Why do Oscar winners thank their co-stars when they get PAID to work on a movie?
605621
They thank them because they appreciate their contribution.  It's almost like being on a team.  If you're teammate (or co-star) does a good job, it usually reflects on you as well.  I think it's nice they thank their co-stars.  I liked it when Reese Witherspoon thanked Joaquin Phoenix for him being a big part in why she received an Oscar for Walk The Line.  If Joaquin didn't play such a good Johnny Cash, it would have been more difficult for Reese to have gotten the honor that she did.  It's called "being gracious" and "appreciative".
1082529
I love how stupid and ignorant the other answers are.  From a REAL Hollywood prospective:\n\nAn assistant basically manages the star's life.  They have enough going on with their actual JOB that they need someone to organize their life.  Make their scheudle and arrange that they can make all of their appointments.  Answer phones and make sure the stupid calls are blown off in favor of the important ones.  They make sure that gifts are bought for holidays, weddings, birthdays, etc.  They make sure travel to other countries is handled for press junkets.  They make sure their accomodations are taken care of.\n\nAnd believe me someone like Bruce Willis' assistant?  They have an assistant.  this stuff gets hectic.
156245
I really liked the movie. It was an excellent feat for the actors involved. I believe it was not nominated because it would have split the Oscar vote between it and Brokeback, and the Academy wants Brokeback to win the Oscar - which it probably will.
1019931
Honestly do celebrities need award shows? I mean they make millions of dollars a year, so why do we have award shows for these people? Is it just so that they can feel glorified? I wish someone would have an award show for me, and where I work.
172729
Did it come from a school or from where you work now? Awards earn with a job usually are only good with that company, they do look good in the other companies eyes.
446817
I work with celebrities as part of my regular job (writing for television), and while I'd rather not name names, I can tell you that they're all just people --- with the same personality quirks, flaws, and niceties as anyone else.  \n\nCelebs aren't magical beings who ride to work every day on a unicorn, after all.  \n\nGet a real hero or two --- a scientist or a front-line civil rights activist.  Enjoy your favorite shows, but give honor to those who really deserve some!
425592
I've seen the movie and do try to pay it forward. Sometimes what I do are just small acts of kindness, but hey, it still makes a small difference to someone else's day and gives them a reason to smile, so that has to be good.
221374
good performance, that's sure...\nSome kind of change between the actor and performance... And not be the main character in big box office movie, Academy prefers movies which give you more and movies which make you think about something :) So, I don't know, George Clooney was asking in his speech this year when he won supporting actor how they can compare it... \nIt is difficult to say :) But I am sure there are many qualifications which I didn't mention :)
879460
Used to be and probably still is, the minimum union contract for a member of SAG gets $3k because it involves a "speaking" part. A speaking part guarantees in a movie you get your name in the end credits. Many donate those talk-show proceeds to charity.\n\nSource: recollection from a TV Guide article.
90405
No, they get medals.  If they are lucky, they get an endorsement from a company and can make money doing commercials, ads, etc.
780387
well most actors/actresses don't act full time. they do pay income tax.\ni don't know about the big stars, but i am most likely positive they do.\non the side note.... i know some actors do manage to get "unemployment"..... i get angry at that.
831570
Mostly because critics get paid based upon their approval ratings.  they say a antional movie sucks, they get no bonus.  It is all a sham, same with books.  Critically acclaimed movies only get good ratings because they pay out advertising and critic money.
823696
I dont know this particular reviewer but the journalist's code of ethics and also consumer protection laws would prevent critics being paid for their opinions.\n\nThat said, these restraints do not prevent critics getting lots of handouts from the studios, including free travel and accomodation and gifts of film tie-ins like the doll you mention.  (How many James Bond watches do you think have been given to critics over the years). They are also treated as celebrities by the studios and go to premieres and lavish parties.  Incidently, the freebies are probably the reason the Foreign Press Association (who award the Golden Globes) was set up. I saw an interesting doco about them recently.  Some of them dont even work for foreign press bodies and others dont write anything to do with movies.\n\nThe result of all this largesse by the studios is that many critics do not want to rock the boat and will usually give gushing reviews and 'puff pieces'.  However, some critics have enough prestige to be able to report honestly and negatively when the occasion warrants it.  An example of this is David and Margaret in Australia. I imagine Leonard Maltin and the critics for quality papers like the New York Times would be in the same boat in America.
777642
The movie "pay it forwards" has a good example.
57994
most actors do earn scale wages.  This is generally not paid to the stars of shows, which are the ones that you're thinking about.  Union scale is what the 'extras' and the actors with 1 line or actors in the background earn.
1022810
I believe many celebrities go into other related fields such as directing,producing and even now you are starting to hear more celebrities leading there voices to animation projects such as the movie CARS.\nOther celebrities write books, open restaurants, or just simply take it is and enjoy life.
809765
That's a great question, and very complicated as there are different kind of producers.  Executive producers raise money and get a credit on the film.  Line producers are behind the scenes people that make things happen and may Exec produce as well.  A line producer is a glorified gofer but more.  He may get permits, plan logistics and a lot of stuff like that. They are a lot like directors but not artistically involved in getting the shot more logistic.