Peter Skarratt Seminar (For Script Supervisors)

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The Peter Skarratt Seminar

At short notice a seminar was arranged with renowned 1st Assistant Editor Peter Skarratt who was on a fleeting visit to London. Places were limited due to the intense nature of the Seminar and first priority was given to Peter Skarratt template users & Script Supervisors wishing to trial his templates.

The branch Script Supervisors hope to conduct similar smaller courses for beginners next year. Peter Skarratt has flagged up the possibility of another seminar during the summer next year.

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Peter Skarratt

Peter Skarratt is known for his work as 1st Assistant Editor on The Matrix, Chappie and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. We were privileged to have him conduct a one day seminar/ workshop, demonstrating the formats of his 4 x template system.

Peter devised his digital system when dealing with rushes from 10 different locations in New Zealand on The Lord of the Rings. Since then, Peter’s system has evolved and Script Supervisors in the US, Australia, UK and other countries use his system.

Peter is very supportive of Script Supervisors and explained very clearly how his 4 templates work. We also got an introduction to the new breakdown system he is developing.

After a Q&A session, we rounded off the day chatting over drinks & snacks.

If you’d like to try the system, there is a 90 day free trial. Find out more at http://peterskarratt.com/

Ratecard Meeting

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RATE CARD MEETING Weds 12th Sept at the City Pride pub, 28 Farringdon Lane EC1R 3A. Aim for 7.30pm and the meeting proper will start at 8pm. Open to non-members.

Like last year, we will be asking you to check the Branch Ratecard is an accurate reflection of the real world.

We will also be seeking advice on the best way to obtain accurate data over the coming year and deciding how best to use the data to help members set their rates.

If you are interested in maintaining and improving pay rates, whatever production sector you are in, then this meeting is for you.

Pay-related issues for discussion include:

– Negotiations with PACT on TV drama rates.
– Concerns about overtime for junior grades on Major Motion Pictures.
– Clarifying ‘customary’ Prep & Wrap time for various grades will help standardise this area & which should be accounted for when setting rates.

Whether or not you can make it, don’t forget to regularly put some information into our Rates Survey.All information is welcome, but we could do with more from ‘non-drama’ sectors such as Light entertainment and Factual.

See you on Wednesday 👍

MAJOR MOTION PICTURE AGREEMENT

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The Major Motion Picture Agreement has been in place for feature films with a budget of £30m+ since April this year. It’s due for its first review in 2019 & the union is very keen to get feedback from members, especially if there’s anything about the agreement that isn’t working for them. In particular there has been some criticism that changes in overtime rates have led to a reduction in income for runners & other trainee grades: Spencer MacDonald, the BECTU National Secretary, has written an open letter in response & you can read that here.

If you have feedback about the MMPA please contact either the Branch here or BECTU directly here – thanks.

TV Drama: Prep & Wrap Clarification

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The Branch notes the following statement from Pact & BECTU which has been issued as a clarification regarding Prep & Wrap time on TV Drama productions taking place under the TV Drama Agreement:

“The crew member’s daily rate is deemed to include, where required, and in addition to the shoot hours worked, a specified amount of time for prep and wrap as set out in the deal memo and as is customary to that department and in accordance with current working practices. Any time worked beyond this specified prep/wrap period will be remunerated as per the agreement and at the appropriate overtime rate.”

Members are encouraged to note that this Prep & Wrap time is now included in your daily rate, therefore you should ensure you negotiate your rate accordingly.  Continue reading →

Camera Branch Social and Annual General Meeting.

The Camera Branch is pleased to announce details of the Camera Branch Social and Annual General Meeting.

It will take place on the 9th of June. The location is The Orchard Room, The Green Man, 36 Riding House Street, Fitzrovia, London. W1W 7EP. Doors will open at 6pm.

The event will be open to all. Members will receive two free drinks and can vote for a new branch committee.*

Acclaimed Oscar nominated Cinematographer John Mathieson BSC (Gladiator, Logan, Hannibal, X-men first class) will be attending on the night and will give a brief talk.

There will be a presentation related to our long hours campaign, Eyes Half Shut.

The branch committee will give a quick round up of what the Camera Branch has been working on over the past 12 months.

Most of the evening will be your chance to chat with fellow camera department members.

Entry is free, but if you can register via our eventbrite page, this will help us anticipate numbers. It will be possible to join the branch on the night.

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*(Bring your membership card, number or some other ID so we can issue you with drinks tokens and a voting card.)

The democratic nature of the union means that our agenda and activities are driven by the membership via the committee, working groups and also by advice, information and ideas from individual members. If you would like to join the committee, let us know (even if you can’t make the meeting). Committee roles are listed below. We are eager to fill the empty places, but you can run for any role. Our Get Involved page has further details.

Committee Roles:
Chair
Secretary
Vice Secretary
Branch Treasurer (currently unfilled)
Vice Chair (currently unfilled)
Membership & Recruitment Officer (currently unfilled)
Publications & Communications Officer
Learning Rep
Film Rep (currently unfilled)
TV Drama Rep
London Production Division Rep
Health & Safety Rep (currently unfilled)
Commercials Rep
Factual Rep (currently unfilled)
Entertainment Rep (currently unfilled)
Low-Budget Rep
Cinematographer Rep
Camera Operators Rep
Focus Rep (currently unfilled)
Loaders Rep
DIT Rep (currently unfilled)
Script Supervisors Rep
Playback Rep
Stills Rep
Stills Rep
Trainees Rep
Trainees Rep

Camera Branch Committee Meeting 12/05/2018

A Branch Committee Meeting took place on the 12th of May at BECTU HQ in Clapham. The minutes have been posted to the BECTU website. Minutes of the Camera Branch CM of 12/05/2018 (member login required).

Please use the contact form on the Get Involved page if you would like to raise an issue for the branch to address at the next meeting, which will be the AGM & social on the 9th of June 2018.