Scandal AFL accused of exploitation after dancers asked to perform for free at grand final

[Johnny Bananas]

AFL accused of exploitation after dancers asked to perform for free at grand final

Arts industry, which has been hard-hit by pandemic, says incident is ‘a real representation of what we do and don’t value in this country’

www.theguardian.com

Am organisation the size of the AFL expecting free labour is idiotic. If you're putting on one of the nation's biggest annual events, you can afford to use professional entertainers and pay them for it. And if not, why bother having them at all?

 

[matthew_s]

I'm more shocked the dancers werent asked to pay for the privilege and "exposure"

Pay to play is rife in situations like this.

 

[Jimpson]

I think it's a bit overblown. They're not looking for professionals they're just looking for school kids who would probably jump at the chance to perform on a big stage like that. Similar to the ball boys/girls at the Australia Open who (I believe, unless it changed recently) don't get paid.

 

[GoalSneak38]

AFL accused of exploitation after dancers asked to perform for free at grand final

Arts industry, which has been hard-hit by pandemic, says incident is ‘a real representation of what we do and don’t value in this country’

www.theguardian.com

Am organisation the size of the AFL expecting free labour is idiotic. If you're putting on one of the nation's biggest annual events, you can afford to use professional entertainers and pay them for it. And if not, why bother having them at all?

I've asked the ladies at Kittens for a free dance plenty of times. I don't see the issue

 

[AndyLucimitis]

I think it's a bit overblown. They're not looking for professionals they're just looking for school kids who would probably jump at the chance to perform on a big stage like that. Similar to the ball boys/girls at the Australia Open who (I believe, unless it changed recently) don't get paid.

Agree - it's a beat up. Give the kids a pie and a can of coke and they will be stoked.

 

[ep2018]

They could have had Tame Impala and Birds of Tokyo... just saying.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

I think it's a bit overblown. They're not looking for professionals they're just looking for school kids who would probably jump at the chance to perform on a big stage like that. Similar to the ball boys/girls at the Australia Open who (I believe, unless it changed recently) don't get paid.

Why would you put on a grand entertainment spectacle with millions watching and use substandard entertainment? Do they use bands composed of high school kids for music performances?

 

[GoalSneak38]

They could have had Tame Impala and Birds of Tokyo... just saying.

Birds of Tokyo - Wow. Surprised Eskimo Joe wasn't mentioned

 

[Jimpson]

Why would you put on a grand entertainment spectacle with millions watching and use substandard entertainment? Do they use bands composed of high school kids for music performances?

Probably because they don't need professionals to carry a giant Richmond flag onto the ground. They're not looking for halftime entertainment, they're looking for people in minor roles.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Probably because they don't need professionals to carry a giant Richmond flag onto the ground. They're not looking for halftime entertainment, they're looking for people in minor roles.

You don't need any sort of dancer to carry a flag, just regular kids. They are specifically looking for people with dance training.

 

[Jimpson]

You don't need any sort of dancer to carry a flag, just regular kids. They are specifically looking for people with dance training.

I would assume because dancers are fit, organised, disciplined and know how to perform on a stage. If they hire kids off the street you don't know what you're getting.

 

[matthew_s]

They could have had Tame Impala and Birds of Tokyo... just saying.

Have you not heard what Birds did to our song?

They should only be allowed to play NRL events going forward.

 

[Ricky112]

If you can't afford to pay the entertainers then don't have pre-game entertainment.

This is pure exploitation. Aren't there laws to protect people against predatory organisations that operate like this?

It's pathetic of Gil.

WA were offering $50 million to host the finals.

I'm sure with $50 million the AFL could have afforded to pay for entertainment.

But they chose to sacrifice tens of millions of dollars (and 20% of their workforce) in order to host the finals in Brisbane.

 

[TwiggleyFanClub]

They could have had Tame Impala and Birds of Tokyo... just saying.

Tame Impala
Bird of $%$^#$% Tokyo

 

[ep2018]

If you can't afford to pay the entertainers then don't have pre-game entertainment.

This is pure exploitation. Aren't there laws to protect people against predatory organisations that operate like this?

It's pathetic of Gil.

WA were offering $50 million to host the finals.

I'm sure with $50 million the AFL could have afforded to pay for entertainment.

But they chose to sacrifice tens of millions of dollars (and 20% of their workforce) in order to host the finals in Brisbane.

IIRC we offered a parade as well and a number of big Perth acts were keen on performing (Tame Impala, etc).

 

[burge13]

WA should never have got it due to their stupidity over borders throughout.
That said, who cares about HT entertainment. Does anyone watch this? Get Meatloaf back and have a laugh

I see they're thawing out the old boy for Up There Cazaly for the 47th time. Just don't bother...

 

[matthew_s]

I see they're thawing out the old boy for Up There Cazaly for the 47th time. Just don't bother...

I hope Gil has a plan for when old boy eventually carks it. anyone know if he has a son?

 

[Herne Hill Hammer]

If you can't afford to pay the entertainers then don't have pre-game entertainment.

This is pure exploitation. Aren't there laws to protect people against predatory organisations that operate like this?

It's pathetic of Gil.

WA were offering $50 million to host the finals.

I'm sure with $50 million the AFL could have afforded to pay for entertainment.

But they chose to sacrifice tens of millions of dollars (and 20% of their workforce) in order to host the finals in Brisbane.

They get free entry to the gf, an event where tickets will be at an absolute premium.

 

[matthew_s]

They get free entry to the gf, an event where tickets will be at an absolute premium.

lol and if they are lucky, they might catch a glimpse of gil or eddie!

 

[Herne Hill Hammer]

lol and if they are lucky, they might catch a glimpse of gil or eddie!

If the Eagles were in the game and you could get there, how much would you pay for a the.ticket?

If they're young kids they'll probably at least have one parent each with them too.

 

[Ricky112]

They get free entry to the gf, an event where tickets will be at an absolute premium.

I doubt they get a seat in a reduced capacity venue, and if they did they'll miss half the game. Not to mention I doubt a dancer in QLD has a keen interest Aussie Rules.

Just pay people if you want them to do a job.

 

[Damon_3388]

If the dancers don't like the compensation or exposure, can't they just say no?

 

[Hard Ball Get]

My first grand final was 2002, Collingwood Vs Brisbane. I was a year 12 student and went on the ground for the pre match - waving some banner while trying to get a glimpse at the lead singer of killing Heidi.

All done and sitting in my seat right behind the goals (perfect direct line to Rocca's goal that was called a point) for the first bounce. It was awesome. There'd be a ton of kids that would do it for free, just for the excitement and possibility of catching some action.

 

[Bazzas Lovechild]

My first grand final was 2002, Collingwood Vs Brisbane. I was a year 12 student and went on the ground for the pre match - waving some banner while trying to get a glimpse at the lead singer of killing Heidi.

All done and sitting in my seat right behind the goals (perfect direct line to Rocca's goal that was called a point) for the first bounce. It was awesome. There'd be a ton of kids that would do it for free, just for the excitement and possibility of catching some action.

Killing Heidi were good. Weir...great track.

I always assumed you were a little bit older Hard Ball...somewhere near my vintage!

 

[Hard Ball Get]

Killing Heidi were good. Weir...great track.

I always assumed you were a little bit older Hard Ball...somewhere near my vintage!

I'm an old man trapped in a young man's body.