Getting Paid — Methods, Kill Fees & Fair Rates

Cash

Some productions pay cash on set. It’s still reported to the IRS and you’re still responsible for taxes on it. Put it somewhere safe immediately - money gets stolen on sets more often than you’d think.

Check

Most common. You get a business or personal check the day of. A few things to know:

• Make sure the amount matches your paperwork
• The check should be dated for today - not a future date
• Don’t deposit it - cash it. Banks hold large checks for days
• If you cash a check at a bank you don’t have an account with, expect a small fee (~$5)

Payroll

Some bigger studios run payroll like a regular company. Taxes are taken out automatically. You fill out a W-9, and the check gets mailed to you or your agency 10-14 business days after the shoot.

Protect what you earn

Cash disappears. It happens. Once you get paid, put it away - in a bag, in a lock, in your car. Don’t flash it on set and don’t leave it unattended.

Always verify the amount before you leave. Once you walk off set, it’s a lot harder to fix a payment issue.

We pay same-day, every time. Start the conversation - we'll answer any money questions upfront.

What it is

A kill fee is a charge from the producer when you don’t show up for a booked shoot without enough notice. It covers the costs they already spent - flights, hotel rooms, production time.

How much notice

Standard is canceling by 5 PM the night before. If the production already booked your flight and hotel, you may be asked to pay back those costs.

How to avoid it

• Only confirm shoots you’re actually going to do
• If something comes up, cancel early - not the morning of
• Communicate through your agent if you have one
• Don’t double-book yourself

The reputation side

Beyond the money, no-showing hurts your reputation. Studios talk to each other. Agents remember. Being reliable is one of the easiest ways to keep getting booked.

We pay same-day, every time. Start the conversation - we'll answer any money questions upfront.

Why rates are opaque

Nobody in this industry publishes a rate card. Studios set their own numbers, agencies negotiate on their cut, and performers are often told “this is standard” with no way to verify. That information asymmetry benefits the people paying you.

Benchmark ranges

These are not guarantees. They’re ranges that reflect what professional studios pay in 2026:

• Solo — $300–$800
• Girl/girl — $500–$1,200
• Boy/girl — $800–$2,000+
• Specialty/niche — premium above base rate

For detailed breakdowns, see How Much Does Porn Pay? and the individual rate guides for solo, G/G, and B/G.

Signs you’re being lowballed

• Rate drops after you arrive on set
• “This is what new girls get” without a specific number
• Being told your rate includes travel costs that the studio “already paid”
• Deductions for makeup, wardrobe, or “studio fees”
• Payment in exposure, promotion, or “future bookings”

What to do

Always confirm your rate in writing before the shoot day. If a studio won’t put the number in a text or email, that’s a red flag. You have the right to know what you’re being paid before you show up.