news category General News created 15 April 2020
It’s been quite the month to say the least. We hope you are all keeping safe and well in these uncertain times. We have been providing frequent updates on the changing situation as well as signposting to the various industry hardship funds, and we hope you have found this helpful.
Another hardship fund has become available, this time for those who make most of their income from film and TV work. This may be another avenue of support for those whose work is primarily in film and TV scoring, and who don’t fit into the categories of the government’s CJRS (furlough) or SEISS schemes. Please click here for more details
The MPG have been campaigning hard on your behalf, and together with other trade bodies and unions achieved an amazing result for sole-traders getting up to £2500 a month from the government’s SEISS scheme, with the chancellor mentioning “musicians and sound-engineers” first in his speech. However we know there is more work to do, particularly for those members who are directors of limited companies, the newly self-employed, and those who face fixed costs from studio rents and business rates. We are continuing to push for more support and are in constant contact with our industry lobbyists UK Music, and ministers and officials. Here is the MPG’s list of asks from government.
We need a bit more info from you to help us fight your corner, so please fill in this tiny additional survey if you can – its only 5 questions but will provide vital evidence for government:
Click Here to fill in the survey
We are also working with the rest of the industry to develop a strategy for when the restrictions are lifted, including what support we might need from the government and the rest of the industry. Please do get in touch if you have any thoughts on this.
While we have all been locked away, we thought it would be a good idea to shine a light on some of the fantastic engineering and production talent in our industry, and have launched Instagram Live ‘Ask Me Anything’ sessions every Thursday. We kicked things off with our very own, twice MPG Award-nominated Cam Blackwood, and this Thursday at 8 PM we will be talking to 2018 MPG Producer of the Year Catherine Marks.
Our Instagram username is @musicproducersguild
Due to the current crisis the board have decided to postpone our AGM and elections to the MPG Executive Board, partly because we would very much like to have an ‘in person’ AGM and social if at all possible, and partly because we feel its important to have continuity and board members who are familiar with the role while we are dealing with this crisis. We will update you on a new date for the AGM once we have more information on when the current restrictions are due to be lifted.
Please do get in touch if you have any questions about any of the above, or if there is anything else we can help with.
Stay safe
your MPG Team
