So I got spammed the other day with a BBC request for material for their big screens in London for the Olympics. You know, the economic miracle which is suppose to sweep through London this Summer. The Games that are keeping thousands in work and making millions for big named architects and developers. The same Olympics that are looking for unpaid performers for millionaire director Danny Boyle to create a show with. The ceremonies during the games will cost over £40,000,000.00 And actors will go unpaid.
But that is not news. Now the BBC is going to exploit the emerging film making community.
The spam linked me to this:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bigscreens/
They are trawling for film material that they can use for free. Made by you and me, at our expense. To be paid on council owned screens, curated by the BBC.
The partnership does not commission any content we simply provide a platform for film makers who wish to showcase their work many of whom have no other outlet to showcase their creative talent.
Isn’t that great! I guess the Director’s Guild of Great Britain, Equity, and BECTU are going to be SO happy for their members.
It’s great that while so many other London sectors will earn massively during the Olympics, film-makers are going SPEND their money. They are going to make films and won’t they be lucky to get them screened.
That’s because we will be actually MAKING the material that will delight and inspire the public, and will forever be associated with the memories of UK Olympics. That obviously should not be rewarded the way that construction, driving taxis, or selling tickets or providing security. YOU PEOPLE ARE SO LUCKY!
Isn’t it great that the Arts budget has been raped for years and now the taxpayer funded councils BBC are not going to pay for material for their BIG screens. I’m just so happy that the big screen making companies got paid.
Want complain to the government? I think you will find them snouted firmly in the trough on this one. They are more interested in watching tits and arse at beach volleyball at Horse Gaurds than helping people like us.
Below is the email trail.
If you feel the need to raise the alarm complain…
Equity
BECTU
BBC Complaints
Directors Guild Great Britain
and of course parliamentarians (if you can get their attention)
and finally
Send a comment to
Anita Bhalla
Editor Public Space Broadcasting
(BBC Big Screens/Live Sites)
Mobile:07850 735734 (I don’t know why she included her mobile but please send her a text)
Email: Anita.Bhalla@bbc.co.uk
And your comments are most welcome below. If anyone wants to suggest template wording for a message to MP’s please comment below.
Annie Yactor
Begin forwarded message:
From: “Anita Bhalla”
Date: 24 January 2012 12:21:05 GMT
To:
Subject: RE: Big ScreensContact Email from the website
Dear Annie
Thank you for your email.
The Big Screens are a partnership between LOCOG (London Olympics who have paid for the screens), the city councils who own the screens and the BBC who is the editorial partner in the project.
The partnership does not commission any content we simply provide a platform for film makers who wish to showcase their work many of whom have no other outlet to showcase their creative talent.
Kind Regards,
Anita
Anita Bhalla
Editor Public Space Broadcasting
(BBC Big Screens/Live Sites)
BBC
Mailbox
Birmingham B1 1A1
Tel:(00 44) 0121 567 6270
Mobile:07850 735734
Email: Anita.Bhalla@bbc.co.uk
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bigscreens/
—–Original Message—–
From: actoranonymous@gmail.com [mailto:actoranonymous@gmail.com]
Sent: 24 January 2012 12:08
To: M&A Big Screens SOC Team
Subject: Big ScreensContact Email from the website
Someone has completed a form on page:
Sender’s name: Annie Yactor
Sender’s email: actoranonymous@gmail.com
Sender’s message:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bigscreens/films/
Are you paying for this content? If so, how much? And how are you ensuring that that contributors are paid at least minimum wage? As you are a publicly funded body this is a statutory obligation.
Annie Yactor
I work with lots of disadvantaged young people through a media charity to create content and we’ve been lucky enough to have some films/projects shown on BBC Big Screens. Having the opportunity to showcase their work to thousands of people is incredibly inspiring, confidence boosting and enables them to get their voices heard. Many have used it a spring board for further training and development opportunities which has been amazing for their CV’s.
Why not utilise the screens and send in content showcasing new acting talent?
Why not just pay them.
Do you have any contact address at which I can let the BBC know that I will not actually be paying a license fee to watch BBC content, but will instead allow them to broadcast on my television set to provide a platform for their actors, writers and directors to showcase their talent in a living room many will not have the opportunity to showcase to?