You should have a say in the platform that distributes your film.
Upstream is a worker-owned co-op. If your film comes to the platform, you can be offered membership because of the work you did to make it — from writing and directing to gripping, driving, catering, acting, and everything between.
You do not pay more to belong. You do not get paid less for the production.
Membership is offered as a direct result of your work on a movie that joins Upstream. It is separate from whatever you were paid to make the production.
A vote
Makers vote on fundamental decisions about the company and its direction.
Points
Each film brings 100 Points into the co-op, split across nine credit categories. Your credits on a project determine your proportionate Points, up to a hard ceiling of 15 from any one film.
A future
As the co-op grows, its platform can create more opportunities to finance and make original work.
The makers decide how the resources are shared.
Your work is recorded
Your credits on the project establish your proportionate Points. Ninety-nine of a film's hundred Points divide across the credit categories; the hundredth is held for the Maker with the best story about why someone should watch it.
The co-op votes
Each year, maker-members vote on the amount of resources available for payouts.
Points are exchanged
At year-end, Points can be exchanged for payouts from the resources the co-op has made available.
Maker membership and rights-holder revenue are different things.
Makers receive membership and Points through their work. Those Points relate to co-op governance and the annual maker payout system.
The people and companies who finance films or own their rights are compensated through their commercial agreement with Upstream. That rights-holder revenue share is separate from maker membership.
Your labour built the films. It can help govern where they go next.
Upstream is still being built, but the principle is simple: the people who make the work should have a voice in the company that distributes it.
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