‘Modest’ pay hike for B.C. actors

Actors in British Columbia have shaken hands with Canadian and U.S. producers on a new three-year performers contract.

Talks between the Union of B.C. Performers, representing 5,000 actors in the province, the Canadian affiliates of the AMPTP and the B.C. branch of the CFTPA produced a new Master Production Agreement to run from April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2012.

The newly inked agreement also leaves key new media provisions unchanged, and includes an expanded studio zone during the upcoming 2010 Olympics – where film and TV projects can be produced without extra payment to actors and crews for travel costs.

All three parties in the talks have recommended ratification of the new MPA.