But have you payed £10 for the privilege? If you have then I'll vote for you... 50p per vote, cash up front before I click...

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Silk Stocking Striptease Show

Hmmm, I can see how performers may think of it as an 'investment', paying a small fee for something that will give you a lot of exposure and that may well lead to more paid work is tempting. However, the question must be asked; how much credibility does an event which require it's performers to pay a fee actually have? Please please note that I am not in any way casting aspersions on the LBF or any other specific event, this is a general question about the principal of 'pay to perform' as an issue.

At the end of the day it is up to the individual performer to make a decision about whether or not it is in their interests to pay a fee to perform at an event, just as it is their decision to take unpaid work, or lower fees.

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http://www.myspace.com/vendettavain

true. I'd feel better if perhaps people wanting to enter a similar scenario, as beginners paid a registration fee, But the main acts had been booked intentionally. There's a world of difference mentally between watching someone you know paid to be there, and knowing they were asked.

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http://www.myspace.com/eris_eveiller
eris.eveiller@googlemail.com

you won't find me parting with my money for the pleasure of performing.
i am a proffessional, this is my job. ( i know a £10 a isn't much but its the principle)

you wouldn't find city workers paying 10 p a day to get into the office !!

yes i will donate my performance time to charity events i believe in or sometimes even friends events and parties.

but paying to perform ??

x x x

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Winner "Best Female Performer 2007" MOB Awards
Mistress of Make Believe
Veteran of Circus and British Burlesque
http://www.redsarah.com
http://www.myspace.com/cherrybombola

In the art world this is not such an usual occurrence. Some exhibitions charge from £10 to £25 for you to just to enter and you might not even get to show your work or get the money back.
Diva x

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Diva Hollywood - http://www.myspace.com/divahollywood

I don't know...........Pay or not pay to perform in front of a paying audiemce?

I am going to say NO this Gehenna UNLESS I was getting at least 5 to 7 times the "tenner" back for performing or 3 or 4 times the "triple" figure that has been bandied about...........Then again, I am Scottish thus I am naturally a dour faced, miserable, tight fisted old git

Although, is paying to perform a wee bit like paying to do some one a favour?

Ha, yeah, good thing I've got my corset on today, my sides are splitting.

I haven't even looked at the application form, let alone shelled out. I take a longer time planning anything than most people I know ...

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Terry Pratchett to Fleur - "Oh, are you the cleavage lady?"
Visit me - www.badflower.co.uk

This thread is getting more interesting - for the record I wish to state that I very rarely vote for anyone on anything, mainly because the voting system is overcomplicated for what should be a link with some buttons and a vote button - if it's not utterly simple and take a minute of my time then I can't be bothered, but I've seen too many that require me to register, login and then vote!

I like the fact that Red Sarah, Vendetta Vain and The Minister of Magic have come out and stated that they wouldn't pay to perform, although the Minister did state that he'd do it only if he wass getting several times that amount back.

I'm concerned that 'paying to perform' could end up as an industry standard for the bigger events. I've already experienced many London nights offering my wife stage time only despite her working some in the past for nothing and perfoming infront of 300+ people who've paid £10 to get in!

Also, does anyone know if all those who do get to work the LBF will get a basic fee? I imagined that the Newcomers Shows for 2007 and 2008 were unpaid, will the 2009 newcomers have to pay £10, get voted in, perform for no payment and then cover all their travel amd expenses. I guess if they get noticed then brilliant for future paid work, but how many from 2007 and 2008 whop worked for free have experioenced a drastic increase in paid bookings?

I realise that this may appear to some as an LBF bashing thread, I'm afraid that is the readers perception as I'm only aware of two events that charged people to perform and the LBF is the only one that is currently active. If other events are also charging then please bring them into this thread for equal discussion.

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Silk Stocking Striptease Show

Last year, I was going to apply, wasn't bothered by the application fee but was bothered by the clauses in the contract i.e. no local performances allowed during the festival.

However, having worked with the organiser since then, I would reconsider. Considering the noise made about Chaz, I didn't know what to expect when booked to perform for him this summer. He was lovely, on time, provided everything I required and most importantly paid on the evening (even though the venue weren't paying him for a few weeks) I would recommend Chaz as a promoter and completely changed my opinion. Still don't like that clause though and would want to know more before applying

I recently auditioned for Disney and they charged £25 retainer. I got that back because I've got through to the next round. Pretty much every audition I attended as a child at Pineapple Studios charged to cover hire fee and to be honest thats how I see the LBF, as a giant audition and promoter opportunity. I once paid £12 to audition and landed a £1300 gig so that worked out nicely!

If you already have the contacts then you probably don't need the LBF, if you don't...well £10 if you can cover the expenses etc isn't that bad. I understand for most people it's the principle of not paying to perform but as Diva mentioned, it isn't unusual in the art world. Some of the biggest circus competitions in the world require you to pay for entry again to cover admin or space hire. They almost always require you to pay your own expenses and travel. However, yet again they are springboards to bigger contracts and larger networking.

It's up to you, I would never pay more than £25 to audition and not more than 4 times per year. If you think the event would offer you nothing, don't pay to perform thats insane. If you think it could offer you something, find out more and if you're comfortable to pay that person a small fee then go ahead. You'll find out eventually if you were right.

xx

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www.frayedknot.org.uk
http://www.myspace.com/ameliesoleil

So, are you saying it's ok to pay for an audition so long as there is a chance you get paid more for performing? And also how much more would you want to make it worthwhile in your eyes?

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Silk Stocking Striptease Show