boycotting non-equity tours.- Page 3
boycotting non-equity tours.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#50
Posted: 6/3/04 at 1:52amWell, perhaps "honing" was the wrong word. But my point is that the producers are not going to spend any more money than they are right now. So if the tours suddenly went Equity the contract minimums would have to go down, or the producers will hire two or three principal Equity actors and say, "Okay, are you happy?" And there is nothing in an Equity contract that says the sets have to be great, or the costumes have to be great. They certainly won't spend any more money on the tech. So if there are only a couple of Equity actor's in the show, can they then say "DIRECT FROM BROADWAY?"
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#51
Posted: 6/3/04 at 2:00am
(in Margaret Cho's mom's voice) "To repeat":
at some point, a strike will occur and will affect those producers who produce both Equity and non-Equity productions. Additionally, the other unions who decide to join Equity in the strike will prevent sets from being loaded and music from being played.
_______________
At some point, the producers will have to give in--and not just hiring 2 or 3 Equity performers or bringing the contract minimum from around $1350 to $300 a week. Those will never happen. Equity and the Directors/Choreographer's union are in agreement on this. If more unions join in, there will be no way for a non-Equity tour to be produced. But, it is a slow, political process that may hit the fan with a strike in the near future.
Meaning directors will not give permission for their work to be recreated. You will not see Robin Wagner's sets or William Ivey Long's costumes. Is this what America wants? Or does America want top notch productions coming to their city? And, if so, why should there be fantastic sets and costumes, but the actors get paid crap?
Updated On: 6/3/04 at 02:00 AM
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#52
Posted: 6/3/04 at 2:11amWe can go round and round till the break of day, jrb. It is a mess anyway you look at it. But I believe if all tours go the way you invision, touring will be so prohibitively costly that nothing but a sure fire money maker (CATS) will tour or the ticket prices will skyrocket so that only the upper echelons will be able to attend. So, actors will still be out of work, but at least they know that if they ever do get a tour, they might just be able to accumulate enough weeks for a little bit of health insurance. In the mean while, I hear Rocco DeSpirito is hiring.
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#53
Posted: 6/3/04 at 2:19am
Well, Sueleen, you are right--things are a mess. How do we take care of everyone's needs when costs are rising and people are not buying as many tickets?
But, just recently, almost all tours were Equity--so it can work. I think it's mostly greed from producers.
I think the point is--AEA is willing to make some changes to help with costs, but they have to be fair. And, if the producers agree, then all tours in question have to be Equity. Which, is mostly important for the protections and conditions--safety and what not.
P.S. The actors' salaries are the smallest percentage of the budget. 
Updated On: 6/3/04 at 02:19 AM
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#54
Posted: 6/3/04 at 2:29am
Okay, good points. Maybe we should be in on the negotiatons!
By the way, what EVER made you use the words "Producers" and "Greed" in the same sentence? A bit redundant, don't you think?
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#55
Posted: 6/3/04 at 3:28am
Is the needle stuck on this old Equity record? Do we need to hear the same whining from Equity over and over again? Always remember folks.....audiences are stupid. If they see "Broadway" on the show title, they'll think they're seeing performers who are actually trained singers, dancers and actors. And we KNOW..only Equity people are capable of doing that.
But at least Equity is consistant. First rule of marketing: Keep plugging away with one (in this case, stupid) motto about "Non Equity performers suck"..and pretty soon everyone will believe it.
Ahhh......no.
Hey while were on this Equity bandwagon......
Don't cha think it's funny that big bad Equity goes around bad mouthing these Non Equity tours....AND THEN goes accepting a reduced rate Equity contract for their tours?
Well...guess even Equity knows when it's in a loosing battle.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/03
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#56
Posted: 6/3/04 at 3:35amJust how much difference in ticket price is there ? If it large surely this would indicate to those interested (if it is equity or non equity).
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#57
Posted: 6/3/04 at 7:44amdo keep in mind though, jrb, that in the glory days of the equity tours that the average salary for an equity member was $5,000 a year.
...global warming can manifest itself as heat, cool, precipitation, storms, drought, wind, or any other phenomenon, much like a shapeshifter. -- jim geraghty
pray to st. jude
i'm a sonic reducer
he was the gimmicky sort
fenchurch=mejusthavingfun=magwildwood=mmousefan=bkcollector=bradmajors=somethingtotalkabout: the fenchurch mpd collective
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#58
Posted: 6/3/04 at 10:05amoh my god, becky! you so did not just use the "if you don't like it leave" argument?!?! jrb, there's a lot more republican/fascist in you than you'd like to admit, my friend. are you now gonna take your equity toys and go home?
...global warming can manifest itself as heat, cool, precipitation, storms, drought, wind, or any other phenomenon, much like a shapeshifter. -- jim geraghty
pray to st. jude
i'm a sonic reducer
he was the gimmicky sort
fenchurch=mejusthavingfun=magwildwood=mmousefan=bkcollector=bradmajors=somethingtotalkabout: the fenchurch mpd collective
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#59
Posted: 6/3/04 at 10:38amSOMEONE on here sounds like a very bitter non-equity actor who just hasn't got what it takes to get that coveted equity card...try though he/she might. I've never seen anyone on this or any other board say that "Non Equity performers suck"..that is simply ridiculous. EVERY equity actor was NON equity at some point in their career, so its all equal. No one thinks that non-equity tours suck and are not worth the money. That is not the argument here at all.
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#60
Posted: 6/3/04 at 10:47amoh redhot who, who???
...global warming can manifest itself as heat, cool, precipitation, storms, drought, wind, or any other phenomenon, much like a shapeshifter. -- jim geraghty
pray to st. jude
i'm a sonic reducer
he was the gimmicky sort
fenchurch=mejusthavingfun=magwildwood=mmousefan=bkcollector=bradmajors=somethingtotalkabout: the fenchurch mpd collective
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#61
Posted: 6/3/04 at 10:54amWhat I said could easily apply to a few different people on this board, but I won't get into that. I just wish the bitterness would stop. Life is too short for such negative attitudes all the time. People in general would benefit form starting to see the glass as half full from now on...instead of half empty.
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#62
Posted: 6/3/04 at 12:53pm
jrb - I'm glad you were able to become Equity in Houston from just 3 theatres, but that may not be so easy for everyone. Now Houston has 4 Equity theatres. WOO HOO!! The possibilities are simply ENDLESS! Not exactly Equity overload is it? Especially considering that once you become Equity in Houston, you will more than likely not be cast in a lead at 2 of the theatres that choose to cast those roles from NY and LA. Oh sure, there are people from Houston who do get those roles, but only AFTER they leave Houston for a few years and work in NY and then come back when the theatre deems them respectable enough. Isn't the statistic of becoming a working actor something like 1%? Add becoming an Equity actor and it is more like 0.25%.
Our friend in the non-Equity tour had the chance to become Equity when he did the show in Equity houses with Equity casts in Houston and Chicago before going on tour. He told me himself that he did not wish to go Equity because he wanted to work. He understudies the lead, but rarely performs the role.
"That's not how it works. The decision and the issue comes down to making Producers only use Equity contracts. Equity is giving current non-Eq touring actors a reason to join--more money, benefits, and protections. These actors can not join unless the producers allow it."
So you're saying that Equity has invited the actors to join regardless of working on an Equity contracted show or using the point system required of all other Equity actors? That they have been offered free admission but only the producers are stopping them from joining? I hadn't heard anything about that.
"alterego--they charge the SAME ticket price"
Not the non-Equity tours I attended. Beauty and the Beast and Miss Saigon charged $10-25 LESS than the Equity tours and offered more discounts. The first time I watched Miss Saigon, I got a two-for-one deal and wound up with 2 center orchestra seats for $55. Right now, non-Equity top ticket prices (Miss Saigon, 42nd Street, Oklahoma) range around $63-76. Equity tour top ticket prices (Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, Hairspray) range around $72-81 with some performances of Lion King up to $125 and rarely, if ever, offer discounts. Keep in mind that ticket prices also change from city to city depending on the size of venue and length of run. The prices I chose were for the next available Saturday evening performance of all the shows mentioned. Though sometimes non-Equity tours charge almost as much (or in some cases more, depending on the show and venue) as Equity tours, I have NEVER seen any Equity tour charge $80-100 for tickets. The high price of Oklahoma is the one exception I found.
I am not exactly non-Equity, but I don't think Equity has the right to DEMAND tours to conform to their rules. They are not demanding the same of small professional non-Equity theatres nationwide are they? Nope. They are showing little to no concern for them at all. I'm curious how Equity compares to other national unions. Do factory workers have to work for possibly four years (as jrb did) at a site only deemed respectable enough by the union that can be found in less than 10% of the factories in the US before they can become a member?
"The point is--let people get experience in safer environments--not the stress of a tour. And, if he is experienced enough--he should be paid properly for it and given the proper benefits and protections for it."
I totally agree, but shutting down tours and putting actors out of work against their will is not the answer. It is just dictatorial behavior saying "our way or no way".
"And, if so, why should there be fantastic sets and costumes, but the actors get paid crap?"
For the same reason my office gets a multi-million-dollar upgrade, yet the staff receives a lower bonus. Bosses can be unfair. But as I've said countless times, the actors do not have to choose to be in the non-Equity tour. Perhaps they want to continue performing after the tour, but don't live in an Equity friendly city (99% of the country).
I most certainly do have respect for actors and I will see Equity and non-Equity shows and tours BECAUSE I have respect for them. But the fact remains that Equity remains one of the elitist unions (if not the most) in the country and though I do believe in its purpose, I frown at its practice. Acting is not like other union jobs. Musicians and stagehands are in higher demand than actors. The unsteadiness of work definitely calls for higher wages and protection, but it also demands a union that is more inclusive and acessible than Equity. A union that is less hypocritical than to put actors out of work on the pretext that it is for their own protection rather than just being pissed that they have more competition.
The biggest problem Equity is facing is that they are actually competing with non-Equity tours that are in some cases offering better productions. Non-Equity tours have been around for a long time, performing in the same venues as Equity tours (I remember them in 1991, but I don't know their history before then), charging similar ticket prices (I worked in the box office), and Equity was not concerned about the "protection of the actors" until recently. And if Equity was so high and mighty about actors earning points and paying their dues (both figuratively and literally), then why do they let anyone join as long as the producer pays them off? In other words, show us the money and anyone can be Equity. There's no consistency on admission, there's no consistency in the amount of venues in which to qualify, and there is an outrageous imbalance in the amount of work available comparing NY with the entire rest of the country. Equity represents Broadway and New York, but does little else for the actors elsewhere.
I wish all actors could get good living wages and benefits the same as any other professional job. I also wish for world peace, to win the lottery, bad people to get what they deserve, the US to support stage actors, and for Equity to put their money where their mouth is and protect all actors, but the world simply does not work that way.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
Featured Actor Joined: 5/21/04
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#64
Posted: 6/3/04 at 3:23pm
Dear Equity and Equity Supporters:
I just wanted to take the time to write a big thanks to you. Your words and ideas are certainly valuable, if not the god's truth.
I wanted to thank you for doing all the thinking for me. As a musical theater college student who will be entering the "real" (oh..sorry, I mean "Equity") world in a few months, I am so glad to have your wise judgement.
For instance, you Equity folks are so sweet to tell me that the producers of non-Equity tours are taking advantage of me as an artist. You are so kind to be so concerned about my being and welfare cause, god knows, I don't have the ability to make judgements for myself.
I appreciate you taking the time to tell me that I'm being ripped off and not being paid what I should be paid. Gosh darn..you're right! I'm not able to decide for myself if the amount of money they offer is something I want. Because, as stated above, I can't make decisions for myself.
In closing, thanks again for being so kind to decide what is best for me. Because you are Equity, you obviously know what is best and what is right. Oh, come on now, don't be so modest. Sure, you keep saying that's not the case, but we all know that's the truth. Stupid me! I've been thinking for myself all these years. But I've seen the error of my ways.
All the best,
Way Wicked :)
PS - I'm seeing a movie tonight. Should I wear my blue top or my yellow top with my jeans? Thanks! :) :)
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#65
Posted: 6/3/04 at 3:28pmGet over your bitterness and join the Light side...learn to laugh...ease up, look for good in people and places...this issue is beyond you.
Featured Actor Joined: 5/21/04
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#66
Posted: 6/3/04 at 3:32pm
..and obviously beyond you as well.
have a super Equity day!
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#67
Posted: 6/3/04 at 3:34pmOkay so how much are the non-equity actors getting paid and how much are the equity actors getting paid? That would be nice to know.....
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#68
Posted: 6/3/04 at 3:34pm
My, my JRB...what happened to our vulgar posting of the "s" word?
Perhaps others don't appreciate your use of profanity?
If you're going to be taken seriously, perhaps you need to address the issues with well chosen words, not profanity.
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#69
Posted: 6/3/04 at 5:33pmshhhhhh, tuttle, they hate udders too.
...global warming can manifest itself as heat, cool, precipitation, storms, drought, wind, or any other phenomenon, much like a shapeshifter. -- jim geraghty
pray to st. jude
i'm a sonic reducer
he was the gimmicky sort
fenchurch=mejusthavingfun=magwildwood=mmousefan=bkcollector=bradmajors=somethingtotalkabout: the fenchurch mpd collective
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/25/04
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#70
Posted: 6/3/04 at 5:52pmToo err is human, to forgive profane.
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#71
Posted: 6/3/04 at 5:54pmI like musicals.
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#72
Posted: 6/3/04 at 6:53pm
Mister Matt (and others)--I don't feel like you really read my posts. But, I will gladly attempt to rephrase myself in hopes that this will all make sense.
Equity doesn't want to cancel the current tours--they want to make them Equity. An actor can earn the card or they can be hired in an Equity role and get it on the spot--that is what would happen with these actors. They are talented enough to be in a tour, they should be treated as a professional. Equity actors get paid at least $1350 a week (perhaps this will and should be lowered). Non-Equity actors are paid about $300 a week--maybe more, but nowhere near what they deserve.
Equity actors are protected from harsh conditions--they get days off. There are limits on how many hours they can be rehearsed, particularly while performing 8 shows a week. Much care is taken to make sure that sets and costumes will not hurt an actor, especially having to endure them 8 shows a week over a period of months. Etc. Etc. Etc. These and many more reasons are why Equity was created 91 years ago.
Tours that are presented by Equity theatres or union houses should be Equity without question. These are the tours that have upset Equity. I don't think Equity was bothered by the smaller bus and truck tours. However, some may feel that tours, like Broadway should be covered by the union. The non-Equity tours are not "competing" with Equity tours. What has happened is that producers have somehow found a loophole (or blatant defiance of Equity) to create non-Equity tours.
Matt, I didn't join Equity until I moved to NYC. I knew it wouldn't be any use to be Equity outside of NYC, as the tours and NYC shows audition in NYC, and, yes, most regional theatres cast out of NYC, using only non-Equity locals. But, I was given the choice to decide when I joined by earning the points. Or, I could have waited until I got to NYC and was cast in an Equity show. This is how every Equity actor did it--one or the other. Equity is not elitist or exclusive--you have to either be that good to get cast on the spot, or earn it in the way that I did (which is more likely for regional actors).
You guys are griping about how unfair it is for Equity to want to make tours Equity. (Why do you care unless it affects you as a producer or performer, for one thing?) Then you gripe that Equity hasn't made more small theatres Equity--which I believe is actually a theatre's choice, not Equity's.
Let's look at the Screen Actors Guild. They control almost all film acting--much more control of film acting than Equity is of stage acting. So, if you are going to hate Equity, you should hate SAG, too. And, you should hate the crew's union and the musician's union. Are you guys just anti-unions? I ask because there is no consistency with your arguments and/or I simply do not understand your anti-union/Equity stance.
And, Mr, Tuttle, I wasn't trying to be hateful with my comment that, yes, RobD deleted. I was saying it with a smile.
WickedWay, wear the blue and don't question me about it.
Updated On: 6/3/04 at 06:53 PM
Featured Actor Joined: 5/21/04
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#73
Posted: 6/3/04 at 8:23pm
Wow..thanks JRB.
I'm so glad to have you around to guide us with your wisdom.
According to you, it's ok to use profanity and swear (as you did on your post that was obviously removed by people with better taste).
Well in that case....you're an a hole! :)
see....it's OK!!!! As long as ya smile :)
And seeing how you like to make idiotic remarks and insult people for no reason...here's a few more...cause you'll need them!
:) :) :) :) :)
re: boycotting non-equity tours.#74
Posted: 6/3/04 at 8:38pm
OH PRUNELLA! Give it up guys! It will never be solv-ed here you minkeys! Notice the orginal poster had the smarts to duck out!
I told y'all, it's a can 'o worms that's been stinkin' round the industry since the words GREED and MONEY had a brain melt! PEACE!
GO! Smarty Jones GO!
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