[NEohioPAL]Got Pay Meeting-Another opinion

[LissyGulick at aol.com]

--part1_1d8.39ad2112.2f74190e_boundary
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Bravo,   Mary - a brave and wonderful letter, and I couldn't have said it=20
better, nor with as much love for fellow actors and acting.  =20

Hugs, Lissy

In a message dated 3/24/05 8:10:34 AM, TALENTnet1 at aol.com writes:


>=20
> To all Neohiopalers who attended Monday's "Got Pay" Meeting:
>=20
> At the beginning, I sat in silence...just watching and listening, nodding=20=
my=20
> head in agreement, "We're meeting to inform and educate....." Later I sat=20=
in=20
> disbelief, shaking my head at what I was hearing.=A0 When I was finally re=
ady=20
> to raise my hand and offer an opposing opinion, I watched honest independe=
nt=20
> filmmakers get attacked for presenting their side of this issue.=A0 I watc=
hed=20
> as people walked out.=A0 After the meeting, I listened to several who had=20=
also=20
> remained silent, also apprehensive of speaking out.=A0
>=20
> Now, with time to formulate my thoughts more articulately, I feel the need=
=20
> to speak out.=A0 I need to share that the individual opinions of some unio=
n=20
> members did NOT represent the opinions of ALL union members....certainly n=
ot the=20
> opinions of THIS union member.=A0
>=20
> Yes, all actors have worth...I totally agree.=A0 Whether union or nonunion=
,=20
> all actors have worth.=A0 No doubt about it.=A0 I heartily concur, that if=
 asked to=20
> do a commercial, industrial or training film, or ANY gig where the client=20
> will be generating income as a result, ALL actors, crew, editors, writers,=
=20
> etc., should be paid fairly for their services....Absolutely NO argument h=
ere!=A0=20
> In fact, in my opinion, on ANY project where SOME are being paid, ALL shou=
ld=20
> be paid.=A0 No one skill is more important than any other on any project.=
=A0
>=20
> That, unfortunately, is where I parted company with the attitudes and=20
> comments expressed at Monday's "Got Pay" meeting.=A0 Telling newcomers to=20=
negotiate=20
> union wages or "walk away" from the job is ridiculous.=A0 Telling independ=
ent=20
> film makers with no financial backing to put actor's salaries on their cha=
rge=20
> cards is ludicrous.=A0 Telling actors to not act unless they get paid is j=
ust=20
> plain foolish.=A0
>=20
> I am a 15 year member of AFTRA, and ready to join SAG upon my next SAG=20
> film.=A0 I worked for many years on nonunion commercials, first free, then=
 often=20
> working for $50-$150 dollars for unlimited usage.=A0 For all I know, some=20=
of them=20
> are still running in Chicago...and quite frankly, I don't care.
>=20
> I worked for many years as an extra on over a dozen major films at a rate=20=
of=20
> $50 per 12 hour day.=A0 With every job, I gained experience, confidence,=20
> business contacts, and friends.=A0 I honed my craft and built my resume, l=
ine by=20
> line.=A0 I trained at Second City, wrote my own show, THE SIX AGES OF WOMA=
N, and=20
> put it on the market.=A0 (and yes, I reduce my rates and do occasional fre=
e-bees=20
> when Spirit moves me to do so).=A0 When my confidence, skill level, and re=
sume=20
> were solid, I joined AFTRA.=A0 I have an agent.=A0 I earn union scale.=A0=20=
I don't=20
> "scab," and I have turned down suggestions to go "financial core," (yet I=20=
do=20
> NOT judge or shun those who choose to make a personal decision to do so).
>=20
> But, listening to this meeting, I just kept shaking my head.=A0 What gives=
=20
> ANYONE the right to judge others?=A0 What gives ANYONE the right to shame,=
 demean,=20
> or subtly threaten Email attacks to those who wish to offer no-pay gigs...=
or=20
> those who choose to accept such "opportunities" to work for free...for the=
=20
> reel, or experience or "fun of it?"=A0 What right does ANYONE have to tell=
=20
> others they "shouldn't" work free or cheap, when MANY of us veteran actors=
 got our=20
> starts that way?=A0 Who has the right to tell others how to live their liv=
es?=A0=20
> It is not up to ANY of us to tell others what to charge or which work to=20
> accept.=A0 It is not our place to shame, attack or intimidate others who f=
ollow=20
> their hearts to do what is individually right for them.=A0 It smacks of th=
e=20
> American Auto worker who "keys" the foreign car in the parking lot.=A0
>=20
> Until I am a full SAG member, I will continue to audition and participate=20=
in=20
> no-pay or deferred pay independent films. I have personally had nothing bu=
t=20
> pleasant experiences on such projects.=A0 I do so because I love the film=20
> industry and I love film acting.=A0 I do so because in my heart I KNOW it=20=
will lead=20
> me to bigger and better things. Acting is my calling, my passion, my=20
> pleasure.=A0 I do so because I want to help film makers produce high quali=
ty projects,=20
> and I am a high quality actor.=A0 I believe my independent film experience=
 was=20
> what gave me the confidence and skill to win my SAG role in AMERICAN=20
> SPLENDOR.=A0
>=20
> Don't get me wrong.=A0 Money is good.=A0 Money is nice.=A0 I need money li=
ke=20
> everyone else.=A0 But everything I do is NOT about money.=A0 I always have=
 and always=20
> will do what is right in MY heart to do, regardless of the opinions of=20
> others. I felt sad to see talented, good hearted, well intentioned people=20
> intimidated and shamed at this meeting.=A0 I felt sad to see my union give=
 the=20
> appearance of being controlling, greedy and angry.
>=20
> I totally agree with the motto expressed last night...
> =A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 "IF MONEY GETS MADE, THE TALENT GETS PAID."=A0
> I personally would not do a commercial for no pay.=A0 In my opinion, neith=
er=20
> should anyone.=A0 But if you are a nonunion talent and feel led to say yes=
 for=20
> whatever your reason, follow your gut and your heart and do what is right=20=
for=20
> you.=A0
>=20
> I have done professional theater for non-equity pay.=A0 And I have done go=
od=20
> quality community/semiprofessional theater for a stipend that didn't cover=
 my=20
> gas costs.=A0 My latest theater experience was performing in Fred Sternfel=
d's=20
> Ragtime.=A0 Did I get paid?=A0 You bet I did.=A0 Besides the small stipend=
, I got=20
> paid in ways that money can't buy.=A0 I got paid with the pride of being a=
n=20
> important part of a theatrical experience I will remember for the rest of=20=
my=20
> life.=A0 I got paid by making some true close, intimate friends I will lov=
e until I=20
> die.=A0 I got paid by the laughter and camaraderie at rehearsals.=A0 I got=
 paid=20
> by hearing thunderous applause, and seeing standing ovations before the=20
> curtain call even began.=A0 Being a part of this theatrical masterpiece no=
t only=20
> didn't make me money, it cost me money......and it was worth every single=20=
penny.=20
> I would do it again in a heartbeat.
>=20
> I am the Cleveland Coordinator for the Artistic Spiritual Cinema Community=
.=A0=20
> (www.SpiritualCinemaCircle.com) - A grass roots movement started by Stephe=
n=20
> Simon (What Dreams May Come, Somewhere in Time, Bill and Ted's Excellent=20
> Adventure....and more) to produce quality films with a spiritual/positive=20
> message.=A0 Actors, producers, writers, directors, tech crew....working fo=
r NO PAY to=20
> produce quality inspirational and life changing films.=A0 If the films eve=
r=20
> make money, people will get paid. Sometimes it just has to be about trusti=
ng=20
> each other.=A0 Sometimes it just has to be about THE ART.
>=20
> Just one woman's opinion.
>=20
> Warm hugs and a double dimpled smile from
> Mary Faktor (the actor)
> www.FaktorsTalentNetwork.com
> 888-913-3473
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20


--part1_1d8.39ad2112.2f74190e_boundary
Content-Type: text/html; charset="ISO-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<HTML><FONT FACE=3Darial,helvetica><HTML><BODY BGCOLOR=3D"#FFFF80"><FONT COL=
OR=3D"#000000" FACE=3D"Georgia" LANG=3D"0" SIZE=3D"3">Bravo,   Mary - a=
 brave and wonderful letter, and I couldn't have said it better, nor with as=
 much love for fellow actors and acting.   <BR>
<BR>
Hugs, Lissy<BR>
<BR>
In a message dated 3/24/05 8:10:34 AM, TALENTnet1 at aol.com writes:<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE CITE STYLE=3D"BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px;=20=
MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px" TYPE=3D"CITE"></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#8=
00080" FACE=3D"Arial" FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" SIZE=3D"2"><BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#800080" FACE=3D"Comic Sans MS" LANG=3D"0" SIZE=3D"3">=
To all Neohiopalers who attended Monday's "Got Pay" Meeting:<BR>
<BR>
At the beginning, I sat in silence...just watching and listening, nodding my=
 head in agreement, "We're meeting to inform and educate....." Later I sat i=
n disbelief, shaking my head at what I was hearing.=A0 When I was finally re=
ady to raise my hand and offer an opposing opinion, I watched honest indepen=
dent filmmakers get attacked for presenting their side of this issue.=A0 I w=
atched as people walked out.=A0 After the meeting, I listened to several who=
 had also remained silent, also apprehensive of speaking out.=A0<BR>
<BR>
Now, with time to formulate my thoughts more articulately, I feel the need t=
o speak out.=A0 I need to share that the individual opinions of some union m=
embers did NOT represent the opinions of ALL union members....certainly not=20=
the opinions of THIS union member.=A0<BR>
<BR>
Yes, all actors have worth...I totally agree.=A0 Whether union or nonunion,=20=
all actors have worth.=A0 No doubt about it.=A0 I heartily concur, that if a=
sked to do a commercial, industrial or training film, or</FONT><FONT COLOR=
=3D"#800080" FACE=3D"Comic Sans MS" LANG=3D"0" SIZE=3D"3"><I><U> ANY</U></I>=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#800080" FACE=3D"Comic Sans MS" LANG=3D"0" SIZE=3D"3">=
 gig where the client will be generating income as a result,</FONT><FONT COL=
OR=3D"#800080" FACE=3D"Comic Sans MS" LANG=3D"0" SIZE=3D"3"><U> ALL</U></FON=
T><FONT COLOR=3D"#800080" FACE=3D"Comic Sans MS" LANG=3D"0" SIZE=3D"3"> acto=
rs, crew, editors, writers, etc., should be paid fairly for their services..=
..Absolutely NO argument here!=A0 In fact, in my opinion, on</FONT><FONT COL=
OR=3D"#800080" FACE=3D"Comic Sans MS" LANG=3D"0" SIZE=3D"3"><I><U> ANY</U></=
I></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#800080" FACE=3D"Comic Sans MS" LANG=3D"0" SIZE=3D"3=
"> project where SOME are being paid,</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#800080" FACE=3D"=
Comic Sans MS" LANG=3D"0" SIZE=3D"3"><U> ALL</U></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#80008=
0" FACE=3D"Comic Sans MS" LANG=3D"0" SIZE=3D"3"> should be paid.=A0 No one s=
kill is more important than any other on any project.=A0<BR>
<BR>
That, unfortunately, is where I parted company with the attitudes and commen=
ts expressed at Monday's "Got Pay" meeting.=A0 Telling newcomers to negotiat=
e union wages or "walk away" from the job is ridiculous.=A0 Telling independ=
ent film makers with no financial backing to put actor's salaries on their c=
harge cards is ludicrous.=A0 Telling actors to not act unless they get paid=20=
is just plain foolish.=A0<BR>
<BR>
I am a 15 year member of AFTRA, and ready to join SAG upon my next SAG film.=
=A0 I worked for many years on nonunion commercials, first free, then often=20=
working for $50-$150 dollars for unlimited usage.=A0 For all I know, some of=
 them are still running in Chicago...and quite frankly, I don't care.<BR>
<BR>
I worked for many years as an extra on over a dozen major films at a rate of=
 $50 per 12 hour day.=A0 With every job, I gained experience, confidence, bu=
siness contacts, and friends.=A0 I honed my craft and built my resume, line=20=
by line.=A0 I trained at Second City, wrote my own show, THE SIX AGES OF WOM=
AN, and put it on the market.=A0 (and yes, I reduce my rates and do occasion=
al free-bees when Spirit moves me to do so).=A0 When my confidence, skill le=
vel, and resume were solid, I joined AFTRA.=A0 I have an agent.=A0 I earn un=
ion scale.=A0 I don't "scab," and I have turned down suggestions to go "fina=
ncial core," (yet I do NOT judge or shun those who choose to make a personal=
 decision to do so).<BR>
<BR>
But, listening to this meeting, I just kept shaking my head.=A0 What gives A=
NYONE the right to judge others?=A0 What gives ANYONE the right to shame, de=
mean, or subtly threaten Email attacks to those who wish to offer no-pay gig=
s...or those who choose to accept such "opportunities" to work for free...fo=
r the reel, or experience or "fun of it?"=A0 What right does ANYONE have to=20=
tell others they "shouldn't" work free or cheap, when MANY of us veteran act=
ors got our starts that way?=A0 Who has the right to tell others how to live=
 their lives?=A0 It is not up to ANY of us to tell others what to charge or=20=
which work to accept.=A0 It is not our place to shame, attack or intimidate=20=
others who follow their hearts to do what is individually right for them.=
=A0 It smacks of the American Auto worker who "keys" the foreign car in the=20=
parking lot.=A0<BR>
<BR>
Until I am a full SAG member, I will continue to audition and participate in=
 no-pay or deferred pay independent films. I have personally had nothing but=
 pleasant experiences on such projects.=A0 I do so because I love the film i=
ndustry and I love film acting.=A0 I do so because in my heart I KNOW it wil=
l lead me to bigger and better things. Acting is my calling, my passion, my=20=
pleasure.=A0 I do so because I want to help film makers produce high quality=
 projects, and I am a high quality actor.=A0 I believe my independent film e=
xperience was what gave me the confidence and skill to win my SAG role in AM=
ERICAN SPLENDOR.=A0<BR>
<BR>
Don't get me wrong.=A0 Money is good.=A0 Money is nice.=A0 I need money like=
 everyone else.=A0 But everything I do is NOT about money.=A0 I always have=20=
and always will do what is right in MY heart to do, regardless of the opinio=
ns of others. I felt sad to see talented, good hearted, well intentioned peo=
ple intimidated and shamed at this meeting.=A0 I felt sad to see my union gi=
ve the appearance of being controlling, greedy and angry.<BR>
<BR>
I totally agree with the motto expressed last night...<BR>
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 "IF MONEY GETS MADE, THE TALENT GETS PAID."=A0<BR>
I personally would not do a commercial for no pay.=A0 In my opinion, neither=
 should anyone.=A0 But if you are a nonunion talent and feel led to say yes=20=
for whatever your reason, follow your gut and your heart and do what is righ=
t for you.=A0<BR>
<BR>
I have done professional theater for non-equity pay.=A0 And I have done good=
 quality community/semiprofessional theater for a stipend that didn't cover=20=
my gas costs.=A0 My latest theater experience was performing in Fred Sternfe=
ld's Ragtime.=A0 Did I get paid?=A0 You bet I did.=A0 Besides the small stip=
end, I got paid in ways that money can't buy.=A0 I got paid with the pride o=
f being an important part of a theatrical experience I will remember for the=
 rest of my life.=A0 I got paid by making some true close, intimate friends=20=
I will love until I die.=A0 I got paid by the laughter and camaraderie at re=
hearsals.=A0 I got paid by hearing thunderous applause, and seeing standing=20=
ovations before the curtain call even began.=A0 Being a part of this theatri=
cal masterpiece not only didn't make me money, it cost me money......and it=20=
was worth every single penny. I would do it again in a heartbeat.<BR>
<BR>
I am the Cleveland Coordinator for the Artistic Spiritual Cinema Community.=
=A0 (www.SpiritualCinemaCircle.com) - A grass roots movement started by Step=
hen Simon (What Dreams May Come, Somewhere in Time, Bill and Ted's Excellent=
 Adventure....and more) to produce quality films with a spiritual/positive m=
essage.=A0 Actors, producers, writers, directors, tech crew....working for N=
O PAY to produce quality inspirational and life changing films.=A0 If the fi=
lms ever make money, people will get paid. Sometimes it just has to be about=
 trusting each other.=A0 Sometimes it just has to be about THE ART.<BR>
<BR>
Just one woman's opinion.<BR>
<BR>
Warm hugs and a double dimpled smile from<BR>
Mary Faktor (the actor)<BR>
www.FaktorsTalentNetwork.com<BR>
888-913-3473<BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#800080" FACE=3D"Comic Sans MS" LANG=3D"0" SIZE=3D"2">=
<BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#800080" FACE=3D"Arial" FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" SIZE=3D"2=
"><BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#000000" FACE=3D"Georgia" LANG=3D"0" SIZE=3D"3"><BR>
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#000000" FACE=3D"Georgia" LANG=3D"0" SIZE=
=3D"3"><BR>
<BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#000000" FACE=3D"Georgia" LANG=3D"0" SIZE=3D"3"></FONT=
></BODY></HTML>
--part1_1d8.39ad2112.2f74190e_boundary--