Equity Pole Dancers’ Working Party
Notes of the meeting of the Pole Dance Working Party held on Friday 22nd January 2010 at 1.00pm at Equity, Guild House, Upper St Martins Lane, London WC2H 9EG
Present : Michael Day (Equity staff), Dana Mayer, Emma Mitchell, Elena Gibson
and Amber-Rosia, Louise Grainger (Equity’s marketing manager – for item 2 only)
1. Apologies : Kate Johnstone, Sam Remmer, Genevieve Moody
2. UK Pole Dance Day 2010.
Since the last meeting, Equity had given its go-ahead to design a logo for UKPDD
and Emma had been working with a designer to produce this. He had been given
a brief to produce something for this national event which would work on posters,
banners and other materials and would work alongside the Equity logo. He was
asked for something that was not too glamorous or too ‘fitness’. Emma had
brought along about 25 initial designs for the working party to look at. These were
reduced to a shortlist of 5. It was agreed that these would be circulated to other
working party members for their comments by 29th January 2010. When Louise
Grainger was in attendance she expressed preference for those logos which
didn’t depict a female figure and particularly those contained in a circle as they
work well on badges and stamps etc. Emma had also written some other
documents for inclusion in a pack such as an example press release and a draft
email that would go out to the schools. These would also be circulated to the
other working party members for feedback.
Timetable wise, Jonathon (the designer) would finish the work early in February
and the email-shot would go out at the beginning of March, from the email group
on Kate’s database. There would also be a Facebook / website page set up to list
participating schools as they signed up. It was clarified that schools would not be
charged for the packs. Replies from schools would be sent to the email account
that had been set up and would need to be collated. Emma would organise
Jonathon to submit an invoice for his work to Equity.
There was a discussion about whether to try to promote this through Pole2Pole
Magazine. This was the only magazine for the industry but it was thought it did
not have the right image for where the working party wanted the industry to be.
3. Equity Campaign on Entertainment Licensing update. Michael Day reported
that following the demonstration some progress was being made with
government on the licensing exemption for small venues. There was currently a
consultation on this to which Equity will make a submission. Following this it is
hoped that a legislative reform order, which needs all party backing, can be made
in time to make changes before a general election later this year. Equity and the
Musicians' Union still wanted an exemption for venues of up to 200 capacity but
the offer had only been for those of 100 or less.
With the situation of burlesque entertainment in Camden it appeared to be
mainly resolved except that the wording of the licensing policy had to be agreed.
Currently burlesque entertainment was not being stopped from going ahead.
4. Recruitment and Retention Events. Some further events for potential
membership recruitment were discussed. The following had previously been
mentioned:
UKAPP (UK Amateur Pole Performers) – usually Reading or London for which the
final was thought to be in November.
MPD (Miss Pole Dance) – London, final in October
Pole Divas – Manchester, final November or December
British Isles – Essex, final October
Others were also raised.
Taylor’s Retreat Cup 2010 would take place in July 2010. This was run by Ben
Taylor and held in Surrey
North Wales, Colwyn Bay competition would take place on 21st February.
5. Copyright issues and guidance leaflet. Some further examples of copyright
were discussed. Generally these were about the copying of others’ choreography
and use of music. It was apparent that this was a common problem and it was
not clear where ‘being inspired’ by someone ended and plagiarism started. It was
often the case that someone would use the same music as someone else and
possibly similar costuming but not use the same moves. Also in burlesque it was
often the case that a costume change would take place during an act, for
example, from a secretary to Superwoman to the music of ‘Nine to Five’. This
could be done in different ways and depending on the circumstances, could be a
breach of one’s copyright but equally may not be. One working party member was
actually named, without her consent, as being the inspiration for another’s
performance. This could be a breach of ‘moral rights’ as individuals have the right
not to be associated with something they are not involved in. Although this could
have been actioned it had not been. It was also thought that this could give
welcome publicity to the artist who had been the inspiration.
6. Any other Business. A documentary was mentioned entitled ‘Immodesty
Undressed’ which had allegedly been a history of burlesque but had barely
mentioned Dita Von Teese.
7. Date of Next Meeting: would be 16th April 2010 at 1.00pm at Equity. It was
noted, however, that the availability of Equity’s meeting rooms was currently in
question.