Equity is aware of a casting call for a major games/voice company coming to the UK that was originally meant to record in France or Spain and is urging extreme caution before members accept work with the company.
Our sister unions in France and Spain are in dispute with the company, who we are not currently naming, over unacceptable AI provisions in their contracts. The company are relocating to the UK in an attempt to undermine the dispute.
Although members are free to accept work as we are not on strike in the UK, Equity advises extreme caution when auditioning for potential ‘runaway productions’. Taking on this work undermines our sister unions and harms our fight for decent terms and conditions globally.
The fight for fair AI protections and safe conditions is a global fight which requires global solidarity. Equity members can see Equity’s advice on A.I. in our A.I. Toolkit, including our A.I. rider and template clauses for contracts.
Equity has launched the Game On! (#EquityGameOn) campaign to set the standard for decent pay and conditions for performers working in video games. As part of this campaign the union held a rally to show solidarity with members of sister union SAG-AFTRA, who are on strike against major video games companies in the US. The rally took place at the October AGM of UKIE – aka UK Interactive Entertainment, the trade association representing video game companies in the UK.
Commenting Shannon Sailing, Equity Audio and Videogames Official, said: “Equity continues to campaign for fair pay, safe conditions and AI protections for performers in video games in the UK.
“We stand in solidarity with sister unions throughout the world as they take on the same fight.”
If you are in doubt about a casting call you have seen, then please contact audio@equity.org.uk for further advice and support.
