- Despite the success of “The Brutalist,” director Brady Corbet revealed on Marc Maron’s “WTF” podcast that he hasn’t earned any money from the film. He discussed how he and his partner made “zero dollars” on their last two films.
- Box office earnings typically cover distribution, theater costs and marketing expenses first, leaving filmmakers like Corbet without earnings due to Hollywood’s complex accounting practices.
- Similar financial struggles are seen in the music industry, where artists earn very little from streaming and rely on concerts, merchandise and live experiences for income.
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What does a $31 million box office haul, an Oscar nomination, and a major directing award get you? If you’re “The Brutalist” director Brady Corbet, absolutely nothing — at least not in his bank account.
Corbet recently revealed that despite the film’s success, he hasn’t earned a single dollar from it. He shared his financial struggles on Marc Maron’s “WTF” podcast, highlighting how even acclaimed filmmakers struggle to make a living.
Brady Corbet says he made “zero dollars”
Speaking with Maron, Corbet got candid about his financial reality.
“Both my partner and I made zero dollars on the last two films we made,” he said.
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Corbet explained that the first significant paycheck of his career came from directing three commercials in Portugal — not from his feature films.
“We had to just live off a paycheck from three years ago,” he said. “And obviously, the timing during an awards campaign — having to travel every two or three days — was less than ideal. But it was an opportunity that landed in my lap, and I jumped at it.”
Corbet isn’t alone in this struggle. He said he’s spoken to several filmmakers nominated for awards this year who can’t even afford to pay rent.
A 2023 Reddit thread discussed how filmmakers sustain themselves financially. One user, a line producer for unscripted TV, said they make over $150,000 a year by working on shows with multiple seasons. Another, a Finnish film director, said his income comes from directing fees for feature films and occasional commercial work — similar to Corbet’s situation.
Where does the money go?
Box office earnings don’t go directly to filmmakers. Instead, the money first covers distribution, theater costs and marketing expenses. If a director’s deal relies on backend earnings, they might not see any money due to Hollywood’s complex accounting practices.
This isn’t just a film industry problem. Musicians also struggle with low streaming payouts.
Music artists face similar challenges
In today’s streaming-dominated music industry, concerts have become the primary income source for many artists. Streaming platforms provide exposure, but artists often make less than a penny per stream. Instead, ticket sales, merchandise and live experiences generate the most revenue.
Even the Super Bowl halftime show, one of the biggest platforms in music, doesn’t pay performers. People reports the NFL covers production and travel costs, but artists like Usher and Kendrick Lamar don’t receive direct payments for their performances.
According to Roc Nation, Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime performance attracted 133 million viewers, surpassing the game’s audience. Usher’s 2024 performance drew 129 million. The exposure alone is why many artists agree to perform without pay.
Why do filmmakers keep working for free?
Despite the financial risks, filmmakers continue working on passion projects. An award-winning or critically acclaimed film can elevate a career, leading to bigger projects and studio deals.
For Corbet, “The Brutalist” may not have paid off financially — yet. But like many creatives, he remains committed to his craft, hoping future projects will bring recognition and financial success.
