EQUITY STRIKE- Page 3

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/1/04 at 5:42pm

I know there are regional offices in other cities. But that does not mean that the organization is nationally focused. It just means they have some reps and a place for actors to check on auditions, pick up a check, or fill out forms. I remember seeing articles about Equity trying to get people to picket The Music Man or vote on the new president, but it did not address anything concerning Chicago theatre other than audition announcements or a list of current Equity productions. This did not make any of our cast want to join Equity in any way (two of the cast members were previously Equity, but dropped their status due to lack of jobs in Chicago).

I don't believe that Equity should make every acting job a living wage, but make the wages comparable to the amount of work in the production. Of course theatres that only do 4 shows a week cannot provide a living wage for its actors, nor should they get one if they are not working full-time. But when I work as hard doing a professional show that has been running for almost 4 years and get only $100 a week for the same amount of performances as Steppenwolf, there is something seriously wrong. Am I saying it is entirely Equity's fault? No. But when I see them claiming that non-Equity jobs belong to them, jobs that do often provide livable wages for actors who live outside New York, then I do hold them partly responsible for the inequality of wages and job availability they say they are working so hard to achieve.

[robbiej]

Posted: 7/1/04 at 5:55pm

Why is it in any way, shape or form Equity's fault that you're only getting $100 a week for a non-eq. show? Is it actually a showcase that limits the amount of money you can make (if so...it couldn't run for four years). Otherwise, isn't it solely the producers who decide how much you get paid. Not sure how Equity factors into it.

And as for the whole livable wages outside the city thing, don't most non-eq tours cast out of NY? So really...it's mostly the non-eq actors who live in (or travel to) NYC who benefit from those tours.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/1/04 at 5:59pm

oh look! A ferris wheel! Let's ride it round and round!! Yippee!! :)

[Dawg]

Posted: 7/1/04 at 6:17pm

It all boils down to, in my opinion, a personal choice. You, Matt, have chosen to live in Chicago. Chicago is a rich theatrical town, but not a town where you can live as an actor realistically.

I live in NYC, where it is not likely, but certainly more likely than Chicago, that I will earn a liveable wage, and benefits in theatre as a working actor. If that is what you want, then move to NYC. If you want to continue making $100/wk in Chicago but never work full time as an actor, then do that.

Equity or non, it seems like you are looking for a place to lay blame for the lack of work for you and your fellow non-eq actors. The tours that are now going out non union (First Nat'ls) were jobs that once belonged to Equity Actors. It is taking jobs away from Equity actors any way you slice it, yes it is also providing more jobs for Non Equity performers, but it is at the expense of the Equity actors (who once were given those opportunities).

Matt-you seem to want two things, 1-more jobs that pay better for non-union actors, as well as for Equity to have "outreach" in every small town across the country...

-as far as providing more jobs for non-equity performers, you're in a good town for it, Im sure you'll hit the heights as a non-equity actor in Chicago.

-as for outreach, as you call it, this is not the unions goal...to get as many members as possible. If the union was successful in providing jobs for the actors now a part of it, then perhaps they should look at expanding it's base, but until then, why take on more non-professional actors?

*don't take offense to the term "non-professional," it is a term of industry in that for decades, Equity performers have been referred to as "professional," and non equity as "amateur."

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/1/04 at 7:10pm

Dawg:

"Equity or non, it seems like you are looking for a place to lay blame for the lack of work for you and your fellow non-eq actors."

There is way more work for non-Equity actors in the rest of the country, it just doesn't pay squat. I'm looking for more work for Equity actors nationally, so that there are more opportunities for better pay and benefits for all professional actors.

"as for outreach, as you call it, this is not the unions goal"

Then what is the union's goal? I thought it was to get professional actors the pay and benefits they deserve as well as protection. Or do they only want these things for New York actors and a few scattered theatres across the country? By increasing memberhsip, they increase their strength. So you're agreeing with me that NYC is the primary focus of Equity?

"I live in NYC, where it is not likely, but certainly more likely than Chicago, that I will earn a liveable wage, and benefits in theatre as a working actor. If that is what you want, then move to NYC."

And my point is, a professional actor should benefit from the protection of a union no matter what city he works if that is the what the union claims to be its purpose. Once again, if Equity broadened its focus nationally, then it might not be as big an issue. It will always be an issue, but as it stands, any actor that chooses to live outside NYC can expect most likely not to receive a living wage.

"It is taking jobs away from Equity actors any way you slice it, yes it is also providing more jobs for Non Equity performers, but it is at the expense of the Equity actors (who once were given those opportunities)."

And they are still given those opportunities. They have always been given more opportunities to earn a living touring, so why take that opportunity away from non-Equity actors? And that is only assuming the tours would have been produced as Equity tours which, in the case of something like Seussical, is highly unlikely. And it is also assuming that there were fewer Equity tours as a result, which there were not. Miss Saigon was one of the tours that Equity wanted to meddle with, yet it is hardly a first national tour, nor does it claim to be "the Broadway production", yet there is an Equity tour of The King and I that is not connected with any Broadway production either, yet no one makes mention that it is taking jobs away from non-Equity actors. No matter how you slice it, Equity is trying to lay claims to something they simply don't have the right to do. How do they try to fix it? They suggest pickets and boycotts to reduce the tickets sold and ultimately shut down the production and throw the non-Equity actors out of work for which they already get paid less. And none of this will strengthen their chance of getting more tours in the future. Most likely, less tours will be produced.

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 7/1/04 at 8:46pm

Thank you Dawg for making clear my point exactly:

"if you want to work ANYWHERE, it is your choice as to what conditions you accept. YOU sign the contract that says "menial labor included," YOU sign the contract."

If anyone wants to work ANY job, be it a cab driver, secretary, waiter or actor...that's their choice and no one elses. Anyone 18 or older has the right to persue and work in their chosen profession any way they seem fit. In American we enjoy something called a free market... where a person can offer up a product or service and it is up to the public to accept it or not.

Equity is trying to tell individual actors what to do. They have no right. There is no argument at all that supports Equity's apparent "right" to control other businesses for no good reason. Who has the right to decide: Quality of workplace? That's MY chosing. Quality of pay? That's MY choice. What is in a contract? That's MY choice to accept or deny.

The sooner Equity starts to concentrate on their quality of membership offerings and getting their members actual work, the better off they'll be.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/1/04 at 9:17pm

Oh look! Tuttle the circus clown! This IS a fun amusement park!

Tuttle the clown looks very sad. What's that, Tuttle the clown? You don't get paid very much!? You don't get health care!? You don't get enough breaks through out the day!? No one takes care of your costume to keep it clean and to make sure those big shoes don't create a back problem for you!? Ohhhh. Poor Tuttle the clown. Well, Tuttle the clown--it's all your fault. You chose to work for a non-union clown company. You're the silly clown for choosing these things!

Seriously, WHY Mr. Tuttle would you WANT to choose a lower salary and crappy conditions? You can't be a non-Equity actor. You are clearly affiliated with the producing side of non-Equity tours. No self respecting actor would choose those things.

Updated On: 7/1/04 at 09:17 PM

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 7/2/04 at 2:29am

So, freedom of choice should not be allowed. I hope you enjoy living in your world, not ours.

It's s shame, ladies and gentleman, when one party turns interesting discussion into an ego fest.

jrb, judging by the lack of maturity in your posts and vulgar private messages you sent me, you need help. I can't be angry at an unbalanced person. I can only feel sorry for you.

And I'm sure Rob feels the same well.

Please get help. :)

Updated On: 7/2/04 at 02:29 AM

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/2/04 at 3:11am

That is a bold faced LIE!

Here are the messages I sent Mr. Tuttle:

I know you must be having a hard time as an actor--upset that you can't get into Equity. I'm here for you, to help you. Maybe I can give you tips on how to get into Equity.

Or, perhaps, you are a producer of non-Equity tours? This must be a troubling time for you. But, fear not! Your actors will be happier and like you more, even if you have to cut back on your profits just a little to give them the respect they deserve!

"The sun will come out tomorrow! Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there'll sun!"
----------------------------
no frustrations here--but apparently you have many!

Was just trying to help.
____________________________

Smart alecky, maybe, but not vulgar.

As for everything else you said: LOL

Oh look--the fun house!!!!

Updated On: 7/2/04 at 03:11 AM

[Matt_G]

Posted: 7/2/04 at 3:12am

It looks like our dear Mr. Tittle has turned out to be a wittle tittle liar

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 7/2/04 at 9:12am

this is more fun than a soap opera!

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 7/3/04 at 4:02am

I know jrb..it is hard to face the facts, isn't it? Don't want people to know how you PM them with vulgar and insulting messages, do ya?

Hmmm..let's see. You go saying that what you sent me is a bold face lie...yet you go and print all the messages you PM'd me.

And the lie is.....what? You've just admitted you sent all that insulting crap.

And let's not forget that you have been generous to share your vulgarity with the rest of us on the board with your previous posts...oh yeah...remember that one...which Rob generously deleated. The one where you just had to use the "S**t" word? Forgot that one already, sweetie? Oh..guess that was a lie, too?

Yes..you are a fun house. Well, more like a nut house. With your split jrb/Mat G screen names, is that a suprise?

I've had enough of your childish games. Next time you want to be vulgar, save it for someone who will tolerate it. Come on...be the little, professional Equity man you claim to be.

Updated On: 7/3/04 at 04:02 AM

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/3/04 at 11:40am

lol Those PMs were in no way vulgar--and as you can see--I had no shame in showing them to everybody else. "Vulgar" implies that I had cussed, threatened, or sexually offended you.

And, I think it is HILARIOUS that you obsess over the one time I called you a little s***. It was said with a smile, and yet you act like I literally took one on you.

Matt G is definitely a different poster. I have never posted as anyone but jrb_actor. HOWEVER, everyone here knows that YOU are WSS2/Dude/the same person who would attack people on Broadway.com as 6 different personas. It must be KILLING you that RobD doesn't allow that here, and that you have to use all your might to muster a proper defense/attack with your one weak persona. And, why is it that you mostly only show up in Equity threads? Is there anything else that you can contribute to discussions of theatre?

Now, if I were you--I'd just drop this. Only one of us is making a huge jerk of ourselves--and it's not me, "sweetie".

[Dawg]

Posted: 7/3/04 at 11:46am

So...About the STRIKE...I am hearing that it is somewhat inevitable. Many casts are preparing for it to happen on Tuesday or Wednesday. I am not certain, but I've also heard from people on both sides of the table that it is going to be nearly impossible for them to come to an agreement on the matter of touring...hmmmm

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/3/04 at 11:57am

It is a shame that it may have to come to a strike. But, these issues are too important not to fight for.

Updated On: 7/3/04 at 11:57 AM

[Matt_G]

Posted: 7/3/04 at 12:00pm

OH, HELL NO TUTTLE!
YOU BETTER BACK OFF AND GET OUTTA MY FACE!

Believe me, Mr. Tittle. I am not someone you want as an enemy. You and I have never spoken so I had no beef with you. Until today. If you want to start something with me, all I have to say is

BRING IT.

[Dawg]

Posted: 7/3/04 at 1:59pm

Okay girls, you're all pretty and you can all go to prom. Drop the bickering...someone's not telling the truth, someone is, no one gives a crap on this thread. Keep it on topic.