Hollywood stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have taken a significant step to reward the behind-the-scenes workforce on their latest project. For their new crime thriller, 'The Rip', which premieres on Netflix today, the duo has revived a traditional profit-sharing model for the extensive crew.
A Modern Twist on an Old-School Bonus System
The long-time collaborators have implemented a back-end bonus structure for the 1,200 crew members involved in the film's production. This innovative approach adapts the traditional box office bonus model for the streaming age, with payments to crew being calculated based on the film's viewership performance on Netflix.
Affleck explained the reasoning behind the move, stating that it fosters a greater sense of commitment and collaboration from every individual on set. He believes this collective investment directly translates into a higher quality final product. The actor-director emphasised that the scheme is designed to be inclusive, ensuring the financial success of the project is shared widely.
"Every Standby Painter, Greensman, Camera Operator"
In his comments, Affleck made clear the breadth of the profit-sharing plan. "What was most important to us was that the monetary success be shared with the 1,200 crew members, every standby painter, greensman, camera [operator]," he said. He outlined the performance-based nature of the bonuses, noting that "the more people that watch [the movie] the more levels it will hit."
This model represents a notable attempt to address a common concern in the industry: how to fairly compensate crews when a film is made for a streaming service with a fixed licence fee, rather than for a theatrical release with transparent box office returns. By tying bonuses to viewership metrics, Affleck and Damon are pioneering a new path for crew remuneration in the digital era.
The release of 'The Rip' on Saturday 17 January 2026, marks not only the reunion of the acclaimed filmmaking partners but also the launch of this experimental compensation structure. Its success could influence how future streaming productions approach crew contracts and profit participation, potentially setting a new standard for equity in Hollywood.
