So. Obviously b.s..
a) Rejection rates climbing to 80-90% for submissions
b) Now a HUGE money grab. Most people (80-90%) will NEVER exceed the video download count or image download count to get to the "original" 30% level they are at now. (You need 250 video sales to get "back" to 30%, and 500 image sales to get back to 30%).
So the e-mail SHOULD read "Hi, we've decided we want more money from you. So effectively immediately, in 5 days - your commission is going for 30% to 15% for EVERYTHING YOU SELL".
Shutterstock knows that, they aren't stupid. They have the data. So they know they are STEALING from most contributors. But it's funny how they pretend to be upbeat and say "Stay tuned for even more posts that include tips to help contributors quickly climb to higher levels and increase their opportunities to earn money." and the crap comment "This creates fair opportunities for all our contributors, rewarding performance with greater earnings potential.".
No, it's a way for them to steal more contributor earnings, padding their own pockets and paying out less.
c) That coupled with the recent cut to their new "subscription" model - which again sees THEM see a huge BOOST in revenue, but nothing to contributors.
Kinda crap, seems they are trying to compete with envato for shady dishonest tactics.