The Stage

Walk-on agencies set up self-regulatory body

Published Tuesday 25 May 2004 at 12:50 by Joanna Taylor

Walk-on agencies are, for the first time, forming a self-regulatory body in a bid to stop rogue companies under-cutting reputable firms and exploiting artists by negotiating deals outside of union agreements.

The National Association of Supporting Artistes Agents has developed a code of practice for its members, including a provision to adhere to union rates and benefits contained in Equity’s TV agreements with the BBC, ITV and the independent producers’ trade body PACT, and film contracts between itself and the Film Artistes Association.

This is being backed by Bectu, Equity, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Bectu national official for walk-ons Spencer MacDonald predicted that the body would become a “powerful voice” for agents, who want to create a level playing field in the industry.

He continued: “99 % of agents seem to be adhering to union agreements but there are a few who do not. The main problem is with independent production companies. They work under an agreement with PACT but PACT does not police the production companies properly, so then you get agents who think they can negotiate their own agreement. This is a short-term gain for a few but a long-term loss for the whole industry.

“This is part of the reason for establishing NASAA, so there could be self-policing to create a level-playing field for agents rather than one under-cutting the other and it all spiralling out of control. It will create a main level of good practice for all agents. This is a huge, positive step forward.”

He cited 2020 Agency as an example of a company operating outside of union agreements on the Sky One production Mile High. While Bectu has requested a meeting with the 2020 Agency, MacDonald believes the existence of NASAA may assist in preventing the issues involved from happening in future.

More than ten agencies from across the country have already signed up to become members of NASAA. It is hoped it will attract at least another twenty, out of an estimated potential total of fifty whose main source of income is derived from finding work for walk - ons. NASAA will be formally launched in the next few weeks.

Ray Knight, managing director of the Ray Knight Casting Agency, is currently acting as chairman of the body before all members have an opportunity elect a candidate. He said that the NASAA codes of practice will operate above and beyond the new DTI regulations, which came into force last month. That legislation covers artists being paid on time but does not insist walk-ons are paid union rates.

Knight said: “The NASAA code takes account of the welfare and protection of artist’s interests. Supporting artists’ agencies have been exploited by rogue agencies. The DTI regulations will prevent a lot of that but there is also an obligation on decent agencies to police the industry and see that agencies which might be exploiting people cannot do so. We intend [to be a] ring fence [for the] agencies that the DTI will not have to worry about because we will ensure that we will stick to the rules.”