Profit share collaborations aren’t exploitative, they are the only viable option, says Phil Willmott. And Equity’s campaign to the contrary is making a new generation of directors too scared to make theatre.
Is Equity's 'Year of the Fringe' over yet? I do hope so.
Let's get the formalities out of the way. Like all of you I believe everyone who wants to work in our business should be able to. All the time. And get paid loads. Especially me. Hurrah for full employment and high wages and the whole country valuing the performing arts and nightly wanting to hand over their hard-earned cash to watch us playing make believe.
Where you and I might differ is that I just don't get why anyone thought closing down voluntary profit share collaborations in zero budget circumstances, which only exist when there's no opportunity to earn wages from a project, would suddenly create paid work for us all.
It's been horrible to watch our otherwise splendid union’s desperate attempt to boost membership by pretending there was enough money to be made in 50-seat fringe venues to convert productions into paying jobs and trying to sign people up on that basis; giving in to the haranguing of 'retired, ex ENSA, of Tunbridge Wells', those well meaning senior members who have no idea how tough things are these days... Keep reading on The Stage
Is Equity's 'Year of the Fringe' over yet? I do hope so.
Let's get the formalities out of the way. Like all of you I believe everyone who wants to work in our business should be able to. All the time. And get paid loads. Especially me. Hurrah for full employment and high wages and the whole country valuing the performing arts and nightly wanting to hand over their hard-earned cash to watch us playing make believe.
Where you and I might differ is that I just don't get why anyone thought closing down voluntary profit share collaborations in zero budget circumstances, which only exist when there's no opportunity to earn wages from a project, would suddenly create paid work for us all.
It's been horrible to watch our otherwise splendid union’s desperate attempt to boost membership by pretending there was enough money to be made in 50-seat fringe venues to convert productions into paying jobs and trying to sign people up on that basis; giving in to the haranguing of 'retired, ex ENSA, of Tunbridge Wells', those well meaning senior members who have no idea how tough things are these days... Keep reading on The Stage