Why Do 55% of Film Producers NEVER Get Paid Backend Money?

Hello, Hello!

Make It friends and family, Chris here to announce that starting today, with the episode you are about to hear, we’ll be publishing our segments and bonus content on this feed daily. 

Why are we doing this? Because there’s a good chance you’re already listening to our episodes over the span of the week, we decided to publish our segments from each long-form episode to make it easier for you to enjoy the entire thing. 

Also, Nick and I are always looking for new ways to spice things up, meet our audience in the middle, and improve the show for you. There you have it, daily goodness in segments and bonus content from Make It. 

Of course, we’ll still be releasing longform episodes every two weeks on Friday—that hasn’t changed. Thanks as always for your support, and be sure to let us know what you think on any of our platforms at Beacons.

---

In this Audience Polls segment, Nick presents shocking statistics from a 2021 producer sustainability survey, revealing that 55% of film producers received zero backend compensation over the past decade. Producer Michael Mendelsohn discusses why streamers rarely pay backend deals and how the industry's financial realities affect creative decisions. The conversation explores the tension between passion for filmmaking and the economic necessity of sustaining a producing career.

We also talk about:

• How 82% of producers would leave the industry due to a lack of money, while 87% stay for love of the work
• The impact of streaming platforms on traditional backend compensation models
• Why special effects can become a crutch when story and character development suffer
• The decline of Marvel movies after Disney's acquisition and factory-style production approach
• How AI should complement rather than replace character-driven storytelling

Mentioned:

• Dear Producer newsletter
• Producer Sustainability Survey Report (2021)
• The Lost Bus (Matthew McConaughey film)
• Lord of War film series
• Taylor Sheridan shows (Mayor of Kingstown, Landman)
• Marvel/Disney
• Avi Arad (Marvel producer)
• Bruce Lee

We are humbled to have a community of creatives who care deeply about our work. And your support makes our work possible. Every subscriber, rating, and review matters. 

So, if you like what we're doing, please consider subscribing, rating, or giving us a review. Cheers, and best of luck on your filmmaking journey. #MAKEIT

All Links: https://themakeitpodcast.store