Latest Alliance E-Mag

For those who do not already get this posted to them, the latest from the Alliance.
Welcome to your Alliance equity e-bulletin. This week:
- A Lesson In Activism  - Pay To Work  - Changes To Copyright
- Purcell Awarded Fellowship  - Equity Event in Brisbane
- Masterclasses  - Super Strategies  - Art In Working Life
- Become A Member Organiser

A Lesson In Activism - The boost in ABC funding signals that activism still pays. While we would have hoped for more money and will continue to campaign for additional funding to allow the ABC to broadcast no less drama than Channels 7,9 and 10, the additional funding will make a difference. Read more at the Alliance blog www.alliance.org.au/blog

Pay To Work - The Sydney Morning Herald last week contained an advertisement for young actors to perform in a musical produced by Nicole Alexander. According to the ad, performers are charged $10 for the audition and $525 for production participation. It stipulates that participants must be full-time secondary students and cannot be professional actors or be members of Actors Equity (MEAA). Equity hopes its members would not be inclined to accept an offer where they had to pay for the privilege of working.

Changes To Copyright - Under proposed amendments to the copyright laws announced at the weekend, limited use of material recorded from TV and CD will be permitted. Limited format-shifting of material including music, newspapers and books onto iPods or other MP3 players will also be legalised. The Alliance argues that changes of this nature should require a levy on blank recording equipment to be distributed among the copyright owners. The draft bill is yet to be released. More at http://www.theage.com.au/news/breaking/new-laws-to-limit-use-of-tv-recording/2006/05/14/1147545211338.html

Purcell Awarded Fellowship - Actor, writer, director and Equity Member Leah Purcell has been awarded the 2006 Bob Maza Fellowship. Leah's performances, plays and books have been celebrated across the world and now recognised by the Australian Film Commission. The Fellowship is awarded to further an Indigenous actor's professional development and commemorates the life and work of Bob Maza - the first indigenous AFC Commissioner, an actor and activist.

Equity Event In Brisbane - Come along to 'Know Your Rights' on Monday! Based on the 'Hypotheticals' format, Barb Lowing will host a panel including Tony Auckland, Tom McSweeny, Joss McWilliam and Bruce Redman. The event is free for financial Alliance members and students (non-members $33) and will be held on Monday 22 May, 6.30pm - The Roundhouse Theatre, 6-8 Musk Ave Kelvin Grove. Bookings are essential. To reserve your seat, call Kate Brady on 02 9333 0911 or email kate.brady@alliance.org.au

Masterclasses - The Equity Foundation has organised for Jeannette Nelson, voice and dialect coach at the Sydney Theatre Company, to provide a masterclass for Equity members as part of the Equity Professional Program. The masterclass will be offered to 20 performers on the theme of Voice and the Energy of Language. It will be held at the Sydney Theatre Company on Friday 9 June from 10am for about 3 hours. To apply, financial members should send their cv/bio to Kate Brady kate.brady@alliance.org.au. Application deadline Friday 26 May. Preference will be given to experienced performers. More information at http://www.alliance.org.au/content/view/185/50/

Super Strategies - If you are wondering how you will survive on the Age Pension, or want to know if it is worthwhile reviewing your superannuation contributions then consider going to one of the JUST SUPER superannuation workshops. Super Strategies Workshops and Super and Retirement Workshops are being held in Melbourne and Sydney over the next two weeks. Workshops are FREE for JUST SUPER members and their guests. For workshop dates, times and venues call 1800 033 014.

Art In Working Life - The ACTU is calling for all musicians, artists, performers, actors or anyone who can play a banjo in SA to contribute to the "Your Rights At Work" campaign in a creative and artistic way. A meeting will be held at The Bakehouse Theatre, 255 Angas Street on Sunday 28 May at 4pm to discuss what you can do to help. For more information please call Kayti 0414 326 613 or email kmurphy@saunions.org.au

Become A Member Organiser - Get involved with the fight to protect your working rights by attending the "Becoming a Member Organiser" workshop in your branch. Over 150 Alliance members in five states have already built their skills to take the new IR laws head on. Register to attend at the Alliance offices in Sydney on Friday 19 May, in Canberra on Friday 3 June and in Adelaide on Sunday 16 July. For more information or to register contact jonathan.mill@alliance.org.au

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