In the contemporary marketplace, where the only starting options for nearly all young filmmakers are unpaid internships with zero real creative opportunity, a three year contract at $30K/yr to direct, write and edit feature length films would be a no-brainer. Steven Spielberg doesn't have a contract with Universal because he's already Steven Spielberg. The guy who's going to replace him has no clout yet, and would jump at a an exclusive three picture deal, no matter how low the pay. There's a reason that Roger Corman never lost money, and it's probably related to his focus on fresh talent.