Following several days of negotiations the Canadian Film and Television Production Association (CFTPA), Association des producteurs de films et de television du Quebec (APFTQ) and ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) announced that they have reached a renewed Independent Production Agreement (IPA).
Producers have agreed to ACTRA's wage proposal. Performers will receive a 10% increase in compensation over the new agreement's three-year term. Performers will be compensated for the use of their work on the Internet. Producers will share 3.6% of revenues received from the use of productions on the Internet, tracked separately. The parties agreed on how producers will compensate performers appearing in productions specifically produced for the Internet. An agreed provision will allow certain producers to accumulate use fee payments until a "re-opener" two years from now.
Producers and ACTRA have reached agreement on a number of important improvements to work rules on set, including improved language governing equal opportunities for employment, harassment, rules governing child performers and working conditions on set.
Incentives provided in the agreement to encourage low-budget, 100% Canadian independent production were updated. Budget thresholds to qualify for these incentives and other terms were brought up to date.
Rules governing the number of background performers were nationally harmonized, providing more of a level playing field in this area between Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Under the new rules producers working under the IPA in major centers will hire 25 background performers for large-budget features, and 20 for most other productions.
The three-year agreement is subject to ratification, however the agreed-upon rates take effect immediately. This collective agreement covers all the terms and conditions of employment with respect to all film and television production in Canada, except for British Columbia which has a separate collective agreement.
ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) is a national organization of professional performers working in the English-language recorded media in Canada. ACTRA represents the interests of 21,000 members across Canada -- the foundation of Canada's highly acclaimed professional performing community.
The CFTPA is a non-profit trade organization that works on behalf of almost 400 companies engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films, and interactive media products in all regions of Canada.
The APFTQ represents more than 130 independent film and television production companies in Quebec. These corporations are specialized in feature film, advertising film and any genre of TV production (animation, drama, documentary, variety). The Association negotiates all collective agreements with artists and technicians associations and acts on behalf of its members with government and industry organizations.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
