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Tag: FWICE

  • IFTPC thanks Maharashtra govt, producers in fast-racking resumption of shoots

    IFTPC thanks Maharashtra govt, producers in fast-racking resumption of shoots

    MUMBAI: In a major relief for all daily soap viewers, TV broadcasters will roll out fresh content from 13 July.

    Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC), in its press release today, thanked all the TV producers, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, MLA Amit Deshmukh and government of Maharashtra for their constant effort in restarting film and television production. The association also thanked the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), Cine and TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA), broadcasters and all the other vendors for their cooperation. It also expressed gratitude to Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, Marathi producer Aadesh Bandekar, Dr Shashank Joshi from Covid2019 task force Maharashtra and district collectors for their assistance.

    IFTPC in its release mentioned that due to the lockdown studios were shut. The release read, “Lakhs of daily wage workers and the workers from ancillary industries lost their jobs. The fear of starvation loomed large on the industry workers. Fortunately, with Unlock 1.0 shooting was allowed.”

    The Maharashtra government under its ‘mission begins’ initiative allowed shooting from 30 July 2020 with stringent SOP measures and protocols. In order to resume shooting swiftly, Hindi and Marathi producers introduced additional safeguard measures like arranging transportation, lodging and boarding facilities for their cast and crew. The production houses, in fact, bore the additional cost of maintaining safety and hygiene.

    The release said, “From today there will be more laughter and fun in every home battered by more than 100 days of lockdown. At a time when there was possibility of mental illness such as hypertension and depression was to affect many citizens, the re-entry of television is a big relief. Now the new stories full of drama, suspense fun and education will unfold and relieve the anxiety of Covid2019.”

    The television industry was forced to stop telecasting due to the countrywide lockdown from 22 March 2020. The entire shooting for films, television and advertisement was dispensed post government guidelines to ensure social distancing and to stop the mitigation of the SarsCoV2.

    In the meantime, more than 60 shows are being shot across Mumbai and Thane.

  • TV shooting to resume in Mumbai from 25 June

    TV shooting to resume in Mumbai from 25 June

    KOLKATA: As the Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC), Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) have amicably resolved the outstanding issues, shootings will restart in Mumbai from Thursday, 25 June. Earlier, FWICE and CINTAA raised several concerns with broadcasters and producers and a difference in opinions were setting an uncertainty despite having permission. 

    "Shootings will restart tomorrow. Whatever was possible has been done; whatever condition is feasible for the industry has been met. We all are working for that. We were focusing on insurance. We have all come up with the right conclusion. Right now, there will be indoor shootings. Tomorrow, TV shooting is starting. Other shootings in controlled atmosphere will start at the earliest. Who ever has met with the SOPs required by government can start,” IFTPC hairman TV wing JD Majethia said speaking to Indiantelevision.com. 

    IFTPC agreed to provide two sets of insurance coverage i.e., death cover of Rs 25 lakh due to Covid2019 and also hospitalisation cover of Rs 2 lakh uniformly across all hierarchy of the cast and crew. Apart from the insurance, IFTPC also assured that every precaution as per the government’s guidelines will be put in place to ensure utmost safety for the entire cast and and crew.

    A decision was taken to reduce the period of credit for cast and crew from existing 90 days to 30 days for at least the first three months; mutually negotiated pay cuts without actors facing any sanctions and continued dialogue with all parties for easing working conditions were also agreed to, without delaying the resumption of shootings.

    IFTPC acknowledged the contributions of CINTAA and FWICE who in these extraordinary situation showed exemplary understanding and maturity in the workers and the national interest. In total solidarity and bonhomie the stakeholders IFTPC, CINTAA, FWICE and broadcasters announced that the shooting will begin immediately and a new saga will unfold in every household soon.

  • CINTAA, FWICE seek clarity from broadcasters, producers on payment, working conditions

    CINTAA, FWICE seek clarity from broadcasters, producers on payment, working conditions

    MUMBAI: The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) and Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) together have raised several concerns with broadcasters and producers but their appeals haven't been responded to, yet.

    They had submitted several grievances on working conditions, payments and duty hours to the producers association through series of joint meetings and communications but did not get any positive answers from them. There is still uncertainty looming large.

    "Though we have always assured our best support to them they have not taken our concurrence on many issues resulting in lack of clarity and confusions. Many producers are taking unilateral steps of calling our members for shoot, this has only created a feeling of unrest and misguidance amongst the members, even before resumptions of shoot," said the two bodies in a release.

    FWICE and CINTAA which has scores of members enrolled in the cadres of actors, technicians and workers need immediate changes implemented in the working system/payment terms before any resumption of shoots.

    Many producers are taking unilateral steps of calling members for shoot and this has only created a feeling of unrest and misguidance amongst the members, even before resumptions of shoot.

    Post Covid2019 the working system would change for all with probable health challenges and drop in immunity levels hence it is all the more important that all the concerns are suitably addressed, the release added.

    Speaking to indiantelevision.com CINTAA senior joint secretary Amit Behl said, “There has been radio silence from broadcasters and producers for almost one week and that is the reason we have to issue this press release. Our people are hounding us as to what we must do."

    "We were supposed to get a response from the producer's association and broadcasters as to what is the final decision they have taken in terms of insurance cover, payment, earlier defaults, SOP measures, studios and other important things. As a counterpart we issued this release,” he further added.

    According to Behl, CINTAA and the board understands that broadcasters are facing trouble in terms of advertising but there must be a clarity around budget cuts. The association is answerable to 10,000 members while the federation to five lakh people. He adds that people with bare minimum salary cannot afford to have 30 percent deduction, which is the cut that has been intimated to them.

    IFTPC chairman TV wing JD Majethia acknowledged the release sent. "We have been in constant touch with the association. Slowly and gradually we are trying to resolve each and every issue," he said.

    He also added that the producer's association and broadcasters will have to give a response as they cannot work without cast and crew.

    The association's demand includes:

    .  Shift hours strictly to be eight hours per day

    .  Payments to daily paid actors/ technicians/ workers has to be settled by the end of the day

    .  All contractual employees have to be paid in 30 days

    .  Conveyance has to be settled end of the day

    .  Mandatory weekly holiday

    .  Adherence to stringent health and safety protocols as per directives of the government

    . Insurance: health and life insurance with Covid2019 specific coverage. We demand a Rs 50 lakh cover for actors / workers /technicians who succumb to death.

    .  No pay cuts/discounts will be agreed by actors/ workers /technicians post resuming to work.

    .  No actor/ technicians/ workers would be replaced for refusing giving discounts on their emolument

    .  Deployment of a well-equipped ambulance along with a paramedical staff (nurse) and a doctor at the location

    It says that all the above-mentioned issues have to be resolved first so that there is complete clarity to all, be it actors/ workers or technicians. "No one can risk the lives of human resources and for us at FWICE AND CINTAA certainly not," it adds.

    It adds that even after strict directives issued by the I&B ministry to all the producers to clear the outstanding dues of the actors, workers and technicians pending prior to the announcement of the lockdown by the government amidst the Covid2019 pandemic, the producers have still not cleared the outstanding dues of the members. The association demands that all the outstanding dues of  members should be cleared prior to the resumption of the shooting.

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  • Can’t insist producers to use only their members: Competition Commission to FWICE

    Can’t insist producers to use only their members: Competition Commission to FWICE

    MUMBAI: In a landmark judgement, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has told the All India Film Employees Confederation and Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) that they cannot insist producers to take only their members to work with them.

    On 31 October 2017, the CCI passed cease and desist orders against certain national and regional trade associations of film artists and producers for engaging in practices of controlling/limiting the supply of services and market sharing. Such acts have been held to be in contravention of sections 3(3)(b) and 3(3)(c) read with Section 3(1) of the Competition Act, 2002 (Competition Act).

    The  final order by the CCI was passed on an information filed by Bollywood producer and director Vipul Shah who alleged that specific provisions of the MoU dated 1 October 2010 (MoU) signed between FWICE and producer associations i.e.  IMPPA, FTPGI, and IFTPC relating to various matters including member-to-member working, fixation of wages, etc., are anti-competitive in nature.

    Thereafter, on 8 August 2019 an application under Section 42 of the Act alleging noncompliance of the aforesaid order by other parties was received by the Commission from Contiloe Pictures Private Ltd (CPPL).

    On 12 March 2020, the matter was listed for hearing between FWICE and CPPL. Upon hearing the counsels of CPPL and FWICE, the commission observed that the contents of the directives issued by FWICE to its member affiliates/producers were in the nature of direction to its members not to engage the non-members and were in violation of the order of the Commission dated 31 October 2017.

    Later, FWICE submitted that they would withdraw their letters dated 29 March 2018 and 26 November 2018 issued to its affiliates and also the letter dated 30 November 2018 issued to CPPL, without any conditions. The association also tendered unconditional apology for disobeying the directions of the Commission.

    The Commission directed FWICE to issue communication to its affiliates," all production houses/ producers including CPPL regarding withdrawal of the said letters and file a copy thereof with the Commission within a period of 10 days. Further, FWICE was also directed to file an affidavit along with status/ compliance report within ten days to the Commission."

    However, the commission later observed that none of the parties have filed any evidence. Therefore, the commission has directed all the parties involved in the matter to file an affidavit along with status/compliance report through e-mail at secy(cci.gov.in, latest by 15 July 2020 without fail.  The secretary is directed to inform FWICE and CPPL, accordingly.

  • Stakeholders meet Maharashtra state official on shooting SOP

    Stakeholders meet Maharashtra state official on shooting SOP

    MUMBAI: Major stakeholders of the media and entertainment industry attended a zoom meeting with Maharashtra state cultural affairs secretary Sanjay Mukherjee on 28 May and talked about SOPs for production resumption.

    The meeting was truly encouraging and there were a lot of fruitful co,nclusions regarding the future of the entertainment Industry, said a press release by Federation of Western India Cine Employees.

    In the zoom meeting, The Producers Guild of India was represented by Apoorva Mehta and Madhu Bhojwani. Federation of Western India Cine Employess (FWICE) was represented by Ashoke Pandit chief advisor, B N Tiwari, president, and Ashok Dubey, general secretary. Indian Motion Pictures Producer's Association (IMPPA) was represented by T P Aggarwal.

    Western India Film Producer's Association (WIFPA) was represented by Sangram Shirke and Dharam Mehra. Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal (MCM) was represented by its president Meghraj Bhosale. Aadesh Bandekar also attended the meeting.

    The following points were discussed in the meeting:

    1. Post-production activities should immediately start in line with all the health, safety and security norms and guidelines issued by the government.

    2. A proper financial package has to be worked out by the state government to facilitate the entertainment industry.

    3. State government should call for all the insurance companies to come up with new ideas for designing suitable policies for the members of the entertainment industry to cope with the Covid2019 disease.

    4. Premises owned by the state government should be given free of cost to the producers and the production houses for carrying out shoots along with a facility of single window permission.

    5. There should be no rental on sets that are erected in the Film City which are lying unused due to the lockdown. After the lockdown, the premises in Film City should be given to producers and production houses at subsidised rate so as to cope with the losses incurred due to the lockdown.

    6. Chief secretary Sanjay Mukherjee will review the SOPs already submitted by the stakeholders and present to the government.

  • Producers’ association warns against fake news of production restarting

    Producers’ association warns against fake news of production restarting

    MUMBAI: Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association (IMPPA) has appealed to people not to fall prey to false and baseless information regarding re-starting of shooting.

    IMPPA in a press release said that they have been informed by many members who have come across messages being spread in the press and social media in the name of Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE). The official release by IMPPA also mentioned the latest WhatsApp message being circulated in the name of the office-bearers of FWICE.

    According IMPPA, the false news spreading on social media in the name of FWICE states: “Shooting of TV serials shall start from June end for which FWICE has issued guidelines that one inspector and ambulance shall have to be present on sets at all times and though only 50 per cent workers will be allowed to work, the producers will have to pay workers and if anything untoward happens to any worker due to Covid2019, the concerned producer will have to pay compensation of Rs 50 lakh  to that worker.”

    To verify the details, IMPPA spoke to FWICE general secretary Ashok Dubey who informed that all these guidelines and directions circulated in the name of FWICE are totally false and baseless.

    FWICE also confirmed that no such decision or guideline shall be finalized unless all the producers’ association agrees to the same. It also made it clear that the decision to restart shoot post Covid-2019 pandemic shall be valid and subsisting only if the same is countersigned and authenticated by FWICE and the producers’ association and the president of IMPAA.

  • Cine employees fed appeals to Maharashtra CM to resume post-production works

    Cine employees fed appeals to Maharashtra CM to resume post-production works

    MUMBAI:Federation of Western India Cine Employees has appealed to Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray to grant permission to resume the post-production work of the media and entertainment industry. 

    In the letter the federation said that the media and entertainment industry is the largest revenue earner, but the Covid2019 lockdown has ceased all the production activities. As a result the industry is suffering huge losses.

    Producers have poured in huge funds into various projects. The association appealed that it will be a great relief to them if they are able to release their projects immediately after the lockdown is lifted.

    The federation sought the chief minister’s permission to continue with the post production activities, such as editing, sound recording, etc. of such projects nearing completion, so that it will give relief to the industry.

    It assured the chief minister that necessary guidelines pertaining to the health, safety and security of the workers involved in such post-production activities will be adhered to.

    The federation expressed the hope that the chief minister will be considerate and thoughtful regarding its plea and provide the necessary permissions to resume the post-production activities for the stuck projects in the media and entertainment industry.

  • Shooting of TV shows, digital originals & films halted from 19 March to 31 March 2020

    Shooting of TV shows, digital originals & films halted from 19 March to 31 March 2020

    MUMBAI: Various stakeholders of the Indian entertainment industry have taken measures to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Different bodies of television, directors and producers have decided to stop shooting of films, TV serials and web series from 19 March 2020 till 31 March 2020.

    The decision was taken in a joint meeting of Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association (IMPPA), Western India Film Producers' Association (WIFPA), Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC), Indian Film & Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) and Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) held on 15 March 2020.

    “In view of the epidemic spread of Covid19 virus throughout the world, including India, an urgent meeting of IMPPA- WIPFA- IFTPC-IFTDA- FWICE held on 15 March 2020 unanimously decided to stop shootings of films, TV serials, web series and all other entertainment including digital formats from 19 March 2020 till 31 March 2020 as a result of health advisory, closure of all cinema halls, all sporting, educational institutes and entertainment events by the government of India which has declared a medical emergency over the Corona Virus. We appreciate and support all the steps taken by the government of India to control the virus,” said IMPPA.

    The association further says, “All units shooting till the stoppage comes into force have been strictly advised to follow all precautionary and preventive measures without fail. Decision about re-starting shootings shall be taken on 30 March 2020 after considering the prevailing situation.”

    TV broadcasters too are taking utmost measures to avoid gatherings on the sets.  

    A Zee spokesperson says, “In view of the growing concern regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, Zee TV is putting a temporary halt to on-sets for the safety of all the members of the media. Apart from on-sets, no bytes or special stories will also be allowed, unless prior committed and lined up for a particular day. This is being done as a precautionary measure and as soon as the situation improves, we shall resume onset access.”

    Abhinav Khare, CEO of Asianet News Group, said that every effort has been taken to ensure that the employees are safeguarded and their health protected. 

    "However, being media companies, we cannot adopt the work-from-home option. There are studios and equipment. Ours is a live medium. So whatever is happening and whenever is happening, reporters have to go to the spot and report," he said.

  • TV strike threat: Producers expect to hire ‘outsiders’, talking to channels

    MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: Even as the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had threatened to go on strike from 15 August if their demands of salary increments and eight-hour shift for workers are not met by producers, producers say that they should have the freedom to hire outsiders.

    Indian Film and TV Producers Guild CEO Kulmeet Makkar said the strike was mala fide as the matter was sub judice before the Competition Commission of India. Once the CCI decided the case, Makkar added, the FWICE could submit its demands and those would be considered.

    Indian Film and TV Producers Council leader and a leading television producer JD Majethia told indiantelevision.com that 7.5 per cent increment had already been given to all the workers even in the absence of any binding legal contract. “Do you think, we (producers) would let our businesses paralyse for a mere 2.5% hike,” he countered.

    Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association president T P Agarwal and Makkar told indiantelevision.com that the matter was sub judice, and the FWICE demand was therefore unjustified.

    Agarwal has written a detailed letter to the police commissioner for protection of producers who hire experts who are not members of FWICE.

    The FWICE, which claims to have 2,50,000 members, has reportedly sent notices to the Film and Television Producers Guild of India Ltd, Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA), Indian Film and TV Producers Council (IFTPC), and Western Indian Film Producers’ Association (WIFPA). The notice has also been reportedly issued to advertising companies, television channels and the police department as well.

    “We know well how to take care of all workers — as we are aware a happy worker works well,” he quipped. The workers (working in mostly air-conditioned studios) are provided the same food and comfort as a senior technician, Majethia said.

    About their other demands, Majethia categorically stated that insurance was compulsory and was done at each and every shoot and set. He also said that the workers union should first get each and every worker medically checked so that he could be assigned work in accordance with his capability — health-wise. Workers unions should also ensure qualified workers were sent on the sets. “For example, unions must ensure an electric fittings etc incharge has the required technical qualification and experience to supervise and control all operations,” Majethia said.

    FWICE had two years ago called a strike, demanding salary increment, eight-hour shift, accidental and medical insurance, safety and job security. Producers’ bodies had agreed to fulfill the demands, but, according to FWICE, the promises remained unfulfilled.

    “We are in talks with producers and channels to find a way out of this imbroglio,” Majethia said. Privately, however, he said, a number of workers told them that they were willing to work and were not in favour of strike. “Opinion is widely divided among the workers’ leaders,” Majethia said.

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  • TV Editors call off strike unconditionally

    TV Editors call off strike unconditionally

    MUMBAI: Much to the relief of television producers and broadcasters, the indefinite strike by the Association of Film and TV Editors has been called off unconditionally, after a meeting with Federation of Western Indian Cine Employees (FWICE) on the evening of 9 November.

     

    “We have called off the strike unconditionally, and editors will resume their work with the respective production houses,” Association of Film and TV Editors GM Vaibhav Desai tells indiantelevision.com.

     

    As the strike continued over the weekend, broadcasters and producers had earlier feared repeat telecast of their daily serials that heavily depended on the television editors, as they ran out of bank episodes to air. 

     

    With the strike pulled off, broadcasters have narrowly avoided the risk of repeat telecast and a billion rupees of ad revenue loss.

     

    Indiantelevision.com had earlier reported that out of the 22 crafts, which are part of the federation, members of an association went on strike on 4 November after a memorandum of (MoU) addressing the editor’s wage renewals and better working conditions wasn’t signed by the due date.

     

    To read the full article, click here: http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/gecs/tv-editors-go-on-strike-channels-fear-repeat-telecast-151106

     

    “While all the issues have not been resolved and addressed in the meeting, the federation has assured us that the working conditions of the editors will be improved. They have given us in written that the payment dealt out to our assistants and associates will be given within 30 days. They usually have to wait more than 120 days sometimes to receive their fees, but the federation has taken responsibility that this problem will be addressed,” says Desai.

     

    He however added that there was still some amount of uncertainty surrounding the MoU being signed.

     

    Though worried about the shows, the council of producers had earlier refused to have a meeting with the Association unless the strike was called off. “We want to come to an understanding, and are willing to sit down and talk, but not under any threat. We can only resume a discussion once everybody returns to work,” Indian Film and TV Producers Council (IFTPC) co-chairman JD Majethia had earlier informed.

     

    Now that the strike has been called off, the federation is hopeful that the discussions on the MoU will resume after Diwali, and shall be signed soon after, after reviewing the updated information.