After many years in isolation, local actors
can now look forward to global assistance when it comes to protection of
artists’ rights, procuring equitable deals on international productions and the
use of their images abroad.
South African Guild of Actors (SAGA) board
member, Carlynn De Waal-Smit, recently represented the Guild at the 20th
Congress of the International Federation of Actors (FIA) held in Toronto. She
was assured of full support in, amongst other things, the ongoing battle to get
equitable deals for local actors working on international productions.
“Many overseas companies use South African
locations because it is much cheaper to film here, not only is the weather
great, but local actors can be hired for a fraction of what they would cost in,
say, USA or Europe,” says De Waal-Smit. “The down side of this is that our
performers are often exploited, given sub-standard accommodation and per diems,
as well as having little recourse to claiming residuals or repeat broadcast
fees. An exception to this was Invictus
which gave local actors the same daily expense allowance and hotel
accommodation as the leading international players.”
One of the main talking points at the FIA
congress was the signing of Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances which
was adopted consensually by the Member States present at the WIPO Diplomatic
Conference in Beijing in June 2012, granting meaningful economic and moral
rights to audiovisual performers worldwide for the first time in history at
international level.
Members of FIA, from all parts of the
world, have indicated their full support and willingness to work closely with
SAGA in drawing up internationally acceptable contracts, as well as looking at
revising the SA Artist’s Protection Act of 1967 which is hopelessly outdated.
The FIA Congress resolved to work toward assuring performing artists of access
to social protection and decent working conditions.
“In South Africa, we don’t get much social
protection besides UIF, which we can’t claim from anyway,” De Waal-Smit stated,
“There is a lot of work to do, but knowing the international acting community
is with us, will help spur us on in the never-ending battle for the respect and
compensation our members deserve. While we don’t expect local actors to be paid
the same as international stars, there is much room for improvement. There is a
definite need for a remuneration structure which still makes South Africa an
attractive location, while also ensuring that our own actors are paid decently
and treated fairly.”
For further information contact Carlynn De
Waal-Smit on 011 726 6076.
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