Do I have to join BECS?

Posted on November 3, 2008

Do I have to join BECS if I am already a member of Equity?

Yes you do. British Equity Collecting Society (BECS) is a separate organisation and is the UK’s only collective management organisation for audiovisual performers. It represents the interests of its members in the negotiation and administration of performers’ remuneration throughout the European Union territories. BECS also administers artist payments on behalf of Equity and broadcasting companies. Artists have to sign up to BECS individually but this costs nothing and you can withdraw at any time – for more information please visit www.equitycollecting.org.uk

Will Equity find me work?

Posted on November 3, 2008

What is Equity doing about getting work for members?

Equity is a Union first and foremost and therefore our main function is to negotiate minimum terms and conditions of employment. We cannot act as agents for our members.

However in addition to our core activities, Equity strives to provide a wide range of services for members which are continually being revised and developed. We appreciate how important finding work is for members and therefore launched the Job Information Service. This service publishes accurate, up to the minute breakdowns and vacancy information from across the industry. The service reflects both the diversity of the Equity membership and the range of jobs our members are employed in, including acting, dancing, singing, variety, circus, theatre directors and stage management. Equity members can use the service to find out about paid work and job providers can use this site to give us information about work opportunities free of charge.

If you have any queries regarding the service, please contact Tracey Stuart, Job Information Officer at Equity on 020 7670 0242 or e-mail jobinformation@equity.org.uk.

Equity has also launched online members’ directories which give members an opportunity to market themselves. For further information please refer to the main Equity website – www.equity.org.uk

Using clips for self-promotion

Posted on August 4, 2008

Can I use clips of my prior performances (TV, movies, commercials, etc.) on-line or on my own personal website for career and casting purposes?

By doing this you could be exposing yourself to potential claims of infringement of copyright under the terms of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988. In order to cover yourself you would need to get permission from all those who may contain copyright in the recorded works, which may include authors of the music, scriptwriters, set designers and other rights holders. All the performers in the clip have performers’ rights, which means they have rights with respect to the use of a recording of the performance. A performer has the right to control the broadcasting of his or her live performance to the public and you would therefore need to get permission from all performers. It is unlikely that rights holders would expect payment for the use of the clip on a show reel, but it is in your interests to clear the rights of all the performers involved.

Consolidating pensions

Posted on August 4, 2008

I am a member of the Equity Pension Scheme (EPS) and also have another separate pension.Would I be financially better off by consolidating these all into one arrangement?

It depends. The EPS is very competitively priced and you may find it offers better value for money that your existing arrangements. First Act, our appointed Insurance Advisers and administrators of the EPS are best placed to help you answer this question. Contact Andrew Barker of First Act on 020 8686 5050 or via email:eps@firstact.co.uk.

They will provide you with full assistance on a no fee and no obligation basis. Other useful information can be found on their website at www.firstact.co.uk .

Working with other unions

Posted on April 7, 2008

Why doesn’t Equity work more closely with other trade unions in this country and with unions from America and overseas?

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Working with agents

Posted on April 7, 2008

Does Equity work closely with artists’ agents?

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Repeat fees, royalties and residuals

Posted on April 7, 2008

What is Equity going to do to ensure that when productions are re-broadcast either in the UK and overseas or are released on DVD that members are going to be fairly compensated?

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Downloads and video on demand

Posted on April 7, 2008

What is Equity going to do about downloads and video on demand services? Is it best to agree a buy out of these new services?

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Royalty-based systems

Posted on April 7, 2008

Why does Equity allow broadcasters to operate a royalty system of payment?

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A more powerful union?

Posted on April 7, 2008

Equity too often appears toothless, why can’t our union be more like the Screen Actors Guild?

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TV is Changing • Equity