Actually, they ARE taking jobs away from Equity members. you're just seeing the glass half-full, it's the same thing. Jobs that, several years ago, would only be offered to Equity actors are now being offered to Non-Eq.
"All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism -- it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen."
Conan O'Brien
"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."
"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."
"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
im not talking about wages. Im referring to "losing jobs" i dont know about the money issue. I do not sympathize for people trying to get around the fact that there are better people out there for the job
Its Aberqurque NM for me. Speaking Spanish. Be Back September 06.
"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer
"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher
I cannot swear that all the Equity actors in the world are in fact, more talented performers than those not in the union. I will however say, that because of guidelines adhered to under Union jurisdiction shows, the actors are better taken care of and contributing to the belief that they deserve certain working and living conditions while working under such a contract. To work in a non-union environment simply states to producers that actors do not need to be treated with respect, dignity and some basic human conditions afforded to those in the union. There are exceptions to this rule. Several theatre companies which treat non-union actors wonderfully, but I can pretty much guarantee that if they are non-union, chances are they are not part of a health and pension plan.
So no matter what your stance, the truth of the matter is, a non-equity National tour is contributing to this misconception that acting is not a "real" career and actors do not indeed, deserve the same treatment as people in other careers.
Yes indeed...a few people here need to have their mouths washed out with that soap. In particular, a little jerk who likes to use swear words in posting responses to other members. But fortunately, there is a great owner of this site who doesn't like that bull either. But if swearing to others for sharing their opinions makes them feel like big boys, then let's indulge their Equity fantasy!
And Bob and Matt: Don't bother with these folks. Just always remember, as THEY say (not matter how much they deny it): Equity is better and they deserve to get whatever they want!
Go Equity! Rah Rah!
Ignorance is temporary. Stupidity last forever.
Watch out BWW...
HE'S BACK.
there's that childish voice again - just screaming "I'm a non-equity performer who can't get a job to save my life"...poor bitter thing...lets all pray for him to get his equity card and see just how much easier it is to find work...LOL....
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!"
Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
I have not learned enough to make a totally learned decision however I have heard from many that it is a catch 22 situation. In order to get an Equity Card you have to be in an Equity Show but in order to get an Equity show you have to have an Equity Card..... What is that all about?
Jon - its much more complicated than that - if you look on line (maybe backstage on line or find an address for an equity website) you will find a detailed explanation of how a person can get their card.
"I don't really get the ending,all i can go with is when after several months,Judith saw Pat sang,and later she kissed him on the toilet,after that the story back to where Pat went down from the stage after he'd sung,and he went to the italian lady.I just don't get it,what Judith exatcly meant when he kissed Pat that she had seen,and did Pat end up together with The Italian Lady?Please help me,thank u very much!"
Quote from someone on IMDB in reference to a movie he/she didn't understand. Such grammar!
Dawg - "Actually, they ARE taking jobs away from Equity members. you're just seeing the glass half-full, it's the same thing. Jobs that, several years ago, would only be offered to Equity actors are now being offered to Non-Eq."
Actually, that is not correct. Non-Equity tours have been around for decades. They are just playing in better houses now. And there are dar more Equity tours now than there used to be. So no, they are not taking anything away from Equity actors.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
I've been lurking on these boards for quite a bit and have been following the whole discussion regarding Equity vs. non-equity tour. I have to say I don't quite get bobo's argument that "if they are truly better actors, they have nothing to fear" and "competitions make for better productions." Talent and/or skills don't protect anyone from exploitation. And that's what the union is there for. Unions in general exist to protect its members and help them collectively get negotiating power. As Dawg was saying in his post, being a union member protects the actors because it sets certain conditions: how much they have to get paid, the fact that they shouldn't be required to lug sets around, what kind of health benefits they receive, etc.
Talent is not really what it's about, and competition isn't really what it's about. It's not like Equity and non-Equity are two different companies fighting for market-share.
If a non-member, talented actor A get a lead role on Broadway, he/she would automatically be made Equity, and get the corresponding benefits, because Broadway production have to be Equity productions. However, if the same guy gets a lead role on a touring production, he won't necessarily be made Equity and get the benefits, because the producers aren't required to do that. It's not talent vs. no-talent. It's just in the 2nd scenario, the actor is more at the mercy of the producer. His position to negotiate isn't very strong, especially if he really wants the job. That's what I meant by talent not protecting them from being exploited. The thing is, the people making decisions on equity vs. non-equity are the producers. And in some cases, they are probably not making decisions based on talent or 'better people for the jobs', but on profit margins.