EQUITY REACTION TO THE ABOLITION OF THE UK FILM COUNCIL

Posted on July 26, 2010

Equity is shocked to learn of the Government’s decision to abolish the UK Film Council.

Since 2000 UKFC has championed film production in the UK and has actively engaged with all stakeholders, including trade unions representing performers and other workers in the sector.

 In response to the announcement Equity General Secretary Christine Payne commented:

Read more

HELP US TO HELP YOU!

Posted on July 22, 2010

Do you think you are due royalties?

Due to the increasing financial pressures members find themselves under we are receiving an unprecedented volume of calls enquiring if there are any royalties or residuals due from programmes etc. initially transmitted many years ago which are now being exploited via TV, DVD/video or new media. Read more

EQUITY HAS A NEW DEAL FOR FILMS

Posted on May 17, 2010

New Cinema Films deal secures improved payments

Equity has negotiated a new deal for members working in cinema films that delivers improved payments on key areas -

1. 5% Increase in fees and penalties and further increases every year for three years

2. Higher pension contributions

3. Higher profits’ provision on big budget films

4. 5% profit share on low budget films

5. Better payments on DVD and video on demand

For further information please contact Tim Gale on 020 7670 0245 or tgale@equity.org.uk

SHOW ME THE MONEY

Posted on May 13, 2010

The Contract Enforcement role brings in over a million pounds

The Contract Enforcement role continues to bring in both substantial TV royalties and back-end payments on Cinema Films.  In 2009 Equity collected £1,152,719.46 in Cinema Film royalties and £910,792.47 for royalties/residual payments on TV productions.  So far, 2010 has seen the role bring in over £250,000.00 for the TV production Band of Brothers and Equity continue to receive large payments for Cinema Films.  If you think you are owed money please contact Christine Blake, Equity Contract Enforcement Officer on cblake@equity.org.uk or telephone 020 7670 0249.  Please also refer to the Factsheet section for further information regarding the process of Contract Enforcement.

OLD MONIES FOR SOUND RECORDING ROYALTIES

Posted on May 12, 2010

PPL extends deadline for claims to 26 July

Have you contributed to a sound recording that received radio airplay between 1996 and 2003? 

If so, you need to submit a claim to PPL before 26th July for radio royalties collected for your sound recording during this period of time.  

PPL has informed us that the deadline for submitting claims for sound recordings used between 1996 and 2003 has been extended until 26th July.  After 26th July you will only be able to claim for the use of sound recordings in the previous six years.      Read more

THE GAMES INDUSTRY NOW WORTH MORE THAN THE FILM INDUSTRY

Posted on May 11, 2010

Equity needs your input – please complete Video Games Industry Questionnaire -http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EquityVideoGames

The entertainment industry is experiencing huge change at unprecedented speed. The era of communication dominated by a handful of terrestrial channels and radio stations has already become a distant memory. We now have hundreds of channels increasingly accessible on an ever growing array of platforms. Audiences can now watch programmes anywhere, any time on satellite, cable, Freeview, mobile phones, Video on Demand (VoD), download to own or rent and on the internet – to name just a few of the available alternatives to traditional terrestrial broadcasting. And audiences are taking to these new platforms in ever increasing numbers.

  Read more

ITV AXES THE BILL

Posted on May 11, 2010

Equity has expressed its deep concern at the news that ITV is to axe long-running drama The Bill.

Christine Payne, Equity’s General Secretary, said:

“This is a disaster! Almost every television actor in the country has at some stage worked on The Bill over the last 26 years and it is an enormously important source of work for Equity members. It also has a one of the most loyal audiences of any ongoing drama currently on television. We call on ITV to reconsider their decision to cancel this important programme.

Read more

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL ON BBC DVDs

Posted on March 27, 2009

Rules for blooper reels and extras

BBC Worldwide Limited is constantly examining ways to increase the sales of the BBC’s comedy and drama DVD’s. One innovation they have used is to add extra material to the DVD release of their programmes. The theory is that “Additional Material” increases sales and as a consequence the amount of royalties paid to the artists.

Recognising that the usage of “Additional Material” by BBC Worldwide will continue to grow, Equity has reached an agreement with the BBC to ensure that the various elements regarding “Additional Material” are now clearly defined together with some guidance regarding its implementation. Read more

WORKING IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Posted on March 27, 2009

New rules for UK actors in Republic of Ireland

We are advised by the Irish Revenue that actors who are planning to work for theatre companies based in the Republic of Ireland should observe the following procedure. Read more

TELEVISION IS CHANGING SEMINAR – IN BELFAST!

Posted on December 22, 2008

Join us in Belfast on 19 January 2009

Following the brilliant success of our seminars in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Edinburgh we are pleased to announce that we are bringing the TV is Changing Seminar series to Belfast on Monday, 19 Janury, 2009. Join Equity members, producers, agents, casting directors and other industry professionals to discuss the rapidly changing world of television and new media.  Read more

Next Page »

TV is Changing • Equity