Dhar Mann Studios Protests of 2023

# Actors Protest Wages & Working Condition

## Background Information

**All information has not been collected, please hold on as we collect all the information we can.**

In the first week of February 2023, actors working for Dhar Mann Studios, a production company, protested in the streets over their working conditions and pay. The actors claimed that they were not being paid living wages, and a former actor for Dhar Mann Studios stated that they were not considered employees but individual contractors. The pay that Dhar Mann was providing to the actors was allegedly not sufficient to pay rent. Another complaint from the actors was that Dhar Mann would fire actors and crewmembers from projects without giving them proper notice or explanation. Former actors from Dhar Mann Studios expressed their desire to speak with Dhar Mann to discuss these conditions. However despite several efforts to reach out to Dhar Mann, he has refused to meet with the actors.

## Dhar Mann's Statement (Youtube)

(Dharr Mann is talking about recent protests by a group of actors who are unhappy with his studio. He clarifies that he does meet with actors, but usually, formal meetings start with his Head of Production or HR Manager. The protestors requested a meeting that was unsuccessful, and they disrupted productions and spread false information, which is why he has not met with them. He also addresses the misinformation spread by protestors that they don't pay their actors, which he says is not true. He is taking steps to improve the bookings system, communication, and pay for actors. His mission is to spread positivity, and he asks people to stop negative comments towards actors.)

> "This past week has been a roller coaster of emotions. I'm saddened for those affected by everything going on and for the various misleading stories that have spread. I just met with some great actors who have been with us from the beginning, and we are all doing our best to get through this together in a respectful and positive way. For those that don’t know, there have been recent protests at our Studio by a group of actors, many of whom we have not worked with in years. These protestors represent a small percentage of the thousands of actors we have and do not represent the views of all actors. The protestors have said that I won't meet with actors and did not show up for a planned meeting. That’s not true. I love meeting with actors and talking to them whenever I am at the Studio. But if there’s ever a formal meeting request from an actor, the meeting usually starts with our Head of Production or our HR Manager, not me personally. When the protestors requested a meeting it was scheduled with our management team. It was never communicated that I would attend. During that meeting the protestors did not communicate any concerns and instead walked out within a few minutes. Given the unsuccessful meeting, we asked they put their concerns in writing so we could address them. Instead of doing that they came to our Studio to disrupt productions, causing stress to crew members and actors. Certain protestors even spread false information to hurt the Studio, my family and me. That’s the reason why I have not met with these individuals. I would also like to address the misinformation being spread by protestors that we don’t pay our actors. This is 100% not true. We always pay actors for any work they perform. We don’t have any full time actors, we offer project based opportunities. This is a standard practice in the production and acting industry. All details including pay rate and length of production are specified in the offer letter and the actor has freedom to accept or decline the project. If accepted actors are paid within 72 hours after a production wraps. Our current rates for Actors with speaking roles are $33-$44/hr. While I’m taking the steps to stop the spread of misinformation, I do acknowledge that there’s always opportunity for growth. So today in my meeting with actors we came up with ways to improve things such as a more efficient bookings system, stronger communication and more consistent hours and pay. These changes are now in motion. My mission on why I started this channel has always been to spread positivity. Although this has been a challenging time, I’m never going to stop working hard towards that goal. I do ask to please stop with any negative comments especially towards actors regardless of their views. I’m so thankful for all your love and support"
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