Call for Action

Picture taken from Google Pictures.

The television and media industry might be known as the glitz and the glam to some but for those who work in it have a different view. We often hear that television entertain is there to create an escapism for the audience. A chance to just take a break from the daily realties and live some their fantasies through the dramas they consume.

The current state of the South African economy is not a healthy one. Financial analysts have hinted that we are just a blink away from junk status. It only makes sense that creative professionals that work in our television and entertainment industry get some of the simple benefits that come with being employed such as medical aids and less tax deductions. Actors and independent contractors pay 25% of their income to tax as the industry itself is not regulated. In September 2018, veteran actress Florence Masebe made a speech in parliament detailing the amount of exploitation that actors face in this country. How some are afraid of speaking up as that might in most cases result to bullying and often being blacklisted.

Picture taken from News24.com

 

 “Giving economic rights to actors is not a mistake. It is something that should have been part of the system all these years but unfortunately the focus of our industry is never the actor but always the pockets of broadcasters and the producers while zero consideration is given to the actor’s earnings and dignity”

Her speech did not cause any spark of change but history has the tendency of repeating itself. On the 7^th October 2019 another well-known actress, Vatiswa Ndara decided to speak her truth about the state of the industry but this time around wrote an open letter addressing Minsiter of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa. Twitter was bought to a standstill as some were agreeing with what the letter said and some were shocked. Her six page heartfelt letter went into detail of how much actors earn, the hours they spent on set and some of the set treatments they have to deal with on a daily bases from producers. Ndara called the Minister to intervene and even describe the matter as a state of emergency saying we cannot continue to sit back and watch good actors die poor, and not knowing where their next project will come up.

Picture taken from Vatiswa's Instagram page

 

The Minister did respond to her letter and reports have been made about Vatiswa meeting with him to discuss a way forward. Only time will tell if those discussions have made it possible to implement some much needed changes within the media industry.

David Gordan, who has been a Head Writer for High Rollers and Isidingo to name a few and has been in the industry for more than ten years says our industry is under pressure because the economy is not great, but that’s still no excuse for the what artists are paid. This is not only an actors issue but an industry issue. Those who work in behind the scenes face the same pressure if not more than actors. He goes into detail on because broadcasters give out small budgets for content and yet expect Hollywood quality final product, producers are finding ways to stay afloat, make profit all while making sure that people get market value salaries.

 

 “I predict that the "race to the bottom" will continue and artists will end up doing more for less, spreading themselves thinner and thinner, lowering their own quality of life and the quality of what our industry is able to produce. And producers will continue to replace us at the drop of a hat for people who can do it cheaper, because doing it better doesn’t seem to matter that much anymore.”

What is the way forward?

Firstly, artists need to stand together and be open about what they earn and engage in useful debate as to whether what they earn is in any way sustainable or good. Producers and channel have all the power over artists that they need if they muzzle them and don't allow artists to reveal what they earn. Artists are almost embarrassed to talk about money, and that weakens the fight to a better paying and working environments in the industry.

Secondly, there needs legal protection that grants artist residuals. In no other way will anyone in this industry be able to build a career, build a life around their art, and do the serious work that will uplift this industry and this nation. The need for legislation will allow artist to strike and would make replacing them illegal. Remember the Generations16? 16 actors decided to down tools over salaries and residuals, although this caused a much needed conversation, it didn’t stop the broadcasters from replacing all of them with new cast members. The Department of Labour was not able to intervene as the department itself doesn’t understand the running engine of the TV Industry which goes back to the importance of making sure that the industry gets regulated. Once this is done,  

We need a system that allows people to achieve financial security so that they can start giving back to the industry and mentor the next generation. Currently the situation is that anyone coming into the industry in put into direct competition with the people who should be training them. If broadcasters and investors want quality content and exceptional final product, they have to put the money where their mouth is. At the end of the day this is professional career to creative and people want to be able to enjoy their jobs while making sure that they are able to provide a quality life for their families.

Lastly, artists should include every single person who works in the industry in this fight. Separating themselves and having camps will only slow the process of change. At the moment this gives an impression that only actors are subjected to the low pay and ill treatment. It indirectly tells who are outside the industry that crew members and writers are treated much better and that results to having people feel certain kind artists are more important than others.

Creative industry an impossibly be one of the industries that can help decrease the unemployment rate in South Africa. The rise of social media has created another avenue for income opportunities and faster ways of consuming content. 

Like Lee Daniel says, “This is show business. At the end of the day, I have to treat my production as a business and some business decisions will not sit well with everyone. “