Thread by @TheWeeMaverick

As an anxious person, this takes courage but I know there's just as much fear in my comrades to speak out&lose work (!) now more than ever. The pandemic has had an enormous impact on #mentalhealth regardless of our profession. However, the problem for Scotland's Acting community

is that the past year has only further disturbed what was already an incredibly uneven playing field. There was a glimmer of hope a few weeks ago. A conversation about the playing field having been levelled - about finding a positive in the devastation of the past year on the

creative sectors by refreshing approaches, revisiting the skill sets that exist in Scotland&appreciating the fact that many of the folk who've best adapted to the C19 arts desert are those who already had to struggle most to survive in this business. Now, I've never quite gotten

my head around the phrase "noone owes you a living" because (while I understand the sentiment) we have been for decades - and continue to - encourage our young people (and mature students) to study acting etc in our colleges and FE/HE academies/institutions and yet the lack of

opportunity that exists is not only impossible to weather if one wishes to, for example, live and raise a family in Scotland but, unless lucky pretty early on, the gates are locked. Some of the hardest working Actors will never be seen by the Agents that Scotland's Theatres/TV

turn to because they haven't got a CV that reflects privilege. That privilege may be as simple as having (albeit still minimal - but likewise survivable) means to say "no" to unfashionable work - which for example (tragically & wrongly) TIE work has been historically considered.

Therefore they're available to audition (as opposed to being on, say, a CV-exploding TIE tour) or, worryingly, able to *pay* for skills sessions with casting directors... surely just paying to be seen by the gatekeepers & their pals? So, nothing is solved by saying; it's just

one part of a whole season. The problem is so much bigger. Jst cast the whole season in Scotland! Coz, with respect, if ur not finding the talent u need here, then you're not looking hard enuf. There isn't enuf work already! The sector was already starving out talent yr after yr

while the same faces appear repeatedly. This is not a bitter cry to take the work from weel kent comrades. But if big players such as the Lyceum, Pitlochry, The Citz etc want their own community to take seriously their commitment to the talent that exists here, then they need to

actually shake the ground, let it all crash down and work out how we can create a vibrant sector - something even worth calling an industry - with rolling programmes on stage, on screen, on beaches, up hills, in closes, in schools. With equal respect and status and pay across the

board. A diverse, vibrant industry with equality of (rolling) opportunity. And an understanding that the alternative is inequality, stagnation and - ongoing- frustration. And selling our audiences short. If big players get behind this, Government will also pay more heed. The

conversation is already underway, well underway in fact. The question is, how do we get those lucky enough to be in the position to truly instigate change to finally do so? I've put my head above parapet & will offer what I can in terms of welcoming people to the revolution. The

wheels are already turning - but we need the gatekeepers to free *themselves* and join the conversation. I know, it's been said a hundred times before. But look where we are right now. Enough is enough. I don't do confrontation btw. Peace, respect and kind wishes to all. ✊🏾✊🏼✊🏽✊🏿

@DylanBlore Your thread is excellent. This was my take. #Solidarity.