SAG ends boycott of 'The Hobbit'

 
Bilbo can pack his baggins after all.

The Screen Actors Guild said it was lifting its do-not-work order on the New Zealand production of "The Hobbit," removing a major hurdle that stood in the way of the two planned movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novel.

“Today, our sister union New Zealand Actors Equity issued a statement recommending all international performers’ unions rescind their member advisories on the feature film production The Hobbit," SAG said in a statement. "In light of this recommendation, Screen Actors Guild will be alerting its members that they are now free to accept engagements, under Screen Actors Guild contract terms and conditions, on The Hobbit.”

Warner Bros., New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer recently announced that production on the "The Hobbit," the prequel story to the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, would begin in February. The studios  sorted out rights and financing issues to clear the way for the estimated $500-million production of the two-picture project, to be shot in time for the first film to be released in December 2012 and the second the following year.

The project's future was cast into doubt last month when SAG joined six other unions that represent performers in the U.K., Canada and Australia urging their members not to work on what they termed a "non-union" production. The action was in support of a group in actors in New Zealand who are seeking union contracts for performers that include minimum pay rates and residuals. New Zealand actors aren't unionized, although many actors who belong to SAG and other foreign unions are covered under their contracts.

Peter Jackson, the film's director and producer, said the actors' demands were unreasonable, that the Australian union seeking to represent New Zealand actors had no standing, and that the boycott threatened to force the production to shoot elsewhere. This week Jackson told the New Zealand media that plans were underway to move the production to another country even if the labor dispute is settled. A Warner Bros. spokesman declined to comment.

SAG's announcement came after the government of New Zealand itself got involved in an effort to mediate the dispute, fearing it would threaten the country's film industry. The government's minister for economic development convened a meeting last week between New Zealand's main producers group and union representatives.

The groups issued a statement saying they "have entered into an agreement to commence good faith negotiations for a new set of conditions which will govern the way in which performers are engaged in the local screen industry."

-- Richard Verrier

Photo: Gandalf (Ian McKellen) guides Frodo (Elijah Wood) through the perilous caverns of Middle-earth in New Line Cinema's "The Lord of the rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." Credit: Pierre Vinet / New Line Cinema

Comments

[Chaz Cramp]

the media in nz say they are taking the film offshore?? ie away from nz,
I personally do not believe this to be the case as weta workshop and prop makers have already built props and scenery, the hobbit village in hobbiton, Matamata has been refurbished and made ready for the movie,
Good on Peter Jackson to stick by his guns to break the deadlock of the unions. I have personally worked with him on 3 movies already. He has a fantastic way of sorting things out. He is a credit to NZ and ambassidor for film induatry

yours Chaz Cramp

[Shawn]

That was a great first line!!!

Thank God The Hobbit can finally move forward.

[Bibi Bagguns]

I support the New Zealand Actors Equity for their wondrous stupidity and for single-handedly destroying their film industry, which in all honesty, had been an annoying little nuisance for those of us that work in the industry elsewhere. Being Australian with an American green card, seeing the Kiwi film industry self-destruct is a wonderful thing. It's also quite laughable that this "NZ Actors Equity" is blaming Peter Jackson for "killing the local industry" when it was Mr. Jackson himself who single-handedly put the Kiwi film industry on the map. In fact, those of us in Australia have resented Jackson for a long time. How lovely that he is now being demonised by the very people whose livelihoods he created. Bravo Kiwis!

[Kevin Smith]

Funny how neither the article, nor the comments, actual examine the concerns set forth by the unions. It much easier to portray them as annoyances or unreasonable elements, and much harder to draw a narrative around details and facts.

Its good that the issues were resolved so that workers can have safe working conditions and be paid a reasonable wage. For those of you in the industry, be thankful that there is enough of an organized force of workers to push back against those who have no economic reason to treat you fairly.

@Chaz- Do you really think that without working rules negotiated by the unions, that working with Peter Jackson would have been as wonderful? Its nice to credit him with great work as a director, but his vision would not have been brought to life without the work of many. You do not seem to realize that "sticking to his guns" means in this case, taking away your right to organize.

[inbox1909]

As film making becomes more global, it is imperative that union performers, here and abroad, stick together and work to preserve their hard won gains. If giant corporations like WB and New Line can come up with 500 million dollars to shoot two more films, they can pay the minimum wage and residuals to their cast and crew.

Make no mistake, just as American companies have moved offshore and left our country a hollow shell, Film companies will try the same thing.

In an industry where star struck beginners will work for free, just to get into show biz, The unions have fought to preserve wages and benefits for the professional middle class, who do the hard work of bringing movies to life. We should unite across the globe.

As Benjamin Franklin once said, "either we all hang together, or assuredly we will all hang separately."

[Gromit]

Kevin Smith:

Oh, how silly. Jackson and the producers disagreed with the particular stance taken by Australian Equity in this particular production. To such as you, that is them challenging the actors' very "right to organize."

Um, no.

[Joe Franken]

@Gromit- Since you were not following the details of the story, it is exactly the issue of who should be considered represented and who is not that is at stake. While it may not lay at the foot of Peter Jackson, it is clear that Warner Brothers and the rest of the industry, would rather not have to deal with organized labor. It is also clear that every time unions are unfairly maligned in the press, or in a discussion group, the Peter Jackson's do a little dog-dance of joy knowing they can make just a little bit more money and pay the workers just a little bit less. So yes, to many the right to organize is a question.