Comments for Travers Ross

Comment on WHY ISN”T THIS SORTED AUSTRALIA??? by Victoria Houston

Victoria Houston — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 01:41:05 +0000

Is there a union for dance? YES!- I work for the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (Equity section) and I represent dancers at the Australian Ballet, Sydney Dance Company, Chunky Move etc, people in musicals and freelancers. The issue is that not enough dancers are members of the union. About 90% of actors are members of Equity and as a result actors in Australia get paid really well compared to the rest of the world. We need to get dancers involved in the union and we need to build a power-base so that we can push dancers’ wages up. My email address is victoria.houston@alliance.org.au if anyone wants to get in touch with me…this year we are all about getting dancers more involved in the union and pushing for what dancers want. Please get in touch with me if you have thoughts, comments, wants…I’d love to hear from you. If dancers stand together and say no to free work and bad conditions they will be in the position of power and they will get the recognition they deserve.
Thanks, Victoria Houston.

Comment on WHY ISN”T THIS SORTED AUSTRALIA??? by Thomas

Thomas — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 20:53:16 +0000

Hey!

Such a big issue for us!
I’m with Ilona, Its so insulting to be offered nothing for our time as if it’s merely a little hobby that where privileged to show. Shouldn’t people be privileged to watch our hard work and talent, as with any other skill? Take a TVC for instance, If your clearly seen in a TVC you take a certain bonus fee, If you talk theres a further fee, If you dance, No such luck? How is dancing any less than saying a line? It’s a special skill isn’t it?

I’m touring with fame at the moment and we recently had a meeting about creating a Dancers Union with in “Equity” Which currently sets the standards for Ballet Company’s, Musical theatre shows, Movies, Tv Shows and what ever else. They have started a whole new thing devoted to Dancers! I will email this blog along to someone!

I am in the states at the moment, It’s not so much more amazing than home, Theres just so many more people, giving chance for every style to thrive. We definitely have such a talented industry and yet where treated so unfairly?

Comment on WHY ISN”T THIS SORTED AUSTRALIA??? by Zak beasley

Zak beasley — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 16:59:33 +0000

This is sooo true.. We all live and breath dance but we are stuck stressing about whether or not we can pay this months rent.. Something needs to be done.. People need to stop treating dancers and extras like shit.. Because without us they’d honestly have nothing…

Comment on WHY ISN”T THIS SORTED AUSTRALIA??? by Julia gillard

Julia gillard — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:38:29 +0000

200% with you!
If we don’t do anything bout it now the future of dance for us youngens is fucked. It even goes further then that again like these dance shows and people trying to tell people how we can and cannot dance and move our bodies.. It’s these demotivational attitudes that distract us from the real reason why we dance. Ever since the dawn of time, dance has been recognised as not only a cultural life celebration, but also a physical exploration of our emotions. We lay out our souls on the stage and our agents etc don’t give us the respect that we dersever for all the blood, sweat and tears and years we put into our art… We get nothing back. I strongly believe that dancers are the most passionate people in the world, thats why I believe that we can make a hectic difference.

Let’s fsu!

Comment on WHY ISN”T THIS SORTED AUSTRALIA??? by Jarryd

Jarryd — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:16:18 +0000

My company was the one that conducted the study mentioned on the 7:30 report. I spoke with countless artists of all varieties for hours on end and the situation was pretty bleak.

We went into heaps of details in the income section relating to the break down of how much of their gross was from creative practice and how much from what usually turned out to be shitty side jobs. Also looked into expenses from creative practice. It was sad to see most artists spending way way more than they were making just to try and get their name out there.

What was worse was how many artists i spoke with who had just given up after years of battling financially.

Its good to see that once it was finally published it at least got some air time and this problem was made public. I’m hoping that a lot of Aussies saw it because it was on right after Tony Abbott.

Comment on WHY ISN”T THIS SORTED AUSTRALIA??? by Pat Kuo

Pat Kuo — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:11:52 +0000

although its an easy solution to say that all dancers should just stop doing free gigs, we have to face the actuality that there will always be people who will do it for free. Especially with so many young dancers who do need/want to get some stuff on their resume.. the idea of a dancer’s union is good - i definitely think we have to form something that can fix this. Maybe even to be addressed before Utopian ‘11.

Comment on WHY ISN”T THIS SORTED AUSTRALIA??? by ilona

ilona — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 11:49:42 +0000

I just said NO to a music video the other day. I was offered a ‘feed’ for me and my dancers. It’s insulting. Trust me, as a young dancer I learnt the hard way getting stuff on my cv, its hard to look at the bigger picture and the damage this causes to your industry when you are busting your ass for a gig.
I cant count how many times I’ve watched tv crews ask breakdancers to do tricks over and over again with no respect for how damn long those tricks take, the physical stamina, skill and endurance they are giving not to mention the risk of injury…..same for any dance style really…..oh but hang on, that’s right, silly me, they are getting paid a sausage sandwich and a can of coke…..and they are on a ‘cool’ music video…they should feel privileged?!! Thanks for the article Trav…..its a topic many people avoid xx

Comment on WHY ISN”T THIS SORTED AUSTRALIA??? by hilton denis

hilton denis — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 13:28:06 +0000

OATSSS HARD OUT I HEAR YA…ITS THE TRUTH AND WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT FOR THE GENERATIONS TO COME> PEACE LOVE HD

Comment on WHY ISN”T THIS SORTED AUSTRALIA??? by Rita Nita

Rita Nita — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 10:36:15 +0000

Australia…SAY NO TO FREE GIGS!! We need to stop devaluing our craft!!! Warning:The next person who asks me to do a free gig could possibly get a back hand!!We spend soo much time and money training, all for what???? Models (who just stand there n look pretty) in music videos make more money than dancers (who have killed themselves in rehearsals).Such nonsense, and yes about damn time someone said something about it!!

Comment on WHY ISN”T THIS SORTED AUSTRALIA??? by Cj

Cj — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 08:16:10 +0000

Hey bro just read your write up on here.. Im being honest when i say this.. It brang tears to my eyes man, im 100% with ya on it!
The bullshit we all go through just to get a gig on a film clip is crazy and even more crazy not gettin paid like you said. Gettin this gig with Cirque Du Soleil has opened my eyes to how amazing australian dancers/artists are.. like wow bro we are just as dope! And i am proud to be reppin for Aus here in Vegas
Its a hard world but we do not just because its what we do.. Its who we are, its not a choice its a way of life!

Keep doin what your doin.. like i said, im with ya! Im all for pushing to make Aus dance the real deal.

Big Love and thanks again for everything
Cj