co-ops
Mon, 6 Oct 2003, 03:45 pmWalter Plinge3 posts in thread
co-ops
Mon, 6 Oct 2003, 03:45 pmHi people,
Sorry about using the false name/email - its just that this is a mildly stupid question, and I don't want to look like a tool amongst my peers,
It's regarding share of profits shows. Now, I've done a few of these in Perth, mainly at Blue Room, Rechabites and the Blue Room studio. Frankly, even in successful shows I've never made anything close to enough to consider it a rent-paying job. Yet, despite this, the rehearsal seasons are such that one can't hold down other (full-paying) acting work, nor work another day job. Effectively it means living on nothing for 4 - 8 weeks, or more if the company doesn't distribute the profits immediately after the season.
Yet other actors I know of seem to spend most of the year working on co-ops. How do you do it? How do you manage to survive whilst making yourself unavailable for equity-rates work and day-job-employment alike? More to the point (and the main question I'm asking here) is what kind of money do you NORMALLY make from co-ops?
And NO I'm not in this profession for the money, so PLEASE don't send back a heap of responses saying "well, you shouldn't be in it for the money". I'm just genuinely curious as to whether it is possible to actually keep the minimum of a roof over one's head, and at least some food in the fridge whilst doing those shows and giving them the same commitment I would if I was working equity rates. I'm a bit embarassed to go up to actors I know and ask 'how much do you normally make', so I hope the anonymity of this board might help.
Again, its not a matter of wealth - its a matter of whether or not it is actually possible to say 'yes' when cast in these shows, without having parents or spouses pay your way for the next two months. I'm fine with poverty and all, but unfortunately there is a base minimum below which it is physically impossible to survive and perform. If anyone has any suggestions as to whether it is possible to perform in 'full-time rehearsal' co-ops without financial savings or support, or alternatively as to how you manage it, that would be greatly appreciated.
Sorry about using the false name/email - its just that this is a mildly stupid question, and I don't want to look like a tool amongst my peers,
It's regarding share of profits shows. Now, I've done a few of these in Perth, mainly at Blue Room, Rechabites and the Blue Room studio. Frankly, even in successful shows I've never made anything close to enough to consider it a rent-paying job. Yet, despite this, the rehearsal seasons are such that one can't hold down other (full-paying) acting work, nor work another day job. Effectively it means living on nothing for 4 - 8 weeks, or more if the company doesn't distribute the profits immediately after the season.
Yet other actors I know of seem to spend most of the year working on co-ops. How do you do it? How do you manage to survive whilst making yourself unavailable for equity-rates work and day-job-employment alike? More to the point (and the main question I'm asking here) is what kind of money do you NORMALLY make from co-ops?
And NO I'm not in this profession for the money, so PLEASE don't send back a heap of responses saying "well, you shouldn't be in it for the money". I'm just genuinely curious as to whether it is possible to actually keep the minimum of a roof over one's head, and at least some food in the fridge whilst doing those shows and giving them the same commitment I would if I was working equity rates. I'm a bit embarassed to go up to actors I know and ask 'how much do you normally make', so I hope the anonymity of this board might help.
Again, its not a matter of wealth - its a matter of whether or not it is actually possible to say 'yes' when cast in these shows, without having parents or spouses pay your way for the next two months. I'm fine with poverty and all, but unfortunately there is a base minimum below which it is physically impossible to survive and perform. If anyone has any suggestions as to whether it is possible to perform in 'full-time rehearsal' co-ops without financial savings or support, or alternatively as to how you manage it, that would be greatly appreciated.