‘WE NEVER RELEASED NEW RATE CARD’ KENYA ACTORS GUILD TREASURER DENIES

Kenya Actors Guild treasurer Amin Elchie Virani has shut down claims that the association released a new rate card for actors.

Speaking in an interview, with Cheptoek Boyo on Buzz Central, Echie said the released rate card was an old one and they are yet to announce a revised one, “We never released a rate card, we found it as it is, we wanted to discuss it at the AGM but it was called off because of lack of quorum. it’s an old rate card, it just gained prominence because of turbulence in the U.S and South Africa industry.” 

In July this year, Salem actor Charles Ouda took to social media to rant about the rate card by Kenya Actors Guild. According to Ouda, 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?”