Got this from someone who saw a posting on another site. His email to them, their reply and his response to that.
Dear ---,
I would not normally do this, but, as a social etiquete magazine, I wanted to ask why you thought it was okay to post an unpaid job on a professional acting site and why, even after deciding not to recompense your performers at proper industry levels, you would then choose to ignore the National Minimum Wage laws which would still apply to any work done recording your virals. The old adage 'you get what you pay for' is very apt in this situation and the offer of no money is one which I think you'll find many actors, especially those over 30, whom you are targetting, actually find quite offensive. If it wasn't for the lack of payment I would have loved to have applied myself but your post is one of many on this site which shows a lack of respect for, and is detrimental to, the acting world as a whole and both of these seem at odds with what you are trying to achieve, unless I've gravely misunderstood the point of your soon-to-be website.
Yours
REPLY
Dear ---
Thank you for your note and honesty. I, too, normally wouldn't reply to such a note, but think you deserve an appropriate explanation.
I'm sorry if you found offense in my post - that was not at all my intention. This initial video project is a pilot one, and - I might add - completely independent and self-funded. The idea is to work on a short shoot (with expenses paid) with actors who may have the experience, but who are open to new projects and have the time. I might add that - depending on how the collaborations go - could lead to future work, which would be paid.
So before jumping the gun (in spirit of good manners), perhaps it best to ask the person casting before sending such outrageously presumptuous correspondence.
However, it is always good to get feedback and I'm glad you found the time to send your note in your busy schedule.
Best of luck with your endeavours
prompting a final resonse
Dear---
thank you too for your response. I personally wasn't offended as I am aware that many students etc do start out collaborating on projects. And yes I may have been slightly presumptive in thinking that a viral to advertise a magazine or website is actually there an aid to a professional organisation and not something on par with a student film. Maybe you should have clarified this position and maybe i shouldn't have assumed you were either working for or were yourself a professional organisation. For my error i apologise. I was not jumping the gun or being presumptive about the lack of payment in your production and I would still refer you to the National Minimum Wage which applies to all productions, whatever the level, as, even if after you find people, and I'm certain you will, willing to work for nothing you still leave yourself open to being taken to court for this basic amount regardless of any pre-arranged agreements for travel expenses and food. Perhaps in future you may wish to ensure that any project you organise at least obeys the law, it protects yourself and the payment, though not vast, would indicate that the actors are at least worth something to you and probably lead to better results overall.
Needless to say, there's been no response to this one.
Cheers
T
