File puptcrit/puptcrit.0903, message 123


From: Christopher Hudert <heyhoot-AT-mindspring.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2009 22:59:13 -0500
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] free shows


Brad,

   I guess some of this could have to do with market share, but not 
totally. We compete not just with other puppeteers, but with the 
clowns, jugglers, magicians, storytellers, etc. etc. etc. And they all 
get asked to do free shows too.

   I do much of my work for non-profits, though not too many charities. 
Many public events do have a budget for entertainment. Some do not, or 
they have a very limited budget. I get paid my regular rate for 99% of 
the gigs I do. If 1% or less of the shows I do are done for free, or at 
a reduced rate, how can that be damaging the ability of myself or 
others to be hired?

   BTW, if you followed the end of one of my previous posts, the school 
that wanted a full day of professional time for "gas money" was not 
able to meet my request for even a reasonable honorarium. I turned them 
down. To do that gig would have been damaging to the profession. Yet, I 
don't think it was a lack of respect as much as a lack of money. With 
more foresight the may have been able to budget something, or even get 
a grant. On short notice the money wasn't there, so I won't be there.

Christopher

On Mar 5, 2009, at 4:57 PM, Brad Shur wrote:

> Here's why I think myself and others tend to bristle at requests for 
> free very limited market shows.
>
> We work in a very limited market. Dentists cater to anyone who has 
> teeth, grocers to anyone who likes to eat. In puppetry we have the 
> combination of very few likely customers and not a lot of money per 
> show. Even the best professional live puppeteers out there are not 
> swimming in the moolah.
>
> (some) Possible venues:
> Schools + Cultural centers= Declining budgets
> Private parties= Very elastic with the demand, and often not a high 
> paying gig
> Events
>
> Of the large public events that might hire a puppeteer, a good chunk 
> of them can be described as some kind of charity or non-profit.
>
> But these events are one of a very limited number of places that 
> puppeteers can perform. When people set the precedent of doing free 
> shows, they narrow an already very small market for everyone. Of 
> course this is no reason to be rude, the presenter isn't thinking in 
> those terms, but it isn't just the equivalent of asking a dentist to 
> donate a day of his time, it's like asking a walrus dentist to treat 
> one of the very few walrus's in town for free.
>
> B. Shur
>

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