Testimonials?

"It was a great pleasure meeting you yesterday. You did a fantastic job putting together the Pay vs. No Pay discussion. Being an event coordinator myself, I am completely aware of the amount of time, energy, and details that go into an event of ANY size. Your passion for your craft as well as for the local arts community is inspiring and greatly appreciated! I'm really looking forward to seeing gotpay.org when it becomes active. I'm sure it will be a very useful tool for many."
Hugs - Jeon Francis Founder and President The Artists Chair www.artistschair.com

"Thanks for all your hard work on behalf of unpaid actors. Throughout history people like you who are passionate about a cause and, most important, capable of following through and with the stamina to withstand detrimental comments, have made life better for many people." Linda Ryan

I have been a talent for a while now. I've worked on projects for free to "pay my dues" so to speak. I felt I've paid them and I was ready to get paid. It was like a sign from above...the "Got Pay" meeting. It was productive, and I would attend another one. If I could suggest anything, I would like to have more time afterward to speak with the panelists. I have questions about joining the unions, HOW to ask for pay, mentors. The meeting definitely did point me in the right directions. SO when is another meeting??? Cindy Breda

"First: Kudos on the fabulous meeting. Hope something comes from "this." As I observed & listened to all the input, I couldn't help thinking that, IF "this" is the start of a "Change Era," that folks like Tom Schorgl & CPAC should know about & participate in "this.". . . That, IF we all lived long enough, we could collectively dream of seeing Cleveland being considered as an artistic center, mentioned in almost-the-same-sentence as New York, Chicago & LA, might be realized. . . " Sue Johnson

"JUST WANTED TO SAY YOU DID A YEOMAN'S JOB AT THE MEETING, AND NO MATTER WHAT THE DIFFERENT OPINIONS PORTRAY, IT WAS WELL WORTH THE REHEARSAL I MISSED AT KARAMU FOR MY UPCOMMING PERFORMANCE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEND KUDOS OUT TO EVERYONE FOR INPUT THAT IS NECESSARY FOR A SPIRITED AND INFORMATIVE COMMING TOGETHER OF REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS. BE IT EVER SO HUMBLE, THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE AFTRA, SAG, AND EQUITY. NO-ONE HAS ANYTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF. LET'S ALL KISS AND MAKE UP, AND I GUARANTEE EVERYONE WILL BE AT THE NEXT MEETING. GOD BLESS YOU ALL." VAN JACKSON

"Thank you for using your knowlege and experience to be an advocate to the non-union talent in this city. Its when we all come together that we have power." Keep up the great work, Brad Speck

"I thought the meeting was VERY informative, but we've only JUST scratched the surface. There is a lot more information we didn't have time to touch on. I would like to see all the notes from the presentation - hopefully on the website - and/or e-mailed to all the attendees. I think for the next meeting, it might be good to post what the agenda will be, so we can be ready with questions and notes. Also, can we have refreshments this time?" Cindi Verbelun Actor/Singer/Performer/Technical/Marketing/Administrator

At this point in my life I don't need to "make a living." I did that, and retirement benefits are assured. I've occasionally been able to fit community theatre into my schedule; I'm hoping to do more--I wish they at least would pay mileage for gas! A recent experience with a director who did promise a certain amount for a certain role and then paid only 2/3 of it was interesting. That's why unions started in the first place, right? "If money is made, talent gets paid"--a great motto.

Hope to see you around! Hester Lewellen

First of all - thanks to you and all of the panelists for getting this rolling. Now...let me "testify" (Can I get an AMEN.....) As someone with a lot of community theatre background, but very little professional experience (or "Got Pay" experience, if you will), the opportunity to learn more about the worth of what we do was a major draw for me. And I was not disappointed! If anything, I wanted more info, as a few of the performance genres (theatre and writing - next meeting?) were only lightly touched on. So I look forward to the website and future discussions. And I have to ask "Was it really three hours?", because it surely did not seem like it. The discussion probably could have gone on for another three. But I did take home a wealth of info (things to look at - and for, questions to ask) that will be useful in making more educated decisions. It was well worth the time, and the drive, and I'd make the time to attend future events - as well as drag a few friends along for the ride!!!Thanks again! Bill Berry Mr. "$50 for the one commercial on my resume"

"I am an actor originally from Cleveland, OH but am now living and pursuing acting in Chicago. I was wondering if the "Pay No Pay" event was recorded. If so is it for purchase? There are lots of projects going on out here in Chicago (ie: film, TV,commercials) and a lot of them offer a reel, gas reimbursement, and food and exposure like you mentioned. I also believe that with the exception of film students who may be looking for actors to work for free that there is money to be made from these projects. If there is not a tape available would someone be willing to provide a summary of some sort in print of what happened at the "Pay No Pay" event." Sincerely Theresa

"This is Wendy Kriss. I enjoyed and learned alot at the Pay vs. No Pay meeting last night. Thanks for all of the hard work that you put into making it happen! Would you be willing to talk with me some more about Industrial Events..etc.? I'd appreciate it very much." Thanks again...Wendy

"Thanks for your time and effort in putting together last night's event. I am grateful to you and your panelists for focusing attention on this issue. The issue not only affects individual pocketbooks but every entertainers' if our market is allowed to erode and disappear. I was impressed with the expertise and experience of your panelists. Even though they were from diverse areas of entertainment they were all on the same page regarding this issue. I appreciated the sharing of strategies and online resources actors can use to ask for pay. I believe your website will be invaluable to local talent. The informal atmosphere stimulated lively discussions between the panel and the audience members. Audience members felt comfortable sharing their stories re lack of payment. So thanks again "- Beverly Kristy, actor, screenwriter

"I was extremely impressed by the meeting last night. Initially, I did not think it would be that good. However, I felt that the meeting became less a gripe session as it did become an exchange of ideas, an ability to network, and an opportunity to express to producers who were there what gripes we have as union talent in an increasingly growing, lower paying union or next to nothing nonpaying non-union world. I think we should have further meetings with specific topics with presentations."
Christopher Fortunato

"Very interesting group last night. I thought most of the issues that were brought up are issues facing all elements of production. Sorry I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself last night - maybe next time.

Good Luck." Stewart Ryan Associate Producer/Director EDR MEDIA

"Hello this is Andy Schofield. I just wanted to say thank you for an informative meeting that started way back with you and Shelly.I look forward to being more a part of future meetings.If you ever need help with anything ,let me know.Thanks again for your efforts." Regards , Andy Schofield

On the meeting last night, I want to thank you for sticking your neck out to help. But what is sad is that there weren't more people there, but I think what is sadder is that these so-called named professional performers, names ones that we both know of here in Cleveland for 20+ years, don't show up. I have been a Union member myself, and have always been amazed why the top people fail to do anything for someone below them, through sheer laziness, self-protection of their status, or arrogance. It's really annoying. I believe that the actors need more and more training about business ethics, practical acting training, and persistance. It seems to me more and more performers will need to bargain on their own in the future. Russ Smith

"The first meeting of the newly formed Got Pay? Organization went quite well. It was a spirited discussion and I would highly encourage more folks from the performing arts community as well as agents, producers and directors to join us in the future. In the future, I would recommend less panelists (perhaps spread out the specialties over several meetings). There's still plenty to talk about and I'm sure more questions will arise from the audience. This is only the beginning. I'd be happy to talk about the Got Pay issues that arise in the music business and how I handle them. Thank you for getting the ball rolling!"
Melissa Barber, Singer/Actress/Director, Video/Multimedia Producer, Impact Communications Radio Host, Married to the Host