Sky-high actors' fees resulting in lower-quality films: producers

Lead actors can earn between 13 million and 16 million kyats (Bt435,000-Bt535,000) for a film, which, with a cast of three or more, can easily account for over half of the total production budget. This often leads to cutbacks on other aspects of production.

“If you calculate the total cost of films and direct-to-home videos, the leading actors’ fees take up half of the total filmmaking costs,” said a film producer, on condition of anonymity. “We had to cut back on other costs. So, the quality of the film has significantly degraded.”

The making of a film costs between 100 million and 250 million kyats, while a direct-to-home video costs between 20 million and 50 million kyats, according to sources from the film industry.

“If a producer can’t afford much money, he or she will cut back other remaining costs including the costs of other co-actors, technician team members, and film location sites,” said the producer.

This has led to an overall degradation of the quality of films, resulting in fewer audiences and earnings. When producers earn less money, they have to cut back the costs of making new films. “At the end, the quality of the film industry continues to degrade more and more,” said the producer. A film-shoot manager named Steel wasn’t surprised by the low standard of films, as producers have to spend most of their money on actors’ fees.