Actors' Fund of Canada
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Summer 2002 The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists ActionAction Shirley onon policypolicy Douglas News from ACTRA’s National Policy Conference with guest speakers P 6 Fiona Chuck Nick Sean Gordon Reid Shamata Mancuso McCann Pinsent Standing up for Canadian Culture Thor Bishopric fter a two-day National Policy is significantly diminished today. They also choice for global audiences. ACTRA A Conference in early June, ACTRA’s mourned the loss of dignity in retirement believes that the changes to public policies National Council emerged unanimous in for many performers who work entire and programs that we advocate are in the its commitment to two policy objectives: careers, and retire destitute. broader public interest. A strong domestic strengthening Canadian content and income Immediately following our policy confer- production, distribution and exhibition security for performers. The goal of the ence, ACTRA took action – we filed our system is absolutely vital to Canadian two-day conference was to develop an submission with the Department of Canadian culture and our sovereignty as a nation. action plan for our union’s advocacy Heritage that is reviewing the definition Hard on the heels of our National Policy work for the next year. of Canadian content. The current point Conference, ACTRA brought our con- Jamie Bradley’s article on our policy con- system for Canadian content encourages cerns about the substantial decline in ference relates the views of well-known the creation of generic (read: pseudo- Canadian drama production to the Canadian performers Sean McCann, Gordon Hollywood) programs by permitting signifi- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Pinsent, Shirley Douglas, Fiona Reid, Chuck cant non-Canadian involvement. ACTRA Copps while attending the Banff Television Shamata and Nick Mancuso who opened the wants regulatory systems and public pro- Festival in early June. In July, Canadian policy conference. They recalled the pride grams to be amended to recognize that a star Paul Gross joined ACTRA Toronto and opportunity of building careers based Canadian program is one that is created, Performers Executive Director Brian Topp on Canadian drama – an opportunity that written, directed, performed and produced and me for a meeting at CRTC headquarters entirely by Canadians. in Ottawa where we began to search for Since its earliest solutions to the declining drama crisis. days, we at CRTC Chair Charles Dalfen was fascinated ACTRA have been with Paul’s views on this issue and asked active in the public that ACTRA prepare a written submission policy process, and follow-up with future meetings. working for the Building on our momentum on the adoption of legisla- policy front, ACTRA is organizing local tion and programs meetings with our Members of Parliament that support profes- this summer and early fall. We have sional artists and achieved our goal of involving many of the industries in our high-profile performers as spokespeople which we work. for ACTRA. Now it’s up to the rest of our Canada has the members to get involved and stand up for artists and the Canadian culture. You can help today by resources to create joining our national letter-writing cam- exciting programs paign (see page 8). You should also contact that will attract your ACTRA branch and find out what Canadian viewers you can do on a local level to help preserve and provide a real our jobs, our culture and our country. ACTRA’s National President Thor Bishopric with distinguished actor, writer and activist R.H. Thomson on Parliament Hill to make ACTRA’s presentation to the committee reviewing Canada’s broadcasting system. Got a computer? Want to receive InterACTRA by email? Write to InterACTRA Have a story idea? Want to get involved? We have the technology! If you’d like to receive InterACTRA in your e-mailbox Send us an email at [email protected] instead of your snail-mailbox, let us know. Email us at [email protected] with or write to us c/o ACTRA’s National Office, your membership number. We’ll send you a pdf file of InterACTRA and you’ll help 625 Church Street, Suite 300, ACTRA save on postage and printing. Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 2G1 2 InterACTRA SUMMER 2002 In this issue of InterACTRA... MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT by Thor Bishopric . 2 BARGAINING SAG’s Rule One; National Commercial Agreement ratified by Stephen Waddell . 4 ince 1958, the Actors’ Fund of Canada has COVER STORY ACTRA’s National Policy Conference with guest speakers Shelped thousands of performers and other Shirley Douglas, Fiona Reid, Chuck Shamata, Nick Mancuso, entertainment industry professionals in financial crisis to get back on their feet after a major set- Sean McCann and Gordon Pinsent back. When artists in need have nowhere else to by Jamie Bradley . 5 turn, the Fund can intervene at a critical moment with a rent cheque, grocery money, a subsidy for BRANCH NEWS . 10 prescription drugs or other assistance. If you are ill, injured, or have suffered a financial catastrophe that puts your health, FEATURE Stunt performers: shelter or ability to work in jeopardy, contact ACTRA members in action the Fund for quick and confidential help. by Jacob Rupp and Steve Lucescu . 14 The Actors’ Fund of Canada is a registered charity sustained by members of the entertain- ment industry professions. For more informa- ACTRA member profiles tion or to make a tax-deductible donation, Vincent Gale and Jodie Resther . 18 contact the Fund at: 10 860 St. Mary Street, Suite , WHO’S WHO AT ACTRA . 19 Toronto, ON M4Y 1P9 Tel.: (416) 975-0304 (Toll-free 1-877-399-8392) Fax: (416) 975-0306 DISCOUNTS FOR ACTRA MEMBERS . 19 e-mail: [email protected] www.actorsfund.ca FEATURE Digital Media: New media challenges not so new by Thomas Tapley . 20 ORGANIZING Updates from ACTRA’s Summer 2002 Volume 8, Issue 2 national and digital media organizers . 22 InterACTRA is the official publication of ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and APPLAUSE ACTRA members scoop awards at the Radio Artists), a Canadian union of performers 2002 Canadian Comedy Awards, the Writers Guild affiliated to the Canadian Labour Congress and the International Federation of Actors. InterACTRA is Top Ten Awards and the Young Artist Awards . 24 free of charge to all ACTRA Members. Editorial Advisory Committee: Thor Bishopric, Stephen Waddell, Brian Gromoff, FAREWELL Goodbye to Henry Comor, Harry Brown, Otto Lowy, David Macniven, Kim Hume Rhonda Payne and Denis Forest . 25 Contributors: Lorraine Ansell, Randy Birch, Jamie Bradley, Banff Television Festival Don Dudar, Randy Duniz, Russ Germain, Jack Gray, Richard Hardacre, Matt Holland, ACTRA’s John Drainie Award is Sharon Killey, Steve Lucescu, Dan Mackenzie, Garry Neil, Wayne Nicklas, Jacob Rupp, presented to David Suzuki; Gary Saxe, Anne Marie Scheffler, Chris Scott, meeting with Heritage Minister Thomas Tapley, Carol Taverner, Joy Corion, Gary Vermeir, Heidi von Palleske Sheila Copps; Scott Thompson Cover photo: Carol Racicot wins “the world’s richest pitch” . 27 Design: Joss Maclennan Design Printed in Canada by union labour at Thistle Printing ACTRA National Financial Statements All contents are copyright © 2002 ACTRA. All rights are reserved and contents, in whole or Year ended February 28, 2002 . 28 in part, may not be reprinted without permission. The points of view expressed do not necessarily represent those of ACTRA. The Canadian Comedy Awards 2002 Please return any undelivered mail to: by Anne Marie Scheffler . 32 ACTRA, 625 Church Street, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2G1 PHONE 1-800-387-3516 OR (416) 489-1311 FAX (416) 489-8076 www.actra.ca [email protected] SUMMER 2002 InterACTRA 3 Publications Mail Agreement #40069134 C Photo by André Leduc Stephen Waddell ACTRA puts Canadian performers first, National Executive Director asserts jurisdiction as SAG’s Rule One comes into force n May 1st, 2002, the Screen Actors positive and mutually supportive relation- industry is now in effect, with new OGuild’s (SAG) global enforcement of ship with SAG. ACTRA and SAG have rates effective July 1, 2002. Rule One came into effect. SAG’s Rule enjoyed the benefits of solidarity in collec- In March, ACTRA reached new One is the extension of a provision in their tive bargaining over the years. SAG has a terms for the National Commercial national constitution requiring SAG mem- right to implement their membership rules Agreement with the Canadian ad industry bers to work on SAG contracts wherever and enforce them. Likewise, ACTRA represented by the Association of Canadian they go in the world to work. members, even if they live in the U.S. and Advertisers (ACA) and the Institute of Rule One has been in the news in happen to be members of SAG, have the Communications and Advertising (ICA). Canada, as many in the media and the right to work under ACTRA contracts Highlights of the agreement include: industry interpret SAG’s enforcement of when working in Canada. •a 5% increase for union performers in Rule One as an effort to curb so-called We continue to believe that SAG’s television and radio commercials over ‘runaway production.’ enforcement of Rule One will not have two years, effective July 1, 2002 ACTRA has been firm and consistent any appreciable effect on the level of (2.5% increase per year), in our stance on Rule One – we have been production activity in Canada. Most of •substantially improved language to asserting our jurisdiction over performers our members aren’t affected by Rule One. protect children in commercials, and working in the English language in Canada, ACTRA’s statement on Rule One, • incentives to produce commercials in and continue to claim that dual SAG- a Q&A for ACTRA members and any Canada for global audiences and for ACTRA members have the right to work breaking news on this issue are on our the internet.