actors during strike- Page 3
actors during strike
jbdc
Leading Actor Joined: 3/17/07
#50re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 11:23am
Any actors being paid are being paid by reserves from the union (AEA), and not by the producers. And those won't last. Producers have told actors in at least three shows that they don't need to report to the theatres anymore until they recieve a call from the company managers. They don't want the actors there mingling with the stagehands or meeting would-be audience members. However, Equity has urged all members to show up at their regular call (30 minutes prior to curtain) and when no curtain goes up, they may leave. Also, it's a strike, not a lockout--so nobody is stuck outside. And what--are we children--we don't know how to care for ourselves as performers? Equity is not joining the stagehands officially. So if performers show up to work, the producers can't hold anything against Equity when it comes time to renegotiate those contracts.
Ninth Ave. was like a big reunion yesterday afternoon. People you know, but rarely see, because you're always working at the same times. Every place was full of people not performing shows, but hanging out until the evening call. Fun for a couple of days, but it'll be over soon.
#51re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 11:34amOh, and PS, why is it okay for them to stand outside the stage door in the middle of the winter's bitter cold to please the whims of their fans, but not for them to be outside when it's a bit chilly during the strike? Is that because it's their choice to stage door? If you're so worried about their well-being, this isn't about choices. I'm sure it's not an actor's choice to be cornered by some fan who wants to talk his or her ear off for 45 minutes, but I hardly ever see people worrying about that, and it's still f-ing cold here for a good portion of the year.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#52re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 11:37am
Actually jbdc, you need to have an escort to enter the buildings - I think it's just a security/safety thing.
Here's my question -- if the Spring awakening cast sang because they wanted to (it was a hoot, too -- & several tourists went away saying their feel-good impromtu performance made them feel INFINITELY better about missing the show) -- IF They CHOSE to, that's their business. If they were ASKED to, isn't that crossing the picket line? I get the impression that the Grinch performers were REQUESTED to perform outside the theatre. Am I getting that wrong?
Thx.
misschung
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/18/07
#53re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 11:44amwhat did they sing, "totally f*cked?"
The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#54re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 11:47amTouch Me. Accompanies by Jon Gallagher on ukelele.
#55re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 12:30pm
I also heard many of the tourists were doing the same thing as Rathnait and Skittles and were "yelling" at the actors as if this had anything to do with them at all. Stop misplacing your anger and get your facts straight.
What on earth are you referring to? I'm not "yelling" at the actors and blaming them for the strike and had nothing in my posts that suggested that, so perhaps YOU should get YOUR facts straight before judging my entire posting history and opinion of actors based on my reaction to one selfish fangirl worried about her BFFs in Legally Blonde catching a chill.
And Heather, just because I've never introduced myself by screenname doesn't mean your reputation hasn't far preceded you. Trust me, you're already far below any level I aspire to.
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how
Updated On: 11/11/07 at 12:30 PM
Wanting life but never knowing how
ruprecht
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/16/05
#56re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 12:43pm
Sorry Orange but you do sound angry on alot of your posts and it makes me wonder why you even care since you seem to despise so many of the actors and/or their performances so often on this thread and others. I made the same "mistake" reading your rant as other posters did. As for what you just said, alittle harsh, to say the least. Btw, since so many people get so far bent out of shape when their "BFF in ANY show catches a chill" and then has to miss a show, maybe it should be something worth worrying about (actors having to stand out in the cold for however long this strike lasts). Then I'm sure it'll come to, "well, they haven't had to work in however long, why are they out now". It's always something and it generally winds up being the actors "fault".
Updated On: 11/11/07 at 12:43 PM
#57re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 12:52pm
you seem to despise so many of the actors and/or their performances so often on this thread and others.
Where are you getting this from? Nothing in this thread indicates that she has negative feelings toward the actors or their performances. Why does disagreeing with certain poster's viewpoints have to become, "oh, you must hate the actors!"? To me, it's nothign but attempting to skirt the issue -- if it's just some bitter person hating the performers, than oh, nope, nothing someone posted could be objectionable.
BwayJerry
Chorus Member Joined: 11/9/07
#58re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 12:54pm
The actors are getting paid $15 a day...there is a CHANCE that IATSE will match that for the actors. Ooooh...a whole $30 a day.
Many actors are not in support of this strike. In fact, many are pissed off about having to go to the theatre, sign-in and wait around for 30 minutes, appearing to be in support of something they are not in support of.
They have to sign in to get the measly pennies they are getting for strike pay and many can't afford not to.
I think this is so ridiculous and so selfish of IATSE.
Not to mention, the propoganda they are handing out makes it sound as if every producer in New York is out today on their yacht in Palm Beach. Producers, even Broadway producers are NOT raking it in. Example: The Producing Office (Rent, Ave Q, Drowsy Chaperone), are dealing with a foreclosure and the loss of MILLIONS of dollars on 37 Arts.
Union Bullies, don't come back saying "we didn't tell them to buy property and build there" because that's not an argument. You are not taking risks and you are not being paid to take risks. You are being paid to show up to work, press a button and get paid for four hours...at least. Yes, some stagehands work their asses off and deserve to be paid for it, but one of the major sticking points in this negotiation is about "collective bargaining"
The union is insisting that they are agreeing that "Ok, you shouldn't have to pay more people for a job than is actually necessary, but what are you giving us in exchange for that loss?" That's bullsh** It's 2007, jobs are lost because of technology. Why should the producer of a show have to compensate for the loss of a job over technology? Like you all keep saying, producers are business people first. What kind of business owner is forced to hire people they don't need?
I'm just glad that the sentiment in the media and in the public is with the Producers on this one.
#59re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 12:59pm
Please, direct me to a post of mine of late where I've said I despise so many actors and/or their performances. Direct me to MULTIPLE ones, since you seem to think that happens so often it taints my entire reputation.
Can I just point out that it's slightly suspect that BreeDaniels, Grand Motel and ruprecht are all big fans of Legally Blonde (according to their ACTUAL posting histories viewable in their profiles, not the imagined ones as I'm being accused of), and all RUSH to attack me just because I criticized Heather? Do you honestly think no one will notice your blatant agenda, especially when you pull absurd, inaccurate arguments out of thin air so your friend won't look as bad?
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how
Updated On: 11/11/07 at 12:59 PM
Wanting life but never knowing how
jbdc
Leading Actor Joined: 3/17/07
#61re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 1:27pmActors can't cross the picket line, because Equity isn't on strike--again, that's why the union wants actors to report to work. Performing outside the theatres is up to whomever wants to do it.
#62re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 1:33pmI have a friend who lives in Manhattan (just moved there) and he said he saw LBB signing TONS of autographs,as well as Patrick Page.
#63re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 1:41pm
They do it out of mutual support. During the musician's strike in 2003, both Equity and IATSE were in solidarity with them. The unions are all on the same side.
They showed Patrick Page hugging kids on on the local news coverage of the strike. It was slightly biased. They talked to a producer for his reaction, the tourists for their reaction, but cut Patrick Page off and didn't say anything from the stagehand's side of things.
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how
Updated On: 11/11/07 at 01:41 PM
Wanting life but never knowing how
#64re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 1:50pm
orangeskittles, i have never met grand, ruprecht or bree in my life *although I do appreciate the support*
If you look back at your posts, you can tell that you obviously have a personal vendetta against me that you can't seem to contain and regardless of whatever character traits you don't like that I possess, it seems that you are the one always attacking me and I am the one not rising to your level.
Just like people are judging you based on your "bitterness" from past posts, you are judging me and assuming things about my posts on this board. Nowhere on this thread did I mention being concerned for my "BFFs" at LB. Yes, I'm a fan of the show, but I never singled it out and why you think I would exclusively feel bad ifor the actors in a show I enjoy rather than all the actors that have to freeze is ridiculous.
And when the actors stand outside in the freezing cold for stage door, once again, it's because THEY chose to. That's the only point I was trying to make.
"Less Of A Marilyn, More Of A Jackie"
www.richardhblake.com
#65re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 1:59pm
And when the actors stand outside in the freezing cold for stage door, once again, it's because THEY chose to. That's the only point I was trying to make.
Not necessarily. Maybe they make the choice to sign autographs, but that should take what, a few minutes? And what happens when they get held up longer than they want to be there? Everyone knows it happens -- some fan decides it's time to tell the cast of Rent what they had for lunch, dinner and dessert and how they just KNOW Mark and Roger met at Brown -- and they get sucked into some 20 minute long conversation when, oh no, it's way too cold for them to be outside for that long. That's somehow not an issue? Why, because it's got to do with the fans getting what they want? If you're so concerned, I don't see why you're not crusading against ALL situations in which actors have to be out in the cold for longer than they'd like to be. Somehow the ones involving selfish fans getting what they want don't apply? I think I've spelled it out enough, but once again, just in case, no, I'm not talking about all stage door situations in which the actors choose to come out. I'm talking about the time they spend out in the cold at stage doors NOT by choice. It's also not by choice if someone corners them into a conversation, for example, but that's not an issue to you because someone is getting what they want?
#66re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 2:08pm
No, I agree on that issue as well and it sucks.
BUt this thread wasn't called "actors at stage door"
"Less Of A Marilyn, More Of A Jackie"
www.richardhblake.com
#67re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 2:11pm
No, but sometimes threads move to related topics. 
#68re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 2:14pm
If you would notice, I only brought up Legally Blonde after I was attacked by BreeDaniels (and Grand Motel in agreement). You can't fault me for the obvious association.
Thank you, for acknowledging my problem is with your actions, not the actors, as I was wrongfully accused of. However, it only became about you personally when you tried to write off my "venomous" criticisms as nothing more than a personal vendetta. I would have reacted to anyone that was more worried about the actors than- I dunno- every.single.other.person. that was out on the streets of NYC yesterday. I respect them, but not to the extent that I believe their personal comfort should be a priority above all other people. They're big boys and girls. If they're cold, they can by a scarf from a street vendor- who set up at 8am, will be there until 9pm and probably make less of a profit than the actors will get in strike pay for their half-hour of "work".
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how
Wanting life but never knowing how
#69re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 2:15pm
How very true.
I honestly feel that it does suck when that happens, just like when it's pouring rain and people think that the actors want to stand out there under their umbrellas and chat. I am waiting for someone to come on here and accuse me of all this and call me a hypocrite, but I can't really change the opinions some may have formed on me.
IT does suck and like I said, if it was the stagehands being forced to stand outside due to the actors striking, I would have said the same thing. I think this point can be dropped though. I don't really want to get into a brawl on BWW :-P
"Less Of A Marilyn, More Of A Jackie"
www.richardhblake.com
#70re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 2:19pm
Well, I did not attack you. And I promise that their "attacks" were not me sending out the troops on you :-P
And I was worried about others, but this was a thread about the actors and I was merely voicing an opinion. I have posted on other threads, expressing concern for the BC/EFA collection (which really bothers me because of the money for charity being lost) and the people missing out on theatre. I haven't really expressed any concern for the stagehands because, FROM WHAT I'VE read, I don't agree with their point. But I know that not all information is known to the public and it is definitely being spun iagainst them in a lot of articles, so I will just accept that I don't know enough information.
And according to some of the threads on here, the actors aren't getting their full pay. Many different salaries have been thrown out, anywhere from nothing at all to 15 dollars a show, so I don't know if the "they are getting paid" thing is valid. Once again - lack of credible information.
"Less Of A Marilyn, More Of A Jackie"
www.richardhblake.com
BroadwayBound86
Leading Actor Joined: 1/24/07
#71re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 2:39pm
I've asked this before to no response...
It's 2007, jobs are lost because of technology. Why should the producer of a show have to compensate for the loss of a job over technology?
So then do you also feel we should eliminate the orchestra then? I mean with technology today it could all be pre-recorded. All you would need is maybe a person or two to work the music board. And that would then save the producers money. (Of course I'm completely against this, but to eliminate jobs where technology can handle it should apply to all aspects.)
#72re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 2:47pmYou can't actually argue that a pre-recorded track is equivalent to live music. That's not comparable to something technical that can be done with the simple push of a button.
JustAGuy
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/20/03
#73re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 2:53pm
"You can't actually argue that a pre-recorded track is equivalent to live music. That's not comparable to something technical that can be done with the simple push of a button."
That may be true, but the Producers were preparing to use computer generated music, before the last musicians strike. So, they obviously thought it was a viable alternative.
"Just a Guy. Your feelings are touching. I am gladdened by the thought that you will one day wind up 6 feet under as we all do." - MrRoxy ------
"I do not suggest you walk out the door onto a New York street with your vulnerable child part exposed and not protected..." - Jason Bennett
#74re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/11/07 at 2:54pmMy roommate is an actor in one of the Broadway shows affected by the strike. He still has to go to the theater and sign in, and stay for a certain amount of time. He said he will still be paid as long as he does that. Perhaps some of the actors have chosen not to, to show solidarity with the strikers?
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