The Stage

Equity vice-president tells actors to be positive about online opportunities

Published Tuesday 22 April 2008 at 17:00 by Lalayn Baluch

Equity vice-president Jean Rogers has urged actors to stop being afraid of new technology and “embrace” creative opportunities available online.

However, she believes that actors’ hearts “sink” every time digital producers describe web content as cheap, and has called on employers to ensure they use skilled performers to maintain standards.

Speaking at a debate about the role of the performer in new media, presented by the National Council for Drama Training, Rogers commented: “Whatever the technology, whatever the way the world changes, actors are there to tell stories. I really do think that we musn’t be frightened of new technology, it is there and we have to embrace it.”

Meanwhile, according to Geoffrey Goodman, head of the BBC’s teen cross-platform programming strand Switch, the web is the ideal way to get young people involved in creative activities. He also said that the online environment is nurturing new, technologically-savvy arts practitioners, who are able to perform, direct and write both scripts and codes to create websites.

Goodman added: “I think in the broadcast landscape we are creating high quality, expensive pieces of content, and good quality, lower cost content. I work with Equity and PACT to make sure I’ve got good-quality writers and actors.”

BBC Switch currently airs talk shows, music programmes and online interactive drama Signs of Life. This year it will be launching a documentary series about six up-and-coming creative youngsters, including an actor and a DJ.