged the devastating impact the strike has already had and highlighted the multiple issues at play, including transparency with data, wage increases, and the protection of actors’ digital likenesses in the age of AI. Moore’s perspective reflects the challenges faced by actors and the broader concerns about the changing landscape of the entertainment industry.
