Unit 3: Companies

What is Spotlight?

Spotlight is a company with studios in London's famous West-End and Dublin's stylish Smithfield's and they also have a team of people across Europe, Spotlight is at the heart of the Performing Arts Industry. Spotlighters are a diverse bunch but everyone in the company is passionate about television, film and theatre. They love hearing and seeing one of their members landing their first west-end role and or a graduate getting their first audition, or a longstanding member collecting an Academy Award, BAFTA or IFTA. They live for these moments, it is what makes their jobs worthwhile.

Where Spotlight comes from?

Spotlight started in 1927, and started their company by helping actors save time and money on printing headshots, Keith Moss started collating them into a book and Rodney Millington joined the business and the Spotlight directory was born. Then in 1932 television as broadcast for the first time and Spotlight is already on the desk of every major theatre director and producer, which they browsed to search for the right performer and in 1945 Kenneth Seale joins Spotlight and later takes over as director. In the 1970's Rodney Millington retires ad Spotlight is now a family run company by father and son, Kenneth and Nigel Seale, furthermore in the 1980's new technology allows Spotlight to start the digital transition. Computerising the rolodex meant they could search for a performer by name and address, building the foundation for future advances. Moving into the 90's Spotlight experiments with new ways to connect casting directors with performers. In 1996 Spotlight's CD-ROM won directory of the year then in 1997 the website was launched, allowing casting directors to search online for the right performers and finally to the end of the 90's in 1998 Spotlight founded the International Alliance of Casting Directories, alongside Breakdown Services in the US and Show Cast in Australasia, helping more British actors t be discovered internationally. In the 2000's Spotlight looks for new ways to support up-and-coming actors. In 2002 the Spotlight Link was introduced, allowing breakdowns to be sent and for agents and performers to apply for roles online, in 2004 Spotlight begins supporting venues at the Edinburgh Fringe to help actors at the festival with a home base at the Fringe. Finally in 2006 the Spotlight Showcase launched after 40 years, giving newly graduated actors a platform in front of industry professionals. Their casting studios opened at 7 Leicester Place, helping to create Spotlight HQ as the home of casting, which is what Spotlight is recognised today as: The Home of Casting. Where they connect their casting professionals and performers online, they also run over one hundred events each year nationwide, and continue to improve the ways in which they can connect their members.

Who Spotlight works with?

They work alongside some fantastic organisations that are making a real difference in the performing arts. Some have been in the industry for as long as Spotlight has, others have started a little more recently but they're proud to work with all of them to develop and grow their industry.

How much is it to hire a Room and or Studio?

Spotlight is situated in the heart of London's iconic West End and Spotlight's rooms and studios are ideal for your casting, audition, rehearsal or recording a professional self-tape.

ROOMS -

• Modern, private rooms for two to fifty people.
• Ideal for read-throughs, auditions, rehearsals, production meetings or workshops.
• Complete support services available to ensure your clients have the best experience.
• Comes with equipment: Canon SD Camera and Tripod, Monitor and Cables.
• Services  - Extensive waiting area and reception space, catering available, flip chart and stationary and Client kitchen, coffee machine, tea and bottled water.
• Room hire starting from £110 and VAT per half day.
• Open weekdays from 10am - 6pm, weekends and out of hours are available on request.

STUDIOS -

• Purpose-built studios for castings and auditions
• Ideal for television, film or commercial projects
• Available to book for professional self-tape auditions
• Comes with equipment such as Sony HD camera, Adjustable lighting, Adobe on location and 18% grey backdrops.
• Services included such as Reception service, casting forms and printed colour photos, camera operator, casting webpage to view clips and stills online, Link to digital and printable Spotlight profiles, File downloads and catering.
• Studio hire starting from £135 per hour and VAT
• Open weekdays from 10am - 6pm, weekends and out of hours available on request.

Advantages of joining

The advantages of joining Spotlight is to help you get out there into the industry for performing arts. It helps you get an agent which will then help you gain castings and auditions for roles. Although you have to fund the joining fee yourself.

Children and Young performers aged 4 - 25 years old and an your an aspiring performer you can join Spotlight to find the best roles available for young people, and advice and support is provided for you as a young performer, as well as your parents, to help you pursue your passion for the performing arts. Also joining Spotlight as a Child or young performer you get: A Spotlight profile, Contacts, Continued development and FAQ'S. All for just £98 a year including VAT for a Child and Young Performer membership.

Also you can join spotlight as a Graduate for the ideal platform from which to start your career as a professional performer. Casting Directors use Spotlight graduates to find the next generation of leading actors, and out tailored support programme will help you to make the most of the opportunities as this early stage in your career. Joining Spotlight as a Graduate you get: A Spotlight profile, Contacts, Continued development and FAQ'S.  All for just £100 a year including VAT for a Graduate membership.

You can also join Spotlight as an Adult to connect with casting professionals and to find the best roles available in the UK, Europe and beyond. As a member of Spotlight, you'll get access to career advice, events and support tools to help you establish and manage a successful acting career. Joining Spotlight as an adult you get: Your Spotlight profile, Contacts, Discounts, Continued development and FAQ's all for just £150 a year including VAT for a Adult membership. Also membership discounts are available to disabled performers.

Agents can also join Spotlight to give their clients access to the best roles in television, film, theatre and commercials. Also they can simplify the way you manage your clients, by submitting them for roles on Spotlight and easily sharing your clients' profiles including their experience, skills and show reel to help them get the next audition. Joining Spotlight as an Agent you get: To promote your clients, Apply for roles, Contacts and FAQ's.

Lastly you can also join Spotlight if you're a Casting Professional with a Spotlight casting membership, you can search Spotlight's website or send out casting breakdowns and receive submissions in minutes to find the right performer for the project your working on and you can create and manage shortlists or choose to hold the audition in Spotlight's premium casting studios in London or Dublin. With a Spotlight membership as a casting professional you get to: Find the right performer, your casting your choice, expert advice and support, custom-designed casting spaces. All for the cost yearly for one year of £210 including VAT or for two years at £365 including VAT or you can pay monthly at one month for £55 including VAT per user or three months at £85 including VAT per user.


Spotlight is good because it offers a variety of different memberships or a variety of people in the performing arts industry, which really helps people in the industry and helps people also to gain access.


References: https://www.spotlight.com/


Equity:


What is Equity?


Equity is the UK trade union for professional performers and creative practitioners. As a leading industry organisation, Equity is known and respected nationally and internationally for the work we do with, and on behalf of, our members working across all areas of the entertainment industry.  They are a campaigning and organising union and proud of their strong record of taking the things that matter to their members to parliament and other centres of influence. Being part of Equity gives members a voice in these places. Members are at the heart of all the union's activities and by getting involved they drive forward the work of the union.


Who is Equity?


Equity's 40,000 + members form a cultural community that is of major importance to the UK in artistic, social and economic terms and Equity works to support them by negotiating their terms and conditions including fee structures with all kinds of employers and employer's groups. Their 5,000 Student members are also able to access information and advice to help prepare them for work in the industry. The union has a team of full-time staff in offices across the UK who have a wealth of experience and expertise when it comes to advice and representation. They are able to deal with the issues raised by members working in all areas of the industry whether it be a major feature film, a theatre in education show, radio voice overs, a circus act or any other live or recorded work. There are also lots of Equity  branches around the country where members come together to discuss issues concern, network and attend events.


The History of Equity:


Equity was set up in 1930 by a group of artists Equity has, over decades, had many landmark moments which have made the industry a better place to work. They have brought about fair payments and fees for artists; health and safety regulation; and outstanding royalties and residuals structure; members' pension and insurance schemes; supported individuals and group members; taken a stand on their behalf and made a difference in countless ways. In 1967 Equity incorporated the Variety Artistes' Federation (VAF).


What does Equity do?

• Negotiates
• Organises
• Campaigns and lobbies
• Supports
• Protects
• Influences
• Provides services
• Listens
• Advises
• Takes action
• Is a community

Equity is the only UK Trade Union to represent artist from across the entire spectrum of arts and entertainment. Equity quickly spread to encompass the whole range of professional entertainment. Today their membership includes:

• Actors
• Singers
• Dancers
• Choreographers
• Stage managers
• Theatre directors and designers
• Variety and circus artists
• Stand up comedians
• Television and radio presenters
• Walk-on and supporting artists
• Models
• Stunt performers
• Directors
• Theatre flight directors

The core activity of Equity is to negotiate minimum terms and conditions of employment throughout the entire world of entertainment and to endeavour to ensure these take account on social, economic and technological changes. They look to the future by negotiating employment agreements that embrace new and emerging technologies so satellite, digital television, new media, mobisodes, internet only productions, podcasting and so on are all covered, as are the more traditional areas.


Membership with Equity:


Having a membership with Equity gives you all of these benefits which almost wins people over.

• Job Information service
• Tax and Welfare support
• Legal advice and support
• Public liability insurance (PLI)
• Accident and backstage insurance
• Equity members' personal pension
• Workshops and training
• Pay and conditions
• Campaigns
• Discounts
• Equity card
• Your professional name
• Representation
• Help and advice
• Royalties and other payments
• Contract enrolment
• Bullying reporting line
• Dance passport
• Digs list
• Publications
• Their website
• On line directories
• Your network
• Careers advice
• Health and safety
• Medical support (BAPAM)
• Charities
• Union energy
• Industry information service.

The reason as to why Equity says that people should join their company is because of these reasons:

• Pay -  Equity contracts set minimum rates of pay and standards to avoid exploitation.
• Fair Treatment - from holiday entitlements to meal breaks and working hours, they have negotiated agreements to protect your working conditions.
• Equal Treatment - Equity actively promotes equal opportunity without discrimination over gender, race, sexuality or disability.
• Protection - Equity supports you if managements, employers, agents or bookers treat you unfairly.
• Public Liability - Many members find their free public liability insurance (up to £10 million) essential in their work as employers often insist they have PLI.
• Pride - Equity membership signifies your pride in making their industry more rewarding and safer. Members make a stronger union.
• Compensation - If injured or made ill through work then their legal services will seek proper compensation for you.
• Influence - A major part of the entertainment industry, Equity contributes to public debate. Their influence comes from the strength of their membership.
• Pension - The only scheme into which employers in the industry will pay (on top your fees) to help you be more financially comfortable when you retire.
• Belonging - Your membership shows a commitment to your vocation. Your Equity card is a sign of your professionalism.
• Contribute - Equity means better conditions for you and your colleagues. Your views and ideas are heard and you can make a difference - so being in Equity means you can get more involved in how the industry operates.

Equity offers Student memberships which is really good because it offers young performers whom are studying in performing arts a chance to join a big company that could help them on their career path into the entertainment industry.




Costs:


Annual Adult Membership - It works in your annual salary.

• Earn less than £21,900 a year - membership  is £125.00 a year
• Earn between £21,900 and £37,600 - membership is £219.00 a year
• Earn between £37,600 and £62,700 - membership is £376.00 a year
• Earn between £62,700 and £94,100 - membership is £627.00 a year
• Earn between £94,100 and £125,400 - membership is £941.00 a year
• Earn between £125,400 and £156,800 - membership is £1254.00 a year
• Earn between £156,800 and £188,100 - membership is £1568.00 a year
• Earn between £188,100 and £219,500 - membership is £1881.00 a year
• Earn between £219,500 and £250,800 - membership is £2195.00 a year
• Earn between £250,800 and £100,000,000 - membership is £2508.00 a year

Costs for Equity Student Membership:


Your Annual membership fee is - £18.25 and the joining fee is £0.00


References: https://www.equity.org.uk/home/


BECTU


What is BECTU?


BECTU is the UK's media and entertainment trade union and, from 1st January 2017, a sector of Prospect; sectors covered include broadcasting, cinema, film, digital media, independent production, leisure, IT and telecoms, theatre and the arts. BECTU provides a wide range of services to its circa 40,000 members, including:

• Negotiating pay, conditions and contracts with employers.
• Personal advice and representation for individual members.
• Advice and representation on health and safety.
• Benefits and services for BECTU members.
• Training support and courses.
• Networking events and career development opportunities.
• Union journal, Stage Screen and Radio, published four times a year.
• Website including members only area.

The membership for BECTU is voluntary, and anyone working or seeking employment in the sectors covered by BECTU can join the union online. The key aims of the union are to:

• Protect jobs
• Increase membership
• Win new recognition agreements
• Improve pay and conditions of service, including pensions.

Costs:


If you work in the media and entertainment industries, then you should of the BECTU Sector of Prospect. As their membership is broad and diverse a number of options apply. The standard introductory subscription for new members is £10 a month whether you're an employee or a freelancer (either a sole trader, or a limited company) you can join online now. BECTU also offers a student membership for students planning a career in the media and entertainment sectors. The Student register is a contact scheme which builds on our good relations with students and their tutors and helps with preparation for work in their sectors. Registration is free.


References: https://www.bectu.org.uk/home




ITC Arts:




What is ITC?


ITC is the management association for theatre's independent sector. They are a community of peers spread across the UK working in drama, dance, opera and musical theatre, mime and physical theatre, circus, puppetry, street arts and mixed media. ITC exists to enable the creation of high quality professional performing arts by supporting, representing and developing those who manage and produce it. ITC welcomes all theatre professionals who share their values and their membership agreement.




ITC Membership Agreement and Values

• That the performing arts have the power and potential to change lives
• That the performing arts should be available to the many not the few
• That the performing arts thrive when people are put before profit
• The value of contributing to a community of performing arts professionals

ITC provides their members with unlimited advice on a full range of legal, managerial and financial tops including: Copyright, employment, contracts, tax, business planning, organisational structure and staff development. They offer a strong voice for the UK performing arts sector, a range of tailored professional development opportunities including in-house and online, DBS disclosure service, National and regional networking events and industry conferences, access to online helpsheets on contarcts, employment laws, finance and much more and finally personal support and guidance through the Company Registration and Charitable Status.
ITC offers two types of memberships: Organisation membership and Independent membership. The organisation membership is for members who are at all stages of their development.










Rates of Pay:


ITC / EQUITY PERFORMERS & STAGE MANAGERS

• Minimum Weekly Salary for 2017/18 - £458.00
• Commuting Costs for 2017/18 - £23.15
• Commuting Costs Maximum per week for 2017/18 - £119.75 (London), £97.25 (Outside London).
• Relocation Costs for 2017/18 - £119.75 (London), £97.25 (Outside London).
• Accomodation: Daily where company members arranged hotel/B&B - £37.90
• Accomodation: Daily where company member stays with friends etc. (not own home) - £11.95
• Meals: Daily where breakfast is provided - £16.90
• Meals: Daily where breakfast is not provided - £23.95
• Weekly Touring Allowance for 2017/18 - £288.75

ITC / EQUITY DIRECTORS:

• Preparatory Fee: Full Length Play for 2017/18 - £1498.00
• Preparatory Fee: Short Play for 2017/18 - £1036.00
• Rehearsals: Weekly Payment for 2017/18 - £458.00
• Artistic/ Resident Directors: Weekly Pay for all duties for 2017/18 - £557.00

ITC / EQUITY DESIGNERS:

• Design Fee for 2017/18 - £2509.00
• Making: Weekly Fee for building set and other duties for 2017/18 - £491.50

ITC / EQUITY CHOREOGRAPHERS:

• Preparation & up to 2 weeks' rehearsal: Minimum fee for 2017/18 - £1850.50
• More than 2 weeks' rehearsal: Weekly fee for 2017/18 - £458.00
• More than 2 weeks' rehearsal: Daily rate for 2017/18 - £148.50
• Session Rate (max. 3 hours) for 2017/18 - £95.70

ITC / EQUITY FIGHT DIRECTORS:

• Session rate for 2017/18 - £86.00 and for 2018/19 - £89.00

ITC / WGGB: WRITERS:

• Full length play for 2017/18 - £8700.00
• Play under 70 minutes in length for 2017/18 - £5793.00
• Play under 30 minutes in length for 2017/18 - £2897.00
• Minimum royalty (Clause I 7.2) for 2017/18 - £58.90
• Royalty threshold (Clause 11 A.3) for 2017/18 - £58600.00
• Meal Allowance (Clause II A.4c) for 2017/18 - £16.80
• Management Participation Threshold (Clause II A.5) for 2017/18 - £33465.00
• Additional day rate (Clause II B.2vii) for 2017/18 - £63.20
• Pre/post show discussions (Clause II B.2xi) for 2017/18 - £63.20
• Option purchase (Clause II.C.4b) for 2017/18 - Exclusive rights after 1st year: £836.00 and for Non-exclusive after 2nd year: £168.00

ITC / UNITE: ADMINISTRATORS:

• Minimum weekly salary for 2017/18 - £458.00

News Access (News Bulletins, News Items in News Magazines)

• Transmission time up to 2 minutes for BBC TV (no payment), ITV (no payment), PACT* (no payment), BBC RADIO (no payment).
• Transmission time over 2 minutes for BBC TV (£34.20), ITV (£27.79), PACT* (£29.00), BBC RADIO (£24.40).

Magazines, Features & Documentary Programmes

• Transmission time up to 3 minutes for BBC TV (£51.30), ITC (£43.00), PACT* (£43.00), BBC RADIO (£38.90)
• Transmission time between 3 and 5 minutes for BCC TV (£78.10), ITC (£66.00), PACT* (£66.00), BBC RADIO (£85.50).
• Transmission time up to 10 minutes for BBC TV (£603.00), ITC (N/A), PACT* (£220.00), BBC RADIO (N/A).
• Max call time (including travel time) for BBC TV (3 hours), ITC (3 hours), PACT* (3 hours), BBC RADIO (N/A).

Production People:


Production people can supply, design and install custom audio visual systems to organisations, businesses and places of worship - tailored to your needs. This could include anything from a projector and screen or a plasma in an office meeting or training room to a digital signage display and sound system in a retail shop or reception area. They pride themselves on keeping abreast of developments in technology and being amongst the first companies to bring new products to market. Their team are professional, knowledgeable, approachable and they will meet and exceed your expectations.


They have one of the largest stocks of projectors for hire in Bristol - including a unique range of ultra-short throws. These require half the projection distance of a standard projector - ideal where the space is tight in a meeting room. All their equipment is of high standard and is regularly serviced. Their technicians are professional, friendly, smartly presented service. You will also find that they are very competitively priced.


For more information you have to contact them across there contact details that are shown on their website.


How do the companies interrelate?


The 5 companies that I have spoken about all interrelate in a way because they all offer help for Performing Arts based things. Such as Advertisement and knowledge on different ways they could help you be more professional and approachable to help you therefore exceed your expectations. 


Furthermore they also offer a range of memberships varying in price between each company and some companies do offer better contract with them. This could then make you want to go with a particular company based on the different things they can offer you and how they can suit your needs as a performer or performing business owner.