On the Clock

[RuthNY]

From another thread:

my "rule of thumb" - If cast is late, clock starts when the cast is here. If the director is late, clock starts when the cast is here.

In my understanding, TYA touring is the only AEA contract which officially memorializes the concept of the clock not starting until the last cast member has arrived. If there's another one, please point me to it. An AEA cast that is called at 10am, has the right to that time being their official start of day, regardless of whether cast members are late or not.

[MatthewShiner]

I have never worked TYA - but I can say, I have never head of that rule again - and that sucks - one act is 60 minutes late, and everyone has to wait . . .

[loebtmc]

(well, always within reason, if an actor is an hour late we would have long since moved on to other things) - But, in discussion with other folks in LA, where traffic is often a factor that impacts even those who don't cut it close, if we can't start because we we are missing key actors, seems there are many who hold the clock for a short window so we can start with the intended work - especially when the cast is very schmoozy. Of course, if it's more than 10 minutes, we find something else to work on. But if the cast is here and the director is late, clock starts at call.

[RuthNY]

Help me understand this, Pat. Say your 10am-6pm rehearsal starts 15 minutes late, at 10:15am  because someone is stuck in traffic.  What time is your end of day?

[loebtmc]

Still 6. The DAY starts, but for breaks, we start the clock at, say, 10:06 and first break is either 11:01 or 11:26.

And, I remember reading a rule where we were allowed to keep the late actor to, in this case say 6:06 without penalty - I have to find that rule once I get past tech on this show so I can file it appropriately.

It's just that I have been in too many tight rehearsal schedules where there were unforeseen problems that had to be worked around.

[RuthNY]

I'd love you to try and find that rule about keeping the actor late without penalty, if you can, as I am doubtful it really exists in writing. (Although, I'd be happy to be proved wrong, of course.) That actor can't be rehearsed without a Stage Manager present, and that would likely require OT for the SM, who, of course, was prompt to the original rehearsal call.

And there are always unforeseen problems in any rehearsal process. That's why the schedule rules are in place. So that the creative team gets their act together, and solves the problems in a way that does not burden the cast with extra hours, unless they are paid for it

snip
And, I remember reading a rule where we were allowed to keep the late actor to, in this case say 6:06 without penalty - I have to find that rule once I get past tech on this show so I can file it appropriately.

It's just that I have been in too many tight rehearsal schedules where there were unforeseen problems that had to be worked around.

[loebtmc]

(believe me I will hunt that down as soon as I can - out of town with a technically insane CHILDREN'S /TYA show and that has all my focus right now)

[nmno]

I'd love you to try and find that rule about keeping the actor late without penalty, if you can, as I am doubtful it really exists in writing.

LORT Rule 23 (B) Duties of the Actor - "The Theatre shall have the right to require an Actor who is late for any call to make up the time of that call on overtime hours without compensation; if any other right is thereby invaded, the Theatre will be responsible for the applicable compensation unless the Actor waives said right."

[loebtmc]

(yes thank you)

[PSMKay]

(Obligatory disclaimer: we are not union reps. All discussion in this thread is based on our experience but not necessarily still valid or accurate for your union situation, especially if you are reading this many years in the future. Ask your union rep about this situation if you are in doubt. And now, back to the discussion!)

[RuthNY]

Brilliant, nmno. Thanks for proving me wrong!

Now, has anyone ever used this rule, as written? And in what circumstances?  Who else stayed to work with the tardy actor, and how were they compensated?

And remember that old thread about thinking we know the rule books well? Curses, foiled again!!!

I'd love you to try and find that rule about keeping the actor late without penalty, if you can, as I am doubtful it really exists in writing.

LORT Rule 23 (B) Duties of the Actor - "The Theatre shall have the right to require an Actor who is late for any call to make up the time of that call on overtime hours without compensation; if any other right is thereby invaded, the Theatre will be responsible for the applicable compensation unless the Actor waives said right."

[VSM]

Thanks Kay!