actors co-op (an idea)
Sat, 3 Feb 2001, 06:57 pmWalter Plinge9 posts in thread
actors co-op (an idea)
Sat, 3 Feb 2001, 06:57 pmHi. I'm wondering if there's anyone out there who can help me with this. How do you go about making an actors co-op? I've heard from lots of them in perth recently - I didn't know we have so many... Because here's my idea: I want to be a part of a co-op (later probably a company) that do classical plays (shakespeare, GBS, etc) as classical plays and not change them (eg: "Romeo, thou art a villain" to "Romeo, you're a wanker") but still make them be accepted commercially - a bit too idealistic, probably, but I grew up with those classical stuff so bare with me. Now, the thing is, I've got the experience as an actress but I'm not experienced enough in management and production to know even where to start if you want to build a co-op. Any suggestion? Help in any way? anything would be appreciated...
Thanks
Ami
Thanks
Ami
RE: actors co-op (an idea)
Sun, 4 Feb 2001, 11:28 pmHi Bec
Rebecca wrote:
-------------------------------
> Actually, I was just wondering if it's at all possible for a
> person like me to grab herself a group of willing actors,
> put together a piece and be able to perform it
> somewhere without paying spectacular amounts of
> money. Too ambitious? Is there such a thing?
I'd guess there are a couple of options you might pursue.
Firstly, Perth has a wealth of community theatre companies that offer a pool of talent, skill, experience and expertise. Many companies also have a small amount of consolidated revenue - profits from previous productions - that they are able to bankroll a production with. They usually have cheap access to rehearsal and performance venues all worked out. The company may have costumes, props, furniture and sets in storage, plus workshop facilities available. Invariably they have people at hand ready to fill a variety of roles, tech teams ready to go, promotion staff, bookings office, front of house, a defined market and an existing audience. Makes it sound like you'd be silly to try and go it alone!
In reality some companies are more willing than others to back new members in new projects. You could try putting a proposal up here and see if you get any bites.
Also, most community companies don't operate on a profit share basis. Not because they can't. Many just wouldn't even consider it. Although their constitutions might permit it, most of their membership would consider the profits are so small they're better off being fed back into the company to ensure the success of future productions.
Secondly, the Blueroom offers a great opportunity for "start-ups" and more experienced companies to get going. Compared with a community company, you're very much more on your own at the Blueroom. There's some technical, marketing and front of house support but you'll need to find people to fill most production roles. Increasingly there's a ready audience for work at the Blueroom but the size of the venue/s severely restricts potential earnings. A small nonrefundable grant is available from the Blueroom to kickstart the production, but it's equivalent to less than one sixth of what many community companies will invest in a production.
My impression is that most productions at the Blueroom operate on a co-op or profit share basis - it's up to the group involved. My experience is that, even performing with a tiny cast and crew, the profits usually cover the company members' fares, petrol and parking fees but when you add up the hours involved, you're a long, long way from two digit dollars and hour.
The big draw at the Blueroom would have to be the status attached to productions there. However misplaced, there is a perception in the industry that work produced at the Blueroom is in some way on a different standing to that done in community theatres. The reality of course is very different. You're just as likely to encounter something worthy of a world stage in a community theatre as at the Blueroom. At times, the opposite also holds true.
Cheers
Grant
Rebecca wrote:
-------------------------------
> Actually, I was just wondering if it's at all possible for a
> person like me to grab herself a group of willing actors,
> put together a piece and be able to perform it
> somewhere without paying spectacular amounts of
> money. Too ambitious? Is there such a thing?
I'd guess there are a couple of options you might pursue.
Firstly, Perth has a wealth of community theatre companies that offer a pool of talent, skill, experience and expertise. Many companies also have a small amount of consolidated revenue - profits from previous productions - that they are able to bankroll a production with. They usually have cheap access to rehearsal and performance venues all worked out. The company may have costumes, props, furniture and sets in storage, plus workshop facilities available. Invariably they have people at hand ready to fill a variety of roles, tech teams ready to go, promotion staff, bookings office, front of house, a defined market and an existing audience. Makes it sound like you'd be silly to try and go it alone!
In reality some companies are more willing than others to back new members in new projects. You could try putting a proposal up here and see if you get any bites.
Also, most community companies don't operate on a profit share basis. Not because they can't. Many just wouldn't even consider it. Although their constitutions might permit it, most of their membership would consider the profits are so small they're better off being fed back into the company to ensure the success of future productions.
Secondly, the Blueroom offers a great opportunity for "start-ups" and more experienced companies to get going. Compared with a community company, you're very much more on your own at the Blueroom. There's some technical, marketing and front of house support but you'll need to find people to fill most production roles. Increasingly there's a ready audience for work at the Blueroom but the size of the venue/s severely restricts potential earnings. A small nonrefundable grant is available from the Blueroom to kickstart the production, but it's equivalent to less than one sixth of what many community companies will invest in a production.
My impression is that most productions at the Blueroom operate on a co-op or profit share basis - it's up to the group involved. My experience is that, even performing with a tiny cast and crew, the profits usually cover the company members' fares, petrol and parking fees but when you add up the hours involved, you're a long, long way from two digit dollars and hour.
The big draw at the Blueroom would have to be the status attached to productions there. However misplaced, there is a perception in the industry that work produced at the Blueroom is in some way on a different standing to that done in community theatres. The reality of course is very different. You're just as likely to encounter something worthy of a world stage in a community theatre as at the Blueroom. At times, the opposite also holds true.
Cheers
Grant