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Theatre directors, I have a candid career question!
After 10 years or so are you where you hoped to be and can you see a trajectory that feels possible, sustainable and also stays true to why you do it? I'm asking myself this but would love to hear other people's experiences.
After 10 years or so are you where you hoped to be and can you see a trajectory that feels possible, sustainable and also stays true to why you do it? I'm asking myself this but would love to hear other people's experiences.
As another starting point for reflection (I’m in Tier 3 I got the time) - we haven’t yet talked about emotional sustainability. I operate in the extremes - Adrenalin or depression (not medical, but that state of lowness between jobs when the hustle isn’t working). Not healthy.
I've just seen that @StageDirectors are running a free creative check in for directors this Friday 4th 4-5pm to share experiences - if you've been following this thread it might be interesting: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-check-in-directors-matthew-xia-tickets-130741849391?fbclid=IwAR2KC7M4hsihmE22jfQqKWFndBfTKf3jp2TUvkdaWfzMFzKZSMMA_vVzsUo
Thank you everyone! This thread has been both soul food ("there's so many of us feeling the same thing!") and disheartening ("there's so many of us feeling the same thing"). So how about some Friday blue sky thinking? What problems do we see for directors and what solutions?
Problem: Director flat fees aren't working. They rarely reflect the actual amount of weeks. "It's too hard to quantify"
Solution: Legal requirement for flat fees to be broken down into weeks of work including contingency weeks for the "unquantifiable" (prep, thinking, overtime)
Solution: Legal requirement for flat fees to be broken down into weeks of work including contingency weeks for the "unquantifiable" (prep, thinking, overtime)
Problem: We feel disconnected from each other. It's lonely. I don't know who to ask for local advice.
Solution: Local director networks with monthly zoom check ins, support and putting each other forward for work. (This may exist in places but as far as I know not in Bristol)
Solution: Local director networks with monthly zoom check ins, support and putting each other forward for work. (This may exist in places but as far as I know not in Bristol)
Problem: There is extremely little inter-generational conversation and support ( @RoseUnwin)
Solution: Support groups of 3 directors (1 emerging, 1 mid career, 1 long term experienced) set up all over the country for regular check ins, mentoring and advice sharing
Solution: Support groups of 3 directors (1 emerging, 1 mid career, 1 long term experienced) set up all over the country for regular check ins, mentoring and advice sharing
Problem: Tech week breaks are less regulated for directors (and also, even more so, other creative team members) than for performers
Solution: Regulate them too. If this means adding an extra morning of tech to make up for actual lunch breaks taken, so be it
Solution: Regulate them too. If this means adding an extra morning of tech to make up for actual lunch breaks taken, so be it
I think a takeaway is that these things are, in the main, possible. They just require a willingness from employers to change the status quo and a confidence from us to always ask for what we need.
Anyway these are just my thoughts. Would love to know yours!
Anyway these are just my thoughts. Would love to know yours!
