Respect: 1
Posts: 14
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: fontana
|
For those trying to dance in the industry -
03-27-2004, 08:37 PM
don't quit! it's important for every dancer in the industry to be educated on the edicate in the industry. i've worked with far too many bboys who are flakes and disrespectful, let me tell you, you will not be hired if you are not responsible. we all complain about how there are some wack breakdancing things going on in movies or tv, but the reason for that is because real bboys/girls aren't representing to the fullest potential. don't get me wrong, some beautiful things have happened in the industry involving some dope bboys/girls, let's just keep that goin!
-----------------------------------------------------
from mr. wiggles of the rock steady crew:
Coming from 20 years of experience in this Hip Hop business, I can tell you,
ITS NO JOKE OUT THERE!!!!!! You really have to now your sh#t.
So I put this page in to help out young up and coming Hip Hop heads with information on how to handle them selves in this business. Now remember although I am coming from a DANCERS PERSPECTIVE....This information can apply to just about any element of this culture.... Aight!!!
SHOWS, GIGS, PERFORMANCES ECT....
what you'll need if your being hired for a job
1- CONTRACT: Put everything in writing. EVERYTHING!!!!!!!
2- PAY: Money is what you want, but if they can't supply that. Find something that they have that you want AND GET IT. If your just starting out here are some asking rates that I advise.
five to seven min. show -- $50 to $100 a man
ten to fifteen min. show -- $100 to $150 a man
twenty to thirty min. show -- $200 to $300 a man
what you must consider is TYPE OF VENUE, HOW MANY SEATS IT HOLDS, TICKET PRICES, ect. and do the math and get an idea of what there bringing in. And you will know what to ask for...DON'T BE AFRAID TO HIT THEM HIGH AND WORK YOUR WAY DOWN!!!!
3- TRAVEL EXPENSES: CAR FARE, AIR FARE, GAS MONEY, CAR RENTAL... GET IT!!
4- PERDIUM: if you have to go to another city to perform. You gotta eat right??? Get them to pay for your THREE MEALS A DAY, or ask for no less than $25 a day.This is on top of your pay.
5- HOTEL: No more than 2 PEOPLE PER ROOM. especially when its a two person occupancy room in the first place!!!! And unless you know the person your working for... forget that "you can stay in my house crap" it rarely works out in the performers best interest.
6- TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE VENUE: Set an exact time you want to leave to and from the venue and include this in the contract... TRUST ME!!! Yo ass will be sitting on the sidelines while there arguing over who will take you to your hotel, or they will ask you to wait for them to pack up first. Its up to you when you want to leave not them.
7- CONSULTATION: DON'T JUST TAKE MY ADVICE, seek help from a professional, ENTERTAINMENT LAWYERS. You can probably find a free service from up and coming entertainment lawyer looking to gain experience, check local colleges. LEARN THE BUISNESS!!!
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER IF YOU WANT TO BE HIRED CONSISTENTLY.
1- BE PROFESSIONAL: BE ON TIME, BE TOTALLY PREPARED TO DO YOUR JOB 100%, DON'T BE AN ASSHOLE, DON'T WRECK THE HOTEL ROOM, DON'T DO A WACK SHOW, REHEARSE YOUR SHOW, HAVE A PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE. LEAVE THE GHETTO ATTITUDE HOME!!!!!!
2- ONE PERSON SPEAKS: Pick one person from your group to represent you. DON'T GET INTO ARGUMENTS WITH EACH OTHER IN FRONT OF THE CLIENT.... always fight with each other in private.
3- ORGANIZE: Get your self some GROUP PHOTOS, RESUME, BUSINESS CARDS, VIDEO REEL OF YOUR WORK, GOOD QUALITY SHOW TAPES ON DAT, MINI DISK CD AND CASSETTE (you never know what type of equipment they will have)
get the whole group to chip in for these things.
4- MERCHANDISING: VIDEOS, MUSIC TAPES, T SHIRTS, WRIST BANDS, HEAD BANDS, FIGURINES, MEDALLIONS, ECT... you can make more money in merchandising than you do in shows. There is nothing wrong with BBOY BUSINESS!!!! We must create a market and establish value on our art form to make it grow.... sorry to say but we live in a capitalist society, so learn the ropes and deal with it, you'll understand this when you get my age and you have bills to pay... just keep the prices reasonable and remember that BBOY ALSO STANDS FOR BROKE BOY... most dancers don't have much money.
5- PROMOTION: SELF PROMOTION IS THE BEST PROMOTION. No one can promote yourself better than you. If you have a stack of demo tapes, business cards, video reels, ect. sitting on your shelf... THEN YOUR NOT DOIN YOUR JOB!!!! Those things should be in the mail to AGENTS, CLUB OWNERS, THEATERS, NEWS PAPERS ECT. every day think of a new way to promote your self. I ONCE GOT A BALLET DANCE MAGAZINE AND TOOK DOWN ADDRESSES TO DANCE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES AND MAILED OUT VIDEO REELS TO AS MANY AS I COULD AFFORD TO. just to get my name out there.
----------------
hope this helps!
LIBERATION-
A non-profit Hiphop event to raise finances for The Children's Fund for Child Abuse Prevention and to change preconceived notions of our culture. 8-man crew battles, emcees, spoken word, discussion panels, art exhibitions, and more on May 14, 2004. For more info please send an email to: liberationbenefit@yahoo.com
|
