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Friday, 07 November 2008 |
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TO ALL ACTORS
SAY "NO WAY" TO NO PAY!
We have recently been made aware of a number of instances in which members of this Union have not received payment for work performed on various theatrical and film productions.
Obviously such treatment represents an appalling and absolutely unacceptable abuse by management of the rights of our members. However, the situation is exacerbated by the failure of members to contact the Union at the moment of non-payment rather than to wait for a period of weeks, or in some cases months, before bringing the situation to our attention.
As professional Artistes Equity members have an absolute right to payment at the time of performance and must always insist upon same.
In the event Theatre Management or Film/T.V. Production companies resist or refuse to make all payments when due please contact us immediately.
To await payment for weeks or months on the strength of promises from employers will guarantee neither continued nor future employment and any such employment would be provided solely on the basis of the willingness of the artist to work for no or low pay.
This Union will not tolerate or accept any non-payment to any member from any employer and will vigorously pursue all such cases on behalf of our members. However, you must advise us immediately when the problem arises.
Let's put an end to the practice of non-payment.
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Monday, 03 November 2008 |
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![English Speaking Group]( "John Connolly, Des and Padraig.") Irish Equity continue their active involvement in FIA with Des Courtney, Padraig Murray and Rynagh O'Grady attending the 19th World Congress in Marrakech from 21st to 27th October 2008.
FIA is the international federation for actors and their unions and Irish Equity were there alongside SAG, AFTRA, American Actor's Equity, British Equity and many others from all over the world.
Irish Equity played an active role in the Congress, as Irish Equity is EuroFIA coordinator, Padraig and Rynagh chaired the Euro FIA session. An amendment was put forward to the resolution on funding for members from underdeveloped countries. All of the Irish delegates spoke at several sessions and a national report was given at The English Speaking Group and a lengthy discussion took place on the new situation re the Competition Authority.The congress thanked the Moroccan host union, Le Syndicat National des Professionnels du Theatre for their warm and very generous hospitality. Irish Equity is proud to announce that Ireland will host the next meeting for the English speaking group in 2009!
You can find more information about FIA on their website www.fia-actors.com
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Thursday, 07 August 2008 |
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48 HOUR FRING FUNDRAISER
Sat 9th & Sunday 10th August,
FILMBASE,
Curve Street, Dublin
Car Bootless Sale - anything and everything at Dublins' in-door, no car bootless sale
Stalls - massage; books; secrets; puppet corner;
Auctions - bid to have someone: clean your house, wash your car, cut your hair
Workshops: - acting for camera with Graham Cantwell; Imrove with Rachel Rath.
Tablequiz:
Advance booking is advised for tablequiz and workshops
Contact Yvonne by e-mail at
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or phone 087-9558851
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Theatre Forum Annual Conference |
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Tuesday, 22 July 2008 |
Theatre Forum held their Annual Conference in Cork on the 12th and 13th June 2008.
It the theme was” Is it worth it?” A large and impressive list of guests took part.Key speakers were Michael Colgan, Ion Caramitriu while Garry Hynes was interviewed by Professor Ciaran Benson. A panel debate “Worth What Exactly?” was opened by speakers from a variety of backgrounds namely; Kingsley Aikins, Professor Joe Cleary, Mark O'Rowe, Mary Raftery and the debate was chaired by Professor Ciaran Benson.
The conference was attended by some 240 people and a number of leading practioners made presentations on topics such as
Is it worth the risk?
Is it worth the sacrifice?
Is it worth the money?
How much more worth it can it get?
These are fundamental questions that we come back to again and again. Equity covered some of these areas in our 50th Anniversary conference It is very interesting listening to the discussion at Theatre Forum and the different concepts that are held.
Garry Hynes expressed herself in a most logical, witty, illuminating and common sense way, which almost effortlessly goes from the particular to the general in a way that is both intelligent and inspiring. Ion Caramitry’s keynote address shone a light on how a different history makes for different stories and brought a rich understanding of where, and how, Romania is developing artistically, while Mary Raftery was challenging and thought provoking. But it was Michael Colgan who stood out with his “Time to tell the truth” speech. In which spoke like someone from another time, some old West End producer of the 1930’s who, it seems, is not a believer in equality or respect for the performer.
He claims our industry is based on “lies and illusions” and “it is these lies that help us get through”. He says the theatrical community has traded camaraderie for truth and the possibility of excellence for survival He also claims that 25 years ago we had true stars of the theatre but today they are gone to the UK world of TV and we have lost out.
He calls Equity “a failed organisation” that have lobbied him continuously about improving the minimum rate but never once mentioned the top salaries! His views reflect, by his contempt for an equal ensemble company and by his abhorrence of… “an ethic that demands billing in alphabetical order “, a contempt for actors, a total lack of understanding of the dedication and commitment of these performers. And a total lack of understanding as to why people give their lives to pursuing this art. He says” there is no such thing as a small part only small actors” and” not all actors are equal and not all boats should rise”.
Many of the talented actors who have worked in The Gate must have felt deeply disappointed at this outburst. Also many must have felt very disrespected and unappreciated. It must have caused some embarrassment to Theatre Forum when all of the other speakers in different ways tried to take the discussion forward and help us all develop. There are no high arty ideas here, no pursuit of truth, of understanding or of transcending an idea., No, when you ask Michael Colgan “ Is it worth it? “ he can only think in terms of hard cash. Thank goodness this is not where the vast majority of our community are coming from; this is not where the Union is coming from as we struggle to defend the most basic wages and rights of our performers.
Equity has already made a contribution to the debate on the understanding and development of Theatre. In September 2006 a seminar, hosted by Irish Equity and the Northern Ireland Branch of UK Equity, examined the ‘Impact of Performance’ both nationally and internationally, on a cross-border, cross-community and multi-ethnic basis, over two days in Liberty Hall.
Artists by the very nature of their work have to rise above divisions, above segregation and sectarianism, above racism and chauvinism. That is something that we as Trade Unionists and as performers try to do every day of our lives.
We started on a journey to raise the status of the performing artists and to assess our worth in our development as a people. We believe that our role is important and that we contribute in many fundamental and vital ways. We believe performers should be protected, that the nature of their work and their commitment to their work should be recognised. How the creative process is an ongoing development. We believe that we should have a decent standard of living, affordable housing, proper financial assistance from the government; we believe that all artists should be nurtured. We want to end the distinction between creative and interpretive artists.
We want an end to our members being pauperised. We want an end to artists finding themselves at the bottom of the pile. Let us end with a quote from playwright David Hare on replying to the question "What good are the Arts?"“Art seems inexhaustible.
It demands and repays more and more attention. It deepens at every contact. It glows at a different angle according to when and where it it’s experienced. And you look at the world differently afterwards.”
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Wednesday, 02 July 2008 |
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We are delighted to announce that the updates for the Equity handbook are now available from the Equity office in Liberty Hall. All members in benefit are entitled to an updated section for your handbook. You can insert the updated pages into your handbook. If you never received a handbook, simply request a new one with the updates.
To collect the updated inserts or a full new handbook, just drop into the Equity office, 9th floor, Liberty Hall during office hours. Only members in benefit can receive a handbook. To check if you're in benefit, just call Liz at 018586403 or email her at
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Monday, 30 June 2008 |
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The Equity office have been asked to post the following notice:
Richard Burke will present a 3 hour seminar on how to make it in Hollywood, focussing on visas, working legally, training, accommodation in Los Angeles.
Date: 1st August 2008.
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Venue: The Lab, Foley Street, Dublin 1
Cost: €70.
Contact: e-mail:
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or see www.industryhollywood.com
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