Fringe 2005 - How Not To Produce A Fringe Show - part 1: Livestock

The story goes that Alfred Hitchcock was once quoted as trying to correct a misconception about his directing style, "I didn't say that actors were cattle, I said they should be treated like cattle."

Moo.

In case there was any question in the matter, my Fringe producer friends, actors are not your servants.

Yes, they may be doing a Fringe show primarily for the experience for their resume or simply for fun, but that doesn't mean you get to take them for granted.

After all, without them, you wouldn't have a show, would you?

(This applies to dancers for dance shows, mimes, puppeteers - whoever the principal people are who put their butts on the line by stepping out on stage for your show, that's who I'm talking about)

They are also your very best publicity - they get that word of mouth started and they fill those early performances with their friends and family.

So, if you have any latitude at all, pay them.

Yes, on a certain level, you are creating an opportunity for them to show off their talents. You could even argue that you're doing them a favor by taking the lion's share of the financial risk so "all" they have to do is perform.

But they're giving up a chunk of their lives, that they could chose to spend any other way at all, to help you create something.

Nobody goes into the Fringe expecting to make a lot of money. It's about building an audience and building community, and trying something with the Fringe as your safety net that maybe you couldn't afford to do any other way at any other time of year.

If it's a choice between you getting a nice (or even tiny) chunk of change, and paying the actors something - pay the actors something. It's not the size of the payment, it's the thought that counts (though some would argue that size does matter). To be compensated for your artistic talents happens all too rarely. The Fringe is one of the most artist-friendly spots on the theater map these days. That should extend to splitting up the pot after all is said and done.

Everyone has their own style and they're entitled to it. But for Fast Fringe last year, we knew our actors were working their butts off, so my fellow producers and I did without payment, so we could give the actors a little extra on top of what we'd already planned to give them.

It's up to you. All I'm asking is that you consider the people who are helping you carry the load.

(For more of my writing - plays, past blog entries and more - visit www.matthewaeverett.com)