SAG Global One
SAG has recently written to NZ agents asking them to pass on information about its Global Rule 1 to any performers who are members of SAG. Under this rule, SAG members working on a production in NZ need to be engaged by a production company on either a SAG agreement or on an MEAA agreement before commencing work. To see SAG’s correspondence with agents click here. For further clarification contact Frances Walsh.
Have Your Say on CastingCasting directors have asked Equity for our views on their draft casting guidelines which are available here. The National Performers’ Committee is considering the document but before we respond we are keen to know your views. Some points raised by NPC are set out in a discussion document found here. Over the next week we’d like to get your comments on the document so that we can go back to the casting directors with comprehensive recommendations. You can either email Frances at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone her on (09) 360 1980 or 0800 334470. Equity office has re-locatedThe office of Actors Equity has moved to 195 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby. All other contact details remain the same. Feel free to drop by and say hello! Standard Contracts PetitionImagine if there was one document that set out the terms and conditions for work you do on screen; a document that performers and producers agreed was FAIR. Wouldn't it save the time and lift the professionalism of all those who collaborate in the screen industry? We reckon a standard contract would fit the bill. In all other English-speaking countries performers have standard contracts, negotiated by their unions and producers, giving our peers certainty about the minimum expectations they can have on any screen job. Why not in New Zealand? NZ Equity Standard ContractsIn Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and America performers have
standard contracts, which include minimum working conditions, and
residuals on screen work. These contracts are negotiated between the
performers’ unions such as British Equity and the Screen Actors’ Guild
(SAG), and producers. These contracts give performers and agents
certainty about the minimum expectations performers should have on any
film, television or theatre job. Agents of course are free to negotiate
terms which are better than the minimum negotiated between their union
and producers. In New Zealand there are no such contracts. While there
is a set of guidelines, known as “The Pink Book”, these are not binding
on any producer and do not stand up to comparison with the minimum
conditions performers receive in all other English speaking countries.
NZ Equity Submission to the Ministry for Culture and HeritageNew Zealand Equity welcomes the opportunity to comment upon the Ministry for Culture and Heritage’s Review of the New Zealand Film Commission. From the perspective of performers one of the key challenges faced is the development of sustainable careers within this difficult climate as well as within an industry where performers have long been seen to be at the bottom of a pecking order. Download our submission in PDF format here. Co-op KitAn information booklet by and for NZ Equity members is now available to help you organise a profit-share production. It includes Equity’s Standard Co-op Agreement. For your copy phone the office on (09) 360 1980 or 0800 334 470. |

