Professional vs Amateur

crgwllms wrote:

> I think you might be assuming 'professional company' means
> 'company that gives you some money for performing'. But just
> as you make a distinction between amateur/professional
> performers which isn't defined simply by whether they get
> paid or not, similarly I would say just because you get
> offered some money doesn't make it a professional company.

So what does? Because I believe many of the actors involved in the companies they pay co-op/profit share tend to believe they are now professional because of it.

> And other shows have no budget at all.
> This is why amateur groups have the 'guts' to put on huge
> cast shows...the professional ones literally can't afford it

We had this debate a while back if you recall. I wasn't having a dig at the professional companies for not doing the big musicals, I am merely saying don't write of Community theatre simply because you don't get ten dollars for doing it - that some of your best experiences (again as an actor and as a human being) will come from being a part of these shows. As you know I have produced a couple of shows myself and now totally understand the difficulties and costs associated with doing shows whether they are big musical or otherwise.

> Oh, and that's another good point -
> all of the funded professional companies I mentioned above
> are NON-Profit Organisations, which means they pay wages as
> part of covering their costs, but no one stands to make any
> huge profits out of the deal. Budget surpluses are
> re-invested in future productions, and effect how much
> funding is allocated to them next round.

As they should be.

> So, call me naive but I DO expect (and get) Equity rates from
> the theatre I do in Perth. That's how I make my living, and
> why I consider myself a professional actor.

I did not mean to say you were naive for doing it, but think what would happen if everyone that wanted to be a professional actor gave up work and sat on the dole waiting for their next professional gig. I mean, seriously, how much work is there for a Professional actor here in Perth without going out and making it yourself (which means you need money from somewhere - thus a job) let alone trying to break into the A-list castings associated with the Pro companies here in Perth. I am simply saying Realistically (funny since I am reknowned as an idealist) people shouldn't simply EXPECT to survive off Theatre alone here in Perth and I can't abide people who do simply wait on the dole until the next role pops up - which could be five a year to one every five years. How productive is this for you as an actor and as a human being? (wow these two things pop up a lot in my speaches)

> On the occasions
> when I do participate in non-paying performances (our recent
> romp in Big Fun Sometimes, for instance), it's me indulging
> in my hobby, in the same way most of you with jobs also like
> to indulge in theatre in your spare time. And like you said,
> it's great fun to participate in large cast musicals, which
> are rare in the Perth professional scene.

Hear Hear!

> The performance job I am currently doing is paying
> above-award rates,
> and we turned down other gigs that simply weren't offering
> enough money.
> Personally, I think that's the real definition of
> 'professional'.

So it is the money - the being paid Equity rates - or is it the ability to be turning down work because you aren't being paid enough?

Personally - (isn't it always) I agree. The money defines the status somewhat but I have to say, shouldn't the work standard as well as the attitude also have a part in this? Because once again, I have encountered some very Professional Community actors and some very (I will use the word because I know few Community actors that would behave and perform the same way) Amateurish Professional actors.
Or am I simply being Idealistic again?

Anthony