Strangely enough some days have themes. Yesterday’s was the payment — or more likely — the non-payment of artists for their work.
The day began with a big CurvingRoad meeting to discuss the budget and fundraising plans for the play we will soon be producing (more on that as we get closer to the time — I promise!). Without going into details, I can tell you that the budget is not a small one, and the comment was made, in wonder, that a play as small as ours could cost so much money. It was a good point and well taken. Many shows that end up in theatres that are not big West End stages often are produced for next to nothing. But the reason for that is that, quite often, the artists are not paid. Actors, directors, designers — they all often work for free. And the writers? Forget it. It’s been said that a writer shouldn’t write anything if he isn’t getting paid for it. The result of that, though, is that many writers (including me) would never write a word. But I’m getting ahead of myself….
Later yesterday evening, I met up with someone quite dear to me who shall be called MFA — “My Favourite Actor” — for a quick bite and a trip to the theatre. (We saw “Happy Now” at the National and if you’re near London, I recommend it highly. Beautifully written. Well drawn characters. Funny and sad. And with terrific performances). We continued the discussion about payment of artists, and we said that one reason, perhaps, why there’s more and varied theatre available in London than in New York is that actors here are willing to work for nothing. “But shouldn’t we insist on getting paid for our efforts?” I asked. “Not if it means not working,” he answered. And I have to agree, though it makes me crazy.
Artists are the only people I can think of who ply their trade regardless of whether they get paid or not. And the ones who do insist on getting paid are usually at a level of their career when they don’t need the money as much as they did when they worked for free. Of course, there are always exceptions. But I know I have almost never gotten paid for work I’ve produced. I’m hoping against hope that that soon will change, but my expectations are low. And I know, regardless, I’ll keep on writing. The same is true for many actors I know. They act whenever they have the chance — payment or not. I suppose the argument goes that artists are paid in passion and joy and that, maybe, if you can’t get paid for your work your work just isn’t good enough. But I don’t buy it. What do you think?
PS I should say that integral to Curvingroad’s mission is that we always pay our artists. Always.
I have enormous sympathy here. I have a sister and many friends involved or more realistically no longer involved in the theatre. They do it for many years for nothing, because as you say for the joy of it; because of the pleasure and passion for it. But they have marriages, relationships, children too. And mostly, from what I’ve seen they leave the theatre because real life has to take over.
Sue, I don’t know what the answer is … I am writing for nothing right now in order that a CV might develop, but really I can only do that because of the financial support of my husband.
JJx
JJ – You and I are in the same boat. Thank goodness for supportive spouses!
as an actress, I can say that acting is a craft which needs to be worked at regularly. One needs to stay ‘honed’ to keep the actor’s mindset in shape. after a long period out of work, one feels the rust on the technique, the gear change from ‘life’ to ‘theatre’ becomes difficult, and one feels one has lost part of ones self. A dancer can go to a daily class – actors don’t have that privilege – the way to stay alive is to act anywhere one can – without pay if necessary. Actors enjoy doing readings – I know I do – even for no money in order to stay in shape and ‘keep working.’ use it or lose it.
I have a number of friends in the UK who are actors and we have had many conversations about this.
I personally believe that people should get paid for the work they do but may of my friends said that to get paid would be an added bonus. Some said that they wouldn’t pass up the chance of a meaty role, some said that they wanted the opportunity to hone their skills, some wanted to build up their acting portfolio and all of them said that they didn’t want to miss the opportunity that someone important might come to a show and recognise their talents. Can’t argue with that really….
C x
Ps. Hope your feeling better today
I guess there are lots of similarities between building up an acting portfolio and building up a writing portfolio. Sometimes you do have to work for nothing – but then you have to have other jobs to pay the bills which makes life hard.