Evening star., 1922-11-26
lHI 9 AROUND M % M M M % d 81 % w " r ~

DO Il
and the like are often staged with
utter disregard for their lives is OBJ
viously a just one. For while there
are too many actors. 1t is not the
directors business to get rid of them
by discharging high explosives behind
their backs or forcing them to jump
of high cliffs. despite the fact that
such little things add realistic touches
to the films
As a matter of fact, no director
wants to injure his leading or even
his minor players, for the simple rea-
son that their inability to act the next
day would delay the completion of
the picture and add to its cost. Mr..
Hays won't have much trouble set
tling this grievance. for it is doubtful
If any film player has been injured
Intentionally by such methods. OF
course, all the high priced actors have
doubles" who are well paid for TAX
ing desperate chances.
Although the Equity Associa-
tion does not say so. its real
fight is to force the establishment of
an eight-hour day for actors. At
present a basic ty-eight-hour week
Is suggested. for among the chief
grievances of the actors is being re-
quired to work overtime without ex-'
ira pay. They assert that they are
often obliged to work an extra hour
or two, when they should be eating
their dinner, and that in the course of
few weeks these stolen hours"
ap,ount to several days. In fact, they
don't want to work at night unless
they can sleep the next day or get
extra pay. They point out that the
carpepters and electricians around
the studio have an eight-hour day,
and that even the extras" are paid
extra II they work after 6 pm. But
they forget to state that they are paid
by the picture or for a stipulated
number Of weeks and that they draw
their money, whether they are work
ing or loafing.
eight-hour day is long enough for any
ono to work. But the trouble is that
the motion picture actors haven't de-
cided whether acting before the
camera Is work or art.
Any one who knows anything about
making pictures knows that an eight
hour day for actors is impossible
Weather conditions alone make that
fact obvious. If it rains when the
actors are ION location" they have
to be paid, and advantage has to be
20 nf
times the sun hides behind a cloud
for an hour or two. The actors have
to loaf until it comes out. And they
cannot drop their cigarette holders and
riding crops as workmen drop their
tools when a factory whistle blows
The scene has to be shot when the
light is best. Pictures can't be made
any other way.
x X <
1T should be explained, however. that
L the eight-hour day is wanted more
as a basis for collective bargaining
than as an actual fact. For as the fil-
lum players assert: There has never
been a contract for work given to
the supporting player in this industry
which is worthy of the name. An in
equitable and probably illegal one
sided agreement to accept a certain
amount of salary under certain con-
dftions, which are most indefinite. is
all that has been awarded him. And
it is quite natural that some produc-
ing companies take unfair advantage
Of situation of this sort, there being
as yet no form of contract which
could even be called customary
Among the fragrant forms of
agreement now being offered is one
which. after stating that seven work.
ing days shall constitute week.
further states that no remuneration
is to be given for nights, Sundays or
holidays. ETC. Under. this it is possi-
BILE for a company to start an actors
part week from the following day
and thus receive nine days work for
one weeks pay. 1t is possible under
this regime for the actor to do two
or three weeks work in one week.
During that time he must work day
and night II so ordered.
IF this sort of work is contem-
not so notify the actor when engag-
ing him. They endeavor, first of all,
to obtain by various means the very
lowest salary quotation he will make
under pressure. Sometimes this pres
sure involves the promise Of another
picture to follow up with right
AWAY promise that is seldom kept.
Sometimes it involves a promise of
featuring his name. This is seldom
kept"
In connection with the forty-eight-
hour week the actors complain that
often they must wait around in their
makeup for hours before they are
fiimed.- And suppose 1t is annoying
to stand around for hours dressed up
like . cardinal or IN Indisn guide.
But, after all, isn't that what they're