Shannon O'Neill

To all NSW Film and TV Industry technicians,

Please read this letter of explanation from the NSW Film Makers Group regarding our concerns and objectives for the state of our industry.
This concerns you all, and your assistance will be greatly appreciated.

NSW Film Makers Group update – June 1, 2006

A meeting was called 6 weeks ago when a group of concerned technicians met informally at Canal Road Film Centre. The significant lack of work in all areas of film and television production including television advertising, and the restriction of NSW technicians working in Victoria, had brought this small group together. Several members of the group had written to government expressing the plight of the industry. The group has now had 6 meetings and this letter is to update and inform those interested in the outcome of those meetings. The group has been communicating with the Victorian Guild and as a consequence an open letter has been sent and distributed by the technicians booking agents from the Victorian Guild, to all NSW technicians. This letter explains that it was not the intention of the Victorian Guild to stop any interstate technicians from working in Victoria. The group is still pursuing the reasons why NSW technicians were not welcome to work in Victoria.
The group has identified and recognized the core reasons why the film industry (including feature, TV and TVC’s) is in unprecedented depression. These are listed as follows -

* Support for the film industry by Governments is not effective.
* Location costs – council charges, service charges and location fees.
* Contractual arrangements for cast/extras.
* Technicians’ rates and conditions in Sydney.

The group also recognises that the problems that ail our industry are not unique to NSW. The group has discussed including all stakeholders -suppliers, actors, extras, writers, directors, producers, editors, post production houses, service providers, etc. – in helping with the endeavours of the group, because it is in everyone’s interest. The group recognizes that a technician only organisation will not be effective to try and solve the industries problems. Anyone or any organisation that is involved in the production of film and television, in any form, will be welcome to join the group. As this is a national issue, the group will also pioneer a nation wide filmmakers group, in conjunction with other state film groups.
The group’s objectives are focusing on the following -

* Encourage all contributors and stakeholders in the film and television industry to join the group.
* Create an electronic mechanism to allow the efficient and speedy communication of information to all those wishing to support the endeavours of the group.
* Engage a professional lobbyist and strategists to assist in communicating the group’s needs to all members and Government bodies and agents.

Two weeks ago, the group decided on a name for the organisation – The NSW Film Makers Group. This should be formalized within the next few weeks. Last week, the group formalised its’ vision statement and top 10 objectives. The group has been offered generous financial support from some technicians and suppliers. Canal Road Film Centre has very generously offered, not only considerable finances, but also office space and the address for the organisation. The group will also be advertising for a co-ordinater to assist with the formation of the organisation.
The group has received the lists from the booking agents 3 week ago with the names of all of those technicians keen to show their support for the group. Thanks to all of you who have offered help and support.

The group apologises to all of those that have felt left out. To be a success, the group will need everyone’s support but please be patient. Once the website and internet forum are up and going we can all communicate directly and information, input and the hard work can all be realized with a great deal more efficiency and speed. The structure and the management of the organization have not been formalised. Once we are all communicating we can then all have a say on who is to represent this organisation and what we want to say.

David Nichols on behalf of Ray Brown, Tristran Milani, Reg Garside, Sean Conway, Jane Griffin, Penny Baldwin, Anna Howard, Simon Williams, Michael Adcock, Adrien Seffrin, Nikki Long, John Osmond, Gary Lincloln, Paul Booth, Michi Marosszeky, Moses Fotofili, Geoff Wharton, Michael Phillips, Paul Arnott, Sally Eccleston, Jeremy Fitzgerald, Brian Breheny, David Lee, Matt Toll, Warren Grieef, KenHazelwood, Dugal Campbell, Harry Dakanalis, Paul Thompson, Richard Mason.

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