tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post9108367496927923733..comments2024-01-07T06:59:04.212-05:00Comments on The Playgoer: Showcase Code Reformed!Playgoerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02994724588504353485noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post-12355717241607353812014-11-01T03:45:33.146-04:002014-11-01T03:45:33.146-04:00There are idiots online, but 'anonymous' a...There are idiots online, but 'anonymous' above is probably the biggest one I've ever seen. He'd be the one saying "The coal miner unions give you work. Be happy. If they say the mines are safe- GO IN!" 5 years after this post was made, the showcase code, even with this itsy bitsy modification is archaic. A revolution is on the horizon.Lefty Costellohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12708872515359087033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post-83625351624210548262014-11-01T03:42:35.962-04:002014-11-01T03:42:35.962-04:00Hello from the end of 2014- NOTHING ELSE HAS CHANG...Hello from the end of 2014- NOTHING ELSE HAS CHANGED. The Showcase is still a dinosaur.Lefty Costellohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12708872515359087033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post-41613394135905859942009-12-23T15:04:28.318-05:002009-12-23T15:04:28.318-05:00Hey there Anonymous,
For the record, the showcase...Hey there Anonymous,<br /><br />For the record, the showcases are required to give at the minimum a stipend for travel expenses to Actors. Some productions offer more than the minimum stipend.<br /><br />Seasonal Showcase producers are required to give AEA members a percentage of their profit. <br /><br />That's pay. <br /><br />IF you think that only allowing AEA actors who decide they want to direct or produce a show is a good way to "showcase" AEA actors or members, I'd say the quality of this "showcase" would be even more in question. As would level of treatment afforded to other AEA actors. Any director or producer that wants to have a career understands their reputation must be protected. Not sure an AEA actor who decides to try their hand at directing or producing would have anywhere near the same concern for how they treat actors in what may very well be a side project to their career.<br /><br />Festivals that use AEA actors have to operate under the showcase codes an therefore have to pay their AEA members a stipend. <br /><br />If AEA members are not getting a stipend then they should report the producers to AEA. <br /><br />The reality is that there is not enough work for AEA members. The cost of producing in NYC has skyrocketed at ever level, and therefore so has the risk associated with casting unknown actors, unknown directors, and unproven material. <br /><br />It costs roughly 4,000-5,000 a week to rent a 99 seat theater. <br /><br />That's 16 to 20 grand before one single production expense is spent on anything other than rent. That meant that the previous budget cap of 20,000 would not allow AEA actors to perform in productions at larger better higher profile off-off theaters. They would be stuck at the smaller cheaper venues.<br /><br />The showcase code is now the only way for many AEA members to get the experience and the exposure they need to grow as artists and in their careers. <br /><br />That was always the original intent of the showcase code. <br /><br />What's broken is the limitations the code places on producers--in a well intentioned but decades old attempt to protect members--that prevents well produced showcases from gaining enough exposure to actually help AEA members working in them. <br /><br />It also does not allow any way for these showcases to gain enough momentum, publicity, and financial success to grow into larger shows, which is a problem today because the high costs of producing has pushed producers of newer, riskier productions to this level--and now these outdated restrictions keep them at this level instead of allowing them a clear and fair path to the next level. These restrictions PREVENT these smaller productions from PAYING THEIR ACTORS.<br /><br />No one wants to "NOT pay" actors.<br /><br />Nor 'is the showcase a "producing tool."<br /><br />What it is and always was, is a recognition by AEA that there simply is not enough union work to provide all of its members with enough opportunities to grow artistically and be seen in larger roles. <br /><br />It's limitations that are designed to protect its members are now outdated and are actually counterproductive to its members being well "showcased."<br /> <br />Membership by the way, used to actually mean more than just "paying your dues" working in summer stock choruses and children's theaters--it used to have skill requirements and you had to audition to get in. <br /><br />Frankly there's not much difference skillwise between AEA and non-AEA these days. <br /><br />To sum up this longwinded comment that you'll probably never read...<br /><br />The AEA Showcase Code has a choice:<br /><br />Grow or die. <br /><br />That's the way life works. <br /><br />If you're not growing, you're dying.<br /><br />As someone who values AEA, I'm glad they're trying to grow.Isaac Byrnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13780435845800668016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post-34582218635692742462009-09-04T22:47:21.119-04:002009-09-04T22:47:21.119-04:00unfortunately the showcase code was never meant fo...unfortunately the showcase code was never meant for nor should it be used for inexperienced producers to latch onto unsuspecting AEA members who spend years paying their dues. the showcase code was intended and should go back to its origin of use by only AEA members. producers can get thier experience in other ways. and actors who want to work their craft should learn to search within the union as there are many other members who want to direct and of course stage manage. this showcase IS NOT and nor should it be a tool for producing. personally i say ban all the festivals unless they pay. ban the showcases unless they pay. would you work for free as a doctor, lawyer, vet, politician. this is unethical and anyone who stands behind it is a unfit member of AEAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post-3741506082545032562009-07-15T11:57:20.295-04:002009-07-15T11:57:20.295-04:00I have to agree with Ralph, here. The Showcase co...I have to agree with Ralph, here. The Showcase code may be slightly improved, but it is still one of the most damaging realities in independent theater, damaging both to small theater companies and the actors within it that Equity is supposed to represent. I don't want to make the perfect the enemy of the good, but maybe it should be the enemy of the the not-quite-as-awful.<br /><br />Not to take away from the efforts of all the folks working on code reform. If only they didn't hit a wall of fear from committee members who have no understanding of the current New York landscape or how to help progress the careers of the actors who are working in it.<br /><br />Tom, the showcase code is only applicable in NY. Other cities have either their own codes (all much better than NY's code) or no such code at all.Edward Einhornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10687333404251296326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post-61236271988835392982009-07-14T11:43:53.569-04:002009-07-14T11:43:53.569-04:00While the recent revision is much needed, it's...While the recent revision is much needed, it's really only a couple of small changes, so I don't know if I'd go gettin' all bubbly. These, essentially, cost-of-living increases do not come close to addressing the needs of the community where more Actors work than any other nyc sector (not that I have anything against Singer/Dancers or Dancer/Singers).RLewisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12657288.post-38968368541068376892009-07-14T11:02:04.228-04:002009-07-14T11:02:04.228-04:00Garrett,
Might you save me some digging about by ...Garrett,<br /><br />Might you save me some digging about by telling me if this showcase code is applicable in other regions of the country, or only applicable in NYC? Thanks. -Tom Loughlinthecontrarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16504640846139055898noreply@blogger.com