TV Watercooler

(Originally posted by Film Fan)

A commercially viable feature film. Starring the late Mike Reid. But they are not paying all their workers....

General Camera/lighting Assist
London, England
Employer Independant
Temporary/Freelance, Part-Time(6 days)
Starts 19/11/2007
Payment Low paid/Expenses Only

Details
Looking for general 'trainee'(s) with some experience to assist camera/lighting crew.Block 3 of 'Jack Says' filming runs from the 19th to 24th Nov,mainly in locations around London, shot on Panasonic 900 series cameras.Reasonable travel expenses and food will be covered by the production (Press On Features). If interested, please contact Bob Komar (dop) initially through Talent Circle e-mail system.Thanks and apologies for such short notice

Dear Simon,

I apologise for bothering you but I am writing about your advert as I wondered whether positions like this should be paid if you expect this person to do work for you?

Is that not right? I would be grateful you could let me know.

Many thanks

Sorry I am not the production manager directly associated with this, and gather that all crew posts have now been filled.

Many thanks for your interest in our film production.

Simon Phillips
producer

Sent from my iPhone
simon_mac@yahoo.com
SIMON.PHILLIPS@pressonfeatures.com

Many thanks Simon, but this is something which is still a concern to freelancers - would it be possible to have an email address for the PM?

Best wishes

I will get the production manager to address this
after filming has been completed - I wish for him to
focus on the task att hand.

many Thanks
Simon Phillips
Producer JACK SAYS

Many thanks Simon, however surely if the Minimum Wage is due then surely people who are working on it should know they will be paid before the shoot?

Would that be possible?

All my cast and crew have signed contracts which do outline how and when they will paid.

Thanks
Simon

Sent from my iPhone

Many thanks Simon - and is everyone guaranteed at least the Minimum Wage of £5.53 an hour for the hours they work?

No reply.

Dear Simon,

Would it be possible to have an answer to this - it is an issue which all freelancers as well as the Inland Revenue do take very seriously - if you are expecting people to do work for you then surely they should be guaranteed at least the Minimum WAge for every hour they do - is that not the case?

Many thanks

No reply

Hi Simon,

Would it be possible to have an answer to this - it does seem the Minimum Wage would be due for this work?

Many thanks

No reply.

I strongly suggest Simon gets off his iphone and starts to look at what the law says about paying workers. Meanwhile it would be a good idea if the thousand or so members of this site pay particular note to the name of this company and the producer.

(Originally posted by Film Fan)

Actor/Producer Simon Phillips is hiring again. And still not paying the young workers on his films:

Runner

Company: Scvs Productions
Apply to: Trish
Web: http://www.thelastseven.co.uk
Posting date: 22 Nov 2009
Deadline: 26 Nov 2009

Summary

Application Details

Starts: 24 Nov 2009
Contract Type: Temporary / freelance (Full time)
Duration: 14 Days
Payment: Collaboration-Expenses only (no pay)

Details

Looking for London based runners for this Tuesday on Feature film The Last Seven http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulu4wwuga4k. Exciting scenes with shootouts and debris ! Please contact (Trish - assistant producer) asap on 07875801599
Thanks!

The Last Seven Production Team

Benefits: Travel provided/allowance (expenses), Wrap party, Food provided/allowance (expenses)

Not paying workers is becoming a bit of a habit for Simon Phillips. Bit of a riskconsidering the recent court case that resulted in Minimum Wage payments to a film worker in exactly these circumstances.

If this individual approaches you to work unpaid, please report him to BECTU. And if you have worked unpaid for Simon Phillips, on this or any other film, please feel free to contact me to find out how to claim the Minimum Wage you are owed.

Meanwhile Simon Phiillips - Press On Features - freelancers beware!

(Originally posted by Film Fan)

Not a lot of sympathy from Camilla Storey, Tamer Hassan's agent (camilla@italentm.com) who I wrote to about this (he appears in the film):

Simon Phillips is a highly respected director whom I feel very privileged to have my client tamer hassan working with. If you don't want to be in the entertainment industry don't apply for jobs, we all work for free somewhere along the line as we are passionate people to give life to a world human beings need to escape to! Go get a job as a shelf stacker in tesco's as you are clearly not a right for the entertainment industry, and quite frankly a pain in the behind. Best regards. Camilla Storey.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

In case you were wondering, Tamer Hassan and Simon Phillips are both being paid for their work on this production.

(Originally posted by Uncle Arthur)

An interesting bit of context on Ms Storey's attitude (from an online interview) ...

Peter : Camilla, why choose models that can't act and not the thousands of highly trained ( decent courses usually run for 3yrs ) actors who need representation?

Camilla Storey : I have 2 divisions to ITG and I represent 50 professional actors. The other division is MTA. What is so bad with giving a model a chance? Everyone has a shelf life and models have a very short one, so that is why I cornered the market, to help them on their way.

Funny thought, but do you think the models who want to be actors paid up front for the privilege of representation?

Now though, I can only find an unfinished website, and model2act appears to be closed.

(Originally posted by No Pay No Shoot)

If I may add a thing or two about the “independent film producer on micro-budget high concept features”.

Mr. Simon Phillips or Simon McPhillips runs either Lucky Strike Productions or Press On Features (company no. 06247263) or both since the web sites are redirecting to "Jack Said", so this is little hard to determine.

BTW, for avoidance of any confusion Lucky Strike Productions Limited (company no. 04232923) is not connected whatsoever.

Regarding the current production in question “The Last Seven” it is a little mystery who/what Scvs Productions or L7 Productions are, but according to http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1274273/companycredits production companies are Lucky Strike Productions and Goliath Productions and producers are Simon Phillips & Toby Meredith with Martin J. Thomas from Goliath.

Actors and extras/SAs also tend not to fair any better whilst engaged in making Simon’s productions and in case of the latter it is assisted with a little help of one of his friends which surely must be the only known to man (or woman) agency in the whole of UK that specialises in providing extras/SAs for free. (BBC Films/Vertigo Films, no need to even pay that 30 quid on your next venture, eh? How about that then?)

22/11/2009 http://www.starnow.co.uk/Casting-Calls/ ... _seven.htm

I'm looking for 20 extras that are super reliable and will be needed for 4 days because of continuity requirements.

IF YOU APPLY YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO ALL 4 DAYS.

No pay but this is one of the best crews in the business that have all won awards in there field of expertise and is a great opportunity to work with the best


THE SCENE IS A EXTRA ONE THAT WAS NOT BUDGETED FOR AND SO NO PAY BUT FOOD AND DRINK WILL BE PROVIDED

YOU WILL BE WITNESS TO A MASSIVE EXPLOSION IN THE MIDDLE OF LONDON

4 Days needed
Friday 27th November - extras
Thursday 3rd December - extras
Friday 4th December - extras
Saturday 5th December - extras

IF YOU APPLY YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO ALL 4 DAYS.

Location: All regions, United Kingdom

Payment details: no pay

And before then: 10/8/2009 http://www.starnow.co.uk/Casting-Calls/ ... tarrin.htm

Exciting opportunity to be part of a great British film

Sorry girls this is just for the guys but I'm looking for 25 men that want to be in a viral that will promote the FEATURE FILM "Jack Said" staring Simon Philips and Danny Dyer shortly to be released at the cinema nation wide.

You will be seen at 4. 5 or maybe 6 location in London.

We're planning to film a chase scene where you will be filmed in hot pursuit trying to catch our main character. You will have to run after our main character over Tower Bridge, through Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and other London landmarks and attractions.

I'm really looking forward to this one and although there's no pay it will be a great chance to be part of a feature film that is just about to be rolled out and network with the best in the business

We are shooting this in Sept.....Get in touch with me now for more details


Location: All regions, United Kingdom

Payment details: no pay

“becoming a bit of a habit” may be a bit of understatement FF, considering what has gone on in the past this is probably only a small selection.

Seems like the film industry terms like: “no cash”, “expenses only”, “token fee”, “deferred payment”, “no payment”, “small fee”, “unpaid job”, “unpaid position”, “copy of the film on DVD available to contributors” while shifting your commercial product through amazon, play.com, WH Smith's, HMV, Tesco etc. had been extensively covered by the London Metropolitan University’s Performing Arts Degree syllabus.

13/2/2005 - Male voice over, own recording equipment, deferred payment
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Casting/0/24354

7/3/2005 - DOP cameraman with equipment, copy on DVD made available to contributors to the project
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Crewing/0/24762

17/3/2005 - Male actor, no payment, copy of the film on DVD
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Casting/0/24890

18/3/2005 – Extras, unpaid job
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Casting/0/24986

31/3/2005 – Actor with own police uniform, unpaid job
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Casting/0/25184

7/4/2005 – 2 people to play police officers with own uniforms, unpaid job
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Casting/0/25332

29/11/2005 – 3 Actresses, deferred payment
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Casting/0/29025

13/1/2006 – Male actor, expenses only
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Casting/0/29547

30/4/2006 – 9 Actors, 6 shooting days, expenses only + deferred payment
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Casting/0/31181

9/5/2006 – Location manager, unpaid position
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Films/0/31307

25/5/2006 - Make-up artiste, £25 expenses + deferred payment
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Crewing/0/31537

2/6/2006 – Supporting actors, fee of £20
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Casting/0/31642

27/6/2006 - Publicity poster designer, deferred payment
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/General/0/31923

30/11/2006 – Actors, small payment
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Casting/0/33741

19/1/2007 – 100 quid worth of tweaking!
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/General/0/34203

31/1/2007 - Sound post production person with own equipment, token fee plus a deferred payment
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Films/0/34301

2/4/2007 – Publicist, payment could take a percentage stake in profits
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Films/0/34812

16/5/2007 – Male stand-in, £100 for 2 days shooting
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Casting/0/35207

21/5/2007 – 2 Actors, £50 + expenses
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Casting/0/35245

23/5/2007 – Costume designer, small fee + deferred payment
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Films/0/35290

11/8/2007 – French speaking actor, £50 per day
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Casting/0/35963

31/8/2007 – Stills photographer, expenses only
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Films/0/36119

24/10/2007 – Extras, expenses only
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Casting/0/36475

5/11/2007 – Music tracks, no payment
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Music/0/36538

7/11/2007 – 2 French speaking actors, expenses only
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Films/0/36548

12/11/2007 – Set dresser, £150 for 5 day shoot
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Crewing/0/36589

8/5/2008 – Runner with car, £37.50 pr day + expenses
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Crewing/0/37527

1/7/2009 – Music tracks, no payment
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Music/0/39327

6/10/2009 – Web site designer, no cash
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/General/0/39558

6/11/2009 - Assistant producer with car, low pay
http://www.ukscreen.com/board/Films/0/39648

And if one may feel impressed by this, one could try one of the following:

simon.phillips@luckystrikeproductions.co.uk
simon_mac@yahoo.com
simon.phillips@pressonfeatures.com
simon.mcphillips@hotmail.com
simonphillips1980@googlemail.com

and you never know your luck, one of these might actually work and you could be sent “potential investors business information pack, a script, budget proposals and projected sales”.

That's a lot of posts between 2005-2009 and that's just UK screen

I knew I recognised the name.

I had the 'pleasure' of watching, or more accurately, trying to watch Jack Says the other night. I couldn't for the life of me work out how the hell such an utter piece of worthless shite had managed to get funding. Now I know...