Equity

Equity is calling on members to contact their MPs to support BBC drama production in the English regions.

Despite commitments under the BBC Charter and Network Supply Review to significant production outside of the M25, it appears that the BBC is creating one or two so-called “super hubs” in certain parts of the UK instead of spreading production more equably across the nations and regions.

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SOLT's latest West End pay offer to Equity achieves more in larger London theatres but would give a smaller rise to those working in smaller theatres and remove some additional payments.

Stephen Spence, Equity Assistant General Secretary Theatre and Variety, reports

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The first bursaries under Equity's new scheme have been awarded to two students based in the North West.

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Thanks to external funding from the Union Learning Fund, Equity and Skillset have been able to train Careers and Learning Advisors.

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The London Olympics have now got in place 13 Creative Programmers who are based around the UK and are the first point of contact for ideas, projects and organisations that fit the values of the Cultural Olympiad.

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s many members of the profession may know by now, I have joined the new board of the Bristol Old Vic, writes Patrick Malahide. The e-mails of congratulation were very welcome, though I wondered wryly if the reception of a poisoned chalice really merited such back-slapping. However, I see my role very much as representing the proper concerns of the profession on the governing body of one of our most-loved and most distinguished theatre companies. I also think it is important that I should try to keep the profession abreast of developments, insofar as I am able to without breaching the confidentiality of board meetings and discussions. An encouraging sign in this regard is that Dick Penny (the new Chair) very much had this in mind when he asked me to join.

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A survey of people working in the performing arts has found strong support for closer involvement in arts funding assessment and decisions.

The survey carried out amongst Equity members, found that 85% of artists would like to see practical involvement with Arts Councils at a regional level with 77% supporting more engagement on national Arts Councils. There was also strong support for self assessment with 77% arguing for some form of arts specific advisory groups.

These findings come at a time when Arts Council England (ACE) is openly considering ways to implement the recommendations of Sir Brian McMaster’s report into excellence in the arts, which also calls for greater self-assessment and less box-ticking.

The survey report also found anger at the way in which the recent funding round was handled by ACE. The experience of most artists rated as “poor” or “very poor”, particularly on aspects of communication such as the explanation of decisions (66%); the transparency of the process (64%); and the clarity of criteria (62%).

Click the link below for the full survey report

• Equity survey on Arts Funding (Word document)

Equity designer members are amongst those whose work in theatre set, costume and lighting design is being celebrated at a major exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London this summer.

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Equity, the trade union representing people working in the entertainment industry, today welcomed the publication of Ofcom’s second major review of public service broadcasting (PSB). But it warned that it was time to start putting words into action, to ensure that the demands of viewers for high-quality UK programmes could be met in future.

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Equity and other industry organisations are supporting the Save Kids Tv Campaign to persuade the Government to acknowledge the value of children's television, and protect it in the face of growing financial pressures.

• Please sign the petition at petitions.pm.gov.uk
• Joint Statement

It is impossible to deny the speed and strength of the changes sweeping through the television industry. A decade ago the idea of watching television programmes broadcast to mobile phones or being able to carry around months' worth of your favourite shows on a player small enough to fit in your pocket was the stuff of science fiction. Today, though, the public take for granted the fact that they can watch television when, where and how they want.

The whole industry will have to adapt and Equity is leading the way. Our Television is Changing campaign will guide members through the complex issues raised and allow you to have your say in this important debate.

• Television is Changing campaign

Equity is consulting members about bringing our rule book up to date so that it is fit for a modern union operating in the 21st century. In October we will hold a two-day Special Representative Conference to discuss the proposed rule changes. Following the conference, there will be a referendum so that the entire membership can vote on whether to approve those rules which cannot be altered by a Representative Conference.

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