Residuals in acting are long-term payments made to actors and other theatrical workers when a TV show or movie is rerun or aired after its original release. They are negotiated by industry trade unions like SAG-AFTRA, the Directors Guild of America, and the Writers Guild of America). Residuals are calculated based on several variables, including guild membership, initial payment, time spent, type of production, and whether it involves a domestic or foreign market). The calculation is complex and depends on several factors).
In acting, extras are generally not eligible for residuals, but stunt performers, puppeteers, singers, and actors with lines or scripted physical interactions with characters ("supporting actors" or "day players") are eligible). Principal performers generally get larger residuals, and the more prominent the actor, the more generous the residual).
Residual payments can decline over time and are pegged to several factors, including the length of a movie or show, the size of a role, the budget of a production, and where the film or show is offered. While streaming companies technically pay residuals, both unions and their members say the amounts and pay timelines leave actors and writers with a pittance of what they once received.
Residuals are an important source of income for many actors, and they can add up to a significant amount over time. They are a form of compensation paid to actors and other creative professionals when their work is used beyond its initial distribution. The purpose of residuals is to ensure that actors and other creative professionals are fairly compensated for their work, even after the initial production has wrapped.
