DIRECTORS UK ELECTION STATEMENT FROM BILL CLARK

Thanks for taking the time to read this expansion of my election statement.

I am standing because I am concerned that, in the wake of Covid, Brexit and, what I believe, is the current government’s complete disinterest in our industry, within the independent feature film sector, in the reporting and accounting of the performance of our work, we as directors, do not have enough protection either financially or contractually.

For some time I have become frustrated by the levels of report I receive on the feature films I have made. Despite the fact that they are with bonafide distributors throughout the world and available on multi broadcast and web platforms I am left in the dark about their performance and rarely receive updates on how the films are performing. My complaint is not that I do not receive enough money - it is that I receive or no information on how my work is performing or how the ledgers are stacking up.

Directors UK has, in the past, produced a number of documents and agreements on this subject: the minimum terms document, the PACT agreements, Directors pay campaign and the failed European Parliament copyright debate. But Brexit and many other gender, workplace and social based issues have come to the fore and pushed rights and remuneration issues back into the shadows. I would like to see them brought more into the light.

I believe that, for too long, we have sold the birthright of our work for a few beans and we should have the right to share in that work’s success as partners rather than employees. In this post pandemic world, we as the creators of entertainment need to put a stop to the exploitation of our enthusiasm by those who would use us without adequate respect or compensation.

So, if elected to the board, I will lobby for the following four point plan:

  • The establishment of a working group to to look into the copyright, participation and reporting rights of independent Directors.
  • The extension of the Directors minimum terms document to include these areas and the encouragement of independent producers to sign up to it.
  • An opportunity for independent Directors to air grievances on specific remuneration and creative rights issues and a greater involvement of DUK to champion justified causes.
  • The establishment of a mechanical process that gives independent Directors an opportunity to pursue, legally, the right to receive accurate performance and financial reporting on their work. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope I count on your vote.

Bill Clark

Rutland July 2021




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