So thanks to all the techies for chiming in...intersting comments. And since none of the actoids took part, here's my two cents...
AEA membership is a necessary evil for some (particularly those in NYC or LA LA land) but for many of us out here on the finges (where, guess what??GOOD, quality theatre ACTUALLY HAPPENS!) it can be more of a hinderance than a help. Here in my neck of the woods, it is difficult to find equity work (difficult, but not impossible- for instance ATL hires LOTS of Equity actors...as long as they're from New York, cause OF COURSE NYC actors are the only ones who know their craft ;) AS a result, most of the actors in this region tend to shy away from union membership... why take it on when there's plenty of decent paying work in the local houses, childrens theatre, outdoor theatres,, and Shakes fests? We have also seen lots of our DIVA brethren (and SIStren?) do great regional work without shilling for the union label (Austin, TX and Raleigh, NC, anyone?), so it is possible to work and work steady without it...
AS an educator, however, I'm finding it more and more necessary to have union affiliation, as you can't get with in 100 yards of a job interview at a decent sized program without it (* see my rant from the previous thread for more on this!) Such is the nature of the education biz- like it or not!
SO there- any thoughts?
BTW- a new question will be posted this weekend...jump on it, people...I KNOW you guys are more opinionated than this! (lol)
later.
x
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Yummy!
"Can't you tell how excited I am???"
"I've got sunshine..."
...after a hard day of burgers, brats and lemonade!
"Mmmmm....Trans Am!!!!! "
rehearsing MIDSUMMER at the UK Arboreitum/ 2006
Mr Scott had it wrong...Chuck Norris CAN change the laws of physics- with his fists!!!
If, on Nov 4th, Chuck Norris votes for Mike Huckabee, then BY GOD Mike Huckabee is our next President!!!
CURRENT SHOWS IN THE AREA
- DANCING WITH DANI- Downtown Arts Center- Nov 6th-8th
- A TUNA CHRISTMAS- Nov 6th- 30th/ STUDIO PLAYERS
UPCOMING SHOWS
- DOUBT- Opens Dec 4th at UK
- THE FANTASTIKS- Opens Dec 4th @ AGL
AUDITIONS
- GRAPES OF WRATH- BCTC/UK production- Nov 18th and 19th at the UK Fine Arts Building
Miss Bunny Twitterbottom!
Yummy!
FIRST DAY OF PRE-SCHOOL
"Can't you tell how excited I am???"
My Girl!
"I've got sunshine..."
Chillin!
...after a hard day of burgers, brats and lemonade!
Father and Son
"Mmmmm....Trans Am!!!!! "
Tim and Nick
rehearsing MIDSUMMER at the UK Arboreitum/ 2006
THE MAN AND THE LEGEND
Mr Scott had it wrong...Chuck Norris CAN change the laws of physics- with his fists!!!
4 comments:
i understand where you are coming from, and unfortunately it is a double edged sword. unions provide much needed things like health care (for actirs lucky enough to work the requisite 12 weeks for 6 months of insurance), pension etc. for those able or wishing to make this their full time career, it is a protection of sorts and ensures a marginally livable wage. you are lucky in taht you have teaching through which to gain these important justices such as wages and healthcare, for those pursuing solely acting, it is all we have in the way of protection. the double edged sword is thta even with all casting out of ny, it is still quite difficult without representation and some of the aea's practices meant to help us (such as the rule of all catsing of equity shows open to the entire membership) do more to harm or impede than help. i feel like the union gets villified quite easily, but the helpful things are never acknowledged. aea has assisted living for ederly members, the actors fund which helps actors down on their luck, skill training sessions, health fairs and free immunization shots, and they provide people to do your taxes every year who understand how to maximize all you can write off. granted this still doesn't pay the rent, but these things are very helpful. i think if you are in an area with enough employment opportunities, it does make sense. i also think if an actor chooses to pursue solely theatre, while it is not the protection it once was and the union has been aquiescing more and more to the producers, it provides much needed soldarity and resources to protect actors from being exploited so that it may be treated more as a valid profession in a world where its becoming increasingly less valid by the day.
to illustrate a need for the union i will share a quote from someone high up in the producers league. they were in negotiations with aea to revamp the touring aspect of the produiction contract and one man seeking to drastically lower the contracted pay rate excitedly cried out "but actors are buying houses for christ's sake!"
yeah, don't let those damn actors be treated as people. oh no. no way.
EXCELLENT TAKE! That definitely did NOT suck!
...and how DARE those bastards buy houses!!!!
Here's my perception as an outsider. Acting is a profession where people can be easily exploited, because it's something you do for the love of it. So the protection of a union seems necessary.
But it seems there should be some sort exception for actors who CHOOSE to live in an area with little or no Equity work available to be able to practice their craft and contribute to the artistic lives of the communities in which they live without risking their Equity membership. To not do so only makes actors have to skulk around like criminals under assumed names when they do perform or stay off the stage and deprive the community of their talents. I don't see how that advances theater.
But like I said, I'm an outsider. Any validity to these thoughts?
I couldn't agree more, Mr/Ms anonymous...if that IS your name!!!!!!!!!!
Post a Comment