14 May2015

Fallout - The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior

A 100% Equity cast!

Two blasts disturb the winter night and a ship lies submerged in Auckland Harbour. A ship dedicated to peace. The world-premiere of ‘Fallout’ commemorates the 30th anniversary of an event that changed a nation. Directed by Equity president Jennifer Ward-Lealand. Starring Equity members Fasitua Amosa, Kerry Warkia, Toby Leach and Luanne Gordon. A co-production between Last Tapes Theatre Company (run by Equity member Cherie Moore) and The Large Group (run by Equity president Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Equity member Michael Hurst).

GET TICKETS HERE

13 May2015

Equity members unite for Nepal

Another 100% Equity cast!
Renowned actors and Equity members George Henare (CNZM, Once Were Warriors, Nga Tohu: Signatures), Michael Hurst (ONZM, The Tattooist, Hercules), Jennifer Ward-Lealand (ONZM, Auckland Daze, The Almighty Johnsons), Peter Elliott (Captain’s Log, Until Proven Innocent) and Oliver Driver (Under The Mountain, Black Sheep), have responded to the call of playwright Gareth Davies and actor and Equity member Stephen Lovatt (Top Of The Lake, Neighbours) to present a unique fundraiser called Nepal Memories. All are providing their services free of charge with funds going to the Himalayan Trust. In the Upper NZI Room, Aotea Centre, 50 Mayoral Drive, Auckland CBD, at 7.30pm on Sunday 17 May 2015. General admission, door sales with a Koha of $50 per person. You can secure a seat in advance by donating a minimum of $50 per person here.

12 May2015

Your Equity-Spada screen agreement explained

Nearly every week, the Equity New Zealand E-Bulletin will explain a clause in our Equity-SPADA recommended screen agreement, and publish this explanation on the website. knowyourrights

This week we look at: Engagement of Child Artist

This appendix to the Equity-SPADA recommended screen production agreement sets out all the conditions under which juvenile actors (under-16s) should be hired. Some important features are that juvenile actors must have a primary duty chaperone (i.e. the chaperone cannot be also working as a crew member) and that babies no longer have to wear make-up. Under eight's cannot work more than six hours per day (including travel time); nine - 11 year olds cannot work more than eight hours (including travel time) and 12 - 16 year olds cannot work more than 10 hours per day (including travel time). Appropriate child friendly food must be provided on set.

GET THE AGREEMENT HERE

11 May2015

Support Meaa's campaign to protect actors' jobs

The Abbott Government is proposing to scrap the visa rules which regulate the number of foreign performers and crew who can work temporarily in Australia. Scrapping the visa controls would mean productions will have unfettered ability to fill all lead and major supporting roles with overseas performers and import entire teams of production crew.

The government says it is “removing red tape”. Labor, the Greens and several crossbench Senators have publicly opposed the Government’s plans, saying local actors and crew would suffer. New Zealand actors will also suffer, as many are working trans-Tasman. If the Abbott government succeeds in opening up the Australian industry to a flood of overseas actors, Kiwi actors living and working in Australia will be affected as much as Australian actors. In New Zealand, we have already experienced how the John Key government's scrapping of visa rules has meant that producers no longer need to show that they have auditioned New Zealand actors for lead roles.

The changes are still being considered by the Government. Your industry needs your support to fight these changes. Current and future generations of performers and crew are depending on you.The campaign launches tonight all over Australia. Upload pics of you and your colleagues with the #saveourstories poster. Download it here. And don’t forget to use #saveourstories when you post!

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11 May2015

Equity vice-president in major series now on Netflix

tandi Equity's vice-president, Tandi Wright is on Netflix in New Zealand now in a leading role in The Returned, the zombie drama series adapted from French hit Les Revenants. In a deal with FremantleMedia International, which is selling the A&E adaptation worldwide, Netflix will screen The Returned in all regions outside the U.S. and Canada, with episodes going out within 24 hours of their U.S. TV debut.

08 May2015

Equity member Danielle Cormack wins Logies Most Outstanding Actress

daniellelogies Equity NZ member Danielle Cormack has taken home the Most Outstanding Actress award at the 2015 Logies, Australia's prestigious acting awards show. She won the award for her role in season two of Wentworth, playing hard-nosed criminal Bea Smith who is locked up in an all-woman prison. The show has been picked up by Netflix.