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Pay To Audition?

#261
MrBassman17 said:
I think this is the case. Obviously, I will know definitively Sunday, but this is the first meeting of prospective band members to see how it all fits together.
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It might be that they just always split the fee, and it just hasn't occurred to them that this counts as a special case. Things that are, in retrospect, entirely obvious don't always occur to me, which is why I keep notes and templates, although I need to go and reorganise them.*

* Again on the digression, text-based formats that you can turn into pretty documents and revision control systems are your friend. One of the reasons I like QLCPlus as a DMX lighting control system is the format for saved shows is just an XML text document, so I can do a nice delta of versions if required and it's semi-readable.

I'll start a thread...
 
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#262
MrBassman17 said:
I think this is the case. Obviously, I will know definitively Sunday, but this is the first meeting of prospective band members to see how it all fits together.
Click to expand...

There is a big difference between an audition and a "well you are in the band, assuming we have a band". Which is it?
 
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#263
I wouldn't have even lasted through several weeks of texting back and forth. If they charged me money to audition I would pass, I ain't even in the band. They can pay it all themselves and not have a bass player, or they can pay it all themselves and have a bass player come audition, their choice.
 
#264
I wouldn't have even lasted through several weeks of texting back and forth. If they charged me money to audition I would pass, I ain't even in the band. They can pay it all themselves and not have a bass player, or they can pay it all themselves and have a bass player come audition, their choice.
 
#266
sqlb3rn said:
I wouldn't have even lasted through several weeks of texting back and forth. If they charged me money to audition I would pass, I ain't even in the band. They can pay it all themselves and not have a bass player, or they can pay it all themselves and have a bass player come audition, their choice.
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If the guy had said that up front, I wouldn't be posting this thread! Would have been a non-starter!
 
#267
Let's say you are applying for job in location 200 miles from your house, say 300. Are you willing to drive the distance meals, and a motel? Say the job pays high 5 figures will you do it? Assuming you long form, you can take mileage, half the meals, the motel off reducing your taxable income.
Does this change your thinking about fronting 12 bucks. If you are getting 1099ed and filing sch c and sch se, it's a deductible cost.
Yeah, the world of getting jobs and gigs has changed.
 
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#268
At least it was mentioned upfront. One band I auditioned for, the BL told me after I was in that monthly rental fees would be X per person. Fair enough.

After the second gig, when i inquired about my cut, he told me all proceeds go to the band fund.bsince this was a cover band with "wedding party" ambitions, I decided to bail a while later. Mr BL was definitely pocketing his share...

I learned to ask certain questions upfront, and to not take things for granted.
 
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#269
Drgonzonm said:
Let's say you are applying for job in location 200 miles from your house, say 300. Are you willing to drive the distance meals, and a motel? Say the job pays high 5 figures will you do it? Assuming you long form, you can take mileage, half the meals, the motel off reducing your taxable income.
Does this change your thinking about fronting 12 bucks. If you are getting 1099ed and filing sch c and sch se, it's a deductible cost.
Yeah, the world of getting jobs and gigs has changed.
Click to expand...
For me, that wouldn't change things in the least. The two situations aren't comparable. The example you give is of a real job with a real salary. That's nothing like the situation described by the OP. Leaving aside the fact that in most places it's hard enough getting decent pay for a band, even a skilled and professional one, this "band" doesn't even exist yet!
 
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#270
Drgonzonm said:
Let's say you are applying for job in location 200 miles from your house, say 300. Are you willing to drive the distance meals, and a motel? Say the job pays high 5 figures will you do it? Assuming you long form, you can take mileage, half the meals, the motel off reducing your taxable income.
Does this change your thinking about fronting 12 bucks. If you are getting 1099ed and filing sch c and sch se, it's a deductible cost.
Yeah, the world of getting jobs and gigs has changed.
Click to expand...
Your example would work better if it were a job across town that was doing interviews in a hotel conference room and wanted you to chip in for it.
We both know how absurd that would be.
 
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#275
I'm late to the party, but want to see how things went.

If I were early to the party, I'd have said something like... Hmmm....

My instinct says NOOOOO, but if the opportunity sounded good enough and the $12 wasn't going to break my bank, I'd be open minded about it.

I WOULD however ask if others were auditioning. If so, then there'd be no way I'd pay. If it were just a few people getting together to see if things would work I might be willing. I'd have my eyes and ears very wide open at the audition though. The right thing to do is pay for the audition. Person putting it together is starting off on the wrong foot, but might have good reason. He might honestly not have the money (which could pose a problem in the future), or he could be testing people's commitment and willingness (still not a good reason IMO).

Whatever. YOLO. It's not that big a deal.

Hope it worked out great and your new band is a huge success :)!
 
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