Hollywood, CA — Oscar-nominated actress Anna Kendrick has publicly criticized the buyout model of major streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu. She argues that replacing traditional recurring payments (residuals) with initial flat fees has turned artists into “disposable labor” and created financial instability for the vast majority of workers in the entertainment industry.
Kendrick’s outspoken comments add a weighty voice to the ongoing labor dispute in Hollywood, highlighting the economic disparity the shift to streaming has caused for performers.
The Problem of Fixed Fees
Kendrick, best known for her role as Beca Mitchell in the hit musical series Pitch Perfect , pointed out the core injustice: a fixed initial fee paid to actors, regardless of how successful the project is or how many times it is viewed in the long run.
She emphasized that even her blockbuster films, like the Pitch Perfect trilogy —which has grossed a combined $588 million worldwide and continues to be viewed by millions across platforms—don’t provide consistent income for the actors.
“I hate that because it turns us into expendable labor,” Kendrick explains. “Even when [films] like Pitch Perfect get millions of views, I only get a flat initial fee. That’s completely wrong, because streaming makes a lot of money from advertising and subscription fees, but actors—the people who create the content—don’t get to share in the long-term profits.”
The Role of Residuals
In the past, the recurring fee system was an important financial safety net, providing compensation each time a film or show was re-aired on television, sold on DVD, or licensed to new markets. This income helped support supporting actors, or those who had to wait months or even years between jobs.
Streaming services have eliminated this structure in favor of a one-time “buyout” model. While superstars can still command huge upfront salaries, most working artists—the ones Kendrick is championing—have lost a steady, long-term source of income. She asserts that the loss of this ongoing income leads to “financial instability” for most working artists.
Outstanding Career Success
Anna Kendrick is more than just a music star. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Natalie Keener, an ambitious HR professional, in the 2009 comedy-drama Up in the Air , directed by Jason Reitman .
She recently made her breakthrough as a director and co-star in the horror film Woman of the Hour (2023), based on a true story.The film was acquired by Netflix, once again placing her at the center of the system she is criticizing.