New Mexico Background Actor's Union
- by: New Mexico Actors
- recipient: To Provide Protection For New Mexico Background Actors
Dear Sir
Are background actors or "movie extras" the new peons of the New Mexico Film Industry? In the dictionary, "peons" are described as "a menial worker, a drudge", and that's the way many New Mexico men and women who work as background actors in the booming New Mexico movie industry view the treatment they receive at the hands of the movie companies.
Two major components in making a film are the crew and the cast. Background actors are considered "cast" by most, but do not receive equal consideration in food, shelter, transportation, and salary. The following is just a few examples:
Unionized workers are provided with basic shelter; with air-conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter. Background actors sometimes are not; On some sets, food that is prepared for main actors and crews is of better quality than that fed the background actors, and even the leftovers are destroyed rather than be shared with the background actors. They may eat steaks while the background actors get sandwiches. Unionized workers are provided transportation and housing while the movie is in production: Background actors are not.
Consider the current gas prices, and what it must cost the average background actor to drive an hour or more to the set?
While there is a minimum wage established in Santa Fe and in New Mexico as a whole, many production companies do not follow these laws. Background actors are sometimes asked to work twelve hours with no transportation, housing, or adequate food, and paid only $50. The movie companies seem to be able to take advantage of those people who are intrigued "being in a movie" and even ask that the background actors work for free. Amazingly, some do, and this causes further harm to the future of the background artists in New Mexico.
The true hard facts are that New Mexico men and women who want to work in the film industry here are not being given the same considerations as those who work in Los Angeles, New York, Canada, and other major film production areas. Background actors are being asked to perform union jobs, such as running through fires, precision driving etc. and being paid background artist wages for such roles. A typical day in one of the more established markets would go like this: The first eight hours background actors would be paid straight time; from eight hours to twelve hours it is time and a half; and after that wages are doubled. Some productions that are receiving state incentives are not following these guidelines, or even coming close. Some productions are not abiding by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Some productions are requiring background actors to supply their own multiple wardrobes, without compensation. With all our state incentives, why aren't background actors in New Mexico protected by a union?
As stated above, quality food, shelter, housing, and transportation reimbursements, and compensation are not always being given to the background actors, who are mostly hard working citizens of New Mexico, and do not wish to be the "new peons", menial workers, drudges, in the booming film industry in this state.
Fellow Concerned New Mexican Voter and Citizen
If you agree to the letter above please sign the Petition
Thank you
Ký thỉnh nguyện thưKý thỉnh nguyện thưAre background actors or "movie extras" the new peons of the New Mexico Film Industry? In the dictionary, "peons" are described as "a menial worker, a drudge", and that's the way many New Mexico men and women who work as background actors in the booming New Mexico movie industry view the treatment they receive at the hands of the movie companies.
Two major components in making a film are the crew and the cast. Background actors are considered "cast" by most, but do not receive equal consideration in food, shelter, transportation, and salary. The following is just a few examples:
Unionized workers are provided with basic shelter; with air-conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter. Background actors sometimes are not; On some sets, food that is prepared for main actors and crews is of better quality than that fed the background actors, and even the leftovers are destroyed rather than be shared with the background actors. They may eat steaks while the background actors get sandwiches. Unionized workers are provided transportation and housing while the movie is in production: Background actors are not.
Consider the current gas prices, and what it must cost the average background actor to drive an hour or more to the set?
While there is a minimum wage established in Santa Fe and in New Mexico as a whole, many production companies do not follow these laws. Background actors are sometimes asked to work twelve hours with no transportation, housing, or adequate food, and paid only $50. The movie companies seem to be able to take advantage of those people who are intrigued "being in a movie" and even ask that the background actors work for free. Amazingly, some do, and this causes further harm to the future of the background artists in New Mexico.
The true hard facts are that New Mexico men and women who want to work in the film industry here are not being given the same considerations as those who work in Los Angeles, New York, Canada, and other major film production areas. Background actors are being asked to perform union jobs, such as running through fires, precision driving etc. and being paid background artist wages for such roles. A typical day in one of the more established markets would go like this: The first eight hours background actors would be paid straight time; from eight hours to twelve hours it is time and a half; and after that wages are doubled. Some productions that are receiving state incentives are not following these guidelines, or even coming close. Some productions are not abiding by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Some productions are requiring background actors to supply their own multiple wardrobes, without compensation. With all our state incentives, why aren't background actors in New Mexico protected by a union?
As stated above, quality food, shelter, housing, and transportation reimbursements, and compensation are not always being given to the background actors, who are mostly hard working citizens of New Mexico, and do not wish to be the "new peons", menial workers, drudges, in the booming film industry in this state.
Fellow Concerned New Mexican Voter and Citizen
If you agree to the letter above please sign the Petition
Thank you
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