photo: Archive of Jan Čenský, with permission/Jan Čenský
PrahaIN.cz regularly writes about the fees of some artists or music groups. The amounts vary significantly. While the young couple of rappers Yzomandis and Nik Tendo received 431,970 crowns including VAT at the September Mosteck festival, the Municipal Cultural Facilities in Litoměřice paid 55 thousand crowns for Heidi Janků’s show. We found both amounts in publicly accessible contract registers.
The last time we noticed the sums that the actor Miroslav Donutil received for some events for local governments. In two hours it was about 120 thousand crowns. On this account, we had the opportunity to speak with Jan Mark (Art Agency JaMa Agency), who has been organizing concerts and social events for almost thirty-five years. Most recently, he organized a performance by the German singer Sandra at the Congress Center Prague. Songs like In The Heat Of The Night, Maria Magdalena or Heaven Can Wait probably don’t need to be mentioned.
However, Jan Marek also has a number of other productions behind him. In 1999, he organized a performance by the then thirty-one-year-old Daniel Hůlka, whose accompanying number was a concert by Iveta Bartošová. Three years later, visitors to the Sports Hall in České Budějovice saw Martin Maxu. Together with him, they could sing Cest la vie or Morning in the streets. And so one could continue: Eva Burešová, Miroslav Donutil, Petr Spálený, Spirituál Kvintet, Ewa Farna or a discussion evening with Jiří Kajínek.
“But if someone’s name is memorable like no other, then it is Mr. Honza Čenský,” Marek confided to our editors. “He behaved several times in a way that I have never experienced before, but I have never experienced it since,” he adds. A momentary silence then interrupts the precisely stored memories. “I arranged large balls in Tábor, at that time on behalf of the Kovosvit company. A thousand people could participate, yes, it will. And I had chosen Jan Čenský as moderator. I called him and invited him. So the event was very interesting. There were many dance performances, as well as Jan Čenský’s co-hosts Eva Vejmělková and Martina Kociánová. Beautiful women, beautiful evening. In addition to dance performances, many popular singers, groups and actors performed here. And Honza Čenský, as I called him, immediately agreed to come. I was a little taken aback because absolutely everyone immediately asks about the fee. He didn’t. He was not at all interested in what or how much he would get. He just wanted to know the time and place to be there on time. As he said, so it happened,” added Jan Marek. And he repeated that he had never encountered such an approach before.
It is not the only testimony that speaks of Jan Čenský in this way. PrahaIN.cz had the opportunity to speak with a man who once worked with him in advertising for the Czech A&M Borovnička swimming pools. “So it’s been a long time but I’ve spoken to him many times, he was a great guy. Accurate, prompt, reliable,” said the man, who did not wish to be named in this context.
However, hard work, humility and diligence are characteristic of the actor. As he told us, he hardly respects holidays and weekends, he constantly plays and performs. “Now we were in Slovakia, new things are being tried, sometimes it takes half a year,” he told our editors.
Jan Marek also organized very special meetings for South Bohemian seniors for his agency. For example, Josef Vinklář or Zdenka Sulanová excelled at them (Madla sings to Europe, Lízina štěstí and others). The editorial staff of PrahaIN.cz will deal with the approach of some actors in connection with these thematic evenings in a separate material.
Artistic Fees: The Price of Fame!
Ever wondered why some artists get paid like they’re curing cancer while others are treated like they’re selling dodgy games consoles out of the back of a van? Welcome to the world of performance fees, folks!
The PrahaIN.cz article introduces us to a dazzling array of payment structures for artists and performers, and we’ve got some juicy figures that’ll make you beg the question: “Is there an art to making money in the arts, or is it just a case of sheer luck?”
First up, let’s look at our hip-hop duo, Yzomandis and Nik Tendo, who reportedly pocketed an astonishing 431,970 crowns at the Mosteck Festival. Meanwhile, the much-beloved Heidi Janků fetched a meager 55,000 crowns. Was she singing to a crowd of three—or were they just taking the scenic route to the bank? And you thought your paychecks were wild!
Now, let’s not forget the veteran actor Miroslav Donutil, who raked in about 120,000 crowns for a mere two-hour gig for local governments. Honestly, for that much, he better be doing the cha-cha and the moonwalk while acting out the entirety of Hamlet! When did acting become less about the craft and more about unlocking loot?
What’s the secret sauce for these artists? Well, we caught up with Jan Mark from JaMa Agency, the mastermind behind events including a performance by the quintessential pop diva, Sandra. Remember songs like In The Heat Of The Night? If those tracks don’t ring a bell, your musical taste might need a reboot! Mark, with his nearly 35 years of event organizing prowess, explains that the showbiz world is more vast than your average reality TV season.
But wait! There’s a character in our story who stands out among the rest—Honza Čenský. Let’s just say his approach to contracts is like a child approaching a bowl of candy! Jan Marek lights up when recounting how Čenský didn’t even inquire about his fee before agreeing to moderate an event. This guy was all about the art, not the artist’s bank account! Should we be taking notes, or is this just a fairy tale in the land of exaggerated celebrity demands?
And just when you think things can’t get more drastic, you hear from an unnamed source who sang high praises about Čenský’s reliability, accuracy, and overall approachability. Frankly, the man sounds like an absolute unicorn in the world of showbiz, which mostly operates on drama and diva-like behavior!
With hard work and a laser focus, it’s clear that Čenský doesn’t shy away from his craft. While the rest of us are binge-watching our sixteenth streaming series, he’s relentlessly honing his talents, wholly disregarding weekends and holidays! Talk about commitment! But on the flip side, it leaves one wondering—at what point does diligence slip into madness?
So, what does this all mean? We have artists with fees as varied as the songs they perform and characters that make up this world of theatrics. Join us as we dissect these fees and get personal perspectives on how some actors approach their craft, which will be dissected by PrahaIN.cz in their upcoming segment.
Stay tuned, and remember: Whether you’re rolling in crowns or counting pennies, the arts are one heck of a ride!
PrahaIN.cz consistently reports on the diverse fees commanded by various artists and music ensembles, revealing a fascinating spectrum in remuneration. For instance, the dynamic young rap duo Yzomandis and Nik Tendo secured an impressive fee of 431,970 crowns, inclusive of VAT, for their electrifying performance at the September Mosteck festival. In stark contrast, the Municipal Cultural Facilities in Litoměřice allocated a modest 55 thousand crowns for a show featuring the renowned singer Heidi Janků. These figures were sourced from publicly accessible contract registers, highlighting the intriguing disparities in the entertainment industry.
The last time we investigated the compensation received by the acclaimed actor Miroslav Donutil for his performances at various local events, it amounted to approximately 120 thousand crowns for just two hours of work. This prompted a conversation with Jan Mark (of the esteemed JaMa Agency), a seasoned promoter with nearly thirty-five years of experience in organizing concerts and social events. His recent undertaking involved orchestrating a performance by the legendary German pop singer Sandra at the Congress Center Prague, renowned for timeless hits such as “In The Heat Of The Night,” “Maria Magdalena,” and “Heaven Can Wait.”
Jan Marek’s illustrious career is decorated with notable productions, including a memorable performance in 1999 by the then thirty-one-year-old vocal sensation Daniel Hůlka, who shared the stage with Iveta Bartošová. Just three years later, attendees at the Sports Hall in České Budějovice were treated to a mesmerizing performance by Martin Maxa, where fans could sing along to popular hits like “C’est La Vie” or “Morning in the Streets.” Through the years, Marek has also worked with distinguished artists such as Eva Burešová, Miroslav Donutil, Petr Spálený, Spirituál Kvintet, Ewa Farna, and even facilitated a discussion evening featuring the infamous Jiří Kajínek.
“But if someone’s name resonates in my mind like no other, it’s Mr. Honza Čenský,” Marek confided to our editorial team. He reminisced about the remarkable manner in which Čenský conducted himself, describing it as an experience unlike any he’s had before. Marek recalled organizing grand balls in Tábor, representing the Kovosvit company, where a thousand attendees gathered for a night of elegance. He chose Jan Čenský as the moderator for the event, and extended an invitation to him. Čenský’s enthusiastic acceptance left Marek pleasantly surprised, particularly because, unlike most, he showed no interest in discussing fees. All Čenský wanted to confirm was the event’s timing and location to ensure he arrived punctually. As Marek recounted, “As he said, so it happened,” reflecting the actor’s admirable commitment and professionalism.
Moreover, Jan Čenský’s reputation for integrity is corroborated by another individual who previously collaborated with him during an advertising campaign for the Czech A&M Borovnička swimming pools. “It’s been quite some time, but I spoke to him on multiple occasions, and he was a genuinely great guy—always accurate, prompt, and reliable,” shared the anonymous source, echoing praises for Čenský’s character.
Despite his remarkable success, Jan Čenský embodies hard work and humility. He expressed a disregard for holidays and weekends, with an unwavering commitment to his craft, stating that he continues to perform consistently. “Recently, we were in Slovakia, testing out new materials, and sometimes it takes up to half a year before getting it right,” he informed our editors.
Jan Marek also organized unique gatherings for seniors in South Bohemia through his agency, featuring performances by beloved artists like Josef Vinklář and Zdenka Sulanová, known for stirring hits such as “Madla sings to Europe” and “Lízina štěstí.” The editorial staff of PrahaIN.cz is planning to explore the varying approaches of actors in relation to these thematic evenings in a forthcoming piece.
How did Čenský’s approach to moderating the event for Kovosvit reflect a shift in the art industry towards valuing experience over monetary compensation?
ábor on behalf of the Kovosvit company, where Čenský’s involvement as a moderator stood out remarkably. “He agreed to be part of the event without even asking about payment. It was refreshing, and honestly, something I had never encountered before in this industry,” said Marek.
Čenský’s unique approach to his work—his focus on the artistic experience rather than monetary compensation—positions him as a rare gem in a field where financial negotiations often overshadow creative pursuits. This attitude has not gone unnoticed, as others who have collaborated with him echoed similar sentiments regarding his professionalism and dedication.
Having spent years in the industry, Jan Marek’s perspective on the embellishments surrounding performance fees offers a glimpse into the complexities artists face regarding monetary valuation of their craft. The contrasting fees for performances that range from duos like Yzomandis and Nik Tendo, who make a hefty sum, to more established figures like Heidi Janků, who garner significantly less, emphasize the disparities within the entertainment realm.
As we await further insights from PrahaIN.cz, it is a reminder of the multifaceted nature of the arts, intertwined with both financial and ethical considerations. In this world of glitz and creativity, one continually wonders: Does talent and hard work equate to what artists demand as their due, or are they often at the mercy of market trends and public demand?
So, whether you’re kissing the stage under theatre lights or reckoning with modest compensation, the narrative of the artist remains a compelling one—one marked by sheer passion, yet often complicated by the currencies we assign to their expressions. Stay tuned as we unravel more about this vibrant ecosystem of performance and payment, where every note and every action counts.
