Broadcast This: ACTRA’s “Myths & Truths” debunked…

Broadcast This: ACTRA’s “Myths & Truths” debunked…
Jason Chesworth

Due to the overwhelming responses of yesterday’s post (ACTRA & the death of the mixed tape), I thought it would be useful to dedicate an entire post to the “Myths & Facts on the Proposed Changes to Canada’s Copyright Act”, which was the catalyst for this grassroots “membership awareness” that I’ve been squawking about for the past few months.

But first….another disclaimer (or three):

I supported ACTRA’s decision to strike in January 2007 because *we had to*. However, we (ACTRA members), weren’t the first to strike because we’re so feisty and principled and/or important to Hollywood…we were the first to strike because our IPA (Independent Production Agreement) was the first to expire. I wrote to ACTRA many times during the strike expressing my support and understanding that each creative union (WGA, DGA, SAG, AFTRA), would be facing the same issues as they negotiated their various agreements with producers.
Although I dearly wish that ACTRA (the executive) could move beyond begging for table scraps from Standing Committees on Heritage to fund our bleak industry, I do applaud the dedication of those actors within the ACTRA Council who are conversant on the issues and continue to fight on our behalf.
It’s the non-actors within the executive that I’m suspicious of…