Alliance/Equite (MEAA) E-Mag 27 Sept 2006

Welcome to your weekly e-bulletin from the Alliance. This week:

- Deferred Payment Review - ABC Strike For Fair Deal - Alliance Submission On Media Bills
- For Your Diary Equity Graduate Days - Opera Australia 50th Birthday Party
- Play School party - OHS Course - The Lost Echo - Terrorism Tickets
- Film Financing - Safety Show

Deferred Payment Review - National Performers Committee has called on Equity to review Equity's policy on deferred payment films. Current policy requires the producer to have appropriate insurance and safety arrangements and use the standard deferred payment contract. This prevents the release of the film, without the consent of the performer, until the performer's fee (at no less than the relevant minimum rate prescribed by the Actors Feature Film Agreement) has been paid. See www.alliance.org.au/docman/task,cat_view/gid,117/Itemid,28/ If wish to contribute to the review and/or if you have anecdotes about working on a deferred payment film (whether engaged on our agreement or one created by the producer) contact Dana Michels at dana.michels@alliance.org.au

ABC Strike For Fair Deal - After the huge success of last week's industrial action, the ABC has agreed to re-enter negotiations. An estimated 2500 out of 4000 ABC staff participated in the 24-hour nationwide strike to protest at management's offer of a below-inflation pay rise and loss of conditions. Picket lines were very well attended. And there's been a 20% increase in Alliance membership among ABC staff in the past fortnight. Equity officials commence negotiations with the ABC for a new actors agreement on Wednesday 27 Sept 2006.

Alliance Submission On Media Bills - The Alliance has delivered a submission to the Senate committee examining the Government's bills for changes on media ownership, digital services, communications law enforcement and television licences. Read the submission and see how rural media services are threatened at the campaign web site: www.xmedia.org.au

For Your Diary Equity Graduate Days - Experienced performers, agents and financial advisers will impart their knowledge. Free event with lunch and afternoon tea provided, followed by industry drinks. Queensland - Sept 29, NSW - Oct 20, Victoria - Nov 13. Details: alison.aprhys@alliance.org.au 1300 65 65 13.

Opera Australia Party - Equity is hosting an after party for Opera Australia's performers, creative contributors, crew and administrators on 11 Oct 2006 to mark the 50th anniversary of the company. For more information email suzanne.culph@alliance.org.au.

Play School Party - A grown up celebration for all the cast and crew who have worked on Play School over the past 40 years will be held at the Museum of Sydney on Oct 16 2006. For more information contact suzanne.culph@alliance.org.au

OHS Course - There are still places left for the combined Certificate IV in OHS and WorkCover Consultation Course for the Entertainment Industry, in Sydney over a two weeks (Oct 23-27 and Nov 23-27), $1100 per person. The TAFE Cert IV Course is nationally recognised across all industries through VET, and concentrates on the issues faced by the film, television, theatre and event industries. The Consultation course is compulsory for elected OHS Representatives and OHS Committee members. For enquiries and bookings, contact the OHS Project Manager: julie.deakins@alliance.org.au(02) 9333 0961

The Lost Echo - Special offer to see The Lost Echo by Barrie Kosky and Tom Wright. See Part 1 and 2 for $20 (or $10 for either part). The following performances only: Part 1 Sept 27 or 28 at 7pm; Part 2 Sept 27 at 1pm or Sept 29 at 7pm. Call STC Box Office on (02) 9250 1777 or www.sydneytheatre.com.au/echo

Terrorism Tickets - Darlinghurst Theatre Company takes an intimate look at Terrorism - a challenging and enlightening play by Russia's Presnyakov Brothers. The play, with its blacker than black absurdist interconnections, reflects the way terrorism effects our daily lives and individual psyches - but it does so with a great sense of surreal humour. Alliance members 2-for-1 tickets (adult price $28) for September 27 and 28.

Film Financing - An AFRTS NSW short course that brings together some of the current success stories in Australian film. Speakers include Paul Wiegard CEO of Madman; Leesa Kahn and Catriona Hughes producers of Kokoda; Philippa Bateman, EP of Jindabyne; and Chris Oliver, senior investment manager at the FFC. Oct 9-10 and Oct 16-17, 6-8.30pm. $600 ($175 per individual session). For more details and/or to apply go to: www.aftrs.edu.au or e-mail infonsw@aftrs.edu.au  

Safety Show - WorkCover NSW is the principal sponsor of The Safety Show and Conference Sydney 2006 for the third consecutive year. Held from Oct 17-19 at Sydney Olympic Park, it is Australia's largest workplace health and safety trade show. Details:
www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/NoticesEvents/SafetyShow/default.htm