@Flengs
First to clarify about the Z-Visa, in China there are only a handful of schools that are registered to issue workvisa for the postition as (foreign) teachers. The schools not holding this license or certificate are still able to help you with a work-visa but not as teacher instead as consultant, or office admin bloke. So working for that company is legal but not as foreign-teacher. In short it is equally illegal just more difficult to enforce for the authority.

I know more teachers getting in trouble with Z-Visa than business Visa, the Z Visa is more comfortable, for sure but don't think it's safe.

So in the end it doesn't matter if you work on a Z-Visa or whatnot-Visa, for schools not allowed to employ foreign teachers. I think the only school in KMG allowed to employ foreign teachers is KIA or official (registered) Int. Schools. So don't worry to much about it. I don't like it the way it works but what can you do?

@all posters seriously believing that a degree in teaching proves anything
...it doesn't the only thing it proves is arrogance, not accepting criticism or advise. Or inacceptance to anything new that hasn't been covered in one of the lectures or books about Art, Education, Linguistics, plus it being discussed for hours before they actually agree to give it a try, if agreed upon.
Of course there are some amazing wonderful teachers holding a teaching degree but to get one of those walking by the office is a lottery win and trust me, treat them like your own child they are worth every penny or minute invested in them.
I met one and hired one of them. A wonderful time.

I am consulting schools for about 5 years I have 15 years of teaching experience and a General Education certificate that didn't need University or College.

I have interviewed teachers for Schools and Institutes and one out 10 good teachers, was a teacher with a degree in the field, others had too but they were a disgrace to the profession and a 'Diva' would be the right word to explain their attitute and paychecks demands.
I am still interviewing teaching degree holders, hoping one day I will be proven wrong.

Teaching is an Art, it needs skill, analytical skills, extreme social skills, patience, and dynamic abilities, self-criticism, out of the box thinking.

90% is skill and 10% is techniques. So University degrees don't mean anything, (for being a good teacher), it will only limit your abilities to think out of the box. Although it is good to learn techniques and good theories, and may be helpful, so enjoy studying but keep your mind open. Not saying that studying isn't a good thing but it is overrated in my opinion at least in the teaching field.

The Top 7 Best teacher's former professions :
1. Landscape Gardener in U.S.
2. Insurance salesman U.S.
3. Paratrooper German

4. Musician Philippines

5. MBA Philippines
6. U.S. Marine U.S.(obviously)
7. Fine Art's Major (African)

I worked as professional talent and agent in the media business and I worked with 'real' agants. They take their fixed charge usually 10-20% of the contract value.
Even though I worked with Jasmin and agreed with the price which is far too low, (even compared to Henan which isn't as media attractive as yunnan). But I can't say that she cheated me. She paid on time and as agreed upon.

There is not fixed pay for talents and usually the "good" agent, by trying to get his pay higher will try his best to get the highest pay for the talent.
There was a price catalogue for a while how much a talent should earn but then the middle-men complained because they could only get a good salary and not rip people off anymore.
That was about 8 years ago...and even at that time it was beyond what Jasmin is paying these days.

Jasmin tries to get both, the production company and the actors for every possible cent. So at least she shouldn't complain about actors giving her crap for being so tight on her cash or letting her down.

Also most companies operating with a budget from production companies in Shanghai, Beijing etc. so the money comes from there and the shooting location has nothing to do with the range of the pay. Except if agents want to squeeze as much $ as possible.

I also gave her some advise about the way she works but seems like it didn't get heeded.

Also Jasmin should keep in mind that she needs you (the actor) more than we need her. So no need to insult us/them teachers and so on.

So here comes some advise for the ones that have a proper chinese level and it helped me plenty of times.

When you get to a scene, when there is a break, talk to the Assistant Director, he is always happy to have an extra number of a person he can trust.

From what I know, is that they hate agents, they sometimes ask for a previous talent that the agent won't contact, in case they find out how badly they have been skimmed.
They know agents are greedy and don't do good work. Sometimes a foreign bloke can get more actors through calling some buddies and usually coordinates better, because he/she has an interest in doing a good job and keep his face. Trust me they like to get your contact details.

Most important; people like Jasmin aren't really agents, it gives real agents a bad name and they already suffer enough. Jasmin is just making a good business for herself without the ethics and fairness of the business....the few that exist.

@dreammaker/Jasmin:
Every agency has a belly-up budget if a company doesn't pay you, you use money from there to pay your talents, if you care about repeating business. But if you put all that money in your own pocket there is no room for belly-up cash.

Plus reputation is everything in this field of work,I don't kow you well enough but yours is already pretty bad, I'm sure there have been a few bad foreign talents but I never heard so many people complaining, for justifyable reasons, not even in BJ or SH.

Nobody cares about the production company and what they have to rent and buy etc. People want to get paid fairly and companies do pay more than hundred per hour (which is below standard in Beijing for more than a decade).... no need your excuses. You are an almost-agent. Nobody cares about your personal issues and probelms, your stress and excuses. Thats why people work with agents so they can do their job and leave. Stop complaining, do a better job, pay better and everything will get better.

Plus being nice in China is not always received very well...in general it's a great rule but as foreinger, being nice often equals "naive, optimistic" which Chinese business associates could take as weakness at least in making money or being treated fairly.

Guys doesn't it wear you out following all those conspiracy theroies.
somehow there must be a certain group of people, from president to Janitor to keep all these secrets hidden and people bribed and killed to keep all those people and institutions safe from underpaid staff to reveal all of it at a drunken night at the pub.

Really? Just look at your company at look how many rumors and secrets are spread on a daily base, now try to imagine this in a gov. multi department, multi state/nation level, without any signs or rumors, while the Chief of the CIA can't even hide an affair with another woman.

I don't doubt that some gov control, conspiracies and corruption exists but not on the scale you guys are talking about.

About water issues: It's been on the radar for deacades about the water becoming scarce. Also people collecting rainwater poisioning their families with cholera and stuff. So if the gov hates your water saving so much, why don't they stop you buying proper water filters, some people even have legal mini-sewage treatment plants.

In the worst case go to Europe eco friendlieness is rewarded, or at least legal.

@Geezer
It seems like the gun thing has absolutely nothing to do with the OP but anyway, I read the LA-Times article, so what's your point, that it would have been better if those psychos had guns.
I prefer to defend myself from a knife, rather than a gun.

Ever thought about that the reason why gun related crimes and killings are almost not existing in China, is because there are almost no guns around.

Hi guys,
Does anyone here knows about a modern wushu coach?
I want to practice modern wushu is there a Sport University in Kunming or any other place with a good wushu coach?

I appreciate your help...

Plus there is an official catalogue about what foreign teachers schould get paid depending on their working hours.
They also mention the obligations of the employer, Visa, holidays, insurance, benefits, tax, pensions...etc. But that is what the law says and in those many years teaching in China, those requiremtns mere met only once.