You Say Goodbye, and I Say Hello...

Hi All,

Megan here. As most of you will know, I’m moving on from the role of Executive Officer here at the Techos’ Guild, and Fritha Stalker has taken the helm. We’ve spent the last two weeks in handover, and Fritha is very capable, a quick learner, and pleasant to work with. I know she’ll be a strong presence in the Guild.

I’m thankful for the time I’ve had with you all at the Guild. I genuinely enjoyed the times when I was able to help. My own circumstances have changed, and I’m moving on to full-time work, but I feel lots of positive changes are afoot for the Guild, and I’m sure it will continue to grow.

One thing I have learnt is that it pays to check your contract – and if you’re hiring out gear to a production, always specify who is responsible for its insurance. I know an Exec member who always asks the production company: Do you want to insure the gear, or do you want to use my insurance? If they use his insurance, they pay an extra fee on top of the daily rate. If they want to cover the insurance, then this is specified in the hireage agreement. If anything happens to the gear, it’s all spelt out in writing. No disputes.

I apologise to people whom I wasn’t able to get back to soon enough, or whose issues I wasn’t able to follow up. Sometimes the workload in the office threatened to rise up and swamp me! The good news is that Fritha is working more hours than I did, and the Guild office will now be open on Fridays. Allison Peirse – doing a great job with the Techos’ accounts – is also working an extra day to provide admin support. All this is a direct result of the vote to increase subs. This will translate to better service for you, the members.

Finally, an important issue I’ll be handing over to Fritha is Mark of the Lion. I’ve had further talks with our lawyer about this Charles Upham project and Safari Productions, and sent out an email to crew updating them on possible paths of action to recover debts.

Safari Productions has a registered office in Christchurch, which indicated a shareholding entirely held by Fat and Thin Productions Limited, which is presently in liquidation. Effectively, this means that Safari is a subsidiary of Fat and Thin, and Safari’s shareholding is an asset of Fat and Thin’s that will be pulled into the liquidation.

Our lawyer suggests some kind of “class action” on behalf of all unsecured technicians – to possibly proceed against the company directors for trading whilst insolvent. Another possible option is to file a 289 Notice with our lawyer – this would give Safari 10 working days to dispute the debt or 15 days to pay it. In the event the debt is neither paid nor disputed, then, on the expiration of the 15 working days, the debtor is deemed to be insolvent and the creditor can apply to the Court to place the debtor company into liquidation.

We’re investigating the pros and cons of 289 Notice versus proceeding against directors for trading while insolvent.

So, it’s a busy time for the Guild, and good luck to Fritha! I’ll be on the other end of the phone if she wants to ask for advice!

Cheers,

Megan

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....Hello Everyone,

A quick note from me as incoming Exec Officer... I have had a wonderful handover courtesy of Megan, who has done the most fantastic job for you behind the scenes.

I am enjoying the challenge of caretaking the office for you all in the Guild. It’s a really fantastic change for me after seven years in the Biology department of Auckland University! I grew up with artist types around me, so in a way, it feels like coming home. I’ve had some lovely messages of welcome from people who remember me at different stages of my life (including infancy!). It’s great to have some connections already, and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in my time in this role.

The biggest challenges in the position are dealing with discussions surrounding overseas crew coming in to work here, and the complex issues such as those surrounding Mark of the Lion. Megan has a wonderful knowledge base and a manner of dealing with both of these issues that I can only hope to emulate. For an initial period, I will be asking you to indulge me when I call, as I’ll be taking in details of your crafts. I promise to take this info on board as quickly as I can, so that I can be of the most support to the members.

That’s it from me for now.

More next issue!

All the best,

Fritha