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Post by Dawnstar on May 6, 2022 21:44:07 GMT
8 did seem a bit young, unless it was a convention solely for Disney musicals!
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Post by inthenose on May 7, 2022 7:54:02 GMT
Some performers will do a roaring trade (CHF, Elphabas, people from Six) in merch and photos which I can't begrudge either.I do think there is a bit of a carny "hustle" tradition about these convention events, however. The smaller performers often handle the cash themselves in their bumbags, and there's something a little uncomfortable/disingenuous about the act of physically paying someone for a minute or so of their time/a signed photo from their stand. It's a little bit of a soliciting situation for my liking...
An actor I worked with previously told me about the "con circuit" and how certain fans will go to every single one, always pay for a photo and autograph, and it was his responsibility for those five or so minutes to be their "friend". He would make notes on certain superfans with key info, e.g. "cat named Fluffy" for example, then when they pay to meet him again he can check his notes and say "how's Fluffy!!?" which would make that customer's day. Basically, creating a false parasocial relationship in order to secure repeat business. Very carny.
I was also astonished how much relatively obscure names can make in one day, thousands of pounds for shaking hands and taking photographs.
That said, if people choose to do it and enjoy doing it, what's the harm?
I will finally also add, people at these events *can* be truly intolerable. You know the screaming fans at, say, a cast change or first night at Wicked? How they will do anything to get attention from "their cast", usually hurting the enjoyment of those around them?
Now imagine that non-stop, for a whole weekend, in costumes. It isn't for everyone, but some will love it, mostly 12-16 year olds.
Security is always on hand at the big events, and there is always at least one fight/notable incident at every one I've had dealings with. Arguments over cosplay, their favourite actor/actress, who gives the best gift to the actor, how long the actor talks with one person instead of another etc etc etc. The ExCel seems worst for this for some reason.
Despite all that, I'm glad it's happening and hope everyone who goes has a great time.[/quote]
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Post by l0islane on May 7, 2022 15:42:10 GMT
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Post by funnygirl90 on Aug 1, 2022 8:02:45 GMT
Musical con - relying on unpaid volunteers?
I was shocked today to see on the musical con instagrams story a link to a “volunteering” opportunity.
I may be naive but when I think of volunteering I think about giving my time to a charity not a commercial enterprise. After all, if they didn’t have “volunteers” they would surely be hiring more people.
In a cost of living crisis with people struggling (including young theatre fans/graduates) would it not be more in the “community spirit” to pay people for their work? They will say it will give the volunteers “experience” so would working at the event and being paid.
The page states they can only take on volunteers who can cover all dates/times listed:
Friday 21st October 4-7pm (3 hours) and two NINE and a half hour shifts on both the Saturday and the Sunday 8.30am - 6pm. So a total of 22 hours of unpaid work per “volunteer” - even at the minimum wage that’s roughly £210
I’d also like to comment that the volunteering page made no reference to reimbursement for costs.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 1, 2022 8:20:24 GMT
I knew it wouldn’t be long before we found the “con” in musicalcon.
Sadly they will get the volunteers because some youngsters will allow themselves to be taken advantage of.
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Post by fiyerorocher on Aug 1, 2022 8:38:29 GMT
While I do completely agree people should be paid for their work, it is worth noting that using volunteers for conventions is pretty standard, I believe. It's a way in to comic con (or wherever) that gives you potential behind the scenes access and also 'free' (in exchange for your volunteering time) entry to the event, so I think it's usually pretty popular.
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Post by funnygirl90 on Aug 1, 2022 8:43:40 GMT
While I do completely agree people should be paid for their work, it is worth noting that using volunteers for conventions is pretty standard, I believe. It's a way in to comic con (or wherever) that gives you potential behind the scenes access and also 'free' (in exchange for your volunteering time) entry to the event, so I think it's usually pretty popular. Someone else mentioned that to me however the page I saw didn’t detail any perks so people are presumably signing up without being promised anything other than the chance to attend. Can’t afford to buy a ticket? Give us 22 hours of free labour and you can go (and work) I’d be quite happy to be wrong if the volunteers for this event are being offered perks.. (however it still wouldn’t, in my opinion be ethically right) Also to use comic con as an example (I just googled this) they have a minimum commitment for volunteers of five hours compared to the 22 musical con want. |
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Post by Being Alive on Aug 1, 2022 8:50:47 GMT
While I do completely agree people should be paid for their work, it is worth noting that using volunteers for conventions is pretty standard, I believe. It's a way in to comic con (or wherever) that gives you potential behind the scenes access and also 'free' (in exchange for your volunteering time) entry to the event, so I think it's usually pretty popular. Literally this - conventions being staffed by volunteers isn't new. Whilst I do think the whole thing is wildly expensive, I don't think we can call it a 'con' |
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Post by funnygirl90 on Aug 1, 2022 8:59:06 GMT
While I do completely agree people should be paid for their work, it is worth noting that using volunteers for conventions is pretty standard, I believe. It's a way in to comic con (or wherever) that gives you potential behind the scenes access and also 'free' (in exchange for your volunteering time) entry to the event, so I think it's usually pretty popular. Literally this - conventions being staffed by volunteers isn't new. Whilst I do think the whole thing is wildly expensive, I don't think we can call it a 'con' I think the distinction for me is other conventions seem to have clearly listed perks, and they don’t require a commitment to work the entirety of the event. |
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Post by funnygirl90 on Aug 1, 2022 9:01:36 GMT
“our volunteers are a fundamental part of ensuring a successful and safe event”
I’m sorry your volunteers are a fundamental part of ensuring a safe event? The volunteers who can be 18+ and will be briefed about the event the night before? 🤔
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Post by alece10 on Aug 1, 2022 9:41:39 GMT
To be honest I can't see anything wrong with it. If people want to volunteer then why not. I saw the article and if it wasn't for the fact I am awaiting an op, so everything is on hold, I would have done it.
It's no different to being a volunteer in a theatre.
I did it for 10 years, didn't get paid a penny and absolutely loved every minute of it.
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Post by viserys on Aug 1, 2022 10:13:45 GMT
I was an unpaid volunteer at the local stadium during the Football World Cup in Germany 2006 - all we got was free food at a special canteen set up for us and undrinkable American piss masquerading as beer, but I didn't regret a single minute of the experience - greeting and helping all the fans coming from all over the world, being able to sneak in and watch the games from the back and my personal highlight was my 80's tennis crush Stefan Edberg asking me for directions ahead of the Sweden game. I almost fell apart!
I'd do it again in a heartbeat!
PS: I do remember now that we also got a full clothes kit from adidas we could keep, but I had happily done it without that.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Aug 1, 2022 10:22:29 GMT
Tickets for this start at £45 and go up to £195. If they can’t generate enough revenue to pay people minimum wage then the business model obviously doesn’t stack up.
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Post by fiyerorocher on Aug 1, 2022 10:36:55 GMT
Gold passes for LFCC (one of the London comic cons) cost around £260. They still don't pay their volunteers. Whatever your opinion on it (and I'm not saying I agree with it, or that it's right), it is just standard for these type of events.
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Post by alece10 on Aug 1, 2022 10:46:05 GMT
I doubt they will have any trouble getting volunteers especially from MT fans who can't afford a ticket so it will be a great opportunity to be involved. Plus they will have volunteers who love MT and so will give great customer service and be very knowledgable about the event rather than a load of agency staff who are working for the money and its just a job for a couple of days.
I'd be first in the queue if I could.
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Post by funnygirl90 on Aug 1, 2022 11:12:41 GMT
I doubt they will have any trouble getting volunteers especially from MT fans who can't afford a ticket so it will be a great opportunity to be involved. Plus they will have volunteers who love MT and so will give great customer service and be very knowledgable about the event rather than a load of agency staff who are working for the money and its just a job for a couple of days. I'd be first in the queue if I could. What you’ve just described is the exact issue. The people who volunteer will be people who can’t afford to purchase tickets. It’s not an opportunity if they don’t get any perks or to enjoy the event. 22 hours is a lot of time to ask people to volunteer and it covers the entirety of the event. The MT fans would also get to “experience” it if they were paid to work at the convention. People are paying to attend the event, it shouldn’t be propped up by unpaid labour. As someone else said if the event requires volunteers to be feasible it’s not a good business model. |
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Post by HereForTheatre on Aug 1, 2022 11:20:11 GMT
The clue is in the name really, nobody is being forced to go there and work for free. People who want to do it and be a part of it will make their own decision to do it and that's up to them and the company is being perfectly honest and open. Not seeing any issue.
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Post by WireHangers on Aug 1, 2022 12:29:11 GMT
As a 31 year old the idea of volunteering for that amount of time in something like MusicalCon sounds problematic and hellish. But I do know that if MusicalCon was round when I was 18 and at drama school then I would have, in all likelihood, volunteered.
I do see the advantages of volunteering. When I lived in a young twink in Chorley, the local theatre would get some pretty huge comedians so I would volunteer to work the bar just to get in and see them. Mind you, that was only 4 hours a night and not 10 hours.
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Post by inthenose on Aug 1, 2022 12:42:44 GMT
As a 31 year old the idea of volunteering for that amount of time in something like MusicalCon sounds problematic and hellish. But I do know that if MusicalCon was round when I was 18 and at drama school then I would have, in all likelihood, volunteered. I do see the advantages of volunteering. When I lived in a young twink in Chorley, the local theatre would get some pretty huge comedians so I would volunteer to work the bar just to get in and see them. Mind you, that was only 4 hours a night and not 10 hours. What an image! |
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Post by johartuk on Aug 1, 2022 14:44:29 GMT
“our volunteers are a fundamental part of ensuring a successful and safe event” I’m sorry your volunteers are a fundamental part of ensuring a safe event? The volunteers who can be 18+ and will be briefed about the event the night before? 🤔 Also, will these volunteers be DBS checked? I'd hope so, because otherwise, there could be some seriously dodgy characters attracted to volunteering at an event that's going to be packed with youngsters. |
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Post by alece10 on Aug 1, 2022 15:10:24 GMT
“our volunteers are a fundamental part of ensuring a successful and safe event” I’m sorry your volunteers are a fundamental part of ensuring a safe event? The volunteers who can be 18+ and will be briefed about the event the night before? 🤔 Also, will these volunteers be DBS checked? I'd hope so, because otherwise, there could be some seriously dodgy characters attracted to volunteering at an event that's going to be packed with youngsters. Oh please!!!!! |
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Post by fiyerorocher on Aug 1, 2022 15:29:30 GMT
Short answer - no. It's not actually an event marketed at kids and they certainly won't want unaccompanied children attending. I'm sure there's a minimum age limit. No one is going to pay for DBS checks in this instance.
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Post by funnygirl90 on Aug 1, 2022 17:29:48 GMT
Short answer - no. It's not actually an event marketed at kids and they certainly won't want unaccompanied children attending. I'm sure there's a minimum age limit. No one is going to pay for DBS checks in this instance. They’re allowing children 14+ to attend on their own. There’s no age limit, they even allow under 5s in without a ticket. I think it’s very much an all ages event. |
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Post by funnygirl90 on Aug 1, 2022 17:31:16 GMT
Also, will these volunteers be DBS checked? I'd hope so, because otherwise, there could be some seriously dodgy characters attracted to volunteering at an event that's going to be packed with youngsters. Oh please!!!!! Oh please what? |
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Post by alece10 on Aug 1, 2022 17:33:42 GMT
I'm sure you fully understood my comment. 😀 |
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