Following on from yesterday’s post, I just received the following via the UNIMA Aus. mailing list. Ross Browning, from Puppetease, reports:

Members might also be interested to read …..

I was also contacted ( email . phone calls and SMS Text messages) by Mr Wahid Ramadan for a quote.

It is most surprising that Mr Ramadan advises that it was too late to withdraw advertising for Murray Raine….. He was negotiating with me from (ist email)31/12/2009 right up until 17/1/2010 and some later sms text messages . Trying to persuade me to come to Dubai…even offered an airfare for my wife.  BUT alas Mr Wahid Ramadan’s budget was too small for my quote…so thankfully no major drama and end of storey…

Regarding working in Overseas…..Dubai -  It is most advisable for Artistes to speak to other experienced performers who have had overseas touring experience OR seek professional advice from an experienced Agent.

In my case I was aware that both puppeteers Murray Raine and David Hamilton have toured extensively in Dubai. I phoned and spoke to both artistes at length and both Murray and David were very generous with their time advising me of their own experiences in Dubai.  Their combined advice alerted me to set my price at the appropriate level to counter the risk of performing overseas.

Artistes need to Remember when you agree to perform overseas Australian Artistes are NOT covered by any of the normal industrial laws which apply here at home.

It can be extremely difficult to have any legal recourse when operating outside of Australia . As artistes operating in foreign countries we are exposed to all sorts of risks… (Murray Raine and other experienced OS puppeteers might have a few more stories to share.) My overseas touring negotiations is limited to New Zealand and Canada & Taiwan. ( Taiwan being the most difficult)

I’m wondering if UNIMA could provide UNIMA members with a negotiating checklist to use when dealing with Overseas agents or festival organisers.

I will contact the Arts Law Centre  to see what info they might have which could help members.

Thank you and Murray Raine once again for sharing Murray’s experience with the UNIMA members.

Warm Regards

Ross Browning.
www.puppetease.com