South Africa has a diverse film and television industry, with local productions and major international productions being filmed in the country. This has led to many opportunities for actors, but the burning question is: how much do they earn?
Factors that Affect Actors' Salaries
There are several factors that affect how much an actor earns in South Africa:
- The level of experience of the actor.
- The role being played and the amount of screen time.
- The production budget.
- The platform where the production will be aired (TV, cinema, streaming services).
- The length of the shoot.
These factors determine what actors are offered to do a project. For established actors, the negotiated rates are typically higher than those for new entrants in the industry.
Base Salaries for Actors in South Africa
According to the hourly rate-guidelines issued by the South African Guild of Actors, the minimum rates per hour for actors are:
- Lead Performers: R1,500 ($100) per hour
- Supporting Performers: R1,200 ($80) per hour
- Background Performers: R500 ($33) per hour
It is worth noting that these rates are only minimums, and many factors could influence what rates actors are offered by production companies.
Television Salaries for Actors in South Africa
The salaries of actors for television productions are typically calculated differently than for cinema productions.
For TV actors, a general rule of thumb is that the rates are based on per day rates instead of hourly rates. The following are the minimum rates that South African actors are entitled to:
- Lead Performers: R9,571 ($640) per day
- Supporting Performers: R5,714 ($383) per day
- Guest Appearances: R3,809 ($255) per day
- Background Performers: R1,600 ($107) per day
It is also worth noting that these rates are negotiated between the production company and the South African Guild of Actors before the production begins and are sometimes based on a sliding scale for the number of episodes ordered.
Cinema Salaries for Actors in South Africa
In cinema, the rate guidelines are not as clear cut as TV production rates, and it can vary significantly from one production to the next. For instance, some movie productions may offer actors a flat rate, while others may offer a percentage of the box office grosses.
This can make it tough to determine how much actors earn from each production just by looking at their credits. So in this case, it’s always good to have a dedicated agent to negotiate on the actor’s behalf.
Conclusion
The amount an actor would earn in South Africa depends on several factors, including their level of experience, role, platform, production budget, and shoot duration. However, the South African Guild of Actors has set base salaries that actors are entitled to receive, which helps with standardization for the industry.
