Posts by webweaver
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@Audrei
This:
However, SPADA has now agreed to meet with Equity to discuss performers’ terms and conditions for other productions made in New Zealand. As a result of this, Equity has agreed that while the parties are discussing new terms, provided a production contracts performers on the terms of the “Pink Book” in their entirety then NZ Equity will take no action against the production.
negates this:
New Zealand Actors Equity has assured the producers that no future industrial action would be taken on the production at any time.
I'm reading it as "if other productions don't follow the Pink Book to the letter then we will put forth more industrial action on this project"
Am I reading that wrong?
I spotted the exact same bit yesterday and thought "uh oh they're putting conditions on their promise to lay off the industrial action" but then I re-read it and wasn't so sure.
I think its meaning (and significance) revolves around the use of the word "the" and what that refers to (shades of Bill Clinton, anyone?).
Reading this para:
However, SPADA has now agreed to meet with Equity to discuss performers’ terms and conditions for other productions made in New Zealand. As a result of this, Equity has agreed that while the parties are discussing new terms, provided a production contracts performers on the terms of the “Pink Book” in their entirety then NZ Equity will take no action against the production.
...could be read two ways:
provided a production contracts performers on the terms of the “Pink Book” in their entirety then NZ Equity will take no action against that production.
OR
provided a production contracts performers on the terms of the “Pink Book” in their entirety then NZ Equity will take no action against the Hobbit production.
aaarrrgggghhhh
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Hmmm... it is seriously like it IS coming down to the 3ft 7 court case.
Quick summary of the James Bryson case:
From the Supreme Court decision, the 3ft 6 court case dealt with a contractor who had a skill (model-making) and was working first for Weta and then was seconded to 3ft 6 using that skill. However, when he moved across to 3ft 6, he needed training for the first few weeks.
He worked regular hours, and was not able to nominate his own hours of working. He was treated like an employee and paid for downtime. There was no evidence that he was operating a business on his own account. His income was not linked in any way to the profits or losses of 3ft 6. He worked continuously for over a year on one production with no outside work. He did not supply any of his own equipment and did not operate as a sole trader. He was not able to delegate his work to anyone else.
I was planning to make an argument that an actor is a completely different beast, for a number of reasons... and then I got stuck. Not so sure they are, now.
Anyone care to help me out with an argument in either direction?
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Tweet from TV3 reporter Patrick Gower (patrickgowernz)
Simon Whipp finally fronts up to 3News tonight. @amandagTV3 asks: If Hobbit doesn't get made in NZ, will you carry any guilt? Whipp: "No".
and another from 3entertainment
CNN just had some Hobbit news on and labelled John Key the "managing director of WETA". God bless America.
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And now, on Labour Day, public sentiment is such that there will be large anti-union rallies. Ouch.
Nonononono. No.
NOT anti-union - otherwise there'd be no way in hell I would go.
These POSITIVE rallies of support are timed to coincide with the visit of Warner Bros. movie executives to discuss moving The Hobbit away from NZ. We're going to show them that we like them, we want The Hobbit filmed here and we SUPPORT Sir Peter.
These rallies will also emphasize the points other groups like film techs intend to make in the national media to influence Warners.
They are NOT protests against certain groups.
As many here have said over the past few weeks, one can be pro-union and still be able to speak out when one sees incompetence by a union that affects members of other unions in a negative way.
Or, as Neil described them:
anti-incompetent-union pro democracy rallies
It's about a show of support for the movie being made here. That's it. And yes, I do see the irony in the fact that it's Labour Day.
Shameless plug to explain my POV - Why I will be attending the Rally of Hope to support filming of "The Hobbit" in New Zealand
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So......
Who's coming to the Rally of Hope tomorrow?
Rally to support filming of "The Hobbit" in New Zealand
RALLIES FOR ALL NEW ZEALANDERS, Industry & public on Labour Day Monday, 12.30 for 1pm-2pm!
These POSITIVE rallies of support are timed to coincide with the visit of Warner Bros. movie executives to discuss moving The Hobbit away from NZ. We're going to show them that we like them, we want The Hobbit filmed here and we SUPPORT Sir Peter.
These rallies will also emphasize the points other groups like film techs intend to make in the national media to influence Warners.
They are NOT protests against certain groups.
Invite ALL of your friends!!!
"Is the movie going to come or go? We don't know. Warners are coming here next Monday and we've got to fight like hell,"
Sir Peter Jackson. -
From Simon Whipp:
"For most people who sign a contract it's as binding for one party as the other... for New Zealand film and TV contracts that hasn't been the case."
Whipp said that if a Kiwi performer wanted to quit a production, producers could bring legal proceedings to stop them – and sue for damages.
"But if the producer changed their mind about a production, all they're obliged to do is give a day's notice ... that's standard in New Zealand."
Only a tiny point in this whole huge debacle, but the first sentence above is not strictly accurate. In IT for example I've seen contracts with a clause that allows the employer to get rid of the contractor for any reason with a short notice period - but no matching get-out clause for the contractor. Just sayin'.
Also not saying that's a good thing, by any means.
But it's inaccurate for Whipp to claim that actors are the only ones in NZ that get offered unbalanced contractor agreements.
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* Does Snoopy Happy Dance around the living room *
HOORAY for the Wellington special votes! Hooray for Celia! Hooray! Wellington just went a little bit greener!
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Hear! Hear!
* applauds Sean's comment enthusiastically *
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yeah, maybe so Steve, although.....
I think it was the shock of seeing my beloved country slapped down by my beloved Grauniad as much as anything. CRASH! Ouch!
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...and we, as a country, get a good slapping from Grace Dent in the Guardian (scroll down to the end of the article)
...I'm sure, like most media bores, he thinks he's only saying what the country is thinking. So if that's the case, New Zealand, I'm sure your spring scenery is most jocund, but I've decided to stay at home.
Ouch.
Feeling even more ashamed now.