IVCA Freelancers Roundtable Meetings

Minutes of the Freelancers Forum Held 16th September at IVCA HQ

Those registered;
  • Adam Cohen, Freelance
  • Mike Cooper, Freelance
  • Claire Eades, Freelance
  • Marco Forgione, CEO IVCA
  • Des Good, Chairman IVCA
  • Robert Hartshorne, Freelance
  • Scott Horsfield, Freelance
  • Irantzu Lau-Hing-Fan, Consultant
  • Anthony Matheson, Freelance
  • Terence Messenger, Freelance
  • Colin Peel, Freelance
  • Jonathan Priest, Freelance
  • Victoria Salmon, Freelance

Minutes;

  • Des Good, IVCA Chairman, made an introductory presentation highlighting the focus of the organization in representing the freelance community and how we can deliver added value.  Des reviewed the past year which has seen a shift of talent from broadcast to corporate.  The economic climate had caused particular problems in the live events industry and there is concern for public sector spend in the coming year. Already budgets were reduced with clients wanting more for less.
    There was an opportunity particularly for writers who are able to conceptualize projects – particularly as clients seemed to now want almost a complete script as part of the pitching process.

 

Issues of concern raised by the attendees were:
  • The downward pressure on fees
  • Still many of those in the industry do not understand freelancers and how best to deploy them
  • There is a role for the IVCA in educating producers how to engage freelancers
  • Industry needs to reward and incentivise to grow new talent
  • Composers and music producers are immediately protected in law which is not the case for writers. Which means that it is important to establish the rules of engagement with production companies early and that pitch fees should be included.
  • There seems to be a trend for working with more than one writer in a  team approach.
  • There was concern that Agents do not on the whole add value for their clients
  • Freelancers need to understand that they have to take responsibility for marketing themselves – it was felt that a seminar, advice and guidance on marketing and promotion would be helpful
  • Want more social events with a relaxed atmosphere to meet production companies

There being no other business for discussion the meeting concluded. The 3rd Freelancer’s Forum will take place on Wed 16th December at IVCA HQ at 10.30am.

Minutes of the meeting held at the IVCA Offices - 8th April 2009

In attendance;
  • Marco Forgione (IVCA)
  • David Cambridge (IVCA)
  • Dave Comley (IVCA)
  • Sheila Brownlee
  • Claire Eades
  • Stephen Engelhard
  • Mark Insoll
  • Tim Langford
  • Terry Messenger
  • Colin Peel
  • Anne Wilson
Late Apologies Received from;
  • Jonathan Freer
  • Robert Hartshorne
  • Gavin Knight

Minutes;

1. Collecting Payment of Invoices in Good Time;
  • County Court procedure discussed for recovering payment
  • Use of statutory Interest Clauses had proved successful to some
  • Early contact with Financial Directors/Head of Accounts advised, even before monies due
  • Concern at recent trend of “On-Line auction” tendering process – IVCA would vigorously oppose such developments
  • IVCA Code of Ethics to be revised and may include payment best-practice
  • IVCA arbitration scheme to be looked into
2. Encouraging the Use of Freelancers During difficult Economic Trading Conditions
  • Opportunities for Freelancers increased during difficult trading
  • Freelancers in the pitching process and charges for the same discussed

 

3. IVCA Website Area for Freelancers etc.
  • IVCA have recently set up a Freelance Page on the IVCA Website
  • Additional specialities over and above handbook entry may be added
  • Senior industry figure to be asked to write article extolling use of Freelancers
  • Freelancer Focus in Update considered useful
  • Use of Linked-In or Twitter for IVCA blog to be looked into
  • Possible On-Line seminars etc
  • Important that Face-to Face Meetings continued

 

4. Seminars and Future Events for Freelancers
  • Special rates for Freelancers appreciated for Winners’ Screening and should be extended to all events
  • Winners Screening costs had been lowered significantly in recognition of difficult times
  • Membership Rate had remained same for 4 years
  • Commissioner to be asked to attend next Freelancer Forum
  • Clarion Awards undergoing revision for 2009 to extend categories and scope
  • Technical seminars – suggestion should be free for Freelancers, although costs for these were very low comparatively
  • On-Line/Digital seminars would be very beneficial to Freelancers
  • Showcase Evenings to be considered with regards to resurrecting
  • Occasional social events considered good idea

 

5. Encouraging Young Talent into Corporate Comms
  • IVCA currently doing little to encourage young talent to corporate comms
  • Little encouragement offered by schools or FE
  • Entry into Corporate Comms through broadcast increasingly difficult
  • Opportunities in Corporate Comms considered on the increase whilst other areas declined
  • Freelancers in favour of helping IVCA create seminars/work shops for students in future
  • Attracting new talent is an industry problem
  • IVCA Awards to be introduced specifically for young talent
  • Media Courses in schools should be more defined
6. Any Other Business
  • Freelancers Meeting considered very useful. Thanks to IVCA for organizing

 

7. Date of Next Meeting
  • IVCA Freelance Forum to take place on Wednesday 8th July. Venue TBA