Actor's Equity- Page 2

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 10/12/04 at 1:31pm

And you also, dear red hot, remind me of bitter, jaded out of work Equity actor here who can't get a job to save his life. In fact, he uses the same terms and words you just have.

Hmmmm?

Remember...only one screen name per member!

[WayWicked]

Posted: 10/12/04 at 1:36pm

Yeah redhot...maye you should share with us your opinions instead of attcking others for stating theirs. Grow the hell up!

I'm a big supporter of non-Equity tours. I have seen some total crap Equity productions (the recent Producers was junk) and they were all Equity...so that means it's suppose to be good? I've seen better work in community theater. Just cause one has an Equity card doesn't mean their are talented or even better than Non-Equity. They both can exist and should.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 10/12/04 at 2:15pm

Whoa - guys - lighten up - I had to make that post a quick one and get on with my day but intended to come back later and address the issue at hand (though I don't now and will never change my attitude about Tuttle)...I've never had a bit of trouble getting a job in the business, both non-equity and equity. I've loved both aspects and both portions of my employment (both before joining the union and since) I did my share of non-union tours also - so don't coun't me as one who chooses sides. I won't choose sides in this issue because I can see it from both angles and have feelings both pro and con on each side. I only joined this thread because I got sick of Mr. Tuttle being able to spout his nonsense without anyone doing anything about it. Enjoy your debate, guys and gals - I refuse to take sides on this issue.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/12/04 at 2:30pm

My experience with Actors Equity: Not good, but then, I don't live in New York or Los Angeles. In spite of being called Actor's Equity of AMERICA, the Union doesn't give a hoot in hell about actors living in cities other than NY and LA. I live in Seattle, and the Equity actors here are frustrated as hell about not being able to get ANY work at the professional theatres. Equity is being totally uncooperative about setting up an agreement for the small theaters to use Equity talent, largely because when the Equity actors work with small theaters they (Equity) don't get their precious money. When Equity comes here to speak, they are totally dismissive of our questions and concerns. Needless to say, many of these tours are finding their talent outside of NY and LA...I know a non-Equity gal here who did the tour of OKLAHOMA, and really, good for her. Personally, I think Equity should be split in two: An AEA for New York and Los Angeles, and another branch to take care of the rest of the country.
I constantly hear from New Yorkers that being Equity opens up opportunities, but here being Equity shuts opportunities down.

Updated On: 10/12/04 at 02:30 PM

[jezzebelle]

Posted: 10/12/04 at 2:31pm

There are no sides to be taken. It is simply a matter of personal opinion. I'm a young actor, who after researching the pros and cons, wishes to get my Equity card upon graduation from college. I highly believe in Actor's Equity. On the other side of the coin, I've only seen a handful on non-equity tours. The most recent tour of RENT stands out in my mind as a non-eq show that delievered the goods. These were people, probably close to or around my age and they were extremely passionate about what they were doing. It wasn't just going through the motions, I've done this show six times this week already, type of deal. They seemed to genuinely care about what they were doing. I didn't see this to be the case when I saw the show on Broadway. The energy and the fire was just not apparent. There was a lot of "phoning in" of performances. The show didn't affect me as much, as an auidence member. I'm not saying this is always the case, where the non-equity tours are better than the Broadway tours. People on Equity tours obviously have experience and most of them are extraordianry performers. In this particular case, perhaps because the people in the RENT tour hadn't done much professional work and were thrilled for the oppurtunity to be out there, that passion came thru to us. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to pay money to see crappy performers, just because they were cheaper to get, but I don't think is an arguement that there are any easy souloutions to. Just my opinion.

[nycdncr]

Posted: 10/12/04 at 2:32pm

Actually the other A in AEA stands for Association....not America.

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 10/12/04 at 4:55pm

Thanks Jezebell..you're right. We are all entitled to our opinions. Hear that redhot? JRB? Aren't mulitpule memberships fun?

And thanks for your attempt to back peddle red hot. Always good to have a convenient answer like "I was in a hurry" when you can't defend what you stated. And then you said you would come back later and join the discussion...and did you? No. Just more blubber about nothing.

Perhaps the next time you choose to share your "opinion", you should actually share an valid opinion like the other members here have instead of spewing your hate.

Hope you got to read this. Or maybe you're running out the door again.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 10/12/04 at 5:01pm

so by multiple memberships you mean your own - in which you inflict your moronic statements on others even though they have you blocked - what a great ploy - get a life tutsville - I never backpeddled in my life. I joined the debate by expressing my opinions which I stand by. Glad you figured out a way for me to continue to have to read your crap even though I tried to spare myself by blocking you..from now on I'll just ignore your spitefull and very childish posts and stick with the adults who know how to treat each other with respect, rather than with people like you who can do nothing but post highschool level stupidity and can't even come up with a positive thing to say to anyone about anything - thats just sad and I shall pray for you.

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 10/12/04 at 5:27pm

I see both sides of the issue as well.

What really burnt my toast was a proposal here in Chicago. There was an ongoing discussion that Non-Equity theatres, which managed to produce those very arare long-running money-making productions, should have to start using Equity talent.

God forbid that these theatres finally establish some financial stability, or that Non-Equity talent be provided a showcase to further their carrers.

Thankfully, this idea withered on the vine very quickly. Updated On: 10/12/04 at 05:27 PM