Body Representing British Child Actors Blasts Equity Union: "Young Performers Not a Priority"

The Agents of Young Performers Association (AYPA), a UK-based organization representing child actors, has delivered a stinging rebuke to Equity, the UK's actors' union. They're accusing Equity of failing to adequately represent and fight for the rights of their youngest members, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds. It's a serious allegation, and one that could have significant repercussions for the industry.

Body Representing British Child Actors Blasts Equi...

In a statement released to Deadline, the AYPA didn't mince words. They expressed deep frustration, arguing that despite what they describe as "numerous" meetings with Equity to address the often paltry pay and challenging working conditions faced by young performers, especially in theatre and BBC productions, little progress has actually been made. It sounds like they've been hitting a brick wall.

"If Equity is genuinely committed to tackling inequality, it must extend its focus to include the youngest members of our industry," the AYPA stated, emphasizing the perceived hypocrisy. "Addressing systemic barriers for adult artists while leaving children unsupported is not only inconsistent – it perpetuates the very inequities the union claims to challenge." Ouch. That’s a pretty direct accusation of prioritizing adult concerns over the wellbeing of child actors.

Equity, naturally, has responded. A spokeswoman for the union defended their record, asserting that Equity "works to improve the pay and working conditions for young performers through our collective agreements." She pointed specifically to an updated Equity-BBC agreement that guarantees young actors at least half the adult rate and entitles them to residuals. But clearly, the AYPA believes this isn't enough, or perhaps that the agreement isn't being properly enforced.

This criticism comes at a difficult time for Equity. The union recently lost a legal battle with Spotlight, a major casting directory, over attempts to lower fees, and their contract negotiations with Pact, the producer trade body, are still ongoing and fraught with disagreements. It's fair to say the union has its hands full, but the AYPA argues that protecting children should be a top priority, regardless of other challenges.

Equity, in its defense, maintains that it is "proud to campaign on the issue of inequalities in the arts," and highlights its work in calling out barriers to drama training and successfully campaigning for the abolition of audition fees for courses. However, the AYPA's formation itself underscores a perceived gap in representation. They were founded by agents who felt a lack of collective problem-solving specifically within the child acting sector. Their initial focus was on local authority licensing, but their scope has expanded, particularly given the increased scrutiny and demands placed on young actors in today's world – something I've definitely noticed myself as someone who's followed the industry for years.

The AYPA's advocacy has become even more critical in the age of social media, online scrutiny, and increased awareness of mental health. They even provided a duty of care blueprint to "Harry Potter" casting agent Lucy Bevan, and report satisfaction with the welfare standards implemented on that high-profile HBO production. This incident highlights how crucial duty of care is, which is a sentiment the AYPA echoes. "Someone needs to sit down with the parents of a child who is taking a lead role in 'Harry Potter' or 'Game of Thrones' for that general duty of care and to discuss therapy and media training," the AYPA stated, highlighting the transformative impact such roles can have on a child's life.