MEMBER PRODUCED ULB PROGRAM

For Productions produced by UBCP/ACTRA Members with a maximum total production cash budget of $300,000
  • The producer of record must be an Active UBCP/ACTRA Member in good standing
  • In recognition of the need for diverse and inclusive casting, the producer commits to a casting process that considers all performers, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, disability, race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other basis prohibited by law, subject to legitimate casting requirements.
  • All cast must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents. only under extraordinary circumstances, UBCP/ACTRA may allow up to one (1) star Performer who is neither a Canadian Citizen nor a Permanent Resident. Contact the ULB Administrator for more information.
  • Should the production generate revenue, the Producer agrees to pay the Performers an amount equal to 5% of Distributor’s Gross Revenue
  • The Producer must pay the Performers a minimum of $200 per day. However, there is no requirement to pay volunteers for background performance
  • As Performers are required to be paid, under BC law you must have WorkSafe BC coverage
  • Affordable “Accident on Set Insurance” is required for any UBCP/ACTRA Members volunteering as a background performer and is available by contacting AFBS
  • Commercial General Liability Insurance is required if stunts are to be performed

Simple Steps to working with Professional Talent:

Application

Insurance

Agreement

Return Forms

Application

At least five business days prior to first scheduled day of shooting, please submit the following to ulbprogram@ubcpactra.ca.

You MUST receive confirmation of your application from UBCP/ACTRA before contacting the insurance provider needed.

Insurance

Apply for the necessary Insurance:

  •  WorkSafe BC insurance:  Under the Standard ULB Program, Production is required to pay all Performers a minimum of $200 per day of work. Under BC law you are required to contact WCB regarding required employee coverage. Please forward the registration to your designated UBCP/ACTRA representative.
  •  Accident on Set Insurance: If any Union Members are not being paid (i.e.: those in a Background role), Accident on Set insurance is required. Apply for Accident on Set Insurance through AFBS (accidentonset.com) by calling the program administrator in Toronto at 1 800 387-8897, extension 304, or by email admin@accidentonset.ca

    Please note that it may take up to five business days for AFBS to process insurance applications and their office hours are Monday to Thursday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM ET.

If your production requires stunts you will need the following:

  • Commercial General Liability (CGL): Productions which include stunts must have Commercial General Liability Insurance. Please see Schedule “A” of the Ultra-Low Budget agreement for the CGL insurance requirements. Please forward the registration to your designated UBCP/ACTRA representative.
  • A UBCP/ACTRA approved Stunt Coordinator – Click here for more info on Stunt Coordinators

Nudity,  Partial Nudity & Intimate Scenes Alert
Where a Production requires scenes of nudity, semi-nudity, implied nudity and/or scenes of an intimate, sexual, sensitive and/or highly emotional nature, the terms of Article A24 of the BCMPA shall apply. The Producer is also required to submit an intimacy rider no later than TWO (2) business days prior to the Performer’s engagement on the Production.
For more resources, click here

Agreement

Once you have completed Steps 1 & 2, UBCP/ACTRA will provide you with the ULB Agreement. Please sign and return it to UBCP/ACTRA.

Return Forms

Once you have provided UBCP/ACTRA with the signed ULB Agreement, you will be provided with Performer Forms. Please have all union and non-union Performers (except background performers) sign the forms. Return these signed forms to UBCP/ACTRA along with a final cast list indicating each performer’s name, addresses, SIN, GST (if applicable) and the number of days worked.

Please note: If the production has a distribution agreement in place: Fees in an aggregate amount equal to five percent (5%) of Distributors’ Gross Revenue (the “DGR) shall be issued to the Union for distribution to Performers in the form of Use Fees.  The 5% of DGR is shared amongst the Performers based on days worked as provided by the Producer. DGR payments shall be issued to the Union for distribution to Performers in accordance with the Reporting and Payment Procedure of the BCMPA.

Please note: If Performers are required to stay overnight at a distant location: Please contact a ULB Program Administrator at ULBProgram@ubcpactra.ca or 604-689-0727 for further information regarding the expenses and requirements associated with shooting at distant locations.

FAQs

The Producer of record (who will assume all liability for the production) must be an Active Member in good standing with UBCP/ACTRA.

The total production cash costs must not be more than $300,000 (which include, but is not limited to, all sums paid for goods and services including payment of cast and crew fees, tape or film stock, equipment hire, insurance premiums, and post production facilities). Any non-cash costs (which include, but are not limited to, all waivers, donations; and ‘in-kind’ goods and services) should be listed in a separate column in the budget.

If the total production cash costs are over $300,000, you may apply under the BC Indie Program.  You can find more information about the BC Indie Program in Appendix “Q” of the BCMPA here.

Yes, all Performers (both Union and non-Union) receive a minimum payment of $200 per day.  Performers are able to negotiate a higher rate and deductions are not required to be made from Performers’ payments. The agreement does not require the Producer to compensate volunteers for background performance.

WorkSafe BC insurance is required by BC Law as Performers are receiving compensation.

Accident on Set insurance from AFBS is required for any unpaid Union Members that may be in a background role.

If your production includes stunts, UBCP/ACTRA requires you to have Commercial General Liability coverage (please see Schedule A for details)

No.

Many productions have both Union and non-Union members.  There is no limitation or restriction as to how many UBCP/ACTRA members you must cast. You may cast all UBCP/ACTRA members, or just one.

No.  Working on an ultra-low budget production does not count as a credit toward Union membership.

Under special circumstances, UBCP/ACTRA may consider allowing a maximum of one (1) star Performer who is not a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident. Please contact a ULB Program Administrator for more information.

The Ultra-Low Budget Program may allow Performers to stay overnight at a distant location. Please contact an Ultra-Low Budget administrator for more information about our travel requirements.

UBCP/ACTRA requires the address, SIN number, and number of days worked for each Performer.  This information is used by UBCP/ACTRA for the sole purpose of distributing residuals that may be owed to Performers should your project generate revenue.

Under the terms of the Member Produced Ultra-Low Budget Program, Producers agree to pay Performers 5% of the Distributor’s Gross Revenue.  If your production generates revenue, please contact our Distribution Department – 604-689-0727.

Do you have a question that hasn’t been answered? E-mail ulbprogram@ubcpactra.ca or call (604) 689-0727.