Messages

61

The Green Room / Re: ARTICLE: Fighting with Teenagers - a copyright story

« on: Jun 15, 2013, 10:25 am »

It's so hard to read some of that, but it reminds you of the battle we face. It would be great if every person involved in any kind of art form could just stop for a week, month, year, so people could truly see what they will be missing when we are no longer able to work. No new movies, or songs by pop artists, or shows, and all of the jobs not just "artistic", but everyone from management to custodial staff that would be out of work. This is why we need to be paid people...

62

Employment / Re: Should The Cradle Rock?

« on: Jun 13, 2013, 11:47 am »

I don't think the pay bump should be paid to the PA, unless it was part of their contract.

I agree, I didn't really know how the system worked (got first call two weeks before) if I had I probably would have asked about that. I would have done a lot of things differently actually. The last two jobs I have taken I was actually ready to quit the biz and got calls out of the blue for positions where the timing was right and I had nothing else lined up. I have extended this contract for two more shows because of the projects not the pay or place. I'll be working on two new shows with the possibility of future life, and very well know people involved. I figure if it's my swan song might as well go out on a high note.

I had to fight just to get them to agree that I can keep my room for the next shows,  the only apprentice room that has a private half bath attached. It feels like a joke.

Yes, the intern and apprenticeships as cheap labor is a problem.  How to solve it?  It's hard when people are willing to do it for free.  Unless people stand up for living wage, relocation packages, guaranteed hours.  It's part of the reason the AEA Union is so important -

That is exactly why I feel like I should stand up and say something, I am probably one of the few people who has come through here who can stand up and say this is BS, because I don't "need" the job or the housing and am not all that concerned about how I am perceived.

The disparity between the treatment of apprentices and technical staff vs. actors is out of control. For instance why do Non-eq swings get their equity card the last two weeks of the run but PA's aren't even told about EMC? So that we can be hired again and again for cheap. Because they know that the runs are so long here if a PA works on multiple shows they won't be able to hire them back the next season.

I feel like I am ranting, there are a lot of good things about the job, but that's what always happens, we ignore the things that are actually important because we are blinded by names, and "opportunities", and glitter, and razzle dazzle, I'm just tired of it.

P.S. Thank you for the insight Matthew.

63

The Green Room / Re: ARTICLE: Low Pay/No Pay (UK article, interesting read)

« on: Jun 13, 2013, 11:16 am »

I had always assumed that "it is what it is". I had been told that the starving artist lifestyle was the only way, I think most people were (who else use to say "I'll live on someone's floor in NY if I have to, I don't care I just want to do theatre")  Unfortunately a lot of the time it is the only way, but I don't "love" it enough to live that way.  Which is exactly why I am doing this while it is still fun and while my non-theatre business grows and brings in my actual income.  I don't know what I would do if I actually lived off of this paycheck.

That's cool that you have a side business and are still able to do theatre. I was wondering, I really enjoy theatre and would like to go into that but I'd really like to do something like you mentioned to bring in the "real" paycheck, but haven't been able to find anything. Is there a degree that I could get in college that could go both ways? Into the theatre world but could also be used to bring in the actual income? I've already considered a business degree and kind of on the fence with that one...any thoughts? Thanks

I can't really answer that question, my situation is very rare and I wouldn't be able to do this if I didn't have a very supportive partner. I know a lot of people try that path but I don't think you can truly pursue this career while working another 9 to 5, if you just want to be an SM then I'm sure you can work at a  smaller regional or community theatre and have a day job, but any higher than that and it's a full-time commitment.
Does anyone have a different experience?

64

Employment / Should The Cradle Rock?

« on: Jun 13, 2013, 01:38 am »

 So I have been thinking about bringing up a few things with my employer about their apprentice program. I think for such a highly regarded company the program is pretty weak. At the same time people have obviously been doing this for years, including my direct supervisors and some other superiors, so why do I feel slighted or like I have the right to complain?

Anyway I'll explain. Under the LORT  B contract each show during the season requires an Equity SM and ASM, and one or two PAs are hired depending on where the show falls in the season. Well about 1/2 way through the run of each show the SM goes into rehearsal for the next show (with new PA's) and the ASM takes over the SM duties on the running show (with an equity required pay bump). If the ASM whose previous duties were "running the deck" is now in the booth "calling the show" does that not mean the PA is now basically taking on the duties of the ASM? If it is necessary to pay the ASM more when they bump up is it not reasonable to think the same thing could be said for the PA?

Some other things that bug me:
I was not made aware that my position was an apprenticeship until I received my letter of agreement
I was denied travel assistance when I literally (yes literally) had to drive from coast to coast to make it to the job, and was only even contacted about it two weeks before.
I am not guaranteed 40 hours.
Our nice but old housing cost us  a set amount each week which is not a percentage based on your job or paycheck, but the same amount even when I don't make 40 hours (equity members and non-eq swings get free and brand new housing)
I do not see how this could be considered an apprenticeship since I graduated a year ago, there is no formal instruction of any type, I was hired because I "knew" the job not because they were looking for someone who was learning.
I feel like, as with a lot of apprenticeships, they want cheap labor not apprentices so why can't we just call it that?

 Maybe I am being ridiculous but this is (and my employer knew this) my third intern/apprenticeship so I am just over it. Basically what I learned is I need to be apart of the union or go into another field which I have been considering for some time. So employers can hate unions all they want but things like this are why they exist... they cause their own problems.

65

The Green Room / Re: ARTICLE: Low Pay/No Pay (UK article, interesting read)

« on: Jun 13, 2013, 01:31 am »

It's funny how hard it is to make people (and more often yourself) realize that. We have been so trained to believe that what we do is so different from all other jobs and that it's okay to make low or no money for it. We don't deserve a living wage, or benefits, or housing, or travel, or per diem, etc. Then when you do realize it companies are shocked when you ask for it. Our whole community needs to grow a little, we won't be able to survive in a world where we are taken advantage of by people who think they can control us because we "love" the job.

I, for one, was not trained to think this - quite the opposite actually.  I'm also out of the industry for over 7 years now.  Coincidence?

I had always assumed that "it is what it is". I had been told that the starving artist lifestyle was the only way, I think most people were (who else use to say "I'll live on someone's floor in NY if I have to, I don't care I just want to do theatre")  Unfortunately a lot of the time it is the only way, but I don't "love" it enough to live that way.  Which is exactly why I am doing this while it is still fun and while my non-theatre business grows and brings in my actual income.  I don't know what I would do if I actually lived off of this paycheck.

66

The Green Room / Re: ARTICLE: Low Pay/No Pay (UK article, interesting read)

« on: Jun 12, 2013, 09:57 am »

All in all, if you are hired to do a job, regardless of what it is, you should be paid at least minimum wage. Stop devaluing what you do - don't give it away.

It's funny how hard it is to make people (and more often yourself) realize that. We have been so trained to believe that what we do is so different from all other jobs and that it's okay to make low or no money for it. We don't deserve a living wage, or benefits, or housing, or travel, or per diem, etc. Then when you do realize it companies are shocked when you ask for it. Our whole community needs to grow a little, we won't be able to survive in a world where we are taken advantage of by people who think they can control us because we "love" the job.

67

The Green Room / Re: Production Haikus

« on: Jun 07, 2013, 11:39 pm »

Rain is falling hard
Wash away the theatre please
Take the actors with

68

The Green Room / Re: On Reviews

« on: May 09, 2013, 03:02 am »

I normally read reviews, but obviously don't share or tell the actors. I just find it interesting to see how outsiders view the show, and how that relates to things I observed in the rehearsal process and what I experience on stage every night. That is more about my persona theatrical growth than my job as a stage manager though.

69

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: What do I need to know about working with professional actors?

« on: May 04, 2013, 11:42 pm »

The most important thing to remember is that they are just people. They vary just like normal people, because they are normal people. Some will be chatty and friendly,  some will be quiet, some nice, others not so much. Yes they can have quirks but just learn what they are and be aware. I would say for you this is a great opportunity to learn, so it's best to keep your eyes and ears open, take direction and criticism well, and do what your SM asks of you. I don't think you will be expected to be perfect or know exactly what to do. I also highly doubt you will mess up anything that much that everyone will know or care. The only person you should be worried about getting a recommendation from is your SM and I would wait to ask until you are pretty far into the process, they shouldn't have any problem doing this and if they do they will tell you why. The actors aren't really in a position to recommend you nor would it be helpful for you. If you would like to talk to the SM I would just tell them what things you would like to work on or learn about while doing the position that will let them know where your weaknesses are and what they should help you the most with.

70

The Green Room / Re: SM Tumblr

« on: May 04, 2013, 11:18 pm »

This has become my subtext response to most of the situations I deal with daily, I think of this and it makes me laugh.

http://whatshouldwecallstagemanagement.tumblr.com/post/49488679793/when-someone-leaves-their-dirty-dishes-in-the-green

71

Employment / Re: ASM vs. PA

« on: Apr 02, 2013, 11:22 pm »

 Nope, no standard operating procedure that I know of...
It varies from company to company best to do research or ask in an interview if you are not sure.

72

The Green Room / Re: "The Busy Trap"

« on: Mar 27, 2013, 08:29 am »

That article just reminded me why I am so conflicted about continuing to do this work. Brought up some great points though...

73

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Stage Management Colleges

« on: Mar 22, 2013, 12:05 am »

Thank you!

It is sort of cool, but you know it is so staged because I am wearing white socks, I would never put blacks on with white socks. Photoshop please?

74

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Stage Management Colleges

« on: Mar 20, 2013, 10:32 pm »

I worked with a SM from VCU who was FANTASTIC, and what she told me about the program made a very good impression on me. I also know that JMU has a large & active theater department, but I don't really know anything about the SM program there.

Who did you work with? Have we already had this discussion? I graduated from VCU's program so if you are interested I can tell you about it (or anyone for that matter) I also know a bit about VTech.

HAHA just clicked on the page link to the VCU website and there is my stupid face!

75

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Millikin?

« on: Mar 18, 2013, 09:02 pm »

I know nothing about Iowa's program. But I think  (albeit in a bad way) I was trying to help the OP consider some options that they have for going to school. It's impossible to know exactly how you will feel later on but I think how you feel about grad school now does influence your undergrad. (i.e. you wouldn't major in sculpture if you wanted to go to medical school later on. You could but why would you.) So since they did ask for input, I thought I would help. I totally understand why people do get an MFA (that's not the argument I am trying to have) , and even considered one for a while myself. I guess a better way of putting it is "what makes you prefer the Iowa BA/MFA program when you could go to Millikin and just get the BFA?" If the answer is like SMAshlee said to teach I totally get it, if it's something else I think that is something we all can discuss and consider. no?