Actors Against Creative Exploitation

Time for me to hand over the batton...

2011-05-24T13:04:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed that my posts are becoming more and more infrequent. This is partly because I am very much involved with far more practical methods of getting things changed and partly because so many people have joined the fight that some have got far better blogs than me! Thanks to the guys here:

http://actorsminimumwage.wordpress.com/

This has been the definative place to go for all your NMW news and insights for quite some time now. There are links here to all the information that you could possibly need and regular (yes, much more regular than me!) updates on current lawsuits and Equity policy.
The Young Members Committee have been brilliant in taking up this issue as their priority and every year that goes by at Equity's Annual Representative's Conference more motions are passed that help the cause even more.
When I look back at the first few entries on this blog I can see just how far this whole affair has come. That makes me rather proud and very grateful for all the help I've had, too. Claude Starling for one. Many, many more.
My work won't stop and you certainly won't have heard the last of me!

The message is getting across...

2010-08-04T12:30:00.000-07:00

http://www.artsgroup.org.uk/2010/08/arts-council-suspends-unpaid-work-adverts/

The Arts Council have suspended unpaid work advertisements and are reviewing how they advertise these posts in the future.
Together with high profile news stories about unpaid work throughout the creative industries we're making a difference.
The rogue employers better start worrying. Small collaborative projects still have little to fear, as long as you are working with like minded people that are purely in it for the creative gain. I still think that you're better off finding a budget before you embark on such projects but I know it's not always possible. (Been there, done that, written the book, got the t-shirt...literally...)
As I've said before, I intend to keep lobbying Equity Council to set up a working party to see how they can protect the Fringe from the NMW legislation. To be honest, I think that the Fringe will carry on regardless, below the radar. What I and many others want to see is a strengthening of Equity's position on NMW so that, ultimately, Equity is a force to be reckoned with again. It's already happening. Let's keep it up.

Thanks for all your support

2010-07-21T14:37:00.000-07:00

Well, it nearly happened.
I got nearly 1000 votes and with a couple of hundred more I would have got on Council.
Ah well. Equity has a ruling faction called the Representative Group who will always vote for eachother. They will deny this, saying that they are just banding together to work for the greater good within the Union and continue to think for themselves.
So why have factions?
Isn't that what we're all doing- thinking independantly and working for the greater good? Why do we need these silly groupings? Block voting doesn't do anything apart from keep certain members elected. Once any party or faction starts to think about purely getting elected, it's not doing its job properly.
I really don't want this to turn into some sour grapes type of rant. I truly hope that the new Council act in all our best interests. The Rep Group have decided that they need some new blood and have elected some of the new Young People's Committee onto Council. It's a step forward- I voted for them too.
Now that the Rep Group are more "out in the open" thanks to the Equity forum I think that there will be many more members watching with interest how things pan out. If the Rep Group want my vote next time then they had better be sure that they work for it. I'm sure that no-one would want members to look at the Rep Group and associate it with the old, stuffy outdated image of Equity and avoid ticking a Rep Group box.

There's still much I can do within the Midlands Area Committee and, with the arrival of the new No/Low Pay leaflet, there's a lot of publicity we need to embark upon. The new leaflet has a much better tone and I think it's a step towards the modern professional image that Equity should adopt.

It's only taken a year....

2010-06-03T06:29:00.000-07:00

Fantastic article in the Stage this week which has decided to report on this issue in a grown-up manner, instead of scraremongering.
http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/28454/equity-to-ask-for-wage-legislation-change

Really important changes are on the cards, with some great resolutions passed unamimously at the ARC, which highlight Equity's new attitude to the issue. If the general secretary has recognised that there is a problem then it's a start. It's only taken a year to progress from "members can do what they like" to "problems arise when members do what they like" but it's a big step in the right direction, even if it's a subtle change in stance.
A union protecting the professional interests of its members has to carry on with this way of thinking. Why else would you join a union if not to improve your pay and conditions??
Thankyou Christine Payne and rest assured I will keep watching...

Things are looking up- so what now?

2010-05-26T13:24:00.000-07:00

There's definately change coming. What form it'll take, and how long is a matter for discussion, but finally it seems that Equity are taking notice. They are not trying to ignore the issue, as many are speaking up now. Resolutions are being passed, top level meetings are taking place and people high up in the Council are talking about it.
I can keep up the pressure if you vote me onto Council this summer.
As well as practical measures, such as introducing the Fringe Theatre contract for all Fringe theatre and increased pressure on film schools there is a shift in mindset which needs nurturing here. That is equally important as a concrete strategy.
With an empowered membership, who value their place in the profession we can do so much ourselves.
How would you enforce a Fringe Contract? This is where a changed mindset comes in. Actors, if educated on the benefits of such a contract, even when unpaid, will start to ask for them. A contract will give members the power to ask for accounts so that they can see where the money (if any)went.
Eventually this could lead to a clear distinction of what is professional and what is not. Shows or films that have a contract could have a reference number that would go on actor's CVs. This type of "Fringe" credit would then be the only acceptable professional standard to gain entry to Spotlight and Equity, if no other higher paid jobs are evident.
We could look into some sort of co-operative model so that if a project is truly collaborative, it means that no-one can put on plays or make a film with unpaid actors and make a living out of it. All would benefit and it would truly be a profit share, instead of the expectation that profit share means no pay. This model may well be a way for the National Minimum Wage legislation to bypass collaborative projects, something which worries some members working on the Fringe.
Small changes at first. Let's change the culture of cheap labour in this profession bit by bit.
Vote for me and I will make it my mission to put all this in motion.

Standing for Equity Council

2010-05-05T02:45:00.000-07:00

Well, if you want a job doing...
I have officically put myself forward as a candidate in the Equity Council Elections later this year.
The Council decide on the direction that the Union goes in and I want to help steer it the right way. Several more actors who feel the same way have joined me in standing. Here's to a fair fight!
Plus, take a look at Tim Davenport's blog- he's singing from the same hymnsheet. He's got lots of useful links to recent debates:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%253A%252F%252Factorsminimumwage.wordpress.com%252F&h=5f39f&ref=nf

The Government are stepping up too...

2010-04-01T11:14:00.000-07:00

http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/27731/government-to-issue-guidance-on-minimum-wage

People are listening.
Things are happening.
Good times!

BECTU taking the lead

2010-03-31T14:28:00.000-07:00

Follow this link:
http://www.bectu.org.uk/news/697
This is the fantastic debate that went on on 18th March. Sadly, I couldn't make it but BECTU are really tackling this subject and having open debates on what is such an important issue.
Equity could learn a lot. And I think they are starting to see the depth of feeling in this issue, from the debate that sparked off at the recent Manifesto for Theatre meeting at the Lyric, dominating the final discussion.
Many more ARC motions are being tabled for this year to add to the three last year on this topic.
I think they are getting the message!

More on the Shooting People Debate

2010-02-03T01:58:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

I'd like to share this fantastic response that has come from Andrew Ward who has kindly let me reproduce his letter here:

"Firstly it must be made very clear by Shooting People that results from this survey are not representative of the industry (pastime or hobby if we go down the no-pay route) because shooting people was initially set up to assist the exchange of services and talent within the lo-no budget sphere so unsurprisingly those responding are mostly people who sympathise with free work. This survey would have very different results if carried out by Equity, BAFTA etc whose members are professionals deriving a living from various areas of the media industries.

Secondly there are circumstances where free work is acceptable however there must be very strict guidelines around projects that may allow free work and those that can't. This way a grass roots learning sector in film can exist alongside an industry where paid professionals turn out world class films and creative work.

Thirdly many people say it is there individual right to decide to work for free. A person’s decision to work for free has a massive effect on other people’s ability to make a living from their skills or talent. In other sectors of the economy those who decide to break a picket line and work for worse conditions, lower pay or even for free are called "scabs” a highly derogatory term... These workers actions effect other workers in that sectors ability to make a living. It should NOT be an individuals right to work for free as there actions effect everybody else's ability to make a living in the industry in a negative way.

Without overstating things it is like drugs in sport, if some athletes decide to use drugs it effects all other athletes because you may not want to use drugs but you are forced to use them in order to have any chance of winning, this is one reason amongst many why athletes are NOT given the individual choice to use drugs or not. Your free choice to work for free compromises my free choice to ask for proper remuneration for my skills, talent time etc.

Fourthly and this is from personal experience when I have decided to work for free I have often but not always been treated with minimal respect. when I have been paid my time experience and work are treated with some respect, when I have been paid generously I have been treated with the most respect....something to think about for all those that always give away their talent and skills for free or without any meaningful exchange taking place....

Lastly what are you working towards if nobody in the industry is paid?

You have nothing but a hobby most likely producing lower grade work which is not world class because most of your day is spent working at Tescos stacking shelves not perfecting and refining your skills knowledge and talent in a rewarding career in a world class British Film Industry.

Thank you for giving my points your careful consideration, if your a person with influence I hope you keep them in mind when setting out future policy. Don't hesitate in writing to me directly to discuss this and related issues further."

http://www.andrewlward.co.uk/

Couldn't have put it better myself.

Shooting People debate

2010-01-14T15:20:00.000-08:00

Fot those of you who are subscribed to Shooting People (a website dedicated to filmmakers and other related industries) you'll know all about the poll that they're conducting over whether Shooting People should continue letting people advertise for unpaid staff, both in front of and behind the camera.
It's throwing up the argument from filmmkers that filmmaking will only be accessible to the people that can afford it, if the National Minimum Wage is enforced. Anyone from a non priviledged background will be unable to make films, they claim.
Have they ever stopped to think about the actors that they are requesting to work for free? How it is changing the demographic of those in the industry?
Actors are professionals. A lot of us are not rich. We need to be paid or we cannot afford to be an actor any more. How is that any more acceptable?

To those on no budget, then carry on making your films, beg borrow or steal what equipment you can, blag your best and enjoy what you do. Just get used to the idea that you cannot use professionals any more than you can afford to shoot on 35mm. A fact of life if you have no money. Find drama students or enthusiastic amateurs and you won't fall foul of the law.

To those with higher aspirations, shooting on 35mm and not having any money left for cast- what is the point of a good looking film if the people delivering it cannot live up to the high production values? Without actors you don't have a drama. Remember who is delivering your ideas onto the screen; who is speaking your words. If that's not important to you, then you might want to take a long hard look at why you're in this industry.

Lastly, there is the argument that some no pay jobs are fine and some (like jobs on a funded film) are not. Trying to separate the charlatans from the honest collaborations is like trying to separate water. It's not going to work. My conclusion is, if you don't have the money for your film, then turn some of that inventiveness into ways of raising a bit of cash. Think of ideas that you can do on a shoestring and keep things simple. Do you need ten crew when three will do? Keep the grand ideas for when you can afford them. If your ideas are sound and your voice distinctive, you'll grow.

Manifesto for Theatre

2009-12-16T12:12:00.000-08:00

The wheels are turning, slowly but surely. A BECTU member has recently taken their "employers" to court for flouting NMW guidelines and won.
Equity are starting to make the right noises too. See
http://www.manifestofortheatre.co.uk/ and look at the ideas that have come from talking to members.
Talking about these issues, whatever you think of them is the only way we're going to get progress for everyone.

Still fighting

2009-08-28T08:16:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been a little while since the last post.
Rest assured that there are lots of people still working hard for change.
I've become a committee member on the Equity Midlands Area Committee and will use my influence to lobby on this issue whenever I get a chance. (Thanks to those that voted me in on the strength of this issue and what I intend to do about it).
I know a lot more people who are thinking twice about working for nothing which is great. Education is the key. Raise this issue whenever you can- in the pub, at rehearsals...
To those that think that I am trying to curtail their personal freedom, then I say, feel free to do what you like. If it's your belief that you should be able to work for nothing and to hell with other people- just rememeber that whatever you do in life has repercussions on everyone else. Think hard about how that portrays you as a person and professional and whether that's who you really want to be.
Me? I'm leading by example. And that doesn't just mean not taking unpaid jobs. I've set up a not-for-profit film initiative that has, at it's core, an ethic that all participants are paid for their time.
As an experiment, we've already shot one short film and are proud to say that everyone has been paid at least (and sometimes more) than NMW. We're busy raising funds and you'll all know about it in due course. Hopefully some of you will work for me in the future! (though I've got first refusal on the 30-something female roles!)
xx

Another letter, perhaps?

2009-07-05T13:19:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

If you're mad about this article too them e-mail The Stage at:

editor@thestage.co.uk

Ask them if they are going to do a similar article from the actors' point of view. It is a paper that champions the actor, is not? The same paper that doesn't go out to review any show now that has a run of three weeks or less?

I don't want to close down all fringe venues overnight. It won't happen. Creativity springs from these places. Sometimes the braver choices don't get the funding. There wouldn't be time to go after every group that wants to break out and do something different and that's a good thing.
What I don't want to see if the Fringe Theatre brand de-valued by producers jumping in with no budget, no plan and no direction.
The venue must be paid. Do you see any theatre manangers saying "oh go on then, it's such a groundbreaking piece- you can have the venue for free".
Being creative is our JOB. We shouldn't be afraid of that. What we don't want is to go back to a time when only the rich could afford to be in this profession.
E-mail them now!

Tonight!

Whilst you're still fuming!
x

Whose side is The Stage really on?

2009-07-03T11:23:00.000-07:00

The Stage this week printed this:
http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/24897/equity-minimum-wage-proposal-will-destroy

They are scaremongering just to get a headline. Equity plan to go after the funded companies.

The NMW guidlelines are a vital lifeline to bring back the "jobbing actor" in this country. The Stage are trying to suggest that you will get "seen" in a Fringe show. We all know it doesn't happen. Actors have been propping up the finances for producers who are simply failing at their jobs.

To the fringe venues- if you're funded- we're on your case. If you're unfunded and worry that Fringe as we know it will cease- stop asking actors to bankrole your productions. Take the time to get funding and churn out less quantity and more quality.

Equity are moving things forward...

2009-05-26T14:12:00.000-07:00

The ARC at Blackpool was a great success, by all accounts. The motion forwarded by Tracey Briggs and seconded by myself at the Midlands Branch was passed unanimously. Read an extract printed by The Stage:
http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/24508/publicly-funded-companies-must-pay

Change is coming folks...
Just keep up the pressure on those that seek to exploit us.

New laws and new powers for the actor

2009-04-30T05:49:00.000-07:00

New legislation is now in place which will impose a fine of up to £5000 on any employer not paying the National Minimum Wage.
This applies to actors to, don't forget. We are classed as "workers" when we take on an engagement, as we still pay National Insurance Contributions. Just because we are self-employed doesn't mean that we waive all rights.
This can be backdated, so anyone that feels agrieved at a precious engagement they have done in the last three months can go here:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/nmw/complaint.htm

And those of us who see any job posted on a casting website that flouts the National Minimum Wage can go here:
https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/shortforms/form/NMW_TPWorker?dept-name=NMW&sub-dept-name=Complaints&location=25&origin=http

We need to inundate HMRC with the many, many examples of non-paid work that we see every day. We all know the type: "An opportunity to work with a professional crew" which really means "The crew get paid, you don't".

Of course, there are some companies out there that are purely collaborative and are not paying anyone because they have no funding. I would exercise disgression if you think that this is the case. In most cases, I feel that those type of projects don't advertise for cast anyway as they are normally shows or films put together by a group of people that already know eachother. If you put yourself up for this type of project be very sure that they are being fully honest with you as regards to being a true "no budget" production.

At least you have some form of attack now if you find out later that they have been less than honest with you!

If you have any queries on what rates you should be paid, contact Equity.

Tim's the man

2009-03-30T04:22:00.000-07:00

Calling all Equity members:
Tim Gale at Equity is the person to contact if you have a question about employment law affecting actors. He will take on any company or Film School reported to him and fight your corner.
tgale@equity.org.uk

He has had many successes from companies that claim not to have a budget for actors. This budget miraculously appears once he applies some pressure!

You CAN make a stand. The balance is slowly tipping in our favour. But at the moment, the government is rather slow at taking this issue seriously.

Here's something that you can do right now to get things moving:

If you see a job advertised that isn't paying either the National Minimum Wage or the correct Equity rate, then report it to Tim. This applies to TV, Film and Theatre.
Tim needs as many reports of National Wage Law abuse as possible to build up a case to take to the HMRC to get them to look at this in more detail. They need to see how bad this is and a whole stack of examples will do the case huge favours. If Equity can get the weight of government behind them then they will be impossible to ignore.

Lastly, if you have been ripped off recently by a company and you feel that you want to take it further, Tim would be happy to advise you on taking them to an Employment tribunal. Not many people are taking this route at the moment and Tim would like to see more.

Know your rights and make some noise!

Know your worth

2009-03-15T15:08:00.000-07:00

Every Equity member should know the industry rates:

http://www.equity.org.uk/login/members/AreaOfWork/FilmTVRadio/IndustryRates.aspx

And when it comes to low budget film or student films remember that it is illegal to work for less than the National Minimum wage.
Contact Equity if you are unclear on what your rights are or if you believe that a company or institution is employing you illegally.

If you see a job advertised anywhere that is flouting these laws then report it to Equity. Write to the company in question if you wish. Let them know that you are intending to report them and why. If enough of us do that, then they will soon get the message!

Mission Statement

2009-03-09T11:52:00.000-07:00

The followers of this site would like to bring to the attention of the industry in general the fact that ever more of us are refusing to be exploited and work for nothing / expenses on projects that have designated budgets. These actors will possibly not work this year because of it, despite being highly trained and/or experienced.

The old excuse that 'experience' is a substitute for payment - will no longer wash. It is illegal to expect an individual to work for nothing.

We want to put a stop to certain companies, mainly in the fields of film and television, putting the actor at the bottom of the food chain and creating an image of the actor that is desperate, unskilled and ten-a-penny. This is damaging to every actor, whatever their skill or experience and putting up a brick wall between other employers and the newer / undiscovered talent, labelling them a risk. No one can benefit in a climate like that.

We are campaigning for a level playing field whenever there is a budget available to a production. In collaboration with Equity, we are working towards making it a condition of funding that every contributor is paid in line with the budget.

Collaborative projects that do not receive any funding can continue to thrive as long as everyone is putting in their time for free.

Plus, we would like to bring to the attention of many Universities / Media Institutions that although we are happy to help students, we should not be expected to work for nothing here either. Other professions are paid for their time; life models, fashion models etc. We remind these institutions that we will expect at least National Minimum Wage and it is unfair to expect students to pay for this; it should be factored into their course fee. More importantly, these institutions must set an example by teaching their students that actors require payment for their services.

Companies or institutions that flout these guidelines will find it increasingly difficult to find professional actors for their projects and should get into the habit now of paying actors a fair wage. The minimum wage laws will be vigorously pursued by Equity as more and more actors find that the union is fighting their corner.

A new voice for actors

2009-03-06T03:49:00.000-08:00

Welcome to AACE, actors against creative exploitation.

What will appear here in the next week will be a mission statement from a growing collective of actors who have said enough is enough.

Add this blog to your bookmarks and more information will appear here very soon.