makrothymia
01-06-2008, 12:42 PM
This is something that is rarely addressed, because unless you live the life no one knows.
If one is an Actor, and has the rare opportunity to join the Union known as SAG. To join SAG one must be given a union job, but one can only get a union job; if one is a union member it's a catch-22.
Actor, Sag member- what are his healthcare options? First most actor's do not get speaking parts. One has to have an agent (ie lobbyist). So most actor's are background actors: filler, ambiance.
To become a background actor nowadays, you have to pay background casting companies to post your photo(s). There are a few in NYC. Usually the cost is around $25, or so.
Once your photo is posted you sit and wait until called. Why will they call you? because a production is being made and they need filler, or a type ie.bouncer, model. Now, remember not only do you need a production, but you are in a pool of thousands of actors.
You get the job. Yay. You work 2 days (typical). Then you sit and wait. You've probably earned $300 for both days.
What about healthcare? You can only sign up for healthcare when you qualify for healthcare. You have to work a minimum number of days near the 80's or earn 20,000+ Most background workers do not qualify. And most background actors work in the service industry which provides no healthcare either.
If you get an agent, lucky if he doesn't want to sleep with you, or he actually has an office, or he isn't too busy with his other job to lobby for you to audition.
My friends our political climate trickles down in to everything. The Howard Roark's (fountainhead, ayn rand) in the acting world are laughed at because they don't adopt the status quo, and give "them" what they want just for the part. My acting coach (very good one) laughed at a student and said poor you, you're still an idealist. It's sad, just sad.
I may have gotten some things wrong about the healthcare issue, so feel free to correct me.
If one is an Actor, and has the rare opportunity to join the Union known as SAG. To join SAG one must be given a union job, but one can only get a union job; if one is a union member it's a catch-22.
Actor, Sag member- what are his healthcare options? First most actor's do not get speaking parts. One has to have an agent (ie lobbyist). So most actor's are background actors: filler, ambiance.
To become a background actor nowadays, you have to pay background casting companies to post your photo(s). There are a few in NYC. Usually the cost is around $25, or so.
Once your photo is posted you sit and wait until called. Why will they call you? because a production is being made and they need filler, or a type ie.bouncer, model. Now, remember not only do you need a production, but you are in a pool of thousands of actors.
You get the job. Yay. You work 2 days (typical). Then you sit and wait. You've probably earned $300 for both days.
What about healthcare? You can only sign up for healthcare when you qualify for healthcare. You have to work a minimum number of days near the 80's or earn 20,000+ Most background workers do not qualify. And most background actors work in the service industry which provides no healthcare either.
If you get an agent, lucky if he doesn't want to sleep with you, or he actually has an office, or he isn't too busy with his other job to lobby for you to audition.
My friends our political climate trickles down in to everything. The Howard Roark's (fountainhead, ayn rand) in the acting world are laughed at because they don't adopt the status quo, and give "them" what they want just for the part. My acting coach (very good one) laughed at a student and said poor you, you're still an idealist. It's sad, just sad.
I may have gotten some things wrong about the healthcare issue, so feel free to correct me.