tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962718407053988991.post1968689452595022908..comments2023-10-24T03:10:28.151-07:00Comments on After Words: Humphrey Bowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841050029169012878noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962718407053988991.post-65007285300411520362015-01-27T18:01:00.536-08:002015-01-27T18:01:00.536-08:00Thanks Rick!
I’ve touched on this theme in previ...Thanks Rick! <br /><br />I’ve touched on this theme in previous posts: for example, the series of posts on my experiences at APAM, the one on the Biennale artists and most recently the one on 'art and creativity'. But I’ll consider a more focussed treatment for a future post. Very briefly: the industry (like others) is currently divided between employers, managers and permanent staff, on the one hand, and contract employees (artists and production crew) on the other. This needs to change. From above: by including artists (especially actors and writers) and crew on staff, on boards, and in public forums like ATF and APAM (that’s one of the reasons I started my blog). From below: by artists and crew setting up their own groups, companies and organisations (which is one of the reasons I have my own company as well as working freelance).<br /><br />Actually I think a culture of job-sharing and position-sharing across the board would be a good place to start (and much healthier for everyone!). I’d like to see more shared AD positions in major organisations for example, which would also provide an opportunity for greater cultural and gender diversity. <br /><br />I’d also like to see more ensemble-based companies in which the members of the ensemble actually had power within the company. For example, I was part of a company in the 80s called Whistling in the Theatre which was a collective of actor-devisors. We were also an incorporated association so we took creative, financial and administrative responsibility for our work. We even employed directors for specific shows rather than the other way around! <br /><br />I know times have changed since then, and no single model is perfect, but I think we need more diversity – and more equitable sharing of power. It’s not just a question of democracy: the art will be better too!<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />HumphHumphrey Bowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03841050029169012878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1962718407053988991.post-79593349374423562982015-01-27T08:56:38.563-08:002015-01-27T08:56:38.563-08:00Thanks for your insight Humphrey - genuinely appre...Thanks for your insight Humphrey - genuinely appreciated.<br /><br />I'm interested in hearing your thoughts about addressing the relative powerlessness of actors, and contract workers generally, in comparison with their employers.<br /><br />Maybe the subject of another blog?<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />RickAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08927692469140162920noreply@blogger.com