He wasn't paid for the play he was awarded for. That is the condition.

What, are we to exclude all actors/technicians/directors just because they do some professional work on the side? What, that they get paid to do some of their work, that means the rest of us don't stand a chance? I am about to do some extra work for a TV Mini-series - therefore I can't be a candidate for the Finley's in 2010?

Personally I think it is great that "professional" industry people are still involved in Community Theatre and it should be encouraged. I would love to be paid to do what I love and still get my hands dirty with Community Stuff.

Personally, I am sure that while John may be pleased to have won an award, it is not that big a thing on his horizon. He just likes making good shows.

Absit invidia (and DFT )

Jeff Watkins
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Community Spirit

Even if he had a full-time job as a Public Servant, he'd still be winning...

Absit invidia (and DFT )

Jeff Watkins
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Community Spirit

As far as I am aware, there are no other Community Theatre Awards quite like the Finley's. The others are more restricited or club based... or professional.

Absit invidia (and DFT )

Jeff Watkins
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Community Spirit

John Milson gave his time, energy and expertise to the show he directed, purely for the love of doing it, just like everyone else involved in the production.
That he gets paid for work that he does elsewhere is entirely irrelevant.
That he gets paid for work he does elsewhere does not necessarily mean his shows will be better than any other show nominated for a Finley as your comment seems to suggest. I imagine it is his skill not his fee that make his shows good. I also suspect that he is paid as a director because he is good at it, not the other way round.

It is certainly true that John has a formidable body of work from which to draw when approaching a production and perhaps in any competition such as the Finley Awards his work would have certain advantages. However when I cast my eye over the list of winners I see a few names that also have some fairly impressive skills to bring to any production they are involved in. I may be mistaken but isn't Gemma Northover a NIDA trained actor? Doesn't this give her unfair advantage over the other actors who have not had the benefit of such training?
Jenny McCann has an extraordinary wealth of experience acquired from some 20 years (sorry Jen) of theatrical pursuits (some of which she was actually paid for) and I doubt you could meet a more professional actor. I would certainly say she has an advantage.

But if you're getting hung up over who gets paid and what's not fair I think you are missing the point of community theatre. It is a forum for ANYBODY of ANY skill level and a celebration of the love, love, love of the art. That people of Jenny and Johns calibre are out there doing community theatre can only be good thing so don't begrudge them some acknowledgement. And if you get a chance to work with them or any of the other extraordinarily talented people there are out there doing their thing, you will only benefit by it. And who knows maybe one day when you have built up your skill base someone may even want to pay you. And if they do I hope you are so inclined to share some of your skill and expertise - just for the love of it.

"...you are missing the point of community theatre. It is a forum for
ANYBODY of ANY skill level and a celebration of the love, love, love of
the art."

Well said. That is truely what Community is about.

Absit invidia (and DFT )

Jeff Watkins
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Community Spirit

All the hoo-haa about "paid/professional" etc is never going to go away.... sorry, but that is a given as long as jealousy features in theatre... but we all know that there is NONE of that in OUR Community...*coff*

Anyway... point of interest.... Has anyone bothered to ask a "Pro" director why they would want to work in community theatre with all it's budgetry constraints, rehearsals missing actors due to kids/work/parties, "quaint" venues, the "I'm sorry ... I can't make it on such & such date....", the knowledge that the people are "volunteers" rather than "professionals" and one cannot blow ones stack at them or they will run home in tears... and all the other problems associated with it?

I have... and the answer took me somewhat by surprise.

It's simply the freedom.

They can do  the shows they WANT to do,  with the people THEY choose  from auditionees, theplays/musicals they ENJOY doing instead of having to bow, scrape, b*tt-kiss and cow-tow to the whims of financiers/producers/megabuck entreprenuers that run professional theatre.

Why do professional people get involved in amatuer shows??

FOR THE LOVE OF IT!!

..... the same reason as you or I....

 Don't they deserved to be treated the same?

Well I don't think his whole world stopped because of the Finley's, I figure he wouldn't give two knobs of goat shit if he won or not.

More to the point, his show was apparently was very poorly attended, and I wonder how many people apart from the judges saw all the entries last year.

Probably no-one, even if you take into account that 4 shows Perth people wouldn't have gone to see because they were in Kalgoorlie,I doubt if they would have seen 10% of them.

This is the big problem with the eventual winners, people have no yardstick to compare except the panel.

But every year those who haven't seen everything that is entered suddenly become an expert on who or what "should" have won.

I mean, do you really want the Finley's to be like a childrens pet show, where everyone has to win a prize?

There is no other event in Perth Community Theatre where we all come together as a group, some people end up filling their next years schedules by chatting to people about what they are doing for the following year, I love the fact that I get to see so many people that I don't get to see much of during the year....its not like they have an annual ball or anything...I also think its great to see people dress up for the event too, most of us only see each other in costumes or our slob around rehearsal clothes.

So if it makes you feel better to bitch about John Milson, go ahead, because seriously if you asked people in community theatre to tell you who won the Best Play and Musical at the Finley's off the top of their head from ten years ago, I doubt anyone would remember, much less care.

It is a subjective, peer assessed Award, the shows were seen, the shows were marked, and Awards given...it is over for another year, Ive already moved on, as most others have.

I don't begrudge the award to John, as I said I think he would be happy to have been awarded it, but I doubt he would have given losing a second thought.

I myself wonder why John would bother working in community theatre with all the ridiculous nonsense that goes with the territory, but he has worked, and does work, and will more than likely continue to work in Community theatre....regardless of whether you agree with him being eligible to receive the award or not.

Regards

R.

....want to give of their time and expertise to become a convenient target of this petty bitching and moaning? We should be grateful to each and every professionally trained/experienced person who shares their expertise and gives their time to nurture and grow community theatre. Bottom line is that they are instrumental in the high standard that exists.

This is an offshoot of tall poppy syndrome at it's worst. And the taller the poppy, the quicker we are to tear them down. I wonder how many Finley recipients (or even nominees) have *never* done a paid gig or have never attended WAAPA, NIDA, UWA, Curtain, etc for training. Apart from our superstar audio young lass, I doubt there would be many.

And yet the claws seem only to be out for John. How convenient.

...but bravo on your wonderful production and well deserved award.

You do kind of 'prove' my point in a roundabout way. 10 years of community theatre experience in Perth and you would certainly know how to direct a top quality production. You may not have 'professionally' trained, but a 10 year learning curve undoubtedly would leave you just as skilled as those that have. Maybe even moreso in some instances

Hang on....another category of person to be banned...those who have had 'x' or more years of experience....... LOL!

Nah, I think your contribution is amazing and stand in awe of anyone who can see past all the nonsense and produce such wonderful work for a decade.

Your comment earlier
"I wonder how many Finley recipients (or even nominees) have *never* done a paid gig or have never attended WAAPA, NIDA, UWA, Curtain, etc for training. Apart from our superstar audio young lass, I doubt there would be many."

That's what Stephen was responding to

...just was a little unclear on the point of his post. I said I doubted there would be Many, not that I doubted there were Any. I understand that he wanted to identify himself as one, but was wondering if there was more to his point than that. Perhaps not.

But again I applaud any person who gives of their time, experience and expertise to community theatre, irrespective of where/how they acquired that experience and expertise. I happen to think that the Perth community should be thanking it's lucky stars that so many who do have formalised 'professional' training and experience are willing to give so much to the community sector; not being petty or snipey or making those people feel unwelcome. 

You for example Mr Treasure. I am starting to wonder when/if you ever sleep! (..or eat, or relax for that matter....) 

Me only simple jungle princess!
What means this word "sleep"?

....yes, thought as much...

Nope... Can't think of a comeback to that one!

Well... not one that I would put on a public forum like this