This blog, despite it's best attempts to remain solely about theatre in/and education, seems to frequently segue into commentary about ethical work. Perhaps this stems from my time working in the business world. It was in the business world that I frequently found unbelievable behavior stemming from unethical practices and belief systems which troubled me to my core. Part of my decision to return to graduate school and pursue theatre was because I simply could no longer morally exist in the business world.
Was I good at my job? Yes.
Was I paid more than I am now? Absolutely.
Am I happier now? Yes.
This, of course, extends beyond the subject of theatre in/and education, but also encompasses it. Part of what makes successful people successful is their insatiable drive to better themselves and others. Success does not take the easy way out but works hard. Successful people almost always work harder than they have to when they're not receiving benefits. One of my professors said, specifically about the theatre, that if you're going to wait to do good work until you get paid you'll:
- Never do good work
- Never get paid
While this seems like a downer (and for those who want to be lazy it is) what I'm really saying is that you've got to find something you're passionate enough about to just do regardless of pay. Do work that you like doing because you like doing it.
If you need some "monetary" inspiration I've started using HourGuard which is a free program that tracks the time your work on tasks and "pays" you an hourly wage. So, since I'm working on a full length play during the summer I've been using the program to track how long (and when) I write each day. I've decided to "pay" myself $10/hour. A low rate to be sure, but at the end of the writing process I'll have an idea of:
- How long it took me to write a play
- When I'm most productive during the day (mornings, evenings, afternoons)
- Which days I'm most productive (weekdays, weekends)
- And how much my play is "worth" to me
If, at the end of the writing period, I value the product more than my "salary" then I'm an artist rather than a profiteer. I already do value the partial product more than I value my pay. So far I've written for 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 37 seconds. I've been "paid" $26.76 for my writing. However, I've produced 30 pages of material. I've learned that when I really sit down to write (at least a 1st draft) I can churn out better than 1 page/minute. Or (in exact terms) every 5 minutes and 26 seconds I churn out 1 page of written material. And for that 1 page I am paid $0.09 (nine cents). Good to know.
At any rate, below is some inspirational speaking from the current president to current graduates. The message, however, applies to everyone.
Do good.
I very much agree with what you're saying here overall. And kudos for doing what makes you happy, I respect that. But I very much disagree with much of what Obama says in his speech, especially when he mentions "acts of sacrafice" without regard for personal gain is what is needed in this country. That we shouldn't desire personal achievements and success, but help others and "make a difference" in this world. There are so many things that are false it's too much to list them all.
ReplyDeleteNow I don't have a problem with helping others but he is wrong in expressing it as a moral obligation and that it should be based on need. Helping the needy, the poor, the sick, etc.
Anyways, i'm rambling now but I'll probably write about this soon. Good luck with the script.
Think about the possibility that working because you love it, and working hard because you love it, is what ends up becoming your personal achievement(s) and success.
ReplyDeleteTrue, its not for everybody (nor could it be), but I think that some "acts of sacrifice" would do the world some good.
Thanks for reading - and responding.