[JIJane]

I would like to hear some American views on this issue and also, what the situation is like in the US. What are your Equity laws like for this subject?

Here in the UK, professional Equity performers (with West End and other credits) are constantly asked to "work for free", even for profit making ventures and high profile shows. It is always a very fine line to walk as on the one hand, you want a credit on your CV and we love to work creatively but on the other hand - everyone else gets paid for their services, even the road sweeper. So why shouldn't we? And of course, we also have to pay the bills somehow as actors. I myself have worked for free several times to the point where I was actually LOSING money because I had to kick in my day job for a bit to concentrate on rehearsing, etc. I had to eat into my savings to be able to complete the show. There is only so much long you can do this for though for "the love of it all" and I have various friends in the same situation so it is not anuncommon phenomenon.

Some ventures are simply group efforts of professional creative people who want to do a project but can't afford to pay anyone and also won't be making a profit themselves. Does this exist in the States?

What are everyone's views on this? Should professional actors demand to get paid at least Equity minimum for whatever creative project they take on? And refuse to do unpaid overtime and work through breaks like the musicians do here who have a very strong union? Or does this mean actors would miss out on acting opportunities if "working for free" was banned and would this mean the end of some creative theatre that simply can't afford to pay its participants?

The other matter of course also is - it looks bad on your CV if you have a list of "working for free" credits as a) people think you can't get paid work and b) they think they can get you for free as you have done it several times before so obviously don't mind not getting paid.

It's an interesting subject and was just wondering what other people's experiences are...

[JIJane]

I forgot to add that also of course obviously most actors' agents are not happy with their clients working for free as it brings down the rep of the agency and also - leaves the agent out of pocket (never mind the actor).

[Tj@themusicals]

[wicked_boy]

Well, maybe if an actor's got a couple weeks / months off between jobs, doing unpaid work then wouldn't be a problem, as they have their "next" job secured. So, if I was one of these actor's you're talking about, I would do it then.

But I wouldn't commit myself to something if it meant I was going to loose out on wages. Especially as a jobbing actor.

[Chevstriss]

Equity will issue you a "cease and desist" and attempt to fine you if caught doing it here. There are exceptions to this, one-off charity galas, concerts, stages readings. etc.

Also there are the "Showcase" rulings. A Showcase is working for free hoping agents attend and are interested in signing you. Lots of that goes on in the summer in NYC. You are only allowed to put on a showcase in certain cities, NYC and LA, possibly Chicago.

I can try to dig up the Showcase handbook somewhere.

I quit auditioning for them yrs ago, because at my age, no agent is EVER gonna contact me.

[JIJane]

"Equity will issue you a "cease and desist" and attempt to fine you if caught doing it here."

Does "you" refer to the actor or the producers? Or both?

Thanks for the info.

[Chevstriss]

[JIJane]

Very interesting. Wish that existed in the UK...

[Salome]

I do non equity pro work. its all paid. if its a pro group they pay you. if its not you dont get paid.
I do unpaid work if i really want to do the show ..but being non-equity i can do that.

[Chevstriss]

[JIJane]

Hm I see your point. It's an intereting debate...

[Salome]

its the main reason I never went equity.