When fiction pays millions and millions, and when it does not

Fiction does pay, especially when it is James Bond. The James Bond franchise has continually brought in millions of dollars since the film series began in the 1960s. The top ten revenue earners alone brought in $6.19 billion dollars in 2012 dollars.

 

Being a James Bond actor is lucrative as well. The highest paid James Bond was Sean Connery who earned $729 million per movie followed by less well known George Lazenby who earned $665 million for being James Bond in "Her Majesty's Secret Service."

However, don't let these numbers fool you. James Bond is for the most part, an exception to the rule of actor income. According to Actor Point, the minimum salary for a principle performing actor is $2,272 per week or $118,144 per year if they can find work for a whole year. The median number of $50,833 is lower per Salary.com. 

Another organization called Simply Hired states the average acting job pays $62,000. Pay special attention to the wording here. "Acting job" is not the same as "actor," meaning the jobs probably pay more than actors on average get paid.  Cracked puts it in a more realistic perspective in "5 awful things nobody tells you about being an actor." Specifically, fame is less likely than getting hit by a satellite, and acting involves "no real skill set," unrelated work, and non-performing roles.

Salary statistics can be misleading and should be taken with a grain of salt when pursuing any career. Averages and median numbers smooth out large tail end extremes that include thousands if not hundreds of thousands of professionals in the field.  Fiction can pay millions, but rarely does in contrast to the actual numbers of films produced annually and the number of actors it takes to complete those lower earning productions.

Click image to see a larger version James Bond: 50 Years of Movies via H&R Block

Guest post: ND tops list of states with fastest growing economy

By Paul Moore

The state of North Dakota is doing very well economically, thank you, and there are jobs up there for those willing to relocate.

While the Unites States’ economy is barely crawling ahead with a 1.5% GDP increase for 2011, North Dakota leads the growth rate in the country with 7.6% GDP growth, according to figures reported by 24/7 Wall Street. Some analysts point to North Dakota’s oil production as the source of this growth, but others believe there is a deeper root.  Let's look into some of the factors.

Facts of Growth

Not only does North Dakota boast the country’s fastest growing economy with GDP figures, it also lays claim to the lowest unemployment levels: a mere 3%. In fact, for every month since July 2008, North Dakota has either had the lowest unemployment rate or been tied for that honor. In addition, North Dakota has not seen a 5% unemployment rate since 1987. A small problem has arisen in the state because many people are moving into the rapidly growing and highly lucrative oil and gas job arena, leaving many other North Dakota businesses struggling to find employees. These non-oil based businesses are thriving as a result of the good economy and growing population. This has turned out to be an opportunity for those who are not directly employed by the oil industry to benefit from the growth in the area, as sectors across the board are in need of employees.

USA Today reports that population figures are also rising in North Dakota, with Fargo topping the 100,000 mark in the latest census, up 15,000 from previous reports. This trend is repeated in a number of other North Dakota towns, including Minot, Grand Forks, and Bismark. It reflects a continuing migration from the rural countryside into larger communities, but also demonstrates an influx of new North Dakota residents.

Contributors to the Economy

Without a doubt oil has been, and will continue to be, the biggest boon to North Dakota’s economic strength. It is part of the Bakken oil field that stretches across Montana as well. But Montana’s numbers are not quite as rosy as North Dakota’s. Yes! Magazine reports a 7.7% unemployment rate in Montana, which also had one of the slowest growing economies in the country in 2010, with only 1.1% GDP growth.

However, if oil is not the single magic economic innoculant for North Dakota, what is? North Dakota has long depended on agriculture for its income, with 90% of the state’s land in use for both farms and ranches. Well-known for its wheat exports as well as other crops, North Dakota brings in a whopping $1 billion per year in agricultural subsidies from the U.S. government. Obviously, agriculture plays an important role in the state’s economic stability.

An Overlooked Factor

While oil, agriculture, and manufacturing are certainly important contributors to the success of North Dakota’s bustling economy, some analysts point to a secret that makes North Dakota completely unique when compared to the other 49 states; its state owned bank. While most states turn to outside banks to deposit their tax revenues, North Dakota keeps theirs at home, allowing a portion of the Bank of North Dakota’s (BND) earnings to go back into state coffers, encouraging investment in the state, and supporting a bustling economy. It is the BND that has provided funding for many of the agricultural and oil-field endeavors, and is responsible for the state’s continual surplus. In fact, North Dakota has made significant reductions in both property tax and individual income taxes in recent years.

Good management and keeping the money at home seems to be paying off for North Dakota. Perhaps other states would do well to take a look. Of course, great natural resources help as well, making North Dakota a great state to live in.

Paul Moore writes for a North Dakota company in the Bakken Oil region.   North Hill Suites offer long-term housing stays and are the perfect solution for the housing needs of companies with an influx of workers to the oil fields.

Is there a place with high wages and low unemployment?

By Paul Moore


1% unemployment and wages three times higher than elsewhere 

The answer is a resounding, Yes!

You may have not yet heard of Williston, North Dakota, but you will.  Given that this quaint little town has a population of a mere 14,716 in the 2010 census, it's no surprise it has been flying under the radar. However, the town has become a major source of interest for many people looking for work across the country. The reason? An oil boom has fueled a wealth of job opportunities in the area, from drillers to truck drivers, and from beauticians to chefs.   When there is growth, all sectors grow.

Big names such as Halliburton, Hess, and Schlumberger are helping to keep the unemployment rate in the area lower than anywhere else in the country. Towns across North Dakota are bursting their seams, and Williston may be at the top of that list.

The Big Boom

This might be called the Big Boom Theory - If you drill it, will they come?  Except for the fact that this boom is reality.  The jobs are coming, like blessed rain over parched earth.  Oil production in the area has skyrocketed due to the opening of the Bakken oil field. These reserves have long been protected and hidden in layers of shale. The introduction of fracking technologies has provided access to the black gold, fueling growth in North Dakota’s already thriving economy.

State of the Economy

Statewide, North Dakota can boast of an unemployment rate of 3%, well below the national figure of around 9%. Such low percentages are not new to North Dakota, though, as they have not reached the 5% mark since 1987. Overall, the nation is struggling to see an increase in GDP, with only a 1.5% increase for 2011, while North Dakota lead the nation with a 7.6% growth. Figures like these help put the fantastic numbers around Williston in perspective. North Dakota is standing strong economically at a time when many other states struggle to make budget.

Employment Opportunities

Across the country, small businesses and corporations are downsizing due to the difficulties in the economic situation. The opposite is true in Williston, where the exploding growth is making the infrastructure of the community struggle to keep up. Some of the best job opportunity sectors are law enforcement, doctors and nurses, and teachers. Anytime population increases, need for these services naturally rise.

Other businesses are desperate for workers as well, especially those in the food service and hospitality industries. Entry-level waitresses can bring in $25 an hour, plus have the option of plenty of overtime, and the usual tips.

Of course, there are plenty of oilfield jobs. Besides those actually working on the rigs, truckers are in high demand to handle current production rates of 594,000 barrels per day. Pipelines need to be installed, surveying done, the opportunities are certainly numerous.

The building industry is booming as well. According to Fox News, Williston added 2,100 housing units last year, and will likely add at least 3,500 more in the next year. Real estate development is on the rise, with plans in place to add industrial parks, restaurants, medical facilities, and hotels as quickly as they can be built to keep up with the demand. If wages keep up with the current rate, the new facilities will mean more lucrative jobs with high dollar opportunities.'

Many workers are committing to working very hard for two or three years and setting aside all the money so they can pay off mortgages and live more simply back home again. For those struggling to find work in other states, the Bakken area offers hope for the future and security for families who are willing to invest serious labor in return for high wages.  

Source: news.sky.com/story/968314/workers-in-us-man-camps-power-oil-boom

Paul Moore works with a company in the Bakken area that provides camp-style housing for company employees.   Bakken Residence Suites has accomodations that feel just like home - the modern and comfortable man camp.