I worked on a movie that had a budget shortfall. We found out our checks for that week would not be coming, and likely the following week’s checks too. The producers asked we finish that day and take a weekend to give them time to secure funding before we all walked off the project.
When we came back they had funding again with our checks in hand.
A couple months later I helped a friend on another show and still have that check on my fridge, everyone’s checks were bouncing. I could not even get the bank from which it was drawn to cash it for me. Luckily that was only a single day’s work.
“The report in Deadline (as far as I know) is very accurate (thank you for that, Andreas). It is very unfortunate that this intriguing little story was sideswiped by a few incidents that temporarily derailed the film’s production. I don’t know all the details – only from what I’m hearing second hand (I am not a producer on this film) so all I can relay is what I do know.
“For some reason money that was promised to be deposited into the escrow accounts for the cast and crew were not done so in a timely manner. That caused a couple stoppages to the shooting. Then, apparently some portion of what was promised was deposited, and that lifted the DO NOT WORK order and we started up again.
“Right now, there is a strong effort to raise the necessary capital to finish the film, and I think that will happen for two main reasons: One, because the missing few scenes (approximately over two shooting days) are vital to the story. And two, that I (and I think I speak for Lily as well) will not do anything to promote the film until every cast and crew member is paid back in full, and we will not appear on screen again (ie return to filming) for this movie until that happens.
“In full transparency, I was paid for my part in this film even before the last temporary work stoppage – so I was surprised when I found out that we had to stop again, and that most of the crew didn’t get, as far as I know, their last two weeks of pay, nor did the co-stars in the movie.
“That is where it stands now…I’m distressed that this has caused so much grief and distrust, and so sorry that this crew (which was fantastic) were not treated with the respect they deserved, but I really believe that the producers will manage these difficult times by making everyone whole, and we’ll finish the film….Man, what a mess. BC.”
Then give back some of your payment Cranston so others can be paid and then collect the rest later. Doubt you really need all of the money right now.
Why should an employee give up some of their wages temporarily to other employees? Let’s pretend he decides to do that. Now everyone but him is paid. So is he supposed to go into work and work for free until the producers can gather the money for him? Or stay home until he gets paid? Because the first one isn’t acceptable and the second is what he is doing but with extra steps (and who knows what sort of tax implications)
That’s literally not his job. He is being a good brother to his fellow workers and standing with them until they get paid. If he wanted producer credits he could go negotiate for them now and then the production could use his money, but again: not his job.
Cranston is doing the right thing. Just because he is a very well paid employee doesn’t mean he should be expected to ‘bend’ the rules so Producers can make their movies. Any number of the producers are actually in a position to do exactly what you are asking of Cranston. That IS their job.
In general, this is a bad idea. It enables bad management, pays people with the “wrong” money, puts Cranston at risk of not getting paid back, etc. If Cranston doesn’t get paid back by the previously mentioned bad management, then will all of the other lower-paid crew send Cranston some money?
Victim blaming the workers for the shortcoming of the bosses. He has money because he’s responsible and works hard. Why should others rely on his past work to achieve their goals? Grow up.
What a sloppy li’l troll comment. Byee.
Yeah! Fuck billionaire Bryan Cranston!
