VSTA - Victorian Screen Technician’s Association

Presidents Report 2008 AGM

27th Jul 08

Welcome to the second Annual General Meeting of the Victorian Screen Technicians Association. We are continuing our "tradition" by combining the AGM with a social get-together and are pleased that you are all here today. My name is Ian Dewhurst and I am the outgoing President of VSTA.

To recap briefly for some of you who may not be aware of the history behind VSTA...
The group was formed back in September 2005 when a group of us got together to start what was primarily a Lobby Group. This stemmed from crew complaints and dissatisfaction in Victoria combined with a call for greater unity within our community. This informal group was known as The Committee and in November 2005 a ballot was held to elect a Film Crew & Technician Representative Committee. In August 2006 the group became an Incorporated (Not for Profit) Association and took the name VSTA. - Victorian Screen Technicians Association.

Over the course of this year, our membership has increased to 43. (Currently there are 28 financial members of VSTA and 15 non financial members.) It remains a primary goal of the association to increase our membership so as to be truly representative of the crew community. This association was formed by CREW for CREW. It is not a Union, and it is more than a lobby group. It is a place where YOU can have a voice and influence the future direction of our industry, a place where YOU can access information and support, a place where YOU can contribute towards building a stronger sense of community and a place where YOU can be involved in creating a regular social calendar.

Over the last 3 years, the earlier committee, and the current committee of VSTA have been very proactive. We have continued to meet with and maintain an open dialogue with Film Victoria and the Melbourne Film Office. After participating in Film Victoria's Sector Survey last year, VSTA was briefed extensively on the outcomes. In conjunction with Film Victoria and as a result of some other initiatives from Open Channel, The Working Party and our local Industry Training Board, the issue of training and skills recognition is beginning to be addressed. Representatives from the committee have attended a number of seminars & discussion groups and recently the VSTA Committee submitted to Film Victoria a proposal for a training scheme. A copy of this paper is available for download to VSTA members on the website's forum.

We are hopeful that before the end of the year, a clear Victorian Film Industry Training Plan will be developed. We urge all our members who might want more information or for those of you who would like to participate in the development of the Training Plan, to visit our website or to contact a member of the committee. I would like to thank publicly Lex Martin for his work in preparing the VSTA Training Scheme Proposal. Well done Lex!

The issue of training has also been taken up by the Victorian Film & TV Industry Working Party. The Working Party is made up of representatives from SPAA, the Screen Services Association of Victoria, the Australian Screen Directors Association, the Australian Writers Guild, the Australian Screen Editors, the MEAA (the Union), the Australian Cinematographers Association and VSTA. Our representatives, Victoria Conners-Bell and Sue Marriott have been attending the Working Party meetings, ensuring that crew and technician's views have been taken into account on various initiatives - including lobbying for the MIFF Production Fund and the TV Pilot Production Fund announced in recent state budgets.

Several VSTA members attended the inaugural MINDSHIFT forum held at the BMW Edge a few months back. MINDSHIFT is a Film Victoria initiative and Jason Byrne represented us on the Discussion Panel. There was a healthy debate about the direction of the industry which focused around Robert Connolly's White Paper. It is planned that these forums (the first of which was hosted by Jenny Brockie from SBS) will become regular quarterly events and we encourage VSTA members and all crew to get involved. Details about the next MINDSHIFT Forum will be posted on our website once they have been confirmed.

I have mentioned the VSTA website a number of times, Jason Byrne and Andrew Jerram will speak shortly about our new website and provide an interactive demonstration. The development of our new website has been largely down to these two gentlemen and on behalf of the committee; I'd like to express our thanks to them for their efforts. It is a great resource for VSTA members and non members can get involved on the public forum too! I encourage all crew to visit the forum regularly - it is a place where we can communicate openly to each other as colleagues and privately as members of VSTA.

Earlier work of the committee included a submission to Film Victoria regarding the PIAF (Production Incentive Attraction Fund) and the RLAF (Regional Locations Attraction Fund) Guidelines. While the changes included in our submission have not been incorporated into the current guidelines, we have seen a significant increase in the amount of drama production in Victoria and the ratio of local crew employed on these projects has also increased.

And for the first time in a long time, The Union has involved crew outside of its membership, via the booking agents, in negotiations; specifically regarding the recent US Spielberg Production, ‘The Pacific' and the US production of ‘Knowing'. VSTA acknowledges the work of the MEAA as a positive step forward to ensure that the crew are consulted and heard.

VSTA has also made available to members, a comprehensive info pack specific to the issues of:
-ABN, PTY LTD, verses Sole Trader and PAYG;
-Superannuation,
-Public Liability & other insurances,
-And Workcover
Affectionately known as The Production Monster, it is a valuable resource. Thanks largely to the work of Anna Johnson (we all thank you Anna) it goes a long way to demystifying these issues. All members should download their copy from the website; however you should recognise that the Production Monster does not take the place of independent legal and financial advice specific to your own circumstances.

In keeping with our goal to increase social opportunities for crew outside of private celebrations and gatherings, VSTA held their inaugural "Day on the Greens". We had a great afternoon down at the St. Kilda Bowling Club on the 20 April with many members bringing colleagues, family and friends. We all enjoyed the opportunity to sip a beer, bowl barefoot on the greens and snack on the tasty snags cooked to perfection by our BBQ'ing cook extraordinaire - Adrian Kortus. He has his apron on again today! So let's hear a cheer of appreciation for Adrian in recognition for his culinary skills! VSTA intends on making "A Day on the Greens" an annual event, providing a day of fun for all, including the kids with dedicated activities and entertainment to keep them busy while we grown ups mingle. Later this year and into 2009, VSTA aims to hold more social events to unite our community. We also plan further Open Forums and Guest Speaker Events specific to the issues facing us all and to address ways we can improve the conditions and everyday life for crew. If you have an idea for a social event or a topic for a future Open Forum, we'd love to hear form you!

A second batch of VSTA stickers are available here today. Make sure you grab your free sticker and join the many crew that are proudly displaying them on them on their bumper bars and truck doors.

Not all of what we have been able to achieve can be held up as tangible results. Much of our success relates directly to us creating and maintaining a dialogue with the state government and other institutions. We've asked them to open their doors to us and listen to what challenges are facing Victorian crew and we have firmly secured our place at the table.

In addition to developing our information and support resources and increasing our social activities, the ongoing agenda items of VSTA are:
- To continue our involvement with the Working Party in addressing the issues of script development, production finance, and distribution & exhibition,
- To continue to work with all the parties involved with the development of an effective Training Program and Skills Recognition Scheme,
- And to work towards bringing the issue of Freelance rates Vs Award Rates to the table. We would like to explore ways that the award can be brought more in line with current freelance rates. We see this as essential issue. It is the belief of the committee that if award rates were increased then productions seeking finance would be better able to meet the demands of an "ambitious" budget and meet the creative elements of a script.

Before I wrap up, I would like to thank a few more people. Firstly, our outgoing Treasurer Jannine Barnes for all her work in effectively keeping the financial aspects of VSTA in order! Job well done Jannine! We are sorry that you are unable to continue on the 2008/2009 committee, aside from your diligent booking keeping, you have made a valuable contribution as a member of VSTA and the committee. You will be missed.

Thank you too, to all our outgoing committee members, participation is key to our association and you have all made positive contributions one way or another.

On behalf of the committee I would also like to thank our joint secretaries and agent representatives, Caroline Logan and Michelle Wells. Without you girls we would be lost. Thanks for all your hard work behind the scenes and for supporting VSTA.

And last but not least, on behalf of the Committee and the members of VSTA, I would like to acknowledge the support of Film Victoria, our corporate sponsors and event sponsors. Without your involvement the financial position of VSTA would not be as certain. We look forward to your continued support and involvement in the first ever Victorian Screen Technicians Association.

VSTA gives us all a chance to be a part of our industry community. Together, we can make a difference!

VSTA is currently staffed by volunteers and managed by elected committee members who also volunteer their time. While the activities undertaken by VSTA to date have affected significant change, we would be able to achieve much, much more with appropriate systems and people in place to help share the workload. To that end, I encourage you to become a member of VSTA and to consider nominating for the committee. There are a number of vacancies; Brendan Campbell will explain more about that shortly.

If you would like to know more about how you can become a member, speak to any of the committee members, or visit the website. It is that easy.

Before I hand back to Brendan, I would like to mention that while I am stepping down as president, I intend to stand again as a committee member. I have enjoyed my time as president, but feel the time is right for someone new to step into the role. I look forward to working with the 2008/2009 committee and hope to see some fresh faces on the committee in addition to a larger membership base.

Thanks for your time today.

IAN DEWHURST - VSTA President (Outgoing)