Thanks so much for being part of a Lost Plays reading! Below is some general information on what this is all about. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know asap!
What the hell is this thing?
Lost Plays.com aspires to be something of an “online salon.” Basically, we select plays that have been lost to history, all in the public domain, and record them using professional actors we know and enjoy. Then Brian edits and adds a few minor technical flourishes, and Ian uploads them to our website. Somewhere between a straight reading and a radio play, we aim to share some the world’s forgotten drama with the teeming, huddled masses that yearn to inhale some culture, aka, the internet.
Do I get paid?
Currently we are just two guys with a laptop. Lost Plays.com is not a commercial venture, nor are there any plans to make it into one. Content created specifically and exclusively for podcasting/streaming media is not covered by any of the professional unions as yet, with the possible exception of AFTRA. We have contacted AFTRA several times in order to put Lost Plays on their radar and seek their sanction for a project like this. They have yet to respond. If and when they get back to us, we will do our best to follow any guidelines they issue regarding AFTRA members. If you are a member of AFTRA and have concerns, please let either Brian or Ian know. If you’d prefer to be uncredited when we upload the play, we will of course respect your wishes.
We believe that your performance in this project belongs to you, and are grateful that you have chosen to take part. We will not use or authorize these podcasts for any purpose other than the above stated intentions. Should LostPlays.com somehow ever generate any revenue, we will make arrangements with every actor who has ever lent their time and talents to us for appropriate compensation.
In the meantime, we will provide you with food and booze during the recording session as our thanks. We also hope you will use LostPlays.com as a way of promoting yourself and your work by providing us with your headshot and bio.
So how long is this thing going to take?
Only as long as it takes to record. We do not schedule any rehearsals and tend to conduct things pretty informally (note the food and booze above). Scripts will be made available to you several days before the recording session and Brian & Ian are always available to answer any questions. Brian can always edit out the flaws if we mess up during the recording, and everyone is given the chance to re-record a section if they’d like at the end of the night.
Once the play is finished, we also record a brief discussion wherein actors can give their thoughts about the play. Participation is, of course, voluntary.
Thanks again for being part of our project. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to let us know at .
Brian & Ian