The Stage

We’ve always opposed book fees

Published Tuesday 28 September 2004 at 09:40

Regarding your article about the difference between the policies of Bectu and Equity regarding book fees (News, September 16, page 3). I can inform you that our Walk On and Supporting Artist Committee has always opposed our agents charging us book fees, whether up-front or disguised as unnecessarily inflated commission. As in other matters, whether or not this view has been adopted or abandoned by our council as union policy whatever it might be in general I have been unable to substantiate.

The important fact, however, is that for Equity members working in our field entry into an agents book is unnecessary and we could possibly advise them to decline the offer when entering or renewing the agreement which now is required by law to be in place walk on agents as well as production offices have access on the web to the Spotlight/Equity Walk On Directory. This makes available an identity card type photograph and any other data that a production office or agent would require when casting on their behalf. Equity membership in itself is also an automatic definition of the standard that is required by the Preferential Professional Performer Casting Agreements that are still in place between ourselves and employers. This should enable agents to more easily verify bona fides when faced with possible challenge by either employer union.

Once again it seems so many parties cannot fully comprehend the differences in agency matters between ourselves and mainstream performers.

Michael Earl

Equity councillor and vice-chair

Walk On and Supporting Artist Committee

Wesleyan Place

Highgate Road

London