Ok...my computer is back...
something that I have been meaning to talk about for some time is this issue...
So, I love, of course, when a theatre takes my image and employs it to market their theatre. Why not, right?
I could use the press, and it is well intentioned.
Usually.
I bring you to 2 ads...one a season brochure from Toby's, the Dinner Theatre of Colmbia, and one from Arena Stage.
First of all....the Toby's shot is one from Footloose, that I did about 3 years ago...they photo shopped a Santa hat on my head and fake snowflakes behind me for a Christmas season brochure.
Hmm.
All of this would have been ok to me if even they would have had the prescence of mind to credit my name under the photo.
But no.
So..here I am in the Washington Post almost every weekend in this shot from Damn Yankees...do I mind that my name is not credited?
No.
Why?
Because I am IN the show currently.
Footloose was years ago, and they are putting fake Santa hats on my head... no names`are listed for either myself, or Margo.
They only credit themselves and NOT the artists...It is common sense to credit the artists's names in photographs...to not do so
is self serving and gauche.Now...as I said..I am IN Damn Yankees and they have not done the same for the show that I am in...but since it is still running, I don't care so much....my name has been in their reviews and write-ups all over the papers...
I don't know why this Toby's flier riles me so much, but it does...
Oh well...
19 comments:
Stephen Gregory Lee Petraska Hearne Payne Lawson Omohundro Rohan Gillespie Cougar-Mellencamp: I LOVE you more than my luggage...and I TRULY have no allegience other than mutual respect for the Toby's Camp....but Please, PLEASE don't become that standard-toting Equity clone that Lynn Filusch became as soon as she got her card....it's insulting to yourself, where you came from and where many of your compadres still are....To mis-quote Wendy Testaberger in "South Park: The Movie"- "Fuck Equity- Fuck them right in the ear!" Don't start calling out your former meal-ticket 'cause they put a Santa hat on your picture....DON'T be that party-line spouting zombie right out of the gate....THAT'S gauche too....affectionately, Stephen R.
Stephen R is a drunk and a liar. Just like Annie. A drunk and a liar....
Stephen R....first of all, I think we were both drunk while writing last night, so I ammended my thoughts a little...however...
I love you very much, but I am the FIRST to prop Toby's up and defend her in any way. Some of the best evenings of theatre that I have ever spent have been there.
However, that does not give her a golden ticket to do whatever without my comment on it.
I am NO standard waving actor, and Lynn Filusch reads this blog...I can't wait to see what she thinks of you waving her name around...rather gauche as well.
As for your comments....I don't see you reasoning in how I am wrong in pointing this out....because they were my former meal ticket?
Big deal...it is tacky that they put a Santa hat on my head and didn't have the courtesy to write my fucking name under the picture....truth...does that mean I am saying that no one should ever work there again? NO. I that saying that I hate Toby? NO. Am I slamming dinner theatre? NO, NO, NO!
You taking these remarks so personally and getting your hackles up is truly bizzare.
You are over-personalizing something meant to be glib commentary on an ad campaign. Dry up.
Well...if I can throw my two cents in on the matter. The Toby's thing...it is kind of tacky to take a photo completely out of context and use it for another purpose. I mean, it's Mame they're doing, right? WTF does someone in a santa hat have to do with that? They should have thrown your names on (it does make me wonder if some of the long time folks have their names on the programs, the folks that have earned Toby all her accolades)....however, that all being said, technically Arena is in violation of Equity rules stating that if you use the image of an actor in promotion, you not only have to credit the photographer but you must also credit the performer. I only know this after years of taking up the hoo-hah from Equity for not doing this at another arts establistment I worked at for a while. I've always found it interesting that folks can find ways to scoot around the rules when they want to. At least the Arena photo is more flattering than the Toby one...you think she'd have had something better (no offense).
Wow, I thought I was reading a blog, and then I come upon Stephen R.'s comment, and for a split second I thought I was back in High School. I'm with Steve. My comments, this is first,foremost and unfortunately, a business. Steve has every right to say whatever he wants to because it his face AND his name. THAT is his business. Not Toby's or anyone else. But then again, i think Steve was just trying to be funny when it came down to it. Too bad it was taken so seriously.
Ryan...in all fairness, I wrote the origional piece at like 2AM, half lit, and when I woke up, I re-edited it because it sounded way more nasty then I meant to be.
I really don't care about equity rules, I just was trying to be funny, and that is all.
And pleas...don't insult me on my own blog...I could have been a sissy and pulled your comment, but I thought its misundertanding stood alone, so I left it.
This piece was not about Dinner theatre vs. Equity, and I'm NOT that guy...insulting Lynn Filusch, one of my dear friends, and insinuating the things that you insinuated are not needed here. This is not meant to be a catty or vicious blog...this is not meant to be like certain other theatre blogs.
Anthony- You only have to credit an actor if there are less than five actors in the photo according to the LORT rules (which is what applies to Arena) and trust me I know this... I was a part of writing the book.
EVERYONE - I know that it has become a problem in the DC area that people are being blacklisted for holding theatres to the rules.
When a theatre hires an actor there are certain expectations of professionalism that they expect from that actor (being on time, learning the material, taking direction etc). Many times those expectations are higher of an Equity actor. On the same note there are expectations an actor has of a theatre (safe and sanitary rules, rest periods, etc).
When a theatre breaks those rules (an illegal recording of a performance, not respecting break times, using illegal haze or smoke, etc.) they are breaking the contract they signed with Equity and with the performers. Remember that when you sign a contract to perform in a show not only are you signing that you will do the work that is expected of you but the producer is also signing that they will respect the rules they have agreed to follow by being an Equity house.
Equity members should not feel bad for asking for what has been promised to them in a contract. If you signed a contract with a plumber and the contract was broken wouldn’t you be upset?
FYI- There have been calls made to theatres about rules that have been broken that have nothing to do with any “watchdog” members. Equity does not rely solely on the membership to report things (you’d be surprised how many patrons call and ask, “are they allowed to do that?”) Theatres in the DC area need to start minding P’s and Q’s and stop trying to bend the rules as much as possible. The union’s cracking down on audition policies in the DC area is only the beginning. There are a few theatres that are about to get a major wake up call. The examples listed above are all rules that have been broken recently in the DC area…
Why do the problem theatres all begin with the letter S??
Really y'all..I respect the " authoratative " Equity commentary, but...please...this is NOT what this post is about...STOP!
My life as an equity actor is NOT about rules, but about art. ENOUGH!
I am NOT being treated badly by anyone...this is NOT about that...get over yourselves...
Hold you high and stupid rules and see how many people want to work with you...
come on!
Don't be a stupid theatre professional.
I cannot believe this piece has come to this.
Stop the insanity...
This post is SO NOT about Equity or theatres that begin with the letter "S".
I LOVE these theatres and continue to want to work with them...
I hate what this has become...I am sad for all of you, and sad for my quirky and fun blog...
This is sad.
and, PS, "Equity"...I know who you are...just stop.
It doesn't make people respect you more.
Really.
The "stupid theatre professional"s are the one who let the theatres get away with some of the shit they pull.
Studio is infamous for treating actors like shit (I'll never work there again thats for damn sure) and they get away with it because people are scared of being blacklisted or not hired back. Meanwhile we continue to get taken advantage of.
I was told when i was in NY last week that AEA was getting ready to crack down on these theatres (and that seems to be supported by what "Equity" said). What is sad is that the Equity members could have prevented all of this unpleasentness. There are too many deputies "elected" who sit right in the back pocket of the producers/ production managers/ artistic director. I have no reason to be ashamed of making theatres stick to Equity rules.
"Hold you high and stupid rules and see how many people want to work with you..." lots... I work alot in this town onstage and on screen.
If you think the rules are so stupid maybe you dont understand what being an AEA actor really means!
Steve, its Jess... What does the bubble say by your picture in the Arena ad??
And because I'm too lazy to do a seperate post I loved the article today!! Good for Matty!!
Steve, I hope you don't think I was insulting you. I was trying to bring a lightness to the comments that I thought you had originally intended. I was insulting Stephen R... You know I love you, and I agree wholeheartedly with you.
I don't understand what being an eqity actor means? ?????
No, fool, I understand what being an ACTOR means.
Y'all have SO made me stop the car.
I have no anonimity here, it is me talking and sharing my life...if you chose to say something that venomous to me, you better show your cowardly face.
Ryan...you know better...I know you only insult me on my terms.
:)
Q 5 Go...thanks...it is a nice article...
Really, guys, I would rather discuss Shelly Winter's death or tax law than drag this on.
Q 5 Go...It is just a silly comment that Matty wrote in that says, "Why aren't I in Nevermore?"
Silly.
I thought I could make out Nevermore. You going to the show on Monday night??
Jess..yes, I can't wait.
Thanks for bringing up something else.
:)
No problem!!
You need to teach me to "blog" I kinda want to but need advice of an older... well.. wiser... well... a friend :)
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