Re: RAT freedom comp

[ActorsGng1@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/11/00 2:15:14 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
bottomsdream@linkline.com writes:

<<  believe we need to unite, and discuss compensation issues for each other. 
 There may be some ideas that could be shared. The 99 seat plan must be 
 talked about. If we are talking about expanding the theatrical landscape in 
 LA toward a more professional environment,an environment which affords 
 theatre artists to earn decent pay, then we really need to look at the AEA 
 plan. No actor will earn a living in LA theatre as long as that plan exists 
 as is. If you say, Then I won't be able to produce, I say why not? Have we 
 REALLY thought that through. I will forward a letter from Australia that 
 Kelly Stuart sent me and it could be useful as a starting point for 
 discussion. This isn't only our problem. It's an LA problem, it's a 
 California problem, and we are going to get their help with compensation 
 grants. we have to make a stand. status quo sucks.My two cents.
 Mitchell
 
 
  >>
 My two cents is...aside from being less than the market value of anything 
you can buy on the market...if people want to look at the AEA 99-seat plan, 
they have my blessing, I just don't want our own (as theatre artists) 
examination of the plan and exploration of changes used as an excuse by 
Equity to condemn it. ("Hey look, even the producers think it sucks!")  
Personally, I'm against trying to make L.A. fit in the model of any other 
city (because it can't be) and I am of the belief that there is no way 
(without large government or corporate subsidies) for most people doing 
theater in L.A. to make a living doing it. (How many poets, painters, 
sculptors and novelists are there in L.A. and how many make a living at their 
art?)  And I vehemently despise anyone who thinks that being professional at 
what you do is equated with whether or not (or how much) you paid to do it.  
Some of the most unprofessional people I know in L.A. are people who get paid 
a lot of money to do what they consider their profession. And some of the 
most professional people I know don't get paid squat.  
If they used that argument in Paris in the 20's, a lot of great painters 
would have been considered "unprofessional".

Mark Seldis