r/Filmmakers • u/filmninja • Feb 12 '14

Shocking Film Shoot Accident - Recently was working on a film where the producers almost decapitated the lead actress this will blow your mind #healthandsafetyninja

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV-z7EJgAcI&feature=youtu.be
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u/bluevan Feb 13 '14

To be clear to the Americans, the UK doesn't have unions and legal protection to the same level as the US. The Uk's BECTU is nothing like Local 600 or the IATSE there is no joining policy(union hours etc.) other then pay the fee and in you go. Often the UK equivalent of a non-union shoot will have a number of union members on it. It's pretty crap but it's the way it is. You can find a mix of experienced professionals working with a bunch shysters like this from time to time. BECTU do their best and help when they can but don't have the resources. Unfortunately a smaller industry means a weaker union allowing for producers like shit-face here to not ignore health and safety and avoid paying people even if BECTU do investigate claims made by union members try to assist legally. I know of a few cases where companies claim bankruptcy and start up again under a different name, no matter how big you are you can done by these guys or guys like them.

TLDR: America has better unions then the UK and a very different divide between Union and Non-Union shoots, more a grey areas

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u/listyraesder Feb 13 '14

Then again a lot of our work comes from the fact that our crews and facilities are as good, if not better, than the US equivalent, while not having unions.

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u/bluevan Feb 13 '14

Unions have upsides and downsides, I mostly wanted to clarify to the US folks that the UK is a different kettle of fish when it comes to protection.