‘Obsession’ Director Curry Barker Addresses Viral Post on Hollywood Pay Issues
‘Obsession’ director Curry Barker has weighed in on the conversation sparked by art director Sally Choi’s viral Instagram post, where she highlighted the low pay and challenging working conditions faced by crew members on independent film projects.
Choi’s comments followed her experience on the horror film, which achieved significant box office success. In her post, she revealed that she earned less than $7,000 after taxes for her role as the film’s art director, despite its global acclaim.
Barker commended Choi and the art department for their remarkable work, expressing that they deserve greater recognition. He stated, “I have nothing but respect for the art department, and the work they did was extraordinary. Everybody on this film worked so hard and they deserve to be recognized.”
He elaborated that the film was produced on a very limited budget, which often means that the financial benefits primarily go to those who assume greater risks in the project. Barker expressed hope that everyone involved in the production would reap the rewards from the film’s success.
“This movie was made for so little money that it’s typical that the only people who [directly] benefit from its financial success are the people who took on some sort of risk,” he noted.
Barker also emphasized his desire for crew members to gain new opportunities as a result of their hard work. “What I hope is that every person that worked really hard on this film will see opportunities to catapult their careers in ways that can be very financially fruitful for them — like what’s happening for me,” Barker said.
Choi’s post resonated widely online, as it addressed the struggles many behind-the-scenes workers encounter in the film industry. She shared that she kept her frustrations private for nearly two years before deciding to speak out.
In her Instagram message, Choi acknowledged accepting the position knowing it was a low-budget film but aimed to shed light on a broader issue affecting many film workers. She disclosed that she was paid a daily rate of $300 and her total earnings after taxes amounted to $6,741.36, without reimbursement for mileage.
“I’ve debated this for a long time,” Choi expressed. “I’ve been holding a lot of weight over the past two years since the production of ‘Obsession,’ so I’m going to say it as it is.”
Choi emphasized that her situation reflects a larger problem in the industry, where many crew members are viewed as costs to minimize rather than essential contributors to the filmmaking process.
“This is the reality of most filmmakers, especially those who work below the line,” she stated. “We become a line in the budget sheet to keep as low as possible.”
She also mentioned that some crew members volunteered their time or covered certain expenses themselves while awaiting promised reimbursements.
The conversation rapidly gained traction online, with numerous filmmakers sharing similar experiences regarding unstable income and challenging conditions. Director Joseph Kahn also contributed to the discussion on X, highlighting that many outside Hollywood are unaware of the unpredictable nature of film work.
“One thing people don’t understand about the film business is it’s feast or famine,” Kahn remarked.
This debate has reignited discussions about how independent films manage budgets and the level of recognition and compensation crew members receive when projects unexpectedly succeed.
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