Thanks Matt. It's fulfilling to know that my life's work can finally be of value!!!
The basic concept is that a professional performer working for scale (union minimum) should be compensated further if that performer makes a greater contribution to the entertainment value of a show. As such, a performer may be upgraded to a higher category (with a higher minimum pay) for an epsiode in which he or she performs a larger role.
So an off-camera announcer who performs on-camera is due a "bump" to the higher category. A model who speaks is given a bump; an "extra" (non-speaking role) who speaks a distinguishable line is due a bump. An "under-5" actor who is hired to perform 5 lines or less is due a bump if he/she ultimately performs more than 5 lines (The common phrase "under 5" is actually a misnomer, as 5-lines-or-less would literally be called an "under 6")
But the increase in pay due can be offset by the amount that the performer is paid overscale. As a result, you only see more money if you are working for the union minimum. If you work for higher pay than the scale payment for the higher category, you won't see any more money; it's "credited" against your overscale payment.
Confused? Then let's take the questions one at a time:
1) How much extra did it really cost the producers, if anything, to show an announcer (and/or other assorted stagehands) on camera.
Stagehands don't get more money for appearing or speaking because they are not professional performers. If they ultimately become regular performers on a show, they may then become professional performers, join AFTRA, and receive compensation for their performance.
The bump for an off-camera announcer who works for scale would be to the on-camera rate, which is in the neighborhood of 50% more. If the announcer's salary is over scale for his category of work, then it's likely that no more cash changes hands.
Because you want to know, Gene Wood usually worked for scale or slightly above. So the bump for an episode in which he spoke might be about 50% of the pay he was already making... in those years, likely $100-$200, in round numbers.
2) When did this rule come about and why?
Scale compensation for different categories of performance began with the introduction of AFRA (before "T"elevision) 70+ years ago. New categories were added with the advent of television in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The "why" is explained above.
3) Is it still in practice? (I say this after seeing Rich Fields every so often during the show close -- he seems to want to get in the closing group shot as soon as he signs off to get a little extra in his paycheck, no?)
I contribute to the Board and participate in other educational pursuits to help provide general information and historical perspective for others with interest or aspirations in the industry. But I don't feel it appropriate for me to comment on the particulars of another living performer's employment, any more than I would appreciate their commenting on the particulars of my employment, without my permission.
4) Is/Was there a similar rule as well for models who appear on stage but never speak -- that if they uttered anything that would constitute extra pay?
Yes.
And that's probably more that you expected to hear ;-)
Randy
tvrandywest.com
