24/12/2024
2024 has been a challenging year for many. The slow down following on from the actors strike last year has meant that the Grips Branch Charity has had to help more people than ever before. It is such a fantastic resource that we have created, allowing us to help fellow grips in their time of need, whether it be through, injury, bereavement or just falling on hard times. I would urge anyone who doesn’t pay in to it, to put it top of your New Years Resolution list. Details can be found on our website.
2024 did see a new inflation linked pay deal struck with the APA. The first of its kind in our industry. Hopefully this will lead on to similar deals for both TV and film in the near future. We have also been negotiating hard with PACT for a completely new agreement to cover under £30m feature films. This is to make sure that something is in place before the new tax incentives for low budget features come into play next year.
This year has also seen a huge increase in applications for the qualification. This coupled with the people passing their Level 2 and Level 3 means that we really are leading the way in having highly skilled qualified technicians available to productions.
There has also been a strong uptake in the Basic Grip Skills certificate, formerly known as “The Purple Badge”. This allows trainees to be assessed to ensure that they are safe and competent to step up to grip and start gaining the experience to begin the process of working towards their Level 2. Since starting this assessment 2 years ago, there are now 47 grips who have taken the assessment.
As Autumn came, work seemed to increase and is looking like it will continue to get busier into 2025. The committee will continue to work tirelessly next year on your behalf and as always, any issues, you know where to find us. The AGM is set for the 12th January at our usual venue of The Bull Hotel in Gerrards Cross so I look forward to seeing many of you then.
In the meantime, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all on behalf of the committee for your continued support and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a busy and prosperous 2025.
Simon Muir
Chair
