The minimum has, in fact, become the maximum. Watch as the unions and industry attempt to find a remedy. Lower production costs could mean more jobs for actors. But there's a catch. We need to strengthen contract language to keep producers from being able to alter performances.
Distribution also comes into play.
The new digital technology can increase producers' profit margins, and it can also allow producers to reduce prices without reducing their profit. Under the current residual formula, however, the reduction in prices will shrink actors' residuals. If distributors see increased revenue through a more efficient delivery system to greater numbers of customers, performers should participate in that gain too. Further, digital distribution is likely to generate even more piracy than we experience now with cassettes. More and more people will enjoy the product by evading the controls that customarily yield fair payment to the performer.