Equity has been supporting members with issues of non-payment in the run up to and aftermath of Lucy Harrison Casting going into liquidation, securing payment for the majority of members who got in touch before the company’s liquidation.
Lucy Harrison Casting (LHC) is a large agency representing models and actors, booking jobs on a range of big brand commercials and other work. Equity issued concerns about the agency in May and has since been warning members not to engage with or accept new work from the agency, as it became clear there was a serious problem affecting multiple members.
Equity’s agents team managed to secure full payment of earnings for almost all members who got in touch with us prior to LHC’s liquidation, which took place at the end of June. As a trade union, we are not able to take on case work for non-members.
In addition to supporting individual members, Equity has also urged the Employment Agencies Standards Inspectorate to take steps to prevent LHC’s director continuing to operate under a new company entity while LHC owes thousands of pounds to artists. While LHC announced its liquidation to clients at the end of June, no formal process of liquidation has begun. We have asked the provisionally appointed liquidator to indicate whether Happy House Productions Ltd (the company behind LHC) is going into liquidation at all.
Equity is continuing to support members impacted by non-payment by LHC.
Unfortunately, LHC is not the only agency or producer to not pay workers when facing financial difficulties. Recent experiences, including Mad Dog Casting and Sneaky Experiences earlier this year, show the difficulties of securing payment once a company goes bust. As a union, Equity is making the argument about the unfair implications for artists in these all-too-frequent instances, arguing for greater priority and rights for those owed money for work undertaken.
Equity encourages members to get in touch at the earliest opportunity if they have any concerns about their agent, payments or their contract.
Equity encourages members to get in touch at the earliest opportunity if they have any concerns about their agent, payments or their contract.
Equity spokesperson
Need help with an agent?
You can find a checklist regarding agents and agents agreements on our website, including how to do background checks and what to consider before signing a contract. Representation from an agency can be very important, but you must be clear about the commitments you are entering into or you might inadvertently agree to things that cost you money or damage your career.
If you have any doubts about your agency agreement, before or after you sign it, contact agents@equity.org.uk. We can help you with open ended claims for commission, if you discover your agent is withholding money or discover other financial irregularities, help you challenge your agency agreement and check contracts.
