In the recent edition of Stage Screen and Radio, BECTU say "Help catch the rogue traders". Read a copy of the News item.
BECTU says:
The media union BECTU has always argued that anyone who carries out work for an employer must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage. This view is reflected in the newguidelines. Offending employers cannot now claim that they didn't realise they were breaking the law. If anyone spots an ad for a placement which appears to breach the Guidelines, BECTU asks them to alert the union by emailing full details to info[at]bectu.org.uk and putting 'WORK EXPERIENCE ABUSE' in the message header.
Here is the most recent guidance for scenes involving a weapon of any kind, including all imitation weapons.
With thanks to Film London, Metropolitan Police and Firearms in Production Working Party for allowing us to publish this on our website. See the Members Only Area for more info.
Boris Johnson annouces plans to harness the film industry, to boost London's economy and maintain the city's position as the cultural capital of the World. Thank you to the press office at Great London Authority for granting us permission to link to their press release. Read it here
Road Closures for filming - Dec 08
On 22 September 2008 the London Local Authorities (LLA) and Transport for London (TfL) Act 2008 became law.
This Act provides new legislation which means that road closures can be granted by the Traffic Authority specifically for the purpose of filming on London's streets and highways. For the full story, see the latest edition of Locate and for more detailed information and borough legislation, see the Film London website.
"There are increasing number of reported incidents in which Police Community Support Officers (PCO's) are attempting to stop street photography and order the deletion of photographs or the confiscation of cards, cameras or film on various specious grounds..." This is an extract from the Early Day Motion proposed by Austin Mitchell deploring the increase of these incidents.
With thanks to Chris Cheesman at Amateur Photographer, we have been granted permission to reproduce their article highlighting this potential problem. They also show a copy a recent anti terror campaign ad by the Metropolitan Police regarding those who take photos in a public place. It makes very interesting reading.
Any thoughts, comments or experiences, please let us know.
Please remember, if filming on the streets of London, to keep the Metropolitan Police aware of what you are planning to do, even if it's nothing unusual. Any filming involving firearms, whether inside or out, it is essential that the Police are informed. The Metropolitan Police Film Service Unit website has plenty of information.
The front page of the Autumn Winter edition of Locate highlights the need, in no uncertain terms, why it should become second nature for us to inform the local police of filming. Need persuading ? Then read this newslink about a Movie Shootout in Angola.
From 1st April, businesses that own empty space will be hit, as the government scraps business rates relief on empty buildings. Commercial property owners will have to pay full business rates on industrial properties that have been vacant for more than six months and other commercial premises that have been vacant for more than three months. This is a summary of a policy that has more detail.
One of our affiliates Unitbase have invested much time and effort researching and educating themselves about the impending changes in the rating laws, and the impact this will undoubtedly have on sourcing locations for productions.
Thank you to Charlie at Unitbase and to his client Adrian Rose at Atis Real for allowing us to publish their rates article. Please do notify us if you are experiencing problems as we know some productions have been affected already.
Further to the announcement in December that the Metropolitan Police Service Film Unit would no longer assist with traffic management, the following statement has been issued by the MPSFU, and has been sent to all Borough Operation Command Units throughout London.
It is lawful for a constable to use s163 (RTA 88) powers provided it is only for a short period. These holds will not need individual justification as there will always be a risk if an untrained person attempts to hold traffic or it was unmanaged.
The Film Unit remains of the opinion that the new legislation due to come into effect in March or April (hopefully) will make it far easier for film and television companies to obtain Traffic Management Orders or Notices for the purpose of filming. This will probably come with conditions from the local authorities that a Police Officer is present. These Orders or Notices put all parties on a firmer legal footing.
Presently we would like to be in the position that Police Officers are seen as the last consideration for legally controlling traffic. Where there is no other legal provision, Police Officers will be able to assist with these 'short holds' within the MPS. We would not wish for unaccredited or untrained personnel attempting to stop traffic thereby putting themselves at risk.
Nothing outlined above will allow Police Officers to close roads for long periods of time, which will remain the preserve of Traffic Management Orders and the Traffic Authority.
We are encouraging our individual BOCU Film Officers to request risk assessments and method statements for each filming event that it is proposed to take place, this is to make sure that we have a firm indication of what is planned. The vast majority of production companies already supply this information to Borough Film Officers and TFL as appropriate.
Events that the GLM has been involved with
GLM Supports Ile-de-France showcase in London - 25 September 2008
With the support of the Embassy of France in the UK and The Guild of Location Managers, the Ile-de-France Film Commission invited location managers and producers to a presentation at the Sofitel Saint James. A fascinating selection of locations were showcased from the Paris Film Commission, the National Monuments Centre, Palace of Versailles, MOD, SNCF and more. For the full story see the news page of the Ile de France website.
Launch evening of MOD's Film Locations Website
The MOD, affiliates of The Guild, have officially launched their new website. As the second largest landowner in the UK, with six hunderd thousand acres and forty five thousand buildings, makes it an ideal and unique organisation for sourcing locations.
Recent films made on the MOD Estate include The Duchess, the latest James Bond, Quantum of Solace and Shanghai, a thriller set in China prior to the WWII Pearl Harbour attack. The MOD website is managed by Tony Burlton and Caren Armstrong who act as the point of contact for all enquires and applications.
Following the closure of Wales Screen Commission's parent body Sgrîn in April 2006, the Commission has become part of the new co-ordinated service 'Creative Business Wales' within the Welsh Assembly Government. Report (pdf) from Film Commissioner Mike Wallwork.
Screen East like all screen agencies relies on funding to provide its FREE locations services. However to maintain those services we need to sustain, or even better, increase the number of shoot days in our region and that's where you can help:
By providing more accurate reporting we are likely to retain our funding and can therefore continue to provide you with a high level of service. We want to avoid the alternative!
Just keep in mind: shoot days = accurate reporting and funding = government incentives = healthy film & TV industry = jobs for location managers!
The Highlands and Islands Film Commission ask for your support for their objection to the proposal by Scottish and Southern Electricity to erect giant pylons (55-60 meters high) through some of the most scenic locations in the Highlands. Highland Council and the Cairngorm National Park are working together to put forward a case to the Public Inquiry for parts of the line to be underground. Trish Shorthouse from the Film Commission is standing as a witness to defend the scenic value of the landscape for filming. Please see the attached article here for some information on the case so far.
Members of the Guild including Mick Ratman, Leonora Sheppard and Luke Jackson have written letters of support. If you would like to add your voice please email Trish at Trish@scotfilm.org
The Results of the Public Enquiry held in Newtownmore in September will be known in 2008, when the inquiry report is scheduled to be made public. To read more about CRAP Cairngorms Revolt Against Pylons, click here.
The Beauly to Denny power line should be given the go-ahead as part of Scotland's commitment to reducing climate change, MSPs have recommended. Read the full story
Power line upgrade given go-ahead - read here
Our congratulations to Nick Daubeny who has won the Micheal Bacon Award for outstanding British contribution to cinema. The award is given in the Gift of the Academy and its primary purpose is to honour the talents of the individuals from the industry whose achievements are not usually recognised in the other award categories.
J. P. (Jean Pierre) Verard (name changed by deed poll from J.P. Neale), aka Luc Neale, Jason Fulton, James Clark and other aliases known to the police, was sentenced in March 2007. For more information read the story from the Daily Mail.
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