Thread: OOOOOOH I am so mad!!

Originally Posted by evildrneil

Hang on a sec - surely if you have said that you won't charge a cancellation fee based on what they told you which appears now to be an outright lie does your offer now become null - and further couldn't you sue them for breach of contract!?

I think we all need an evildrneil around for times like this!!

Hope you get something back. I know nothing of performing but I imagine if people don't take some kind of action then this sort of thing will only get more common...now that burlesque is becoming so popular there are going to be hundreds of new performers willing to work for free and plenty of promoters waiting to take advantage of them.

I've pretty come to the same conclusion as you Amelie, when it comes to my painting/design work. I don't think I've ever been particularly naive about it, but I have chosen to work without asking for a deposit before now because I thought I could trust people, and done a load of drawing only to have them disappear from the face of the earth...it's not like they had my work and could use it, so that's not an issue, but the rudeness and unprofessional attitude from some people really makes me angry...so no more favours!!!

It's a shame that things have to be like that, in any kind of work.

Originally Posted by Amelie Soleil

See this is why the burlesque industry has little respect in the larger variety community - because burlesque producers screw you over in huge numbers

I'm furious!

I had a cancellation last week with only two weeks to go until the event. Since they told me the event management cancelled; they had no deposit money, Edd and I decided not to charge cancellation fees. We had worked for the promoter in the past and had future bookings with promoter for 09

Today, I open various social networks to see the poster for the event splashed EVERYWHERE...actually promoted by the promoter themselves and oh look at who's doing the show; lots and lots of newcomers who probably won't be charging.

I totally appreciate newcomers getting stage time, but this is corporate work and they are selling themselves short. If this event is going ahead, the promoter is being paid a hell of a lot of money, the performers aren't going to see any of that.

The promoter has obviously chosen to dial back on performers to get as much money as they can because the whole industry is in such dire straits at the moment.

FFS, this really sums up the 'take the money and run' attitude i see from so many so called burlesque promoters.

I'm sick of it I really am, why the hell should I make the effort and in most cases the really long train ride to an event only to be screwed over by someone who pretends to be doing you a favour by offering stage time!! It's all bollocks

Life is too short and you are just too beautiful to argue with. But you know what the next stage of this development is, don't you?
http://www.ministryofburlesque.com/b...g-perform.html

Originally Posted by Amelie Soleil

Sadly yes, i stupidly did someone a favour and they have email proof that we won't be requesting a cancellation fee

That's it, my new years resolution for 2009 is to be a bad ass burlesque booker with tight contracts and bitch slapping protocols for twat-tastic promoters.

No more favours, no more 'mates rates' - these promoters have finally removed my sympathy gland and it shan't return.

rrrrrraaaaaa!!

Sadly I had to do the same with my magic act AND the wee bits of photography I was doing. Now I am set up for going full time in the photography side all I am getting is moans and whines coz I am not "Really Cheap" any more, not that that stopped the tight bastards from getting a nobody with a poxy two meg point and shoot for one event then bitched to ME about the results!

EVERY BUGGER is on a contract from now on, even those I trust and know. Tis how a business is meant to be run I am afraid.

Hopefully the good promotors out there will do enough to maybe stop the rot of the "Pay nowt and rake it in" bods.

John

Ive nothing insightful to add, but that promoter is a real arse biscuit.

Thats disgusting!!!
I would inform them that due to their dishonesty your offer is null and void and original contract terms shall apply meaning X amount of cancellation fee.

Then in future let them know you wont be so easy on them....

How did they even think they could get away with it?

do they not realise you would see the show still going ahead?

hun, i hope you give it them good!

as a newbie (only debuted last saturday) i would obviously be for free but how could they expect a bunch of newbies to deliver the professional entertainment professionals give? thats just hoping and praying! it will damage these producers in the long run!

Hey Amelie, sorry to hear about this.

I think you are right about promoters getting desperate over money. I think that the current financial market (and it' inevitable decline over the next year or so) will see the end of many of these 'instant agents' and 'instant stars' who have been relying on the exploitation of a public craze with anything tagged 'burlesque'.

When people are no longer willing to just splash the cash, customers are going to be more selective on who they book - and who from.

Again, this is why a hard won reputation (which is verifiable and demonstrable of genuine success) forged over time, is gold. It will stand the test of time.

Amelie, don't let it get to you. If the bill is that poor, it's best you are not on it!

Thanks Kittie , I completely agree.

I think from the new year we will only be working with trusted promoters who we have previously worked for or have at least several excellent references from.

Its a shame because we like doing the occasional quirky new event but this is our business and we need to protect ourselves more.

xx

I suppose there's the risk that by putting 2 + 2 together, you may be making 5, but then again, you might have got the numbers right with this one.

If it were me, I'd contact the promoter and ask for further information on why your booking was cancelled - perhaps there's more to it than meets the eye??

xox