Posts by Ross Mason
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They ignored an approach to renegotiate the Pink Book for nearly two years, then stonewalled on Spada's offer to talk for nearly a month after the boycott bomb was dropped. Then, scrambling, they agreed to ... renegotiate the Pink Book, an option they've repeatedly dismissed:
What I find interesting in that communication is the SPADA use of MEAA rather than who the writer was representing, NZAE. As far as I can see from the rest of the info on the NZAE page Fran always referred to who she worked for as NZAE. And it is consistent throughout the whole affair - at least until MEAA REALLY became the target.
I had a long look at the NZAE website, what IS interesting is that the meeting in Auckland asked in its resolution for performers to WAIT for a RECOMMENDATION. That is all. No instruction, no boycott, no blacklist.
3. Recommends that all performers wait before accepting any engagement on the production of The Hobbit until the production has advised whether it will enter into good faith negotiations with NZ Actors' Equity with respect to the minimum conditions of engagement under which NZ Actors' Equity will recommend performers work on the production
This was well after many attempts to sit down with SPADA to discuss more than the pink book. Which I think is a red herring in the whole damn thing anyway - it seems to have been written by SPADA as a fait accompli.
After getting no response they finally went feral. Calling up MEAA and getting lots and lots of support from SAG and anywhere else in the western film industry.
I think PJ and Warners have just attacked anyone and everyone they could find to cut this off at the pass.
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Nothing like the odd charismatic leader to demonstrate how to achieve their aims. Just take Lysistrata. Now that chick knew a thing or two.
And it must be true. I saw it in a fillim....or....
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A recent conspiracy theory is that the country is due for some civil unrest - (1951, 1981, 2011?)
So. We are waiting for the third strike and they're outta here.
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Station announcements on the trains were also interesting especially when trying to equate place-names with sounds - eg. Turramurra
"nixstop Wayvtin"
"Nixstop Salenids"
"Nixstop Adimin"
"Nixstop Shitswid"
"Nixstop Rosvill"
"Nixstop Lifild"
"Nixstop Klarrrrrra"
"Nixstop Good"
"Nixstop Peeembil"
"Nixstop Taamaara" -
As I said above, a classic union / employer stoush.
some Actors consider splitting from union NZAE on the basis that the "union doesn't speak for them, and doesn't even speak for all its own members."
The classic divde and conquer. Get a few deserters and they make the rest an easier target.
Aside: Why isn't union sayed like onion??? -
Heh
Under Milk Wood is fabulous reading ain't it?
If pissing into your helmet and getting a wet head is your thing..;-)
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@Gio
An in insufficient doses, it still tastes of dish soap.
What about the taste of lipstick? Yeech.
And: Who the hell would 1) Want to work in the film industry? 2) Who the hell would want to be an actor?
It seems to me that if the actors union was as strong as SAG then something would likely be negotiated to the actors union benefit.
It has obviously worked in the US. I don't think there is much dispute that acting in NZ is not a good earner. Whether on international films or NZ TV. Why? Dare I say it is because any opportunity is..well..an opportunity. Even if it is done for free. And if I don't take it, someone else will.
There is no doubt the LOTR and other "block busters" filmed here are done for the love of money rather than for offering enhanced employment for NZ actors. Oh.... And it has taken how many years to get residuals into the deals?????
As for union bashing. I think one needs to take a good hard look at the benefits unions and unionism that once graced this nation. 5 day week, 8 hour day, minimum wage, social welfare. Then one needs to take an even longer look at the effects of union busting. 7 day week, X hour day, youth rates, and the real killer, part time work.
This Hobbit dispute is pure and simply a power struggle and a classic one at that.
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Ross? Has it anything to do with penises?
Fair suck of the sav Sal. No.
Your mention of the "non forest" suggests that you came to this particular forest from a more lush one?
After parenting 3 girls, I think I can vouch for the "leave the middle one to fend for herself" mentality. After the first you know it all so what's the deal? But interesting the bits about your health. Our mid had bad hearing problems that were finally tracked after having her sit of the bed facing away from us and not responding when we spoke to her. Guilt guilt guilt. But fixed.
She is also the one who is the most outgoing of the three and willing to have a crack at anything outdoorsy.
No asthma but.
Interesting that your late developing parents found each other. THAT would be a good story. Even more fascinating that both seemed quite happy to procreate so readily after all those years alone (?). Unrequited desire to have a family prior to meeting? Previous "engagements" fell through?
Wagga Wagga. What a great name! We got lost in Sydney trying to find Tooraamoora. Well thats what we said. But what we meant was Taramara - spelt Turramurra. Heh. Bit like folk who say they came through Leaven - or Livin as the locals might say. (Levin, Horowhenua).
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I'm sorry, but I have to get this out of the way before commenting on middlers, Cowellas and Awestruckandfailures.
Turkey. 3:20 in is the....um....moment.
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Late to the post.
No n to it.