Perhaps we all need to put the diversity glasses on and replace our existing president, vice-pres, coucillors, etc who vastly seem to be very white lot. Forget elections, forget democracy,,,,,, get rid of them and replace them with a more diverse group.
@LauzonJani,." submit your ideas to the National Diversity Committee". Shame on you for submitting ACTRA issues to the world on Youtube. This is not a public issue and should have been handled "in house". What you have done now is you've shown the entire world the "dissension among the rank a file that is nobody's business but OURS.
@ westeightyone I agree."paving the road to some place unpleasant". ACTRA must learn the meaning of the word UNION. Everyone is acknowledged as equal. "Diversity is Division". With contract negotiations underway it is understood that our agreement is for every card carrying member. After the last agreement was signed, many members were not pleased and then pres. Richard Hardacre,s message in the first issue of The Performer after the signing was "We are not militant enough". Take note.
I don't have a problem with Actra doing a PSA that encourages Canadian filmmakers
(producers and directors) to consider using people of diversity for film and tv roles.
If it was a good PSA I wouldn't have a problem with Actra putting it up on Youtube. But It's a poorly made PSA. Why did they change the boom mic operator into a woman ? He's part of the film crew. Why did they change every actor but Art Hindle and Diane into a woman? Women are often cast as office workers.
Why did the 'director' replace every actor but Diane with a person from a different race? How is it any less discriminatory to suggest that ' white actors need not apply ' than it is to suggest that people of diversity need not apply ? Actra prescribes an ' us' OR 'them' solution in this PSA when it should be examining ways to combine 'us' AND 'them'. Make them a part of us, don't set them apart from us.
BTW, where's the guy who offers the director the diversity glasses? Is he hiding ?
Go to ACTRA Toronto website and on the right hand side under' Info & Resourses' click on The Council and Goverance page.
Have a good look at our Governing Council. I'll wait.
22 people, How many diverse people do yo see?????????????????
Practical none, maybe one or two.
So who really needs to put on the diversity glasses and who needs to really get involved and dedicate their time to the betterment of ALL ACTRA members.
If you have complaints, about ACTRA, about where the video was shot, about the lack of this, or that, GET INVOLVED with your union. I applaud the efforts of all involved in this video, and others at ACTRA. We are a member driven organization, so when you complain about what ACTRA is doing, you are complaining about what your fellow ACTRA members are trying to achieve. Run for council, volunteer on committee's and as mentioned before, submit your ideas to the National Diversity Committee.
Only Actra members who run for council, volunteer on committees or submit ideas to the National Diversity Committee can comment on the failings of this video ?!?
If Actra is the 'member driven organization' that you say that it is, then every member of Actra, regardless of how little or how much they may be INVOLVED with Actra, is entitled to comment on a video that represents Actra. Actra opened it up to everybody ( not just Actra members ) when it put this video up on Youtube.
YOU applaud the efforts of all involved in this video. Yeah? And? You obviously DON'T speak for all of the people ( members of Actra and people who aren't members of Actra ) who have watched and who are going to watch this video on Youtube.
What's that saying about good intentions paving the road to some place unpleasant ?
For the good of your union, don't hide behind " Well, at least we tried " when Actra fails to meet its objective.
This video does nothing to strengthen our Union. It is dividing us. Unions do not discriminate or it defeats the whole purpose of being a member. Union means "united", everyone is equal. When casting, it is totally understandable to acquire the character that fits and it is great that Actra has many different characters to fit theses rolls, but this diversity promotion within our union should stop. It has no place behind the doors of 625 Church.
I totally support treating all fairly, equally, wiyhout prejudice but......I'm not sure what/who you're aiming at with this film. You diversity seems to label people as being black, short, chinese, non-white, etc... I guess people can't be just people.
It has always intrigued me that ACTRA labels people as being white and requiring 6 (?) gigs to be a full member while others labeled as aboriginal, black etc.. only need 3. I guess we're not all one.
@xequation In fact, ACTRA's rules re: membership were recently changed to 3 credits for anyone seeking full membership. As to diversity, the video is directed at all in the Film and TV business. This is why some of the performers are portraying crew members. It is well know that people of color and those who are differently abled are under-represented both in front of and behind the camera.
@xequation ACTRA and it's sister unions SAG and AFTRA are working together to increase work opportunities for this constituency by letting the industry know that these members are plentiful and available for work. Perhaps, someday, we will live in a world where all projects are written for and cast with "just people" better representing our society.
@xequation As an Asian femaie actor I can tell you that it's not a fair playing ground as the number of opportunities presented to me are far less than for a Caucasian actor whether M or F. Therefore for me to acquire 6 credits (even though I did it) was way tougher. I'm not saying it's easy for white actors as it's tough all over but take a look at any cast and compare how many white actors there are to people of diversity. They are always the majority. Just want a fighting chance. :)
@xequation To clarify,I had to get 6 credits. Tough during a time when an Asian face wouldn`t even be considered for shows like Road to Avonlea, Wind at my Back, Traders. I did it back then. You as a Caucasian male should have a fighting chance. But I do think 3 for actors of diversity is too little. I wish we were all cast for our talent then we wouldn`t be having this conversation.
@imN0Ttheone This video and "The Audition" were created through the voluntary efforts of 21 ACTRA members... approximately 100 hours of work. The budgets were very small, however, the messages of inclusion and access are well worth supporting. Multiculturalism, far from being a failure, is a reality in Canada and ACTRA would like to see it reflected in the Canadian stories told on Canadian TV.
@abemagic10 The call has gone out through the National Diversity Committee for 2011 submissions from all regions of Canada, just as it did last September. When no ideas were forth coming in 2010, a group of Toronto based members volunteered their time and created two videos... approximately 100 hours of work. If you're an ACTRA member and have a diversity video idea you'd like to champion please contact ACTRA National or your local council.
Perhaps we all need to put the diversity glasses on and replace our existing president, vice-pres, coucillors, etc who vastly seem to be very white lot. Forget elections, forget democracy,,,,,, get rid of them and replace them with a more diverse group.
RETRoldtimer 6 months ago
@LauzonJani,." submit your ideas to the National Diversity Committee". Shame on you for submitting ACTRA issues to the world on Youtube. This is not a public issue and should have been handled "in house". What you have done now is you've shown the entire world the "dissension among the rank a file that is nobody's business but OURS.
Joerenfrew 7 months ago
@ westeightyone I agree."paving the road to some place unpleasant". ACTRA must learn the meaning of the word UNION. Everyone is acknowledged as equal. "Diversity is Division". With contract negotiations underway it is understood that our agreement is for every card carrying member. After the last agreement was signed, many members were not pleased and then pres. Richard Hardacre,s message in the first issue of The Performer after the signing was "We are not militant enough". Take note.
Joerenfrew 7 months ago
@Joerenfrew
I don't have a problem with Actra doing a PSA that encourages Canadian filmmakers
(producers and directors) to consider using people of diversity for film and tv roles.
If it was a good PSA I wouldn't have a problem with Actra putting it up on Youtube. But It's a poorly made PSA. Why did they change the boom mic operator into a woman ? He's part of the film crew. Why did they change every actor but Art Hindle and Diane into a woman? Women are often cast as office workers.
westeightyone 6 months ago
Why did the 'director' replace every actor but Diane with a person from a different race? How is it any less discriminatory to suggest that ' white actors need not apply ' than it is to suggest that people of diversity need not apply ? Actra prescribes an ' us' OR 'them' solution in this PSA when it should be examining ways to combine 'us' AND 'them'. Make them a part of us, don't set them apart from us.
BTW, where's the guy who offers the director the diversity glasses? Is he hiding ?
westeightyone 6 months ago
Speaking of "Getting Involved"
Go to ACTRA Toronto website and on the right hand side under' Info & Resourses' click on The Council and Goverance page.
Have a good look at our Governing Council. I'll wait.
22 people, How many diverse people do yo see?????????????????
Practical none, maybe one or two.
So who really needs to put on the diversity glasses and who needs to really get involved and dedicate their time to the betterment of ALL ACTRA members.
xequation 7 months ago
If you have complaints, about ACTRA, about where the video was shot, about the lack of this, or that, GET INVOLVED with your union. I applaud the efforts of all involved in this video, and others at ACTRA. We are a member driven organization, so when you complain about what ACTRA is doing, you are complaining about what your fellow ACTRA members are trying to achieve. Run for council, volunteer on committee's and as mentioned before, submit your ideas to the National Diversity Committee.
LauzonJani 7 months ago
@LauzonJani
Only Actra members who run for council, volunteer on committees or submit ideas to the National Diversity Committee can comment on the failings of this video ?!?
If Actra is the 'member driven organization' that you say that it is, then every member of Actra, regardless of how little or how much they may be INVOLVED with Actra, is entitled to comment on a video that represents Actra. Actra opened it up to everybody ( not just Actra members ) when it put this video up on Youtube.
westeightyone 7 months ago
YOU applaud the efforts of all involved in this video. Yeah? And? You obviously DON'T speak for all of the people ( members of Actra and people who aren't members of Actra ) who have watched and who are going to watch this video on Youtube.
What's that saying about good intentions paving the road to some place unpleasant ?
For the good of your union, don't hide behind " Well, at least we tried " when Actra fails to meet its objective.
This video does more to divide than unite.
westeightyone 7 months ago
Comment removed
westeightyone 7 months ago
Maybe if the actors had put on the diversity glasses they would have been directed by Spike Lee or Ang Lee.
Seriously, this is a really stupid PSA. If the director didn't like Art HIndle's acting ( the old white guy who says
" What was the matter with that one?" ) then he should have just replaced Art Hindle.
The 'director' is an absolute jerk in this PSA.
Actra should be all over the director for firing and replacing the actors who were originally hired.
westeightyone 6 months ago
This video does nothing to strengthen our Union. It is dividing us. Unions do not discriminate or it defeats the whole purpose of being a member. Union means "united", everyone is equal. When casting, it is totally understandable to acquire the character that fits and it is great that Actra has many different characters to fit theses rolls, but this diversity promotion within our union should stop. It has no place behind the doors of 625 Church.
Joerenfrew 7 months ago 4
Hi enilaitocs, Actually I applaud your (& others) efforts in this film. I think their/your intentions are quite honourable.
It's just that unfortunately these things move to becoming political and eventually favouring one group over another.
As a struggling (white) performing artist and ACTRA member for 20 years I can attest it isn't easy for anyone to land those roles.
And I'm really happy that ACTRA made the membership rules the same :-))
xequation 8 months ago
I totally support treating all fairly, equally, wiyhout prejudice but......I'm not sure what/who you're aiming at with this film. You diversity seems to label people as being black, short, chinese, non-white, etc... I guess people can't be just people.
It has always intrigued me that ACTRA labels people as being white and requiring 6 (?) gigs to be a full member while others labeled as aboriginal, black etc.. only need 3. I guess we're not all one.
xequation 8 months ago
@xequation In fact, ACTRA's rules re: membership were recently changed to 3 credits for anyone seeking full membership. As to diversity, the video is directed at all in the Film and TV business. This is why some of the performers are portraying crew members. It is well know that people of color and those who are differently abled are under-represented both in front of and behind the camera.
enilaitocs 8 months ago
@xequation ACTRA and it's sister unions SAG and AFTRA are working together to increase work opportunities for this constituency by letting the industry know that these members are plentiful and available for work. Perhaps, someday, we will live in a world where all projects are written for and cast with "just people" better representing our society.
enilaitocs 8 months ago
@xequation As an Asian femaie actor I can tell you that it's not a fair playing ground as the number of opportunities presented to me are far less than for a Caucasian actor whether M or F. Therefore for me to acquire 6 credits (even though I did it) was way tougher. I'm not saying it's easy for white actors as it's tough all over but take a look at any cast and compare how many white actors there are to people of diversity. They are always the majority. Just want a fighting chance. :)
janecoolhand 8 months ago
@janecoolhand Diversity not Adversity.
So,,,,is it 3 less you have to do or 3 more I must do?
Are you being compensated for being "an Asian female" or am I being penalized for being "Caucasian"?
I believe I understand what you are saying. It's just that I don't think this is the way to solve the problem./issue.
xequation 8 months ago 2
@xequation To clarify,I had to get 6 credits. Tough during a time when an Asian face wouldn`t even be considered for shows like Road to Avonlea, Wind at my Back, Traders. I did it back then. You as a Caucasian male should have a fighting chance. But I do think 3 for actors of diversity is too little. I wish we were all cast for our talent then we wouldn`t be having this conversation.
janecoolhand 8 months ago
Multiculturalism has been a total failure everywhere it's been tried but hey why not keep spending the peoples tax money on it ?
imN0Ttheone 8 months ago
@imN0Ttheone This video and "The Audition" were created through the voluntary efforts of 21 ACTRA members... approximately 100 hours of work. The budgets were very small, however, the messages of inclusion and access are well worth supporting. Multiculturalism, far from being a failure, is a reality in Canada and ACTRA would like to see it reflected in the Canadian stories told on Canadian TV.
enilaitocs 8 months ago
LOVE IT
dragonter 8 months ago
VERY nice! I love the tone ACTRA is taking with its diversity initiative!
HaroldPhillipsPDX 8 months ago
Now show us some regional diversity by shooting some of these PSAs in a city other than Toronto!
abemagic10 8 months ago
@abemagic10 The call has gone out through the National Diversity Committee for 2011 submissions from all regions of Canada, just as it did last September. When no ideas were forth coming in 2010, a group of Toronto based members volunteered their time and created two videos... approximately 100 hours of work. If you're an ACTRA member and have a diversity video idea you'd like to champion please contact ACTRA National or your local council.
enilaitocs 8 months ago
Comment removed
abemagic10 8 months ago
oh okay ... I did not hear nor read about that ....where ( in print or otherwise ) might one have read/ heard of the NDC's call for submissions?
If no ideas /submissions were received, someone needs to look into
whether the call was "heard " by anyone and why....
yeah, I'll get to work on some ideas this issue points to ... thanks for the info ...
abemagic10 8 months ago
@abemagic10 Please make a suggestion! Then cast it and shoot it! We'll watch it for sure.
janecoolhand 8 months ago