Producers call for Australian salary cap

SYDNEY, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Some film producers are calling for the Australian Screen Directors Association and the Film Finance Corp. to cap actor's salaries.

The debate in Australia was sparked by recent reports that Cate Blanchett's reportedly received $770,000 for appearing in "Little Fish," which recently was filmed in New South Wales, Australia, the Australian reported Monday.

The Hollywood Reporter said another Australian-native, Nicole Kidman, was now getting up to $14 million a movie.

"Fees for directors, writers and producers effectively have been capped for many years," ASDA's executive director Richard Harris told Variety. "Why not for actors?"

Fewer Australian films are being made, and most receive a significant proportion of their funding from government agencies.