Par Nicolas Derouet, directeur de casting
When it comes to working as an actor in France versus the United Kingdom, the differences go far beyond language and location. From employment status to how rights and payments are handled, actors in each country operate under distinctly different legal and cultural frameworks. Here’s a closer look at what sets the two systems apart:
Employment Status: Employee vs. Self-Employed
In France, actors are considered employees of the production companies. They are engaged under fixed-term contracts —not as freelancers— which means they do not invoice for their services. Instead, they receive standardized pay slips, and their employment conditions are governed by French labor law.
In contrast, UK actors are typically self-employed. They issue invoices, manage their own taxes, and are often responsible for organizing their own benefits and social protection.
Rights and Residuals: A Lifelong System in France
One of the most significant differences lies in the way related rights are handled. In France, the Intellectual Property Code ensures that actors receive ongoing payments (droits annexes) when a production is re-broadcast, sold internationally, or reused. These rights are often managed by collective organizations such as ADAMI and can be paid for life.
In the UK, actors typically negotiate buyouts or residuals at the time of the initial contract. There is no comparable statutory system for ongoing rights payment like in France.
The « Intermittent du Spectacle » System in France
France offers a unique social protection system for artists and technicians called « intermittent du spectacle ». This allows eligible workers in the entertainment industry to access unemployment benefits during periods without work, as long as they meet certain criteria related to hours worked. UK actors, by contrast, must rely on general self-employed benefits or private arrangements.
Contract Duration: Day Rate vs. Weekly Engagement
Actors in France are often hired on a daily basis, especially for TV and film. This means they are only paid for the specific shoot days. In the UK (and also in the US), it’s more common for actors to be contracted by the week or per episode.
Travel and Rehearsal: Included or Additional?
In the UK, actors are usually paid separately for travel and rehearsal days. In France, however, these days are often included in the overall daily fee and are not itemized or compensated additionally.
Agent Commissions: Who Pays Whom?
Another important difference lies in the actor-agent relationship. In France, an agent typically invoices the production directly for a 10% commission (plus VAT if applicable) based on the actor’s gross salary. This is not deducted from the actor’s pay, and there’s no financial relationship between the actor and agent in this process.
In the UK, actors pay their agents directly by deducting the commission from their own income. This is usually negotiated as a percentage of the actor’s earnings, and the actor is responsible for the payment.
Whether you’re a producer hiring international talent or an actor looking to work abroad, understanding these contractual and cultural differences is essential. France offers a highly regulated and protective system for performers, whereas the UK leans more towards a freelance model with more flexibility—but also more individual responsibility.
For international productions or co-productions, being aware of these distinctions can help avoid misunderstandings and ensure smoother collaboration across borders.