Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Christopher Cale on November 13, 2011 at 8:53

Studied an MA in Advanced Theatre Practice at Central and expecting people to work for free over Christmas?  Brilliant.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Wells-Turner on November 13, 2011 at 23:35

Hi Christopher.  Apologies if I've offended you.  Much as I would love my MA to immediately result in huge funding grants and masses of cash these things do, I'm afraid, take time, energy and large amounts of work.  I hope to be able to advertise paid work here in the future.  At the moment, as a practitioner used to devising and collaboration, I'm really looking for fellow artists to collaborate with in Cardiff in regard to putting in funding applications next year.  I assure you I am not getting paid either! 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Christopher Cale on November 15, 2011 at 4:37

You hadn't offended me until you patronised me heavily in your comment.
I know that a masters doesn't suddenly produce cash and funding grants, I was merely stating that if someone has just studied 'Advanced Theatre Practice', then expecting performers to perform for free is hardly practising advanced theatre knowledge at all.

And, in fairness, at no point does your advert claim that you wanted like-minded practitioners for future professional collaboration; it literally just states that you're looking for free, multi-skilled performers.  If it had stated that you were doing a taster performance with a view to using the same people for a future paid job, then in all honesty, that wouldn't have riled me so much; but it's just the fact that you intimated that you wanted performers that are multi-skilled in singing, physical theatre, devising, other musical skills; without any hint of payment - that would give you a service which you wouldn't pay for in any form other than a thank you.

Permalink Reply by Charlie Elliott on November 15, 2011 at 9:14

To be perfectly honest, having just read the post and comments beneath, you wouldn't have been patronised if you hadn't posted a sarcastic comment. There are a lot of people advertising roles on this site, a lot of which aren't paid, and the creation of new theatre is a good thing regardless of pay. The post doesn't proclaim the possibility of future collaboration, but when you're just starting out in the industry it's all about the connections you make, particularly through collaborative work. Rest assured that if this is the attitude you go into the business with there aren't going to be many directors or practitioners etc that will want to work with you.

Permalink Reply by Christopher Cale on November 15, 2011 at 19:40

I have no qualms with working for free towards a project for someone that I either knew well and was doing a favour, or was purposefully doing something experimental/something that I hadn't done before.  However, blanket advertising no payment to professional-standard performers is what I have an issue with; there's no mention of profit-share either, which used to be the old way of saying 'if it does well, we'll pay you - if not, then at least you've got an experience out of it'.  And forgive me for stating the obvious, but that's the way things should be advertised; rather than accept the terms of a verbal contract and say you'll work for free regardless.

I cannot believe the amount of actors/performers that are willing to give-up their spare time for 'connections' and no money.  Rest assured that if this is the attitude you go into any form of business with, then you or the people around you, will never make any money.

Also, I do sincerely apologise for how my tone may be being construed as petulant and sarcastic, but it is moreso frustrated at a lack of ambition within artists regarding any business sense.  The advertised post actually sounds like a great idea that could make a lot of versatile performers some money on a profit-share basis over the Christmas period if it was toured to local schools and community centres.  It could bring both the theme of Christmas, and simultaneously sophisticated theatre, to young people's attentions.  

However, I saw it as the above, but unpaid.  Maybe I'm wrong; but more people really do have to ask and enquire as to where the money is in our business.