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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2020 13:57:39 GMT
I’ve seen a few high-profile people write stuff and say stuff, but I’m talking about a proper, cohesive, coherent campaign. So that when those upper-echelon people are in the news, I’m hearing something beyond retweets and ‘sod the Tories’ from people further down the pecking order (who, let’s face it, are doing most of the work). The latest wheeze, ‘post a picture of yourself in an arts job, with no description’ is a case in point. Yes, post a description! Please!! Talk about the power of your work and how it can affect audiences. Talk about how you aim to inspire the next generation. Talk about the opportunities you hope the future holds for diverse voices, performers and stories. Otherwise, it’s just a bunch of meaningless photos. People are doing all of those things. Just because you don’t know about them doesn’t mean they don’t exist. A better question is to ask why you haven’t seen media coverage of them, or why the coverage is slanted to portray the arts community as whinging about the Tories. Take your example of the latest viral hashtag (not sure why you describe people who have lost their jobs/careers and are scared for the future of their industry using Twitter to gain attention as a “wheeze”). Plenty of people have done exactly what you are asking for, but those kinds of posts/tweets/articles do not go viral in the way a photo challenge does. The intention of that particular photo challenge was to show how many thousands of ordinary people work in theatre, to try to combat the false belief that theatre is only for and by a tiny handful of the elite. Cambridge Dictionary definition of ‘wheeze’: ‘a clever and often unusual idea or plan, especially one that is intended to achieve a profit or some other advantage’. Not sure why you’re getting so offended? But I’d also ask: has it worked? (And shouldn’t it have happened some weeks ago?) Things only go viral when they really capture people’s imagination - eg think about the Marcus Rashford approach. My point was that I find this one somewhat of a wasted opportunity, because I don’t believe it’s that effective. Why not encourage audience members to share snaps of themselves at theatres and also speak out about what theatre means to them? Keep up the pressure that way? Why not plan a week of posts about different aspects of the industry and nail them on specific days? There just seem to be so many useful ways to show how the arts enrich our lives, but the people you’d expect to be best placed to show it aren’t harnessing them. |
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Post by sf on Jul 5, 2020 14:01:17 GMT
There are many valid arguments to be had about Brexit. No, there really aren't. There is not a single argument in favour of it that stands up to close scrutiny. There never has been. And as I said, in THIS context, it is sickening to see a government willing to spaff obscene amounts of money up the wall on an exercise which will harm the economy and cost thousands of jobs drag their heels over a comparatively small financial contribution which would prevent an entire industry from going out of business. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2020 14:06:14 GMT
I’ve seen a few high-profile people write stuff and say stuff, but I’m talking about a proper, cohesive, coherent campaign. What do you think those articles by Sam Mendes and Sonia Friedman were about? What do you think they've been doing? It doesn't just stop at a couple of newspaper columns. The work IS happening. The media are not covering it. The fact that YOU haven't seen it doesn't mean it isn't there. You must have missed my response to samuelswhiskers, where I acknowledged some of that - I think they probably crossed. And I would politely ask you to watch your tone and not to assume that just because I disagree with you, I must be very stupid. It’s a discussion forum, and it would be very dull if we agreed all the time! |
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Post by sf on Jul 5, 2020 14:11:46 GMT
And I would politely ask you to watch your tone and not to assume that just because I disagree with you, I must be very stupid. Given your own tone, Jean, that strikes me as staggeringly hypocritical. |
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Post by Jon on Jul 5, 2020 14:15:07 GMT
Cambridge Dictionary definition of ‘wheeze’: ‘a clever and often unusual idea or plan, especially one that is intended to achieve a profit or some other advantage’. Not sure why you’re getting so offended? But I’d also ask: has it worked? (And shouldn’t it have happened some weeks ago?) Things only go viral when they really capture people’s imagination - eg think about the Marcus Rashford approach. My point was that I find this one somewhat of a wasted opportunity, because I don’t believe it’s that effective. Why not encourage audience members to share snaps of themselves at theatres and also speak out about what theatre means to them? Keep up the pressure that way? Why not plan a week of posts about different aspects of the industry and nail them on specific days? There just seem to be so many useful ways to show how the arts enrich our lives, but the people you’d expect to be best placed to show it aren’t harnessing them. Perhaps one solution would be for the various live sectors to join forces for a campaign. I'm sure things would get done a lot quicker if say Michael McIntyre or Peter Kay along with the likes of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Ed Sheeran, Olivia Colman etc were fronting such a campaign. |
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Post by theatreian on Jul 5, 2020 14:18:04 GMT
Lets just wait and see what happens next week with the supposed announcement tied into the mini budget. Hopefully something positive will come out of that which will help solve the complicated and difficult return of live entertainment.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jul 5, 2020 14:21:39 GMT
Why not encourage audience members to share snaps of themselves at theatres and also speak out about what theatre means to them? Keep up the pressure that way? Why not plan a week of posts about different aspects of the industry and nail them on specific days? There just seem to be so many useful ways to show how the arts enrich our lives, but the people you’d expect to be best placed to show it aren’t harnessing them. Literally every single one of these things has already happened. You just aren’t paying attention to them. Why are you so bothered that ordinary regular people who happen to work in theatre, who are not in positions of power or influence, are using Twitter in a way that is different from how you personally would use it? There are serious issues with the biased media silencing and misrepresenting things, and with things like systemic racism unfairly privileging certain voices over others. Focus your ire on them, not some random working class lighting technician who’s out of a job deciding to tweet a photo because maybe it’ll make them feel a bit better to connect with others and make themselves visible. |
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Post by Jon on Jul 5, 2020 14:25:56 GMT
Lets just wait and see what happens next week with the supposed announcement tied into the mini budget. Hopefully something positive will come out of that which will help solve the complicated and difficult return of live entertainment. I hope any package also covers other live entertainment like comedy clubs which aren't a huge contributor to the economy like theatre and live music but it does feed into those areas and the likes of TV and film. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2020 15:45:22 GMT
Why not encourage audience members to share snaps of themselves at theatres and also speak out about what theatre means to them? Keep up the pressure that way? Why not plan a week of posts about different aspects of the industry and nail them on specific days? There just seem to be so many useful ways to show how the arts enrich our lives, but the people you’d expect to be best placed to show it aren’t harnessing them. Literally every single one of these things has already happened. You just aren’t paying attention to them. Why are you so bothered that ordinary regular people who happen to work in theatre, who are not in positions of power or influence, are using Twitter in a way that is different from how you personally would use it? There are serious issues with the biased media silencing and misrepresenting things, and with things like systemic racism unfairly privileging certain voices over others. Focus your ire on them, not some random working class lighting technician who’s out of a job deciding to tweet a photo because maybe it’ll make them feel a bit better to connect with others and make themselves visible. I’m on Twitter every day. My timeline is basically theatre, TV, a large number of ‘normal everyday folks’ and a bit of women’s rights. If I haven’t seen this stuff, it’s not through lack of engagement - I’m afraid it’s through lack of them gaining any significant traction. And I’d humbly submit this is true for the wider population, because the government clearly hasn’t felt under significant pressure to prioritise the arts. In answer to your question, I’m commenting on how I’d expect the arts world to use social media/run a campaign because that’s what I do professionally. I’m commenting because other people here raised similar points and I wanted to join the discussion. I’m commenting because I care about the arts and I can’t believe what a hash the sector has made of their opportunities. I’m commenting because I have the right to an opinion. I’m afraid ‘biased media’ cuts no ice with me. I’ve seen various outlets - including Tory ones - cover this issue, not just with news stories but occasional opinion and commentary. It seems - to me - the sector simply hasn’t harnessed it in any coherent way. I take your point on certain voices having more sway than others, but I’m afraid the photo posting idea in itself demonstrates privilege and assumptions at work. I saw someone tweet earlier “Shoutout to everyone who can’t post an interesting photo because it’s basically just them on the phone.” You risk excluding valued workers by saying “post without an explanation”, because people in non-whizzy jobs can’t meaningfully demonstrate their roles. You risk excluding valued workers by making the assumption that it will be actors posting thrilling pics of themselves in costume. You make an even greater assumption that people outside the usual theatregoing set will recognise theatre names (who are often not ‘big names’ more widely) and be inspired to lend their support. As I say: it just feels like missed opportunities throughout. |
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Post by Jon on Jul 5, 2020 15:54:50 GMT
I notice the National Gallery has sold out tickets for the first few weeks of the reopening of the Gallery and the Titian exhibition, it seems like people are gagging for art and culture as much as the reopening of pubs and shops.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2020 16:33:39 GMT
My local independent cinema launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £18,000 to help them survive closure till the Autumn - they hit this target within 90 minutes and have now raised £50,000 which will allow them to keep open full time with reduced audience numbers.
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Post by talkingheads on Jul 5, 2020 17:22:44 GMT
Literally every single one of these things has already happened. You just aren’t paying attention to them. Why are you so bothered that ordinary regular people who happen to work in theatre, who are not in positions of power or influence, are using Twitter in a way that is different from how you personally would use it? There are serious issues with the biased media silencing and misrepresenting things, and with things like systemic racism unfairly privileging certain voices over others. Focus your ire on them, not some random working class lighting technician who’s out of a job deciding to tweet a photo because maybe it’ll make them feel a bit better to connect with others and make themselves visible. I’m on Twitter every day. My timeline is basically theatre, TV, a large number of ‘normal everyday folks’ and a bit of women’s rights. If I haven’t seen this stuff, it’s not through lack of engagement - I’m afraid it’s through lack of them gaining any significant traction. And I’d humbly submit this is true for the wider population, because the government clearly hasn’t felt under significant pressure to prioritise the arts. In answer to your question, I’m commenting on how I’d expect the arts world to use social media/run a campaign because that’s what I do professionally. I’m commenting because other people here raised similar points and I wanted to join the discussion. I’m commenting because I care about the arts and I can’t believe what a hash the sector has made of their opportunities. I’m commenting because I have the right to an opinion. I’m afraid ‘biased media’ cuts no ice with me. I’ve seen various outlets - including Tory ones - cover this issue, not just with news stories but occasional opinion and commentary. It seems - to me - the sector simply hasn’t harnessed it in any coherent way. I take your point on certain voices having more sway than others, but I’m afraid the photo posting idea in itself demonstrates privilege and assumptions at work. I saw someone tweet earlier “Shoutout to everyone who can’t post an interesting photo because it’s basically just them on the phone.” You risk excluding valued workers by saying “post without an explanation”, because people in non-whizzy jobs can’t meaningfully demonstrate their roles. You risk excluding valued workers by making the assumption that it will be actors posting thrilling pics of themselves in costume. You make an even greater assumption that people outside the usual theatregoing set will recognise theatre names (who are often not ‘big names’ more widely) and be inspired to lend their support. As I say: it just feels like missed opportunities throughout. Why should the arts have to lobby for it's own survival? It's mind boggling to me what the Goverment is (well, isn't) doing. When Tim Martin gets forty eight million pounds and the arts get nothing, the Government are either wilfully destroying the arts or simply incompetent. I suspect they are both. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2020 17:32:26 GMT
As a theatre fan I'd hate to see things go to the wall. But don't forget that a lot of arts is supported by rich people on the right and a lot of the creative industry is to the left. Playing Devil's Advocate might we see certain more centralist theatres/companies maintained and those of the leftist ideology allowed to go to the wall.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2020 17:34:32 GMT
With Cinemas can they operate at 50% capacity max. I guess they put the big blockbuster films on multiple screens and they may be able to but it will mean less choice and the smaller independent films won't get a look in.
The studios can spread releases out, films run for longer in the cinemas etc.
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Post by samuelwhiskers on Jul 5, 2020 18:02:17 GMT
One thing that I’ve noticed a lot (and it’s not specific to any one person or even to this board) is a tendency to refer to the theatre industry/theatre community as though it’s a hive-mind single entity. “Why doesn’t the theatre community do this?” “Why has the theatre industry done that?”
It belies a short sighted and misguided mindset about theatre.
“The theatre industry” comprises hundreds of thousands of disparate individuals, mostly freelance, all with their own unique circumstances and opinions. Most of us don’t even have a decent or in some cases any Union. There is no unity and no one is really leading on any large scale - because no one possibly can.
In terms of this crisis, a few influential individuals have chosen to seek out positions as essentially “unofficial informal government advisors.” The individuals who are having meetings with the Treasury and the DCSM, or appearing on TV, were not told to do that, they weren’t elected, there was no mass agreement from “The Industry” that they should do those things. They made the decision alone to seek those things out because they believed they could help by doing so. Sometimes they make mistakes, but it is their mistake as an individual, not “The Industry” screwing up. We’re all people and none of us are experts in government policy or any of the stuff that we’re now having to do.
Many other individuals who aren’t powerful or influential have done the same in their own lower profile way. No one told them to. “The Industry” had nothing to do with it. Just private individuals making their own personal decisions: to speak up, to be an advocate, to launch a petition or a hashtag.
Go back to the viral photo “wheeze.” One single individual, who is not particularly influential, came up with that idea. Not “The Industry.” ONE person. Why didn’t they come up with it weeks ago? Dunno. Maybe they were ill, or caring for an ill person, or working too hard in their new supermarket job, or too frozen with anxiety. Maybe it just didn’t occur to them. That person’s tweet went viral organically because other ordinary overlooked freelancers saw it and liked the idea. Maybe it made them feel less invisible and less powerless.
Elsewhere, attempts have been made to create some unity via forming various taskforces. The NT has their own taskforce, and the Freelancers Taskforce is the biggest and best known. But this has also led to problems with many complaining about being excluded, because obviously you can’t have a taskforce with X thousand people on it. Ironically the people who did get hired/elected for these taskforces are complaining that the taskforces are too large to be effective! And now there are multiple competing taskforces.
People act like there’s some kind of “Board of All Theatre” overseeing anything and that every time a theatre person tweets or appears on TV, some kind of organisation of higher ups has approved/planned it. No, it’s just private individuals doing what they think is best under extremely challenging circumstances. What more do you want from us?
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Post by Jon on Jul 5, 2020 18:33:11 GMT
This is probably going to sound like a dumb question but for the purposes of performances, is a tent considered an outdoor venue or an indoor venue? I only ask because I wonder if comedy events like the Greenwich Comedy Festival could potentially happen in the Autumn since it takes place in a tent.
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Post by zahidf on Jul 5, 2020 18:47:30 GMT
News tomorrow? 🤞🤞🤞
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Post by sf on Jul 5, 2020 18:58:27 GMT
"Just in time" is debatable, but ANYTHING is welcome. I hope it's enough. |
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Post by Mark on Jul 5, 2020 19:20:36 GMT
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Post by HereForTheatre on Jul 5, 2020 19:35:37 GMT
Great to hear.
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Post by HereForTheatre on Jul 5, 2020 19:44:58 GMT
And apparently it will be announced tonight, not tomorrow.
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Post by Jon on Jul 5, 2020 19:48:23 GMT
And apparently it will be announced tonight, not tomorrow. I would guess it’s been timed so it’s front page news for the Monday papers. |
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Post by zahidf on Jul 5, 2020 19:57:14 GMT
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Post by sf on Jul 5, 2020 19:58:53 GMT
This - launched by Sam Mendes and backed by Netflix, following one of the strategies he set out in his piece for the FT - looks like a very worthwhile initiative:
From the front page of the website:
The Theatre Artists Fund has been set up to provide emergency support for theatre workers and freelancers across the UK. It is for theatre professionals who are in need of urgent and critical financial support due to the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the theatre sector.
The Fund has been made possible from a generous donation from Netflix.
We invite industry figures, corporations, charitable trusts and individual theatre goers alike who care deeply about the future of the theatre industry in the UK to donate.
The more donations we receive, the more people we can help through this difficult time.
Our ambition for the fund is to provide short-term relief for hundreds of theatre workers and freelancers across the UK, and particularly those from underrepresented groups disproportionately affected by the crisis.
Donations can be made via the website.
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Post by firefingers on Jul 5, 2020 20:00:28 GMT
Had the £1.57 billion confirmed by a senior member of the National's team. Understand it is just for venues, but don't know if they will be able to distribute to the freelancers and those working on the shows actually in the venue.
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