Eithne's: January 2013

Here is my Artefact about 'Employment outside Performing'

My Story.

Since leaving my professional performing arts college in 2011, I have personally struggled with being able to maintain a sustainable income. As a performer, the ability to earn enough money to live, whilst going to class and auditioning can be tough, especially for creative minds as there is only one thing that makes us truly happy; performing. This is why I decided to do my inquiry upon ‘Employment outside of Performing.’ I wanted to gain the views and opinions of other established performers and how they have contended with difficulties that come along side being a professional performer.
Within this booklet I shall be covering the key information from my inquiry.

Finding Success.

After completing my inquiry, I have realised it has been more of a learning curve for me rather than finding lots of facts and information. Although I have gained some very useful opinions from my interviews, my surveys weren’t as successful. I found that the employers didn’t give the results I was hoping for. It was quite a small project which I feel I could extend in the future, for example I would like to do more interviews with accomplished performers currently in the West End.
One thing I have noticed through the completion of my inquiry is that Social Networks are a key part to success. Without the use of Facebook and Twitter I would have struggled to get either of my Survey’s completed. Throughout my research, I have noticed that networking is the key to success within this industry.
Another important fact I have gained from my inquiry is the need for a second job. This may include working in a bar, restaurant or in retail. Although these may not be very glamorous, I have learnt from my literature is that these skills are ‘transferable’. They can be used in auditions. For example, if you are auditioning for the role of a bar maid, having that experience and skill will give an advantage over someone who has never worked in a pub. One of the people I interviewed advised me to learn as much as possible as you never know when you are going to need those skills. I believe we can use our second jobs to our advantage.
Freakley and Sutton state that;
“Performers who have a broad range of skills are more likely to be successful in finding work related to their interests and avoid taking manual jobs unconnected to their profession.”

The performer / employer interview I conducted showed how a performer has also started their own company. By doing this, although it is a lot of hard work, the interviewee said that they can work their performing life around their awareness company. Having gained PA skills, this performer has now created the perfect job - they are their own manager.
Another option that became apparent in my research would be to work on the technical side of performing, for example being a set designer. It’s not something I had ever seriously thought about before but could be something I would consider. Again, this is another skill, a great way to network with the performers, directors and other members of crew and is still within the performance based careers, rather than having to do something you don’t enjoy.

The facts.

My favorite quote from my inquiry is:
“Even established artists find it hard to make ends meet. In March, Susan Hill claimed that, despite the film adaptation of her bestselling book ‘The Woman in Black’ having grossed more than £100m worldwide, she said, ‘I am still broke.”

This shows us that even highly successful artists have to think about their finances.

I have realised from my inquiry that unless you are a very successful performer, say in a Hollywood Film, you will always need a second job to support your career.

Another worrying fact I found about wages is;
‘According to Equity, the performers' union, at least two thirds of actors are out of work at any time. The union's minimum rates:
£379 per week for regional repertory
£497 per week for a West End play in a 799 seat theatre
£607 in an 1,100 plus theatre’
Seeing as this only applies to one third of actors, it is no wander we need good reliable second jobs.

I have learnt from one of my teachers that in the last few years the number of performers is increasing whilst the number of performing jobs is staying the same. I also learnt from one of my interviewees that performers are choosing to stay in their contracted shows for longer. Normally, performers would stay in the same contract for a year but they are now choosing to extend their contracts due to the lack of work opportunities being available. I spoke to one performer who had been on a cruise ship for 8 years. This shows me that they are clearly not taking on new dancers and singers, so as long as performers are reliable and of a high standard the chances of them being offered extended contracts is increasing.

As performers, we really need to think about sustainability. If you get in with a good company, they are more than likely to use you again.
If I have learnt anything at all from my inquiry it is the importance of maintaining and developing networks within this business.
Although not connected with performing, I discovered that people in other careers such as the police force are also having to enhance their income by developing ‘business interests’. The article I came across states that they are investing in a property to rent out. I do find it worrying that even members of the police force are having to seek other means of income.

From my Survey I have realized that performers do choose to do very varied types of work. These were the results I gained;
Do you currently work outside of performing work? If so where and what doing?

1 - Freelance Interior Designer 2 - Bar/restaurant 1 - Front of House 2 - Drama/Dance teacher
2 - Harrods Agency 1 - Rehabilitation worker

How my Practice has Benefitted me.

The biggest change I have made since starting my inquiry is that I have a new second job. I have decided to join a work Agency.
After getting back the results from my surveys, I found the performers with the most positive results were those employed through an agency.
After researching, I found that agencies run on a ‘no hours contract.’ Although this means you are not guaranteed work, if you are reliable and hard working, you will be rewarded with regular shifts.
Although this was not the point of my inquiry, I have found it has vastly improved my performing career. The agency I work for only hires performers. They have the knowledge and flexibility to allow us to cancel shifts at short notice if necessary. But this flexibility is only be used for genuine auditions.

I also feel it has given me a greater respect for my employers. From the results of my survey, two people answered that they “weren’t bothered” when letting their employer down for an audition. Doing my interviews taught me a lot, our managers want us to do well within performing and try their hardest to work around us.
One of my interviewee’s and former managers said;
‘I try and work the rota around my staff. I will try my best given a days notice but if I cannot organise the rota I have to put it down as an absence. I do expect do the staff to organise a change of shift themselves first rather than relying on me to sort it out.’
I think this is very reasonable, their priority is their job and I think performers sometimes forget that.

Maintaining Success.

After speaking with employers both inside and outside of the performing industry, without knowing, all of them agreed on one key point. . .
‘Honesty is the best Policy.’
From my research I have learnt that in order to maintain a second job that allows you to receive a regular income, you need to be open and honest with your employers from the beginning of employment. In order to do this you need to make sure that your managers are aware of your needs as a performer, for example, that you may have to swop shifts at the last minute. I have found that if you are honest with employers, it is the first step in gaining their trust. From experience I have found it advantageous to be able to change shifts with your colleagues. So by maintaining good, reliable networks and positive relationships with your fellow employees, makes being able to audition a lot easier.
I have learnt a great amount from my inquiry and hope that this is a useful insight into my findings.

http:// www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/9542878.Police_in_Lancashire_turning_to_second_jobs/

http://m.guardian.co.uk/culture/2012/jul/29/artists-day-job- feature?cat=culture&type=article

Eithne's

Sunday, 6 January 2013

Artefact

Wednesday, 2 January 2013

It's nearly the end