Let’s rebuild the performing arts middle class, because creating more taxpayers means
better dog parks. My human Regen says that most performing artists–be they actors,
singers, dancers, etc–come out to Hollywood with just their dreams and their drive. But
that’s usually not enough. Why isn’t there something more structured for those getting
their careers started, just like there is for other professions like electricians and
plumbers?
Until the original studio system collapsed in the 1960s, each studio had what was called
“contract players”. These were performers who screen-tested with a studio, and if the
casting department thought they had potential, they might sign them to a contract.
Once on contract, they were put through classes on how to act, dance, sing,
speak…even dress and groom! At the end of this training, they were signed to multiple
picture contracts playing all kinds of different roles in a variety of film and television
programming.
This was the age of the middle class actor, a time in which actors could support
themselves and their families by acting alone. In order to gradually rebuild Hollywood’s
middle class, Regen proposes a public-private partnership in which the state would
administer a privately-funded program whereby performing arts schools accredited by
the state would provide the same function as the studios once did, producing talent
that’s ready to work. So who provides the funding? That’s for a future blog. In the
meantime, for all those actors with lots of free time on their hands, what better use of
that time than to play catch? Well, what are we waiting for?
