SALEM STAR CHARLES OUDA RANTS ABOUT NEW KENYA ACTORS GUILD RATE CARD

Celebrated actor Charles Ouda took to social media to rant about the newly updated actors rate card by Kenya Actors Guild.

According to Ouda, the new rate card won’t make a difference if the industry doesn’t engage major broadcasting companies, “If you’re an actor in Kenya, you probably saw this post about how the Kenyan Actors Guild dropped a brand new rate card. I think it’s great that they are trying to streamline what people shouldn’t be earning and what people should be expecting in terms of their payments when they work in the industry, considering that this is a stupid, fast growing industry in our country.”

He added, “You’re releasing a new rate card, but the people who sign the cheques don’t really care. So what’s the rate card for? Half the people who sign the checks are major broadcasters and production companies around the country. They read that little paper and laughed. What use is a rate card if the people who signed the paperwork. Think it’s nothing. It’s the same value as toilet paper.“

Charles went on to ask the Kenya Actors Guild to give guidelines on what constitutes a low budget production, “There are people out here getting paid nothing near that playing principal parts on shows that are out here. Before we start telling them here’s the new rate card, how about we start drawing them to the table and get them to sign an MOU, where they actually agree with the rate card. I know numerous actors who have been told that this is a low budget production. 

I’m like this is a major broadcaster, how are you struggling to make the cut? The production is going out on regional television. Where’s that money going? Which then begs the question, what constitutes a low budget production? Because if it’s low budget, and it’s going on one of the biggest broadcasters in the region, then is it really low budget? Or are you out here trying to scam some people?”

Ouda called on actors to unite to make a change in the industry, “We cannot expect these people to listen to individuals. If we come together, there is a difference. Best example, SAG-AFTRA and WGA. If one person went there, they would be ignored. Instead of going by yourself, you go together. We need to figure out a system of unity amongst us brothers. There’s no unity amongst all of the people who work in this wonderful business.”