Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Yet More Hobbit

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  • Emma Hart,

    What are you saying about Emma -- don't forget Gwen Cooper is a married woman with a bub, and she's pissed off to the States to boot. :)

    I can't fucking STAND Gwen Cooper. In related news, OMG Ianto.

    Pointless threadjacking trivia: John Barrowman and his husband Scott had to move because they were constantly being woken up by tourist boat speaker systems right outside their apartment block saying, "And this is where John Barrowman lives..."

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Vulcanism is not necessarily illogical...

    There is no implication that it's a volcano, which would after all be a fucking stupid place to build a massive mine complex, not least because there would be no jewels to be mined, and the chances of the entire thing flooding with hot magma would be off-putting.

    One of the major sources of diamonds is from Volcanic Pipes which bring them up in magma
    and then solidify, admittedly Kimberlite and
    Lamproite pipes don't create a massive mountain, but ya have to factor in that Hobbits are short so maybe it is all relative...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Tim Michie,

    If there's a Captain thread-Jack here I'm unsure if I posted his sister pushing the barrow man.

    Also, more ambivalently, this.

    As LBGP said, this is this.

    Auckward • Since Nov 2006 • 614 posts Report Reply

  • Graham Dunster,

    Gordon Campbell has done a good objective overview of the situation, which I recommend any thinking person read. http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/10/06/gordon-campbell-on-the-end-game-for-the-hobbit/ (Sorry, haven't worked out how to embed the link...)

    Auckland • Since Nov 2009 • 184 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    I thought Sarah Jane Smith was just a recurring companion (and K-9 a robodog) not a relative
    of either Cap'n Jack or the Doctor, are you are
    thinking of Jack's daughter, Alice, last seen in
    Children of Earth.

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    Lamproite pipes don't create a massive mountain, but ya have to factor in that Hobbits are short so maybe it is all relative...

    If I remember The Silmarillion correctly, Middle Earth's terra-forming was the result of demi-god conflicts, so it needn't be geologically correct. But the way that it's described, I just can't think of any real mountain I've ever seen that resembles it. Maybe the Matterhorn.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Gordon Campbell has done a good objective overview of the situation, which I recommend any thinking person read.

    Waay ahead of you there, Graham. We've been discussing it upthread :-)

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sam F,

    If I remember The Silmarillion correctly, Middle Earth's terra-forming was the result of demi-god conflicts, so it needn't be geologically correct.

    Link related...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic,

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Cox,

    Something has (I think) been added to the actor's equity site to the Friday 1st press release.

    “Advice we have received today from Miriam Dean QC, a senior barrister specialising in competition law, confirms our views that:

    “There’s no legal impediment to negotiating fair wages and terms for actors taken on as employees.
    “Nothing in the Act prohibits us from having some meaningful engagement with the producers on non-price terms for actors taken on as independent contractors, such as rolling credits to acknowledge New Zealand actors' input into the movie.
    "Nor does the Act prohibit us from discussing pricing in general terms with the producers to enable us to help our independent contractor members in their individual negotiations with producers. The Union accepts that these could only be recommended prices - nothing more.

    Either I'm losing my mind (always possible) or that wasn't there before. But anyway, that's a bit clearer at least.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 312 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Gordon Campbell has done a good objective overview of the situation

    I'd say "useful" rather than "objective" (guess whose views are always "self-serving" or variants thereof), but still worth a look.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Jonathan King,

    “Nothing in the Act prohibits us from having some meaningful engagement with the producers ..."

    So what is prohibiting you from engagement "with the producers" then? Not returning SPADA's calls for one ...

    The Union accepts that these could only be recommended prices - nothing more.

    HANG ON! Wasn't the 'problem' that the Pink Book was only a recommendation, and they wanted something that could be 'enforced'. If we're back to recommendations, then what is wrong with the Pink Book framework?

    Since Sep 2010 • 185 posts Report Reply

  • Pat Hackett,

    In other words, Miriam Dean took a look at the MEAA contract and told them they were kidding themselves if they thought it would fly in NZ for actors who operate as independent contractors.

    Auckland • Since Oct 2010 • 95 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    HANG ON! Wasn't the 'problem' that the Pink Book was only a recommendation, and they wanted something that could be 'enforced'. If we're back to recommendations, then what is wrong with the Pink Book framework?

    Um ... what?

    This is bizarre. But in another way, somewhat encouraging.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Pat Hackett,

    Its game over. AE have got nothing left to fight with now. Good luck to them trying to get their members to continue the boycott until they have discussions with Three Foot Seven about some un-enforceable recommended prices and nudity clauses.

    Has anyone at AE broken the news to Simon Whipp yet? About the pesky legalee taxee stuff we have in NZ that makes the MEAA contract only good for fish and chip paper?

    Auckland • Since Oct 2010 • 95 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Actually, the Scoop version is the same, so it has been there all along.

    I think we were fooled because the spokespeople said something different altogether.

    That and the fact that IrishBill has been arguing that they can have binding contracts.

    Still not really any the wiser what the union wants. But could they just talk to Spada? Please?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Jonathan King,

    Its game over. AE have got nothing left to fight with now.

    I have actually come to the conclusion that their current strategy is have The Hobbit go elsewhere to Show How Serious They Are.

    Since Sep 2010 • 185 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Cox,

    I think we were fooled because the spokespeople said something different altogether.

    It sure seemed that way to me. This is all just... very, very odd.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 312 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Cox,

    I have actually come to the conclusion that their current strategy is have The Hobbit go elsewhere to Show How Serious They Are.

    Actually, I'm of the opinion Actor's Equity have simply been taken a bit by surprise by it all as well, and simply haven't had the time and resources to deal with this thing in a way they themselves would be happy with.

    But then again, that's got to the MEAA's fault, for throwing this at them, not Actor's Equity or people tasked with having to go out there and defend it, who, inspite of everything else have done so with a great deal of passion and conviction (because what other choice do they have?).

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 312 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    But then again, that's got to the MEAA's fault, for throwing this at them, not Actor's Equity or people tasked with having to go out there and defend it, who, inspite of everything else have done so with a great deal of passion and conviction (because what other choice do they have?).

    I do wonder. I also wonder about the depth of understanding of the actors who voted. If they read Chris Trotter, they'll still be thinking the "don't work" order drafted by Simon Whipp is really nothing more than a fraternal note of support from their union colleagues, rather than a boycott.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I think we were fooled because the spokespeople said something different altogether.

    It sure seemed that way to me. This is all just... very, very odd.

    Well, they've constantly used words like "enforceable", and Robyn Malcolm said they wanted an agreement that wasn't "Hobbit-specific" ...

    Don't know. Just don't know.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    On Facebook now:

    Dear New Zealand Actors Equity,

    I am writing to propose a meaningful solution to this destructive and very public spat regarding contracts on the 'Hobbit.'

    I am sure I will find no argument from you when I say this issue is having a negative and destructive effect on New Zealand's international reputation as a peaceful and productive location for making feature films.

    My proposition is this:

    Immediately issue a press release stating that NZAE is now satisfied, and considers the matter happily closed.

    This is NOT a capitulation on your part. By all means, continue with vigour to negotiate with the relevant parties, and discuss the issues behind closed doors. It is a gesture of good faith on your part that will be respected and appreciated by those trying to get the feature made. It also allows everyone in the industry to step back from the brink, whilst saving 'face.'

    The effect of your announcement will be to remove the growing tensions and emotions from the situation, and allow SAG and others to lift the 'Do Not Work' Order imposed on the Hobbit. It would be very difficult for other Unions to argue for the continuation of the boycott, if NZAE declares it's self satisfied.
    You do not need to advise the MEAA of this move, as you so often point out, you are an autonomous entity, and in no way operated or manipulated by the MEAA.

    The speed at which you make the announcement is critical. Every day this issue continues, the sore keeps festering to the detriment of all, actors, crew and indeed, the New Zealand Film Industry.

    I understand and respect what you are aiming to achieve, however, the execution has fallen badly, and now encompasses so many more careers and lives.

    For the sake of everyone in New Zealand who is directly or indirectly financially dependent on the film industry, please consider my proposal, and end the 'public' controversy.

    Sincerely,

    Dean Knowsley
    Actor

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Cox,

    I do wonder. I also wonder about the depth of understanding of the actors who voted.

    Yeah, but I'm hopeful they'll slowly realise otherwise as more of this story comes out. There's some people I know and respect very highly for their intelligence who are completely in love with it, saying 'finally something cuts through the lies' type stuff. But I'm pretty sure they'll realise what's going on soon enough. They're not stupid. Just passionate for their cause.

    The problem is that currently, in their heads they're focused on what they want to achieve when they need to take a good hard look at how to achieve it.

    Anyway...

    There's also a lot of things I'd like to say about Chris Trotter's opinion, that is probably best left to Craig, who'd no doubt do a far better job than I could.

    EDIT, ADDED AFTER SEEING THE ABOVE STATEMENT:

    ...golly.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 312 posts Report Reply

  • Neil Morrison,

    It's possible SAG might not lift the boycott whatever AE do.

    Also, they will still be oblidged, I gather, to stop any of their members from working on what they consider a non-union film.

    Since Nov 2006 • 932 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Cox,

    I'm pretty sure once they understand the legal issue they'll drop the boycott straight away. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if they were thinking of dropping it unless AE emphatically ask them not to. Which is obviously going to be bit odd after publicly saying to everyone that it wasn't a boycott at all.

    I'll also be surprised if the MEAA and SAG weren't in discussion about that the last few days. I'd say they won't be happy if the legal situation has not been well presented to them. I'll tell you this: when we have legal discussion with the WGA, we make pretty damn sure to have the entirety of the facts straight with them. Even on minor issues. I hope for Simon Whipp's own sake he's done that.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 312 posts Report Reply

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