Read the first installments here:
Part 1
Part 2

I spoke with Dick the next day. He was upset that all my players did was sit around drinking beer all night.

I explained that was not the case. “It was raining,” I told Dick.

Dick replied that he had advised me to have the players dress warmly. I explained that warm and wet were not the same thing.

I complained that some of the players had to pay for parking when he had told me parking would be free. I further griped that there was no mention of having to have someone on the field at all times and that we were supposed to be allowed to see the shows.

He basically muttered something to the effect of, “Oh, well. That’s not how it is now,” with no regard for what he had promised.

Dick also said beer would be $3.00 each now. He said the free beer was only for Thursday. I remarked that he did not specify that in our original agreement. Another “oh, well” equivalent was uttered.

I essentially said whatever. I was just thinking, “At least we’ll get to see Snoop Dogg for free.”

I came prepared. I got emergency ponchos in case of more rain. I created a rotation schedule. I was able to get parking passes, although only one player ended up needing one.

I was told of one player who contacted the leader of the Dick clan regarding parking upon his arrival on Friday. We were instructed to contact members of the Dick clan, three in all, for whatever we might need. The Dick clan leader informed my player that he was too busy for such petty issues and he was on his own because “he had a show to run”.

I was told one of Dick’s clan was going to meet me, but another player was forced to deliver the parking passes. He had to walk at least 10 minutes one way to get them to me. This was just another mishap in the giant pile of mishaps and broken deals surrounding the Bowl of Bud.

Still, we did our best to meet the absurd expectations placed upon us. We were still harassed.

So I had the first rotation of players (4) inside. Five were still outside. They were kicked out after being asked if they were on break. This was after we’d been on the field for two hours already.

Shortly after that, a representative for The Tigers approached us and advised us that we were not to be on the field. He spoke to a Dick clone. It seems that we could just have been let go at that point. But we weren’t. The Dick clone requested that we play off to the side, on top of some wooden planks that were set atop one area of the field.

We were done. Snoop hadn’t come on yet, and it was nearing 10pm. The guys just talked with party-goers who were outside in the ‘smokers’ lounge’, sat with me in the dugout and went inside as they could.

We somehow managed to be granted a cooler of beer at no charge. It was filled with perhaps two dozen bottles and refilled with just as many one time. After that, the beer was no more. I can’t really complain about that. That gave everyone at least two beers. That’s reasonable.

But there were supposed to be two heaters in the dugout. One burned out. I informed the person designated to handle this matter. It was never fixed. It had gone out at 9pm.

The same food was offered Friday, but without the wings. So we had to eat chips, fruit and veggies. This was at dinner time, with a significant amount of alcohol and physical activity. This was hardly proper nourishment.

We had been visited by several reporters that night. Around 1030pm, one returned. Unbeknownst to me, that reporter and one of my players took a detour into the actual stadium. Soon after, they were escorted out of the stadium by a couple of officers.

This was at 11pm. We were promptly kicked out, being told that one of “your people” had been arrested for trespassing. I could see everyone. No one was being arrested. Even the guy that was escorted by the two officers was just standing and chatting with them.

Dick’s clan was ranting about how they were all going to be arrested and lose their jobs.

I was confused and upset, but also relieved. Snoop Dogg was just coming to the stage as we were leaving. Sigh.

We did not return Saturday. Three Doors Down had been replaced by Staind and it snowed at least 3 inches. However, that WAS to be payday.

I emailed Dick Sunday night and apologized for everything but remained firm in my stance that he had breached our contract and that his expectations were harsh and unrealistic.

His only response to my lengthy argument was that my players were awful. His descriptions of how they were awful were exactly what I had apologized for and offered valid explanations of. It was as though he hadn’t read what I’d written at all.

I did argue that I should not be held responsible and that actually no one other than the one errant player should be held responsible.

I was told that I was not under fire. But that did little to comfort me since he was attacking the character of all the players, all of whom were family, friends or friends of friends. I relayed this to Dick.

Dick proceeded to accuse us of stealing. We had been sharing a trailer with another group of talent and one of that group’s cast had her wallet stolen.

I pointed out that the trailer was not locked and it was possible that we were not the guilty party.

Dick was not buying it. He refused to pay any of the players. He stated that if that didn’t suit them, they could sue him. As if. He also informed me that I might be contacted by the Detroit Police Department.

I never was. I never will be. This was all a scam not to pay us.

My brother was one of the players. He is a police officer. He said this was completely blown out of proportion. No one would be arrested in mass for one person’s trespassing. Likely, even the trespasser would just be fined, if that, as was the case.

But this is typical of the industry. Working for free or next to it, not getting credit where credit is due, and getting treated horribly – it’s all par for the course.

Yet, I continue to pursue a career in the film industry. Why?

Well, I’ve gotten used to it and I take it with a grain of salt. Also, it’s my passion. I can’t see me doing anything else. And there IS usually at least one positive for every negative. I often get to work with a great cast and crew on film projects and meet many fun and interesting people. I’ve made several new friends from most of my film work.

Even though The Bud Bowl was not a film job, it still gave me experience. I will certainly ask more questions before agreeing to any more projects.

We did get some free beer, food and a wild experience. We were in a historical landmark and we did have fun hanging out.

I was able to sneak in a camera behind some feminine products (works every time!). So I did get several neat photos of the guys in their costumes and of Old Tiger Stadium.

I am currently awaiting a response for a permanent office position as a Talent Coordinator. That would be great. I would be doing something I enjoy in an industry I love.

But I will still pursue my ultimate goal of writer/director. I want to make an impact with the medium of film making. I believe it can change our perceptions for the better and that is connects us. It is art, even when it’s bad. It's a way to express ourselves.

When I succeed in my pursuit, I will do my best to insure that credit is given where credit is due, promises are kept and fun is had by all.

And I’ll be sure to smite everyone who hasn’t given me proper respect along the way, so watch it Dick.