No Appetite for unpaid extras
Early casting call for SBS digital series was only going to cater Extras without any appearance fee -but that's now been rectified.
- Published by David Knox
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SBS has responded to a casting call for an upcoming SBS on Demand short, in which Extras were originally only going to be supplied with catering, and no remuneration.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports independent production company Fell Swoop Pictures posted a Facebook call for “bike riders (with own bike) to ‘BE AN EXTRA for SBS on Demand series!’”
6×10 min digital series Appetite sought participants available for one to two days between June 16 and July 1 in inner-city Sydney. International students were welcome. In return they would get a feed – and nothing else.
“Volunteer-basis,” the ad read. “Catered.”
Under Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance rates, extras are to be paid a day rate of $211.63. If employed by the hour the rate is $28.79, but they must be paid for a minimum of four hours ($115.16).
Appetite follows an unlikely trio of food delivery riders who find themselves entangled in a mystery to uncover the truth about the death of a fellow rider in the streets of Sydney and expose a multinational food delivery behemoth.
“A social media call out for volunteers by the production company commissioned for short form digital series Appetite has since been removed,” an SBS spokesperson said. “SBS can confirm those performing work on the production will be paid, in line with the production team’s contractual obligations.”
A Screen Australia spokesperson also said, “…the production team are aware of their obligations in relation to crew remuneration as per the terms of the Production Grant Agreement”.
Photo: stock image
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One Response
It’s not the only show or something from a big brand that uses un paid talent, extras and crew still. It doesn’t happen as much. And I can understand how budgets are tight and makers are poor and sometimes necessity calls for it. But most others should be able to. But I tell you I’m still in hope that I’ll get paid for my role in a famous Vance Joy video. Also amazes me that every single person involved with a feature film gets a credit even the person who brings a coffee to the person who drives the grip to stage does. But extras/background still to this day never get a credit. That needs to change.