Thread: Offered substandard rates: Response appropriate or harsh?

Received the following query. [Name removed, don't want to slander- anyway, this is clearly someone in the promo team.]

> Dear Harem's Way
>
> Our Artist ___, is an Original Artist and will be going on a Live SA Tour Oct 08 to Oct 09 and we need professional dancers for the show. The Music Style is Hip Hop/Pop but very Ballade based. We need Dramatic performers for the Outlay of the Show. We can however not cope with the enormous rates that some dancers charge. We are able to pay R200 per hour on Stage Per Dancer for three to four days a week. Please visit the website ________________ for more info and inform us as soon as possible if you are able to accomodate us. It will be worth while for exposure to your Dance
> Company and Respected Performers.

Now, this annoyed my inner copyeditor on many levels- from the incorrect name of my company, through random capitalisation, and the fact they obviously didn't actually read what dance form we offer, 'cos I doubt they want belly dance- but what really got me was the 'enormous' comment- then set against 'respected' performers!

For context, average charge for a 25min performance out here is R800-1000 [roughly $100-110 ]

They are charging a pretty penny for the tickets, and it isn't going through a 'mass-market' ticket house that would add fees- they are selling 'privatly' for the artist. In fact, it is a tiny bit amateur set up, obviously someone wanting to get started, not someone already headlining. So they aren't expecting to be underpaid themselves. I felt inclined to reply, rather then simply ignoring it:

To whom it may concern.

I am afraid we would be unable to provide a dancer at the rate you offer. As a beginner or student...sure — but not an accomplished, polished performer! And I am certain that that is not the skill level which you seek to back up a talented, professional performer.

I appreciate that for a long term contract, a discounted rate on the 'standard' charge is to be requested, and is more then reasonable. However, the offered rate is not entirely respectful for an hour of hard work from a qualified, accomplished dancer of any kind, especially one that has invested huge amounts of money into training and costuming etc. The implication that dancers charge 'enormous' rates for their time, skill and effort is also a little unreasonable- in fact, most of those I know undercharge quite drastically, and while we continue to be relegated to some back burner of 'too expensive', and sub-standard, unpolished performers picked due to their cheapness rather then ability, that sad state will continue.

Imagine your own artist's feeling, when someone offers a sub-standard rate for a top performance!

Lastly, I do not believe that our dance style- Middle Eastern- can actually be a style you are looking for to back up a Balladic Hip Hop artist, so I am not certain why we were approached.

Thank you, however, for your kind offer.
Amira S.

Thoughts?

Go, you!

The Random Capitals would have been enough to put me off.

Lol, glad I am not the only one Who Rather Hates, totally. random punctuation/.!1!

When it comes from people in an 'official' capacity, rather then friends or informal stuff, it grates even more :)

The only thing I would change is this sentance which is a bit long.
"The implication that dancers charge 'enormous' rates for their time, skill and effort is also a little unreasonable- in fact, most of those I know undercharge quite drastically, and while we continue to be relegated to some back burner of 'too expensive', and sub-standard, unpolished performers picked due to their cheapness rather then ability, that sad state will continue."

I suggest you make it more comprehensible by making it two sentances. I had to read it a couple of times to understand what you were saying.

The implication that dancers charge 'enormous' rates for their time, skill and effort is also a little unreasonable- in fact, most of those I know undercharge quite drastically. If we continue to be relegated to some back burner of 'too expensive', and sub-standard, unpolished performers are picked due to their cheapness rather then ability, that sad state will continue.

Other than that I think it is an excellent reply.

I think it's fine. If it were here in the States, the one thing I would look into is what is the min. which AFTRA set for dancers touring with a band. That should be the standard in a situation such as this. You might want to find out if there is a equivalent union or guild in South Africa and, if so, what their numbers are.

{{{{HUGS}}}

Thanks Jamelynn- I get like that sometimes :)

And thanks for the idea, Tahira, I'll look into it, though I doubt thereis anything- seriously no big on supporting the arts over here :(

why even bother engaging. I would just respond

"Thanks for contacting us, our rates are XXX for this sort of gig. If you want to go ahead, let me know and I'll email you a contract"

Originally Posted by Bellydancingcaroline

why even bother engaging. I would just respond

"Thanks for contacting us, our rates are XXX for this sort of gig. If you want to go ahead, let me know and I'll email you a contract"

I agree...with the other reply I'll be you get a "well can you get us a student for that price?" response.

~~Kimahri