Author Topic: Employee-Handbook Required Preshow Calls (and more)  (Read 8445 times)

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RuthNY

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Employee-Handbook Required Preshow Calls (and more)
« on: Oct 10, 2013, 02:04 pm »
Those of us who work as freelancers, move around to different organizations quite frequently. Every different organization has its own rules and guidelines for administrative/full time production employees, and most now publish an employee handbook, so everyone has seen the rules, in writing, and will abide by the policies of the company. Some even include sections for Union artists (AEA, SDC, USA.)

I was quite surprised, earlier today, when I ran across this rule in an Equity theatre's employee handbook: "Calls for places will be given at the following times: 30, 15, 10, 5, and 3."

So, has any SM here ever been required by a theatre's policy to give specific pre-show calls? 

Has any SM here ever given all the above calls?

What kind of situation can you think of that would necessitate all the above calls, at every performance?

And, please note "Places," is not on the list.

Would LOVE to hear some discussion of this!

There's also this statement-"Any Equity actor who is late to the 1/2 hour call of a scheduled performance, or a prior fight call shall be fined $25 and the said amount shall be deducted from the Actor's next paycheck."

Legal, or not?  Discuss
« Last Edit: Oct 10, 2013, 02:18 pm by RuthNY »
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loebtmc

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Re: Employee-Handbook Required Preshow Calls (and more)
« Reply #1 on: Oct 10, 2013, 08:28 pm »
Wow - 30. 15, 5 and places are standard everywhere I've worked - in fact, I had one actor (who came from 99-seat) who insisted on a 10 call, and the other actors told him to shut it, they needed their peace and quiet for 10 minutes before the 5/places calls. (Plus, in smaller contract houses, we are often too busy to do those extra calls).

And, there are AEA rules in place that allow the producer to dock an AEA member who is late to call (I have seen them but not in a long time, will find the cite after we finish opening weekend), but I have rarely seen it invoked.

MatthewShiner

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Re: Employee-Handbook Required Preshow Calls (and more)
« Reply #2 on: Oct 10, 2013, 11:41 pm »
I have never been dictated when to do pre-show calls, I do half-hour, 15, 5 and places.

I think it depends on the contract, but I am pretty sure you can't fine people on the LORT contract.  I think you will need to sign this as a rider, and who would do it?  I cry foul on this one.

But, I could see a producer dictating when you did pre-show calls.
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Anything posted here as in my own personal opinion, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of my employer - whomever they be at a given moment in time.

BayAreaSM

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Re: Employee-Handbook Required Preshow Calls (and more)
« Reply #3 on: Oct 11, 2013, 02:24 am »
No one has ever dictated my calls - except one ballet we had guest dancers who didn't speak English, so it was requested that I make my calls in Mandarin as well as English. My English speaking dancers got jealous, so I ended up making the 5 minute call in 8 different languages by the end of the run.

We have discussed in another thread about what calls we make, and there I was also one of the few who gives 30, 15, 10, 5, Places - just how I was trained, so I have no qualms. I also spend so much time with dancers that they need those constant reminders. If they don't hear the 10 minute call, they freak out when they hear 5 because they don't have much time left. 

lsears

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Re: Employee-Handbook Required Preshow Calls (and more)
« Reply #4 on: Oct 11, 2013, 10:09 am »
From the NEAT (New England Area Theatres) Contract:
(N)  Lateness.  In the event an Actor is late for rehearsal during the course of a
production, without good and sufficient cause, the Actor shall be issued a written
warning by the Theatre with copy to Equity.  In the event the Actor is absent from or
late from rehearsal without good or sufficient cause on more then one occasion
during the course of the production, the Actor shall be issued a written warning with
copy to Equity and the Actor’s salary will be reduced by the applicable portion of the
Actor’s salary for the time missed.  The dollar amount of the reduction shall be
based on the Actor’s contractual salary and the total number of working hours
contracted for the Actor in the week.  The reduction will be assessed in no less than
quarter hour increments.

I've worked operas where my preshow calls were specified to me to be sure the musicians got the same calls they were used to in other venues at the festival.  It felt like a lot of confusing repetition to me - I seem to remember saying something ridiculous like "Singers, this is your five minute call; Musicians, this is your places call to the pit, 2 minutes until the tune"

RuthNY

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Re: Employee-Handbook Required Preshow Calls (and more)
« Reply #5 on: Oct 11, 2013, 03:36 pm »
Every Agreement is different. There is lateness language in NEAT (as below or above, depending how you are reading this....), and I believe TYA, also.  I'd love to hear what other contracts have lateness language!!

But in LORT?  Here's the answer from my Business Rep.:

"If an Actor is late to half hour call, the Theatre would be within its rights to send the Actor home, put on the understudy, and dock the Principal accordingly.  If the Principal is permitted to perform, the Theatre may not dock said Actor’s pay."

Seems fair to me.  Especially if the producer has not hired Understudies. As many producers don't...  So, it seems it is only professionalism, reputation, commitment, and conscience that keep our actors prompt, at least most of the time!
« Last Edit: Oct 11, 2013, 03:57 pm by RuthNY »
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Tempest

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Re: Employee-Handbook Required Preshow Calls (and more)
« Reply #6 on: Oct 11, 2013, 04:19 pm »
Where I'm currently at, I have to give a 30, 20, 15, 10, 5 and places call for every show to both performers and front of house. Up to 13 shows a week. I've never been asked to do a 20 before, but if that's what the producers want, it's what I'll do.
However, with all that, I think I have locked the timing of five minute increments into my blood. Forever.
Jessica: "Of course I have a metric size 4 dinglehopper in my kit!  Who do you think I am?"

Aerial

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Re: Employee-Handbook Required Preshow Calls (and more)
« Reply #7 on: Oct 13, 2013, 01:12 am »
I worked on the COST contract for part of this summer, and they get really specific about docking pay for lateness:

23(D) Lateness For Rehearsal or Half-Hour. For any unexcused Actor lateness for rehearsal or
half-hour (not caused by the negligence or failure of Producer-provided transportation and
excepting extraordinary circumstances), the Producer may dock the Actor’s Salary as follows:
(1) During the rehearsal period: $4.00 per quarter-hour or part thereof;
(2) For lateness to rehearsal after first paid public performance: $4.00 per quarter-hour or
part thereof;
(3) For lateness to half-hour of a performance: 1/60th of contractual salary for each half-hour
or part thereof.
An official and accurate clock will be designated.
It is understood that this will not affect the Producer’s right to send an Actor home without
performing and reduce salary accordingly. However, if Producer does send Actor home,
Producer cannot also deduct the lateness penalty.
The Producer shall ensure a consistent and uniform application of this provision.


In terms of calls, I've never had a producer tell me which calls I had to make. I usually call half hour, 15, 5 and places.  Usually during intermission, I usually call 5 and places.  If someone really wants 10, I'll call it.  Another show this summer, the ladies in my cast had huge costume change during intermission, and getting 10 helped keep them on track.

ejsmith3130

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Re: Employee-Handbook Required Preshow Calls (and more)
« Reply #8 on: Oct 13, 2013, 09:46 pm »
I have a friend who works in a theme park and gets paid hourly, and she was explaining how their pay/docking works and I thought it was really interesting. If they are late they get paid for just the time they are there according to their hourly wage. If they are on time, they get paid for a full 8 hour day, regardless of how few shows they have that day. (their workday is usually about 6 hours long) This is a great motivation for them all, as they clock in with a time clock, and even 1 minute late counts against them.  Their stage manager checks them in at the theatre, but their arrival at the park is what counts.

Beatr79

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Re: Employee-Handbook Required Preshow Calls (and more)
« Reply #9 on: Oct 13, 2013, 10:29 pm »
The Production Contract also has plenty to say about lateness and I've copied the section about various fines below.  Lateness in rehearsals is also addressed separately, but is quite lengthly.  The rule number is referenced at the bottom of this post, if anyone wants to check out all the language.

50(G) Lateness. If Actor is late for "half-hour" more than twice within any sixmonth
period, Actor will be fined the following amounts for each lateness
commencing with Actor’s third lateness:
(a) $75 for Actors earning $2,500 per week or less;
(b) $150 for Actors earning more than $2,500.
All fines will be remitted by the Producer to the Actors’ Equity Foundation and will
be deducted from Actor’s salary on a pre-tax basis. An official and accurate clock
will be designated. Written notice of lateness will be given to both Actor and Equity. This rule shall apply uniformly. If it is determined in grievance or arbitration
that the rule has not been applied uniformly, Producer must remit all fines assessed
within the six months prior to the fine that is challenged.
It is understood that this will not affect Producer's right to send Actor home and
reduce salary accordingly. However, if Producer does send Actor home, Producer
cannot also fine Actor. The foregoing does not waive or alter the Producer's right to
terminate Actor for just cause in the event of chronic lateness, including any
lateness for half-hour or rehearsal.
(H) Where practicable, Producer shall endeavor to provide advance notice to
Actors of their required attendance at a rehearsal to be conducted during a
performance.

(See also Rule 58(D)(1)(i), REHEARSALS)



MatthewShiner

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Re: Employee-Handbook Required Preshow Calls (and more)
« Reply #10 on: Oct 13, 2013, 11:18 pm »
I think what is weird about this is this is the theater's handbook, not the AEA contract asking for the fine.

Is that's what is odd about this?
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RuthNY

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Re: Employee-Handbook Required Preshow Calls (and more)
« Reply #11 on: Oct 14, 2013, 12:27 am »
If you mean my original post, Matthew, and not one of the subsequent replies, YES! That's part of what I was getting at. The theatre's employee handbook states this fine, which is in conflict with the LORT agreement.


I think what is weird about this is this is the theater's handbook, not the AEA contract asking for the fine.

Is that's what is odd about this?
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MatthewShiner

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Re: Employee-Handbook Required Preshow Calls (and more)
« Reply #12 on: Oct 14, 2013, 03:00 am »
And although theater's policy can help clarify work rules that are not under the LORT agreement (like for example, there are no LORT rules about drinking or drugs, but a theater can create a workplace policy that you need to follow - but it needs to be a posted policy - I have a good story about this one), they shouldn't be able to make rules that would affect contractual issue - and this would affect pay.  The LORT rule allows for an performer who is late to make up the time without overtime being paid.  (I will leave it up to the powers that be that could explain why LORT doesn't have a monetary punishment for lateness . . . while other contracts do.)

Would you have these rules ahead of time before signing the contract?


 
« Last Edit: Oct 14, 2013, 03:02 am by MatthewShiner »
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RuthNY

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Re: Employee-Handbook Required Preshow Calls (and more)
« Reply #13 on: Oct 14, 2013, 10:18 am »
I'd love to hear the story about how the theatre's workplace policy has to be posted.  Short version is fine.

Yes, how about that "Make up the time rule," (which I was actually discussing yesterday, with another SM)...? Who is that late actor supposed to be rehearsing with, anyway, on his/her "make-up" time?" Other actors/stage managers? Sounds to me like the others would be in overtime, huh?

Why does the LORT contract not have a "monetary punishment for lateness?" I can only guess that either the management side has never asked for it, or labor side has simply never agreed to it, in negotiations.



And although theater's policy can help clarify work rules that are not under the LORT agreement (like for example, there are no LORT rules about drinking or drugs, but a theater can create a workplace policy that you need to follow - but it needs to be a posted policy - I have a good story about this one), they shouldn't be able to make rules that would affect contractual issue - and this would affect pay.  The LORT rule allows for an performer who is late to make up the time without overtime being paid.  (I will leave it up to the powers that be that could explain why LORT doesn't have a monetary punishment for lateness . . . while other contracts do.)

Would you have these rules ahead of time before signing the contract?
« Last Edit: Oct 14, 2013, 10:21 am by RuthNY »
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Re: Employee-Handbook Required Preshow Calls (and more)
« Reply #14 on: Oct 14, 2013, 02:42 pm »
Regarding the call times, there's a few reasons I can think of why a 10 and 3 would be required.

- Long trek to get from dressing rooms to entrances.
- Limited restroom facilities for actors causing a bottleneck pre-show.
- Theatre has a standing reputation for "always starting on time" or someone - staff or major donor - has a hangup about starting late.
- Theatre has had to pay overtime before due to a prior SM who didn't make thorough calls.

In many cases like this the rules are written for use in extreme situations and rarely invoked otherwise. This may not be the case in your situation. It couldn't hurt to reach out to a prior SM for this venue to see how they dealt with that particular rule.