Intermittence, you say?

It's true that I'm talking about TRAP and maybe some people will think that's a bit of an exaggeration. I don't think I'm exaggerating. On the other hand, you'll see just a little later that the problem is NOT the intermittence itself; the problem, as is often the case, is in OUR HEAD!

Many musicians and trade unions have fought to benefit from this specific unemployment compensation scheme.
At the time, this meant recognising the musician's status as a EMPLOYEE.

And employees = paid holidays, social security, retirement and unemployment benefits!
That's something!

Can you imagine going from the image of a "saltimbanque" in a very precarious situation with difficult ends of the month, no security, no pension, nothing........to........French employee!!!!

For many people at the time it was like a recognition of their work, even if it was 'different' from the others. It was also a recognition that the time spent creating a work, rehearsing and preparing a show is real working time.
At last! Musicians were considered to have an important role to play. A real job, a real profession
>>> and therefore deserved the "job security"and the benefits that go with it in France. (except that as far as "job security" is concerned, we'll talk about that later...)
So, at the same time as the law created the salaried status of the artist, it also created the intermittent entertainment system, which corresponds to the "intermittence du spectacle" system. the artist's right to unemployment benefit.

This means that when they are not working, and if they meet the conditions, artists can be compensated by the Pôle Emploi.
That's all there is to it.
That's what intermittence in entertainment is all about.

It may be a great system, but you can see why I'd advise you to stop saying "I want to be a temp"!
It means: I want to be unemployed!!!

*Changing times, spirits are awakening

Fortunately/unfortunately/neither/, times are changing.
What offered you security and freedom at one time can become a hindrance and a constraint years later.
It seems to be a natural part of life.
I'm sure you have 50,000 examples in your head.

Well, for some artists, not all, salaried status (and therefore the intermittent work scheme) has become too restrictive.
It no longer offers enough freedom, and subjects them to a framework that doesn't suit them.

You want me to tell you now what has been THE WORST TRAP for some musicians ?
It's just that their OBJECTIVE has changed.

To "become intermittent" and receive unemployment benefit, you need to have worked a certain number of hours over a certain period. And if you fall short, you won't get any compensation.
As a result, the focus has changed.

THE ULTIMATE GOAL of many musicians has become = RECEIVE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT thanks to intermittent employment.

The main objective of their professional lifeof their career has become = finding contracts and working the right number of hours FOR unemployment.

Are you still dreaming about it?
You amaze me that so many artists, despite being "intermittent" (the "Holy Grail") are unhappy and don't feel fulfilled.... 🙁

They are completely lost, disconnected from what they really want, far, far away from their ambitions and desires.

*Is the problem intermittent work in the entertainment industry? Of course NOT !

The problem is the definition of the objective, is the underlying motivation.

An employee, a company, an association, all these are just containers, structures that support... but support what? What do you put inside?

When we fail to define what is important to us, when we lose sight of our deepest aspirations, we are quickly dragged into a downward spiral driven by our need for security, our fear of missing out and our need for recognition. Which are unfortunately needs that are NEVER satisfied.

* So, to sum up:

-              being a casual entertainment worker it's collecting unemployment, and that can be really cool

-              salaried employment can offer artists a secure framework (financially and socially),

            and it's cool too

-              but when the career goals to satisfy this need for security, it can end badly

-              to avoid being trapped in this system, it is essential to clearly define these objectives

And that's where the Gold Council #2 on the need to seek out our deepest aspirations and create your own definition of success.

And I'll tell you all about it in the next message....