Some Professional, Middle-Class Actors Made Videos About Issues Of Grave Concern.
Do you recognize some of these professional actors, in these videos?
They Are Not From The Press, And That’s A Solid Blessing, In This Case
The good news is, these videos talk about the real issues; and just how imperative they are…How damaging it will be to accept this ‘AMPTP contract’, for the future of all actors, and to the profession altogether.
These middle-class actors did the math.
For you.
They looked over the legalese, and all the boring stuff, so you don’t have to…
Maybe it’s because they are real working actors.
And, they’re not obscuring what is important, with all that other stuff…gossipy-drama that most of the press puts front-and-center; when discussing SAG, altogether. And, yes, even most of the bloggers do that too. Even those that claim to be “an expert” on the topic. (Um, those people that write those articles, aren’t actors usually.)
Like I say, often, here at Hollywood Actor Prep…it takes a professional actor…
It takes an actor to understand an actor’s life.
It takes one to know one. It takes one to understand one. And, it takes one to inform and advise another.
It takes an actor to explain what the issues are, and how it can impact all actors…now, and in the future.
So, here they are. Here we are.
The Actors. You. Me. All Of Us…Solidarity.
I appreciate you watching these videos, and thank you for taking a look at the issues. And I hope you will tell others.
….That’s far more than what the journalists have been doing. Ironically. (It appears to me, that most journalists may not even know what the issues are, or that there are issues and conflicts. Is it reporter-laziness? Is it just easier to make fun of Alan Rosenberg, or talk about this star or that one, than to research about the AMPTP? Or do they think it attracts more readers?? Lots of people say that the reporters are also paid by the same people as those on the AMPTP, like Rupert Murdoch…That may be true, but I don’t think it’s that complex….I think it’s just laziness. It takes time & effort, to look into a contract. Takes none, to ‘throw mud around’. )
I think that actors, profoundly, contribute to our culture.
And, to be redundant, because I will say this again and again, happily.
(And then… once more with feeling!)
I think that actors are valuable.
I think that actors deserve to be paid. And to be regarded as valuable professionals.
I think that actors deserve to be treated with dignity, and allowed to earn money and healthcare…a living.
I believe that every time an actor performs, that actor should receive payment.
And that includes performances live, OR recorded.
I firmly believe, that when any venue, studio, channel, or internet station, : especially when they make money from sponsors/advertising, and the sponsors are paying for productions that feature actors, that the producers should compensate the actors.
Elementary, right? Well, they don’t plan to.
That’s what this is all about.
Surprised?
Call me a “hardliner”, but I don’t think exploitation is ever acceptable.
And, I do believe the AMPTP contract is exploitative. And, I think they are quite aware of that. I think they know the inherent implications that come along with it.
Are you aware that they are clear, that they, flat out, intend to keep all earnings for themselves. While using the work of actors, to earn it. And there are earnings, and these earnings are increasing, all the time. Especially on the ‘net.
All the while, the actors, will be unpaid and impoverished, as a result. Really. Impoverishing them individually, and their families, and all the ramifications that come with that.
It will have a devastating effect on the profession of acting, altogether. A career that is regarded as perilous already. Rendered utterly, truly, impossible.
The AMPTP, quite consciously, created this situation. They knew, all along, that they were offering actors a terrible, lessening, deal.
They also used a lot of PR, they hired marketing experts, even for the internet.(Look it up on Google, if interested in more details.) They knew that the timing was terrible for a SAG Strike; and they were able to use the current public economic fear, to their advantage.
So they’ve been paying a lot to feed the public some very persuasive, and mostly, obfuscating information.
To the max, they power-played… They played on the public’s insecurity about the economic situation of our country, to somehow flip it around…and make the actor the “bad guy”. They played on the fear that every actor lives with, and professional insecurity.
(And, some of the problems were waged between actors themselves…because like any lesser class in any social social system, in terms of wealth or power; when the lowest classes can’t fight back, they fight who the ones they can. Themselves. Especially when the pressure, anxiety, and potential loss, is so high.)
Generally, the acting profession is a mystery, for the public.
Unfortunately, that has served to weaken the interest, and the severity of the actors’ side, in this conflict.
The public regards the acting profession, in one of two ways:
- Illogical, and fruitless, as far as income.
- or
- Overpaid movie stars.
That’s just not so. There are many, many actors who earn a living; just a living, in the acting profession.
As for actors, well…most don’t even know the issues, themselves.
I hate to admit that, and to see such lack of interest too. But, I think I know why that is…
That has to do with their professional stature. Because, at different caliber levels, the professional experience vastly differs. As does the actors’ personal life. Social experiences, too.
Interests, and goals, too. Perspectives.
Younger actors, who are just beginning, only can focus on trying to get a foothold in, professionally. They aren’t concerned with livlihood, not yet.
And, the very successful stars, well, you’ve heard some of their opinions…but the truth is, they can’t relate.
It’s so very far from their experience…They just don’t need to worry about dollars-and-cents, in their lives. Things like residuals, and even the internet, are not issues that have anything to do with them. And they do live pampered, cloistered lives. (They actually do.) So they just don’t get it.
Even though they may appear to be wise, it is within the realm of their “blindspot”. Their perspective is just too far removed from actors, on the other strata.
As actors, we can always use support, but it’s very necessary, now.
And, we need solidarity. So please, connect with each other, and inform each other.
And public awareness. (Because if the issues & facts & ‘the math’ doesn’t make it into the press, then we can get the knowledge out there, right?)
Please send this post to your friends who act, or wish to. Professional or not.
Because if it’s your profession, your life, then they should know. And, it would be good for you to support that profession…
It may be that if we don’t consolidate, there may not-be-an-acting-profession in the future.
We must get the issues out to the public, because it isn’t happening in the media, otherwise.
…The actors’ stance and SAG is losing power, every day, as a result.
Please email this post to your friends, it’s so-o easy and takes a second, only. Send it to all of them, because it’s very important to get the public to know the facts. Put it on your Facebook page…Your MySpace…
Use the “SHARE” widget down below, the white one…it will take you right to your email or Facebook page, etc. Directly, too, no clicking around or filling in stuff…
Thanks, for all of us…
And keep the faith.
Follow me on Twitter, if you don’t already….my Twitter name is __dana__. (Twitter registration is the shortest…!)
Once again, I ask you to please share by emailing to your actor friends, and to others, as well. Actors need the public to know, and to be in support of the profession, right now.
Best,
Dana
