Equity has been in negotiations with the BBC updating the BBC / Equity Audio Agreements.  The rates have been increased by 1.26% and the new rates are effective from Wednesday the 4th of August.  For further information and for copies of the updated agreement please contact Cathy Sweet – csweet@equity.org.uk

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:

“We are appalled that this decision has been taken with no notice and no consultation. I urge the Government to ensure that public funding for film production will not be threatened by this change. We must guarantee a sustainable future for UK film – an industry makes a vital contribution to both our economy and international cultural reputation.”

There are two social networking pages which have been set up independently of the UK Film Council.  There are already 9,370 signatures to date attached to an online petition and a facebook page has received 14,771 visits.

 If you are interested in airing your views the addresses are:

 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-the-UK-Film-Council/137240442975080?ref=search

 http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/save-the-uk-film-council/sign.html

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.

To help us process your claim it would be helpful if you could provide the following:-

• Your Equity membership name and number
• A photocopy of your contract
• Evidence of the transmission inc. time, date, TV channel or any other delivery platform eg. DTO, VOD etc.
• Evidence of DVD/Video Sales eg. Adverts from newspapers or availability to buy online

For unpaid royalty claims please contact Nick Craske, Equity’s Royalties Manager on 020 7670 0228 or e-mail Nick on ncraske@equity.org.uk

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

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.

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.     

Here is PPL’s full notification to performers who could benefit from submitting a claim for these old monies: 

PPL had previously communicated that after 26th April 2010, any accepted claims will only receive distributions for sound recording usage within the applicable six year statutory limitation period. 

Although we have received a high volume of claims to date, following a number of requests from various members, we have decided to extend the claims deadline to allow some extra time for members to make claims relating to sound recording usage between 1996 and 2003.  We are therefore extending the deadline from 26th April to 26th July 2010.  This means that up until 26th July 2010, we will continue to accept claims under the existing discretionary policy for income relating to use of a track between 1996 and 2003. 

After 26th July 2010 any accepted claims will only receive distributions for sound recording usage within the applicable six year statutory limitation period. 

We hope that this extension of time will be of benefit to our members.

If you have any questions about this please contact PPL performer services on 0207 534 1234

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.

Equity has made huge strides in facing the challenges arising from new media commissions for example Productions made primarily for the new technologies including internet, mobiles, Video on Demand (VoD) and computer games (PS2/PS3/PSP/Xbox/Nintendo , etc.).

“Computer games” is a general term covering most interactive games played on personal computers, mobile devices, or dedicated games consoles such as Nintendo DS or Playstation.

The games industry is now worth more worldwide than the film industry. It is a massive, global industry, encompassing everything from games that are played without internet connection on personal computers, mobile devices or games consoles, to the internet-based MMOs (Massively Multiplayer Online games, such as World of Warcraft) that can involve thousands of players worldwide. No longer is the preserve of teenagers, there even games and websites specifically aimed at the under-tens, such as Club Penguin and Webkinz. For Equity members, this burgeoning field provides an array of opportunities in several different areas including directing, voiceover and motion capture. Motion capture is a relatively new field for actors, involving the digital capture of an actor’s movements to aid game animators in creating realistic characters.

WHAT HAS EQUITY ACHIEVED SO FAR?

A high number of performers have benefited from Equity’s guidelines on minimum fees and usage fees for voice-over and Motion capture work.  

The era of stability has passed, the new media environment is rapidly changing and therefore the terms of the agreements and guidelines will require constant scrutiny and review to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of our members. Equity has established a Future Media and Technologies Working Party, drawn from experienced members with knowledge of these new fields along with a closer working relationship with our sister Unions in the US, Canada and Australia to ensure that the agreements negotiated and the guidelines and information provided by Equity are relevant and of the highest quality. It is an exciting time to be a member of Equity as the Union faces the challenges that new technologies are bringing and members can play their part in ensuring that Equity remains the united voice of professional performers in the United Kingdom in developing the agreements, guidelines and information needed as we enter this challenging era.

Equity is attempting to improve and update all of its agreements/guidelines whilst the games industry is a technologically advanced industry it is not immune to the relentless advances in technology and the manner in which the consumer accesses games.

To better inform Equity’s negotiators of your needs and aspirations for any future agreements and guidelines please take few moments to complete the Video Games Industry questionnaire by following the link:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EquityVideoGames

If you have any questions relating to the questionnaire or Equity in general please contact Alexandra Moreau amoreau@equity.org.uk

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.

“Our thoughts are with those members of Equity and other unions who will lose their job because of this decision and we are deeply concerned about what this implies for the future of ITV’s commitment to quality drama production.

“I understand that ITV has said that it is considering filling this slot with original UK-produced drama. I believe that my members expect that to be a cast iron guarantee – anything less would not be acceptable”

Over the past 18 months there has been an unprecedented collapse in long-running ITV drama. The closure of The Bill follows the ending of The Royal, Heartbeat and Taggart. Day-time drama the Royal Today and the highly-regarded drama Wire In The Blood have also been cancelled.

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.

A copy of the agreement and accompanying guidance notes are listed below:

‘The engagement fee covers the following: subject to no further attendances being required the BBC may incorporate additional material in any DVD (or similar home video media) incorporating the programme made pursuant to this Agreement.

For the avoidance of doubt “Additional Material” means by way of example recorded publicity interviews, behind the scenes activity (e.g. footage filmed in rehearsals, read-throughs, wardrobe and make-up calls), extracts from the programme and deleted scenes. Use of out-takes and audition material are subject to the Artist’s separate prior permission.

Additional Material may also be used for promotional purposes in all media provided that no separate revenue stream is created. For the avoidance of doubt should Additional Material be used outside a promotional context the terms of the BBC/Equity agreement will apply to material containing performances.’

• The definitions of ‘deleted scenes’ and ‘out-takes’ are ‘deleted scenes’ are scenes which are recorded but which are not included in the final version of the programme for editorial reasons and ‘out-takes’ are scenes where there is an error in the performance – this is usually referred to as a blooper.
• that our rights teams will ensure that agents/artists know during the fee/contract negotiation that we will record Additional Material
• production teams will also reiterate this to artists. The method of informing artists and the timing will vary from production to production, however, the intention is to give artists as much prior notice as feasible

The BBC has also given Equity an assurance that the various production teams will be notified of the need to display sensitivity towards the artists prior to the scheduled filming of the additional material.

What can you do?

The agreement is due to be reviewed in February 2010 and we need you to assist Equity to monitor the implementation of this agreement. So if you are engaged by the BBC and are then subject to any additional material filming, elements of which you consider were for example to be unacceptable, intrusive and/or insensitive towards you please contact Equity’s BBC Organiser Ian Bayes on 020 7670 0252 or via email ibayes@equity.org.uk to report your concerns to him.

Equity has also consulted extensively with the PMA and the union has highlighted to the agents the importance of monitoring the functioning of this agreement.

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.

They should apply at the earliest opportunity for a PPS number – which is the equivalent of a National Insurance number in the U.K. They can obtain this in writing from the ‘Department of Social & Family Affairs, Client Identity Services, Shannon Lodge, Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim or by phoning 0035371 9672584 and asking for the form to be sent out.

At the same time, they should apply for a Tax Credit Certificate on Form 12A which is on the Irish Revenue website if you scroll down at www.revenue.ie/revsearch/search.jsp

When you fill in this form, the Irish Revenue advise that you should tick ‘Single Person’s Tax Credit’ in Part F and there is normally no need to fill in Parts E and G. You then send this form to the local Irish tax office which you can get from your employer. They will issue a Tax Credit Certificate which you can submit with your end of year Tax Return in the U.K. You will need to fill in the Foreign Pages of your U.K. tax return with details of your foreign income. The UK tax authorities will then be able to take into account your foreign tax paid when working out your tax bill.

We are also advised by the Irish Revenue that UK based actors who are registered to pay Class 2 National Insurance or who have a Small Earnings Exception (SEE) can apply for an E101 prior to coming to Ireland and that the Irish Revenue should recognize that this will exempt them from paying Irish national insurance. The contact number in the U.K. for E101 applications is 0845-9154811.

Further tax advice can be obtained by emailing dublinsouthcitypaye@revenue.ie