Actors' Equity President Nick Wyman Issues SPIDER-MAN / Tierney Statement

[macbeth]

Posted: 1/1/11 at 10:07pm

I saw this making the rounds on Facebook earlier on the pages of some of my actor friends. I do applaud much of what Nick says, but still think that in the case of the stunts in Spider-Man that there's excessive risk involved.

I'd also love to know what changes he's referencing here "I have no idea how many potential problems staff cleared up or how many accidents-in-waiting they forestalled; I just know they were and are a powerful force for our protection and without them, the news from the Foxwoods Theater might have been much worse."
Click Here to Read Actors' Equity President Nick Wyman Issues SPIDER-MAN / Tierney Statement

[jennafan]

Posted: 1/1/11 at 11:09pm

I hope he's ready to read that statement in court when he and the rest of Equity get sued when someone gets really hurt in this show.

I hope Equity gets hit hard. They know (now) beforehand how serious people can get hurt, yet they allow it to go on...

It's all about $$$ and I bet JULIE is making a NICE donation to Equity Fights Aids and/or Nick's pocketbook.

[julesboogie]

Posted: 1/1/11 at 11:31pm

its pure bubkis and malarky. Just gobbletygook. I dont believe they had any idea what was happening over there. AND if they did, the only reason they stepped in is because people got hurt. Not because risk was extraordinary. Sorry AEA my beef is with you.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 1/2/11 at 2:01am

This idea of Julie paying off Equity is a bit ridiculous in my opinion. Equity has a great responsibility of making sure the performers are safe in their shows. If a show is really extremely unsafe, they are not going to let it go on. The new safety measures have gone into place since the accident. There has never been a show this technologically advanced on Broadway so it is something new that will set the standards for future shows to come. That just my two cents.

[PReeves2]

Posted: 1/2/11 at 3:20pm

seems as though he is giving his own performance and attempting to make light of the whole situation.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 1/2/11 at 3:36pm

Unless we have all the facts, we can't blame anyone.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 1/2/11 at 3:42pm

I know Nick Wyman and can assure you that there is NO chance that he (or the union or BCEFA)is being paid off by Julie Taymor.
The actual possibility of Equity being sued because of what would ultimately be the creative team's negligence is equally absurd. The union has done more than "due diligence" in regards to Spiderman. Believe me, this show is under a lot more scrutiny from the union than meets the eye. The relationship between the team and the Union hierarchy isn't as rosy as the public statements suggest. There is a lot more than three blocks difference between what is happening on 43rd street and what is happening on 46th.
Having said all this, remember that although the safety of the actors is the primary concern, job security is also another. Regardless of its artistic merit (over which Equity has no control and is not at liberty as a body to act upon) Spiderman has the potential to employ hundreds of union members. It is in everyone's best interest to make this show safe and to keep these actors working. That is Wyman's goal.

[PReeves2]

Posted: 1/2/11 at 3:43pm

fortunately or unfortunately most of the people on these boards will never have or know all the facts except what is published in press releases or statements like this one. looks like a PR nightmare for everyone involved

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 1/2/11 at 3:49pm

To those posters still looking to scapegoat Equity, I have a hard time believing that Mr. Wyman would lie in an official statement like this. If he says there had been Equity officials all over the place doing everything they could to prevent the accidents, then I choose to believe him.

And seriously, jennafan, your empty and unjustified accusations are totally uncalled for.

[dragonlp86]

Posted: 1/2/11 at 4:13pm

In a show with stunts and effects like in Spiderman, I would bet money that the Equity representatives did indeed point out and require a lot of things to be cut or changed in order to safeguard the safety of the actors as best they could. Unfortunately, there's just no way for them to catch everything. This isn't your 'typical' Broadway fare, after all.

[brad3]

Posted: 1/2/11 at 5:38pm

Hmm.. That really had very little to do with Tierney and his injury and was all about defending Equity and his own opinions of the situation... Still it is something.