IPO aims and commitment

The Independent Producers Organisation was created to:

Represent, promote and protect the specific needs and interests of producer.

We are committed to:

• Represent and promote the economic and cultural interests of the South African film, television, and video production industry locally, continentally and abroad;
  
  
• Develop, support and implement growth strategies for the industry to increase local and international markets;
  
  
• Promote the development and establishment of aspirant and emergent producers and production companies;
  
  
• Overcome historical disparities within the industry, based on race, gender, disability and sexual orientation;
  
  
• Promote the industry for the good of the broader South African economy;
  
  
• Promote a stable and viable industrial environment within the industry;
  
  
• Encourage professionalism and high technical and creative standards in the industry;
  
  
• Keep producers at the forefront of technological, economic and cultural changes;
  
  
• Interact with and create negotiating channels and standard agreements with related industry organisations (e.g. actors’ and crew unions, writers’ and musicians’ guilds, broadcasters, distributors, etc.);
  
  
• Regulate relations between members and employees or trade unions;
  
  
• Promote health and safety standards for the industry;
  
  
• Play a key role in education, training and enhancement of skills within the industry;
  
  
• Inform and enlighten non-industry organisations (e.g. educational institutions, government bodies, financial institutions, etc.) about the industry. The industry being recognised as film, television, non broadcast & new media.

The Organisation shall actively strive to serve its members’ interests in the following areas:

Representation
This shall include formal representation, negotiation and informal lobbying.

Services
Services offered may include workshops, legal and business clinics, seminars, publications, industrial relations, and other services in the interests of members.

Communication
The organisation shall serve as a central communication network between members and other stakeholders in the industry.

Members of the IPO undertake to:

• Uphold the Constitution, aims and objectives of the IPO and at all times act in the best interests of the film, television and new media industry;
  
  
• Adhere to standard business practices and at all times conduct business professionally and ethically and fulfil all agreements in good faith;
  
  
• Provide the highest quality of service to clients;
  
  
• Ensure the timeous remuneration of all independent contractors and suppliers;
  
  
• Maintain full and proper insurance cover;
  
  
• Adhere to published safety standards on set/location and promote the utmost regard to public interest and safety;
  
  
• Protect, safeguard and restore all locations, obtaining the necessary permits and authorizations and following all published procedures;
  
  
• Act responsibly and courteously when filming on location to uphold the Industry’s good reputation thereby ensuring that the Industry’s access to locations is not restricted;
  
  
• Actively discourage the abuse of alcohol and narcotics in the Industry;
  
  
• Accurately represent their experience and capabilities and those of their employees;
  
  
• Disclose to prospective clients any particular interest that they may have in services that they recommend;
  
  
• Refrain from criticizing or denigrating members active in the industry in such manner as to bring the Industry or IPO into disrepute;
  
  
• Encourage cooperation amongst members and other industry professionals;
  
  
• Comply with all applicable laws, copyrights, legislation and regulations in South Africa;
  
  
• Ensure that all production companies and their employees are familiar with this code.