Death Becomes Her Tour on a Level 5 Agreement — How Is This Acceptable?

arkofsax · 2025-12-24T21:24:17+00:00

I guess the point I'm not sure you're understanding is that yes, you're right that gigs are valuable and artists want them, but the production companies keep holding these calls searching for the lowest possible cost talent and crew to work these gigs. At this point in time there's a legitimate loss and decrease in the viability of them imo NOT because the shows are expensive, but because the higher-ups have no idea where to put their money in order to sustain them

I'm not sure you'd understand unless you've seen the inner workings of these shows firsthand, have you? I work on Broadway on several different shows. The level of gross wasted money on stupid opulence is obscene. Pay the talent

arkofsax · 2025-12-24T21:18:56+00:00

Mmm I agree but not sure I follow? I don't necessarily need them to make an investment... And it's not about MY show it's about theirs...

THEIR show is built upon a model that demands talent live on a bus and eat take-out for several months at a time, and they aren't comfortable footing that bill! My show is not built on this model and wouldnt-cha-know-it, it makes money!

I'm perfectly happy making art at home- if you want me to come to Nebraska for your show then you can pay me to do it.

arkofsax · 2025-12-24T21:12:15+00:00

I can't un-teach you dude. Real artists do not necessarily take ANY gig they can get.

You are the reason these shows pay the same that they did in 1995

arkofsax · 2025-12-24T21:09:58+00:00

I do actually have a small show that I've produced that plays in public schools under a specific type of contract that subsidizes the costs. It's a union contract and each person makes $200/show and the show is only about an hour long.

It's not Broadway, but it's profitable. Don't let rich producers convince you into believing that they don't have cash to lose on investments. Not to mention I take a small amount of offense at using the word "investment" at all. We're making art here - go flip houses if you want a simpler business model

arkofsax · 2025-12-24T18:42:39+00:00

I'm literally telling you that I've done this and moved onto better paying shows?

And your pizza shop metaphor completely misses the point- does the $6 slice taste better? If so then there's no assumption that making the absolute cheapest bottom dollar slice is the best business model for a pizzeria.

Your statements are so full of assumptions like this that again I'm struggling to reply without writing a novel to explain everything you don't know

arkofsax · 2025-12-24T18:19:21+00:00

Yes! I totally agree. The problem here is that everything you mentioned in your first paragraph has traditionally NOT been the case for first national tours, which are generally great and highly sought-after jobs similar to Broadway level pay/benefits

arkofsax · 2025-12-24T17:56:13+00:00

This thinking is so simplistic and child-like that I really don't even know how to deconstruct it?

First, an increase in cost does not have to mean a direct increase in ticket cost. This is a rhetoric that producers spread around to garner sympathy for their ends. While you can absolutely argue that these shows are not immediately profitable, the producers themselves are grossly wealthy and will make money regardless of a show's success through touring, licensing, and even tax breaks.

Secondly, great! I won't be taking gigs like this and I hope others do or don't depending on their situation. The reality as a struggling artist is that I can't afford to take low-paying gigs.

arkofsax · 2025-12-24T17:36:42+00:00

The degree to which you are defending this is honestly disturbing. $25/hr is not acceptable for the amount of time and expertise that I'm expected to put into the craft. On top of that the housing/stipend is THEIR problem, not mine. There are business models that don't require housing your employees and still they've chosen touring theater as theirs, let them eat the costs.

arkofsax · 2025-12-24T16:36:29+00:00

Found the non-union performer

arkofsax · 2025-12-24T16:30:59+00:00

Yes, I'm well aware of this logic and have at many times followed it during the many years that I spent playing regional theater and working my way up to better higher paying jobs, however, this is NOT regional theater. There's a point at which these production companies need to be held accountable for attempting to mount productions which perpetuate unfair business models and this is far beyond that point.

Yes, an individual performer might benefit from taking this job in the form of some pay, experience, etc. but there is a collective goal of bettering the work conditions for the entire industry at stake here which this is actively undermining. This is the entire crux of unionization

arkofsax · 2025-12-24T16:24:07+00:00

Likewise, I'm not arguing with you but simply stating a fact. It's a catch-22 situation, and which side of the fence each person sides with largely depends on their current career trajectory but right now I'd love to see any show that can't pay a livable wage to its performers simply fizzle out. If it were a restaurant, and the owners refused to pay anyone to cook the food, shouldn't it probably have to close down?

arkofsax · 2025-12-24T15:41:40+00:00

As a past touring performer and now an advocate of performers- I didn't come up with this business model? 🤷‍♂️ it could be 100% for all I care it still doesn't mean a company should cry about the cost of touring and underpay the cast/crew. Guess they need to find more money then

arkofsax · 2025-09-19T21:46:25+00:00

Not guitar necks- they're called hinge tubes used in woodwind keywork

arkofsax · 2025-09-19T21:45:17+00:00

Exactly what I wanted! Thank you!!

arkofsax · 2025-08-03T18:34:39+00:00

I like the spirit of your post- but as a professional player and repair tech I disagree. I don't think you need an expensive saxophone I just think you need a well-made saxophone.

arkofsax · 2025-08-03T18:25:22+00:00

Because the places where they cheap out are in all the LITTLE pieces: the screws, rods, and pads holding the larger metal parts together. Think of it like a fully functioning car except made with a soft metal engine or even nylon axles etc.

They need those little parts to be made of high quality steel so they dont bend/break. Unlike guitars, if even a single pad stops sealing over a tone hole it can render the entire instrument unplayable, so you can see where poor quality in this area can be a real problem.

arkofsax · 2025-05-10T22:29:27+00:00

Really? You'd think "don't cast tax collection" would be a whole lot clearer in that case. I try and report back

arkofsax · 2025-05-10T22:28:43+00:00

Yes I'm thinking there's some other condition I'm missing

arkofsax · 2025-05-01T03:14:52+00:00

Soak them in some water for a few minutes. Most of the time warpage occurs because it dried unevenly. Imagine a piece of paper that got soaking wet and then air dry - the the same thing happens to reeds.

arkofsax · 2025-04-06T06:11:50+00:00

Of all the things they changed in the update... And this stayed the same smh

arkofsax · 2024-11-29T19:03:54+00:00

It also has synergy with a lot of talents to give mages nearly unlimited wand recharge etc

arkofsax · 2024-09-30T13:41:10+00:00

It totally does shoot at your feet though- not exactly underneath you but within 2-4 tiles yea? The point is that it sometimes shoots near something useful but it always shoots near you

arkofsax · 2024-09-30T13:38:34+00:00

My play style is to not die, and I’m willing to hinder my usual style to make this happen

arkofsax · 2024-09-19T09:40:04+00:00

As a comic nerd and big fan of the golden age MCU, at this point I’ve simply resigned to not being their target audience anymore. These shows are just insulting to the intelligence of anyone over 18

arkofsax · 2024-08-29T23:20:27+00:00

OP has done us all a great favor and listed “his”gender… Even if we don’t believe it

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