Extras who have complaints about how they are treated in movies or TV sets can call a hotline from mid-February. Director Jan Verhein is the father of the initiative. “One should treat extras with respect, as one would like to be treated,” says the director.
The hotline initiative comes from add-on Maurice Vermeersch, who previously complained in the media that add-ons are often treated unfairly. This relates to additional features that are not paid or do not receive food, but there are also complaints about infringing behavior. Therefore, the voluntary association headed by Vermeersch wants to become a point of contact for all add-ons – according to Vermeersch, there are between 200,000 and 300,000 in our country – who have questions or complaints.
“If there are anonymous complaints, we will consider whether it is a #MeToo story, in which case, we will go to the police. When it comes to complaints about add-ons that are not being paid or treated unfairly, we reach out to the production house itself and the Flemish Audiovisual Fund. ‘The latter can then decide, for example, not to provide support for products anymore,’ says Vermeersch.
The hotline is also in contact with three confidential advisors: someone from the Actors Guild, someone from the Producers Council and Jan Verhein’s manager. The latter says that he mainly wants to show his sympathy by becoming a godfather, but he also takes this role very seriously and wants to take on the role of mediator if necessary.
There is no additional union
Unlike in the UK, for example, where there is a labor union for additives, the regulation around additives is more specialized here, he explains. “Sometimes the extras are compensated, which is between 25 and 75 euros – often around 25 from 75 euros – but it is also agreed that you treat these people decently.” This includes serving sandwiches, snacks, soft drinks, a place where they can wait, etc. Verheyen also adds that not every production has the money to provide hot food for large groups of people, for example, but that doesn’t mean the extras are worthy of respect.
The hotline with the email address will be launched on February 14th. There will also be a private Facebook page and Instagram account.
The hotline initiative comes from add-on Maurice Vermeersch, who previously complained in the media that add-ons are often treated unfairly. This relates to additional features that are not paid or do not receive food, but there are also complaints about infringing behavior. Therefore, the voluntary association headed by Vermeersch wants to become a point of contact for all add-ons – according to Vermeersch, there are between 200,000 and 300,000 in our country – who have questions or complaints. “If there are anonymous complaints, we will consider whether it is a #MeToo story, in which case, we will go to the police. When it comes to complaints about add-ons that are not being paid or treated unfairly, we reach out to the production house itself and the Flemish Audiovisual Fund. The latter can then decide, for example, not to support products anymore. The hotline is also in contact with three confidential advisors: someone from the Actors Guild, someone from the Producers Council and manager Jan Verhein. The latter says it’s He basically wants to show his sympathy by becoming a godfather, but he also takes that role very seriously and wants to take on the role of mediator if necessary.Unlike the UK, for example, where there is a labor union for extras, the regulation around extras is more specialized here. , he explains. “Sometimes the extras are compensated, which is between €25 and €75 – often around €25 of €75 – but it is also agreed that you treat these people decently.” This includes serving sandwiches, snacks and drinks. the Fizzy, a place they can wait, etc. Verheyen also adds that not every production has the money to provide hot food for large groups of people, for example, but that doesn’t mean the extras are worthy of respect. The hotline with the email address will be launched on February 14th. There will also be a private Facebook page and Instagram account.
