Industry calls for ‘borderless’ market amid clampdown on illegal foreign TVC directors
A leading production house executive has called for the international market to become “borderless” to allow staff to work around the world, amid a crackdown by the Australian Directors Guild (ADG) on foreign TVC directors working illegally in Australia.
ADG CEO Kingston Anderson told Mumbrella they have already amassed “significant evidence that we have been passing onto the immigration department” during the crackdown, which is being run with union the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and Department of Immigration.
But Revolver’s executive producer and managing director Michael Ritchie said while he was not aware of anyone who was breaking the law in this way the industry needs more cross-border cooperation on the issue, adding: “If we put borders in, we’ll kill our industry.”
“I don’t think the ADG understands that. I would like to think they understand it’s an international market. It’s borderless. We need a process that can allow for directors to come into the country, and vice versa,” he said.
“A lot of our directors are working in America, and a lot of our work comes from America.”
The ADG claims there is widespread evidence agencies and production companies have intentionally breached immigration laws by importing foreign directors, mostly from the US or the UK, without the required work visas.
ADG CEO Kingston told Mumbrella: “The laws are fine, but the companies are choosing not to obey them. I do not know why. If a TVC is being shot in Australia then the director must have a 420 visa. It’s the law.”
In a statement, Kingston said: “It’s no different to other countries. If an Australian director tried to work in the United States without a visa, the producers would be prosecuted by the Department of State and the director would be deported and in some cases banned for several years from entering the country.”
The cost of a 420 Temporary Work (Entertainment) visa starts from AUD$720 for applicants over the age of 18 with discounts beginning when more than 10 people apply, while the base rate for a 600 Visitor visa starts from AUD$135.
Kingston said the system is not equal around the world.
“If it was a level playing field around the world then it would be different, but for an Australian director to work in the U.S. he or she has to jump through hoops and pay a lot of money,” he said, “Our system is straightforward.”
The industry is aware of what is going on, he added.
“It’s risky because it’s a small industry and everyone knows what everyone is up to. Eventually, you’ll get caught. The Department of Immigration has the right to remove an illegal director from a production at any time without notice and potentially jail, deport or fine them, which would be an embarrassing and costly situation for everyone,” he said.
“We’d hate for that situation to occur so we’re urging production houses, agencies and clients to know the immigration laws and not breach them.”
In the financial years 2012-13 and 2013-14, the number of visas issued to people in a “production role other than performer” was 2,076 and 2,058 respectively. The vast majority came from the US and the UK, and stayed for less than 27 days.
The Department of Immigration had not responded to Mumbrella’s requests for further information at the time of publishing.
Earlier this year, the Screen Producers Association recommended 420 visa requirements be relaxed, and ‘unnecessary red tape’ be removed, after a government review found the existing laws to be too strict.
Sam Buckingham-Jones
Out of those 2076 and 2058 visas issued what number were for work on tvcs? And then that of director?
I imagine the above figures includes long form, stage and theatre.
I have no problem with those requiring visas to obtain them before commencement in this country as we are required when working internationally.
The process and approval hopefully is dealt with in a timely manner that is required for this fast pace turn around industry.
I am certain that agencies working with production companies representing o’seas directors would assume they have in place the required working papers. If not, charge them and name and shame so we know who is not complying and creating this issue.
Maybe they can also look at all the 457 visas issued to agency / production personnel at the same time. Directors think they have a problem. Nowhere as bad as other areas of the industry.
We work in a global market. Hold up the process and watch it fracture this struggling industry further.
User ID not verified.
You know what? You guys seem not to know what the hell you do, and do not want.
The entire Australian film industry is suffering today from outside intervention in the past. There is a badly skewed view of film making and entertainment generally, caused by intervention. We talk about “World Class” and “US Approved” and “UK Accolades” as if we are somehow growing up and occasionally meeting the approval of the real film world.
They used to keep us out of their back yard and rule us economically, today they let you in to their playpen to have a shot with their toys and go home with a show bag.
But we are no better off than we were then. US film and television, once innovative, has been in decline for decades, this is the first time in the history of film and television that we have had a chance to do great things unhindered.
User ID not verified.
Borderless? Really Michael? How about we apply the same tests and administrative hurdles to foreign directors working here as are applied to Australians working overseas. Lets take the USA. Months, reams of references and paperwork and approx $US5,000 for an O1 visa. Virtually compulsory unionism, at a cost of entry of over $US6,500.
I don’t think the ADG wants anything more than a level playing field. Why should we be borderless when noone else is? And how will requiring work visas destroy the industry? Why is that one segment of the Australian workforce be ‘borderless’, yet all others be afforded the protection (yes lets call it what it is….work visas are a form of protectionism) of work visas?
User ID not verified.
That’s Revolver’s singular view..They’ve sponged off American talent rather than building local directors. Michael’s opinion should not be seen as representative of our industry.
User ID not verified.