The latest TV is Changing Seminar held in Belfast was a resounding success with nearly 70 members, agents and casting directors attending on a very cold evening on Monday 19 January.

The facilities at the BBC’s Blackstaff House provided a fantastic background to an informative evening for all those present. A lively question and answer session followed a detailed presentation on:

1. negotiations the Union has been involved in as part of a pan industry discussions with the aim of achieving one television agreement
2. a presentation on the TV is Changing website
3. a presentation of the work the Union has undertaken in the area of new make for new media platforms such as Mobisodes, podcasting, internet productions and the games industry
4. a presentation from First Act insurance on the benefits of belonging to the Equity Pension Scheme along with a briefing on the insurances available to members of Equity by virtue of their membership of Equity

Those present used the platform of the seminar to raise the serious problems relating to the lack of employment opportunities in Northern Ireland and the paucity of production. The meeting acknowledged the initiatives that the Union had taken to date and welcomed the Unions commitment to address this problem further during 2009.

Equity staff and the Northern Ireland Committee of Equity took soundings from the meeting as to the viability of establishing an Equity Branch in Northern Ireland.

If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised by the TV is Changing campaign and would like a similar event organised for your region or cast, please get in touch- click here to contact the TV is Changing team.

Not even the cold windy and wet Scottish weather could deter members and other industry professionals from attending the TV is Changing seminar in Edinburgh on Monday the 20^th of October. Over 50 people were there to hear what Equity is doing in this area. The meeting followed the same agenda as others:

a) Pan-industry discussions
b) an audio visual presentation on the TV is Changing Campaign
c) Equity’s New Media deals covering areas such Mobisodes, Internet productions and the games industry etc
d) a presentation from First Act Insurance on the pensions negotiated by Equity and available to members.

The feedback from those in attendance was extremely positive and people found it very useful to hear about the work Equity has been doing in this area on behalf of members. Members took the opportunity to ask a wide variety of questions and interact with other members and Equity staff. As always the Equity staff valued the opportunity to hear from members and understand more fully their concerns and issues regarding the ever changing television industry. If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised by TV is Changing and would like us to visit your region or cast, get in touch – click here to contact the TV is Changing team – and we’ll do our best to organise a meeting for you.

After the success of seminars in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds the Television is Changing campaign is visiting Edinburgh.  Equity members, producers, agents, casting directors and other industry professionals are invited to attend this unique opportunity to discuss the rapidly changing world of television and new media. 

This interactive seminar is designed to give you the opportunity to find out about the work that Equity is doing in response to new technology and the rapidly changes it is bringing to television production, broadcasting and throughout the entertainment industry. There will be lots of chances to ask questions and tell us what you think.

 The key themes covered include:

TV IS CHANGING: The way actors work and are paid will change as a result of the revolution that is taking place in broadcasting. This campaign is part of Equity’s effort to provide you with the information you need to help you make informed choices about the implications of the coming changes.

PAN-INDUSTRY NEGOTIATIONS: Equity has been meeting with representatives of all the major broadcasters and independent producers in the British television industry with the goal of negotiating a pan-industry agreement that will bring together the best of the many individual deals that currently exist.

 NEW MEDIA DEALS: Find out about the work the union has already done in areas such as mobisodes, podcasts, internet-only productions and games.  

MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2008 7:00PM–9:00PM
THISTLE HOTEL, ST JAMES’ CENTRE,
107 LEITH STREET, EDINBURGH, EH1 3SW 

Representatives from FIRST ACT INSURANCE will be available to
answer questions on pensions and insurance. 

Wine and light refreshments will be provided courtesy of FIRST ACT INSURANCE.

 PLACES ARE LIMITED SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND,
PLEASE CONTACT IRENE GILCHRIST:igilchrist@glasgow.equity.org.uk
or phone: 0141 248 2472 

After the success of events in Liverpool and Manchester the TV is Changing campaign visited Leeds on Thursday 25 September. There was an impressive response from members and other industry professionals in the city and over 80 people attended a vibrant and wide-ranging seminar.

The meeting’s agenda included:

a) Pan-industry discussions
b) an audio visual presentation on the TV is Changing Campaign
c) Equity’s New Media deals covering areas such Mobisodes, Internet productions and the games industry etc
d) a presentation from First Act Insurance on the pensions negotiated by Equity and available to members and
e) a presentation from Morrish and Co on the legal services available to Equity members.

Those in attendance expressed their interest in the work Equity has been doing in this area. There were a wide variety of questions raised and the Equity staff found the feedback extremely useful.

The TV is Changing seminars are providing an excellent platform for members to communicate with staff and to share information with other members in their region.

If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised by TV is Changing and would like us to visit your region or cast, get in touch – click here to contact the TV is Changing team – and we’ll do our best to organise a meeting for you.

After the success at the seminars in Manchester and Liverpool we have decided to do another one in Leeds.  Join Equity members, producers, agents, casting directors and other industry professionals to discuss the rapidly changing world of television and new media. 

Join us at this interactive seminar open to Equity members, producers, agents, casting directors and other industry professionals designed to give you the opportunity to find out about the work that Equity has been doing in response to the expansion and development of new technology in the world of television production, broadcasting and throughout the entertainment industry. The key themes covered include:

TV IS CHANGING: The way actors work and are paid will change as a result of the revolution that is taking place in broadcasting. This campaign is part of Equity’s effort to provide you with the information you need to help you make informed choices about the implications of the coming changes.

PAN-INDUSTRY NEGOTIATIONS: Equity has been meeting with representatives of all the major broadcasters and independent producers in the British television industry with the goal of negotiating a pan-industry agreement that will bring together the best of the many individual deals that currently exist.

NEW MEDIA DEALS: Find out about the work the union has already done in areas such as mobisodes, podcasts, internet-only productions and games.  

THURSDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2008 7:00PM–9:00PM
REGENT SUITE, GOLDEN LION HOTEL, 2 LOWER BRIGGATE
LEEDS, LS1 4AE 

Representatives from FIRST ACT INSURANCE and MORRISH & Co. SOLICITORS will also be available to answer questions on pensions, insurance and personal injury. Wine and light refreshments will be provided courtesy of FIRST ACT INSURANCE and MORRIS & Co. SOLICITORS.  

PLACES ARE LIMITED SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND, PLEASE CONTACT NIGEL JONES: njones@sheffield.equity.org.uk or phone: 0161 832 3183