Yes!! I think as performers we are convinced that doing fringe work or any sort of work paid or unpaid is good exposure!! But, where do you draw the line!?! There is also always the concern of being made to look arrogant if you do not accept an unpaid job offer. Its a tricky situation to handle. I have been involved in a few fringe productions and they are usually a great experience but it can really its toll on your bank balance!
The power of a picture!! I totally sympathise with you. Perhaps the main issue is that other people do not always understand exactly how much rehearsal goes into the performing arts. Therefore they can not fully appreciate just how much preparation and hours go into delivering a workshop, rehearsing a piece of work or producing a production. Having finally only just received a verbal thank you from my head teacher for choreographing the school show, my experience has highlighted how an applause lifted my spirit and warmed my heart. After all isnt that why we all work in the profession? I will thank you Ahment for posting this photo. It definitely deserves an applause for what it symbolises in our lives.
I definitely agree. As Gemma says the hours of preparation, rehearsals and travelling. I insist on being given credit and travelling expenses. I'm happy to do this for children and charities but have learnt to ask for a high fee when it comes to private functions.. There will be times when we require exposure, or a platform to launch yourself commercially into a new dance genre. Where do we draw the line? I think the line varies with each individual, where we are currently in our careers but at the end of the day we all have to live and there is nothing wrong with exchanging money for goods or services. Would you where the T shirt for a day? I'm undecided..
I guess so long as artist are willing to work for free, unpaid work offers will still exist. I fully understand someone taking part in something that is unpaid but forwards your career. But I did come to a point that I did start saying no, that is to say that after 10 years of being paid to perform, I just couldn't see a reasoning to being excepting unpaid contracts, 'if they don't know my work by now, they never will'. However as I want to move into teaching I am quite happy to give my free time to observing drama classes. I guess this means it is a question of your position in your career and where do you draw the line? When you have been paid for it once, there should be no going back I think. Give yourself and your art the gratitude it deserves.
Sometimes you can get more from a job than just money. It could be the experience, material for a film role or even the people that you meet, whether they be influential or not.
I completely understand and fringe and student films can be a useful tool to get you started and showcased. However, it does come to a point of age and experience where one does have to begin to think about there free time...
Yes!! I think as performers we are convinced that doing fringe work or any sort of work paid or unpaid is good exposure!! But, where do you draw the line!?! There is also always the concern of being made to look arrogant if you do not accept an unpaid job offer. Its a tricky situation to handle. I have been involved in a few fringe productions and they are usually a great experience but it can really its toll on your bank balance!
ReplyDeleteThe power of a picture!! I totally sympathise with you. Perhaps the main issue is that other people do not always understand exactly how much rehearsal goes into the performing arts. Therefore they can not fully appreciate just how much preparation and hours go into delivering a workshop, rehearsing a piece of work or producing a production. Having finally only just received a verbal thank you from my head teacher for choreographing the school show, my experience has highlighted how an applause lifted my spirit and warmed my heart. After all isnt that why we all work in the profession? I will thank you Ahment for posting this photo. It definitely deserves an applause for what it symbolises in our lives.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree. As Gemma says the hours of preparation, rehearsals and travelling. I insist on being given credit and travelling expenses. I'm happy to do this for children and charities but have learnt to ask for a high fee when it comes to private functions.. There will be times when we require exposure, or a platform to launch yourself commercially into a new dance genre. Where do we draw the line? I think the line varies with each individual, where we are currently in our careers but at the end of the day we all have to live and there is nothing wrong with exchanging money for goods or services. Would you where the T shirt for a day? I'm undecided..
ReplyDeleteI guess so long as artist are willing to work for free, unpaid work offers will still exist. I fully understand someone taking part in something that is unpaid but forwards your career. But I did come to a point that I did start saying no, that is to say that after 10 years of being paid to perform, I just couldn't see a reasoning to being excepting unpaid contracts, 'if they don't know my work by now, they never will'. However as I want to move into teaching I am quite happy to give my free time to observing drama classes. I guess this means it is a question of your position in your career and where do you draw the line? When you have been paid for it once, there should be no going back I think. Give yourself and your art the gratitude it deserves.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you can get more from a job than just money. It could be the experience, material for a film role or even the people that you meet, whether they be influential or not.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand and fringe and student films can be a useful tool to get you started and showcased. However, it does come to a point of age and experience where one does have to begin to think about there free time...
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