Exposure
The topic came about after a discussion about being asked to work for free, with “exposure” as the only payment*.
We decided that because the word has such a broad scope, it would be a great theme for our next anthology – and here we are!
As a suggestion, you might decide to approach the term ‘exposure’ in terms of:
- Revealing something (the truth, something hidden, something suspected but not known)
- Magic (the technical term for showing non-magicians how to perform the trick)
- Indecent Exposure (though, we are aiming for a PG rating!)
- Exposure to the elements
- Exposure as infanticide (Oedipus, anyone?)
- Legal meanings (look it up!)
- Photography
- Exposure therapy (for phobias)
- Gambling
- An anecdote – good or bad – about an opportunity to work for exposure that you were offered
- or any other play on the word exposure
The exposure must be a plot point, theme or in some other way a significant part of the story – it shouldn’t be a word or image added into the background as a nod to the theme.
If you’re at all concerned, drop us a line at act.comic.meet@gmail.com and the editors will discuss and let you know.
If you want to discuss your idea with us over a beverage, come along to a meetup!
* I believe we concluded that this offer is more genuine when the person making the offer isn’t paying themselves but not their creative team; and when the person making the offer has a market or following broader than the artist’s own following. What do you think?
ACT Comic Meet 
Tiny essay, commence!…
I think as an emerging artist, your hopes are dashed enough times to form the solid callous of a true cynical socially-commentating artÍST (french accent please). If this is your goal, most excellent luck.
But, for the rest of you who want to keep your bunny-soft souls intact, I’m afraid you’re just going to have to develop a very sharp eye very quickly. Pick out the ‘exposure’ opportunities that aren’t a waste of time, and which are plain exploitative.
I’m a big fan of competitions and shows that offer prize money or other incentives, not just a vague promise of eyes looking at you. Competitions tend to have more eyes anyway, and it’s how I met my first genuine clients. (I say genuine because I liked them, they weren’t batshit crazy, they treated me with respect and paid well. The little things, y’know.)
If you must enter a paid-in-ogling arrangement, make sure it’s a topic/style you love and links directly to the type of career you want. You’ll always regret working on something boring that you’re not even paid for.