DYING poor and asking for public donations might soon be a thing of the past for South African actors.
This is after veteran actor Jack Devnarain and his colleagues launched the South African Screen Performers Rights Organisation (SASPRO) on Friday, 4 November.
The organisation will ensure that actors get royalties for all their work.
The launch was virtually held from Randburg, Joburg.
SASPRO’s board includes veteran actors, entertainment lawyers, professors and various people with a wealth of expertise in different fields.
In a statement, Jack said: “With the imminent passing into law of the Copyright and Performers Protection Amendment Bills, it’s important to cater for the collective management of audio-visual rights for actors.
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“A decades-long parliamentary and public participation process will soon culminate in the anticipated adoption of the Bills by the National Council of Provinces and assent by the president of South Africa.”
“For the first time ever, and in line with international best practice, South African actors are set to enjoy the legal right to earn residual income from their recorded audiovisual performances, while their work generates ongoing profits.
“SASPRO has instituted transparent mechanisms to collect and distribute actors’ earnings under the guidance of a board of experts in intellectual property law, tax compliance matters and legislative frameworks, all of whom share a deep understanding of the audio-visual industry and the business of acting in South Africa.”
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According to Jack, SASPRO will serve its members through reciprocal agreements that are in the process of being secured with its counterparts in various global territories.
Membership is free for South African screen performers, and SASPRO will facilitate the collection and payment of money due to performers where existing contractual terms provide for the claiming of fees.
