BECTU's Writers Producers and Directors' branch are having a debate about low budget collaborations, NMW and the impact of the recent London Dreams ruling.
Thursday 18 March at 19.00 hours at The University of London Union, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HY
Join the union's Writers, Producers and Directors branch for their Spring debate: Low Budget Collaborations and the National Minimum Wage.
In the wake of the recent London Dreams' tribunal ruling, which retrospectively awarded Nicola Vetta, an unpaid intern, the National Minimum Wage for the hours she worked on a feature film, there has been much industry debate about the effect this decision will have.
Does the verdict represent the long-overdue protection desperately needed by the industry's most vulnerable workers, or the death of creativity and collaboration which often provides a stepping stone for those who are new to the industry? Should the decision be viewed as a victory or a disaster?
To discuss both sides of the argument, BECTU's Writers Producers and Directors' branch brings you:
Shooting yourself in the foot?
A Debate about Low Budget Collaborations and the National Minimum Wage
Please join us on Thursday 18 March at 19.00 hours at The University of London Union, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HY and make your voice heard. Nearest tube stations: Goodge Street and Russell Square. Please arrive promptly as spaces will be available on a first come, first served basis.
The proposition:
Working for free is the only way for new entrants to get a foot in the door of the film and television industry but are you shooting yourself in the foot?
Jess Search from Shooting People and Martin Spence, assistant general secretary of BECTU, will be among the key speakers to address these issues. The event will take the form of a parliamentary-style debate with prearranged speakers setting out their point of view in support of, or in opposition to, the motion. The audience will be invited to participate throughout the debate.
The aim
We hope that this event will kick off a process leading to an industry-wide charter endorsed by BECTU, Shooting People and other interested parties setting out how microbudget films can flourish while staying on the right side of the law. We really hope this will be the beginning of an end to the confusion and misunderstandings surrounding what does and does not constitute a collaboration.
For more information contact Tom Bell, supervisory official.
Chris Jones, Oscar shortlisted filmmaker and author of the "Guerilla Filmmakers Handbook" has now been confirmed as one of the speakers.
For those of you who have opinions on the subject I'd suggest you attend the meeting. It could prove to be something of a game changer for everyone involved on both sides of the camera.
I have posted the full BECTU release on my blog: The Future of UK Independent Film: Have Your Say.
None of us like working for free but, I'm guessing, that all of us have done it at some point.
The purpose of the meeting is to differentiate between the sharks and charlatans who rip us off and those who have genuinely not got a budget to pay everyone.
If you have an opinion either way then I urge you to attend the meeting. This could genuinely be a massive change in the way low budget films are made in this country.
Currently if all the info on the site below (See link) is correct CCP and other sites advertising expenses only jobs look to be in breach of the NMW legislation.
Currently, it is the responsibility of an employer, not a casting directory/agency, to ensure that 'workers' are paid at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW). So the law, as it stands, allows work finding services to offer work by employers - that clearly breaks the law...
This is one of the items which a group of Equity members and myself, discussed with the Low Pay Commission (LPC) back in November, at the end of last years annual NMW LPC consultation.
Later this month the LPC are expected to publish the findings of their latest consultation. Hopefully they will make certain recommendation to the government on how NMW regulations can be better enforced, tightened up and... hopefully, provide industry specific guidelines for those in the entertainments industry.
This is the third year that I have been meeting with the LPC. Let us hope that we get some sensible assistance in this matter...
For more information about what exactly the LPC does, click: http://www.lowpay.gov.uk/lowpay/what_we_do.shtml
Well it was a very good meeting, the place was heaving - so a resounding success for Bectu!
Tim Gale from Equity was very good and so was Martin Spence from Bectu... So a very good turn out.
Of course there were a few saying working for free was good and that it was a demonstration of ones commitment - in pursuing ones 'artistic' talents, but I think they got short shrift.
Perhaps I could advertise:
SKILLED TALENT WANTED IMMEDIATE START!
Only professionals required, but must bee willing to enhance their future career prospects; and want more hands on experience.
Builders of all descriptions required, as well as plumbers electricians and interior decorators etc, etc.
However, must be able to supply own materials and...
Sorry, this is unpaid work, but it will benefit you in the long run. You might even get paid work on my next project!
This is very artistic work, as it is for my extension at the rear of my Victorian mansion. It is for the servants quarters...
I'm sorry, Clive, but your comment "Of course there were a few saying working for free was good and that it was a demonstration of ones commitment - in pursuing ones 'artistic' talents, but I think they got short shrift." is complete and utter nonsense.
Were you there at the beginning when the vote was taken as to whether people should have the choice to work for free? The vote was in favour of exactly that.
Martin Spence himself said that he recognised low/no budget collaborations will continue to be made but that BECTU wanted to put in place some kind of agreement to allow that to happen so don't try to write it off as some kind of victory in your campaign.
A large percentage of the people in that room were genuine low budget filmmakers who expressed their concern that the militant views expressed by Tom Bell were stifling genuine collaborations. I spoke to Benetta Adamson at the end of the meeting and also in the bar afterwards and she winced at his interjection at the tail end of the meeting.
So yes, it was a resounding success for BECTU because it was standing room only. However don't come on here and try to put a spin on it that somehow the evil baby killers who make films with low/no budgets have been banished from the kingdom. Far from it.
The meeting/debate actually achieved nothing. The subsequent discussions between the interested parties to put in place a set of guidelines to ensure the future production of low/no budget films hopefully will.
What was I hoping to achieve from the meeting? Quote from the BECTU release:
"We hope that this event will kick off a process leading to an industry-wide charter endorsed by BECTU, Shooting People and other interested parties setting out how microbudget films can flourish while staying on the right side of the law"
Tom Bell was heard to say at the end of the meeting "Yes! We beat them". Does that sound to you like a union that genuinely has the interests of the independent film community and microbudget films at heart?
To quote:
"BECTU…warned against any attempt to import the micro-budget approach to film-making there into mainstream production."
Source
I've spoken to two BECTU members who are cancelling their membership tomorrow as a result of tonight so you'll have to forgive me for being less than enthused.
You, and many others, keep on with this "amateur productions" angle. OK. Point me to an official source where it says amateur productions are exempt from paying NMW.
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