Equity Magazine Autumn 2019
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www.equity.org.uk AUTUMN 2019 Three new theatre deals Arts Policy launch Local casting campaign Equity signs first wrestling Code of Conduct WE’RE STEPPING INTO THE RING EDINBURGH FESTIVAL #PROUDTOBEEQUITY CASTING QUESTIONS ROUNDUP UPDATE GUIDE INSURANCE? EQUITY MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2019 IN THIS ISSUE 14 4 NEWS The launch of our Arts Policy, a mental health Exclusive Professional Property Cover for symposium in Bristol and more Equity members 7 UPFRONT Christine Payne, Equity General Secretary UK/Europe or Worldwide 8 MEET THE MEMBERSHIP cameras and ancillary equipment, PA, sound ,lighting, and mechanical effects equipment, portable computer Jimmy Akingbola on acting, producing and the equipment, rigging equipment, tools, props, sets and costumes, musical instruments, make up and prosthetics. importance of the union 10 SUCCESS STORIES GET AN INSURANCE QUOTE AT FIRSTACTINSURANCE.CO.UK Equity at the Edinburgh Festival, Casting Question relaunch and a parliamentary inquiry Tel 020 8686 5050 22 12 THEATRE UPDATE First Act Insurance* is the preferred insurance intermediary to Three new theatre agreements have recently *First Act Insurance is a trading name of Hencilla Canworth Ltd Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference number 226263 been signed 14 WRESTLERS Equity has agreed the first ever Code of First Act Insurance presents... Conduct with a wrestling organisation 18 ARTS POLICY A radical overhaul of arts and culture is needed in the UK 22 CAMPAIGNS Cast it here and #ProudToBeEquity 12 25 PRESIDENT MAUREEN BEATTIE The importance of Yes or No 26 IN APPRECIATION Remembering two former Councillors 28 HAVE YOUR SAY Key features include Casting decisions and celebrating the union • Competitive online quote and buy cover provided by HISCOX. • Annual or short period cover available. 30 YOUR EQUITY Member offers Equity staff profile: Steve Duncan-Rice, South Tel 020 8686 5050 VISIT SHOWTIMEINSURANCE.CO.UK East of England organiser Branch notes Explore the North West Where and when you need it! First Act Insurance* is the preferred insurance intermediary to *First Act Insurance is a trading name of Hencilla Canworth Ltd Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference number 226263 2 equity AUTUMN 2019 www.equity.org.uk www.equity.org.uk AUTUMN 2019 equity 3 FRONT OF HOUSE COMMITTEE ELECTION RESULTS Equity launches radical arts policy THE RESULTS of the 2019 Committee elections were announced on 12 July. IN BRIEF Equity’s committees are an important part of the union’s democracy and a dynamic force for change. With the support of the Equity Council they take Union delivers an optimistic and sustainable vision for the post-Brexit arts and culture sector forward the industrial agenda, drive the union’s policy making and ensure that the voice of working members is heard at the centre of the union’s work. EQUITY HAS SET OUT a vision for a entertainment disciplines as art forms Referendum There are three influential industrial committees — Screen and New Media, radical overhaul of UK arts and Protection and enhancement of public AT THE 2019 EQUITY ANNUAL Stage, and Variety, Circus and entertainers — with the authority to conduct culture. The union’s arts policy aims to service broadcasting and UK film Representative Conference, the Equity negotiations. These committees, made up of members with recent experience promote sustainable, optimistic and production Council proposed three motions that of relevant work are at the forefront of improving pay and conditions for fulfilling careers for its members within a Deputy for the General Secretary called for Rule changes to be put to a members. Supporting them are five specialist committees — Audio, Dance, valued and equitable arts and Stephen Spence, pictured, said: “Whatever referendum of the membership. That Singers, Stage Management, and Directors and Designers — all made up of entertainment industry that serves a wide the direction of travel for no deal Brexit or a referendum runs until 31 October and members with recent relevant working experience. and inclusive audience. General Election, arts and culture has sadly the ballot paper is included with this There are also committees of members in Scotland, Northern Ireland and The report, called Performance for all, been slipping down the nation’s priority list. magazine. You can also vote online - for Wales, four equality committees — Deaf and Disabled; LGBT+; Minority Ethnic; was launched in September and is intended “Austerity has led to severe cuts for the details go to www.equity.org.uk and Women — and a Young Members’ Committee. to be the bedrock publication that Equity’s subsidised sectors, a view that the market The work of the new committees is already under way, with the launch members can use to create a new can solve everything has been emerging, Northern Ireland of the LGBT+ committee’s guidelines for employers on working with LGBT+ generation of post-Brexit arts campaigns. education has been undervaluing the arts branches merge performers launching in October. Equity would like to thank all those The new policy will promote: and entertainment is often reduced to THE NORTHERN IRELAND VARIETY members who stood for election, and all those who voted. Increased public funding and ownership reality TV shows And yet the creative Branch and Northern Ireland General Find out more here: https://www.equity.org.uk/getting-involved/committees/ by central and local government industries are worth more than £100 billion Branch have merged. All members are Fully inclusive representation and access to UK gross domestic product. welcome to attend branch meetings. for all practitioners and audiences “Equity has been taking stock and this Contact details can be found on page 32. An equitable balance of funding, without radical report calls for ‘Performance for All’ cuts to established areas, through a trying to persuade Government at the UK, ORGANISING THE ORGANISERS restructured national, regional and local national, regional and local level, and Equity offices closed EQUITY’S organisers are the Steve Duncan-Rice. Steve has served funding system anyone else who wants to listen, to take on 24 October staff members who look after many years as a recruitment and Creative leadership, and accountability more care of one of the few real success A DAY OF STAFF TRAINING will take place particular sectors of the industry, such retention organiser in the Live of funding bodies to practitioners, trades stories in this country’s economic and on Thursday, 24 October. All regional as film or theatre, or cover specific Performance Department and will unions and audiences. cultural life.” and national offices will be closed but regions or nations throughout the UK. quickly become a familiar face to Recognition of Variety, circus and all Find out more on page 18. Equity’s Guild House office reception in There have been a number of moves Equity members in the South East. You London will remain open and calls will be recently, with staff changing roles. can find out more about Steve in the answered via the main switchboard: Following the resignation of staff profile on page 31. 020 7379 6000 Emmanuel de Lange, Paul Fleming In the Recorded Media department, THE CREATIVE has been appointed the new West End Natalie Barker is the new TV Organiser. organiser, with Jamie Briers taking Natalie has moved from the General INDUSTRIES ARE Manchester office move his previous post of industrial Secretary’s department where she has OUR MANCHESTER OFFICE has now organiser, theatre. served as the governance and WORTH MORE moved to its new location. If you want to Jamie was previously the North operations organiser. pop in and see Paul, Dominic, Andrew or West area organiser but most recently Contact details for our organisers THAN £100 Mary here’s the new address: had been the South East area can be found at the back of this Reb’s Corner organiser, a position now taken by magazine. 2-4 Loom Street BILLION TO Paul Fleming, Manchester M4 6AN Natalie Barker, All other contact details remain the same Steve Duncan- THE UK Rice and and can be found at the back of the Jamie Briers magazine. Stephen Spence, Deputy for the General Secretary 4 equity AUTUMN 2019 www.equity.org.uk www.equity.org.uk AUTUMN 2019 equity 5 FRONT OF HOUSE UPFRONT BRISTOL Respect and recognition BRANCH Equity members make a huge contribution to the success story that is the UK creative sector. HOSTS We want that recognised by the TUC, our sister unions and the political parties MENTAL struggled to adapt to the challenges contribution our industries make to of changing working patterns the economic and cultural health HEALTH ushered in by new technologies of the UK. Equity members along The vast majority of members with other creative workers are EVENT IN are genuinely self-employed for tax. the driving forces behind the £100 You have working lives that might billion creative economy and the OCTOBER fluctuate from, say, an hour’s voice- TUC is very important in ensuring over work, to a short-term theatre that our sector is given the same contract. Therefore the ability to priority and representation as THE BRISTOL and West General Branch are hosting a Mental Health in is on 10 October,” said Gerard Cooke, Bristol and West General Branch’s offset tax against the Entertainment Industry symposium in Bristol Old Vic Theatre’s Vice-Chair, and lead coordinator for the event. “We are keen to capture and costs is critical Coopers’ Hall on Wednesday 2 October. document everything from the event to help members understand the for staying afloat Equity will continue to Keynote speakers Andy Moss from TUC’s UnionLearn will be talking issues. We also want to acknowledge all the groups doing similar events financially and make clear its vocal opposition about Mental Health First Aid and Annemarie Lewis Thomas from Musical throughout the branch network in our report back to Council.” remaining available to a no deal Brexit that could Theatre Academy about the #time4change campaign: Mental Health The physical event accommodates 80, for whom lunch will be provided.