Report EUXXL « Into the Resolution»

Imago was represented by delegates from eight of its member Societies at the EUXXL Conference of European Film and Media Policy which concluded in Krems, Austria on May 8th after four intense days of working groups and discussion in Vienna. Time was, however, found for a short walking tour of the locations for “The Third Man” including the unforgettable subterranean world of the city.

This Forum marked a historical opportunity for the voice of the Cinematographer to be heard by Brussels politicians and EU MEP’s attended the final day together with Dr Agnes Cser of the European Economic and Social Committee. The debate was dedicated especially to the profession of the cinematographer, meeting in collaboration with other crafts societies such as the directors, represented by FERA, the scriptwriters, authors and artists. The aim was to identify common needs and enhance solidarity and understanding in all professions involved in film making.

Among the many issues discussed were the problems facing workers forced to act as self-employed a situation which can lead to abuse without adequate legal protection for creative persons. The Resolution, which can be read in full after this short report, calls for the same minimum protection standards for all workers, whether or not self-employed . The Scandinavian model was often quoted and France had the description “paradise” regarding the social benefits to which its workers are entitled. Tony Costa AIP / Imago gave a moving account of the plight of the Portuguese film workers under their existing legislation, drawing attention to the fact that the “self-employed” are not allowed any representation.

Harmonisation of the position of the cinematographer in Europe particularly in relation to his rights as (co)-author of aspects of his work is also an important issue under discussion. The Forum recommended adopting ISAN as a European standard of identification and tracking of the audiovisual works and maintaining a record of the authors involved in each production, such as the Cinematographer and Set Designer. This would enable easier payments by Collecting Societies in future to all “authors”.
Regarding Working Conditions it was felt that the guidelines suggested in the Imago Model Contract would help to identify solutions to the problems faced by many workers in the audiovisual field.

Despite the unfortunate absence of a Euro-mei on the crucial final day of the Forum it was decided to ask this European organisation to call upon their Member Unions, in cases not yet applicable, to represent free-lancers and the so-called self-employed within the individual organisations.
Organised around the EUXXL were Master Classes given by Christian Berger AAC and Sophie Maintigneux and screenings of their films, plus “Am Abgrund” filmed by Walter Schindler AAC.
A mini Micro-salon was hosted by Sony, Fuji and Wunderwerk, an Austrian Company showing the premier of their revolutionary Motion Control unit.

The special guest and keynote speaker was Marion Doring, Director of the EFA. In the presence of guests from the Austrian Cultural world, with many distinguished Austrian Cinematographers from the AAC, including their President Astrid Heubrandtner, a special EUXXL Film Award for 2010 was given to Kurt Brazda AAC who had been a chief architect behind the founding of the Austrian Society and bringing order and respect to the working lives of film workers.
Imago is grateful for the advice and dedication of our legal advisor, Dr Cristina Busch who assisted Alexander Scheuer from the Institute of European Media Law and Harald Karl form the EUXXL legal department in the challenging task of drawing up and presenting the consensus Resolution to the Members of the European Parliament.
Imago would like to express its appreciation to Mercedes Escherer and her excellent team in Vienna for this opportunity to present the case for improving working conditions and the cause of Authors Rights for cinematographers at this EUXXL Forum of 2010.

Full Resolution:

Model Contract:

Representing Imago at the Conference were Nigel Walters BSC, President: Tony Costa AIP :Andreas Fischer- Hansen DFF,( Immediate Past President) : , Richard Andry AFC : Bastiaan Houtkooper NSC : Birgit Gudjonsdottir BvK : Michael Neubauer BvK : Idan Or ACT. 

List of participants:

Ministery for Culture, Poland Krzyszof Jankowski
FERA Federation of European Film Directors Elisabeth O. Sjaastad
FERA Federation of European Film Directors Ger Poppelaars
ECA European Council of Artists Silvije Petranovic
FSE Federation of Scriptwriters in Europe David Kavanagh 
Elisabeth Schroedter
FFACE Federation of Film and Audiovisual Composers of Europe Frank Stahmer
EWSA President of Democratic Trade Union of Health and Social Workers (EDDSZ) Agnes Cser
BMUKK Federal Ministry for Education and Culture, Austria Brigitte Winkler-Komar
The Greens Eva Lichtenberger
EMR Institute of European Media Law Alexander Scheuer
EU XXL FILM Harald Karl
EU XXL FILM Katharina Albrecht-Stadler
EU XXL FILM Paul Zajacz
EU XXL FILM Fritz Niemann
 

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