Definition of membership categories

Producer Member

A producer member shall be an independent legal entity (e.g. company, close corporation, partnership) principally engaged in, or pursuing the business of producing in the South African film, television, commercial, video or multi-media production industry, and formally carries ultimate responsibility for his/her/its productions; and which has a production history (i.e. has actually produced a finished product).

Legal entities shall nominate one representative from that legal entity. The nominated representative does not qualify for any (other) membership category.

The membership fee structure is based on the annual turnover of the company for the most recent tax year.

Individual member

An individual member is an individual employed as an "in-house" producer by another independent producer or production company or a “free-lance” producer or “line producer”, employed from time to time as a producer

Any number of individual members who are employed by an independent producer or production company, and who are bona fide producers, shall qualify for membership in this category.

No person employed (not contracted or commissioned) by a broadcaster on a full-time basis will qualify for individual membership.

Honorary Member

An honorary member is an individual who, on the basis of his/her contribution to the industry as a producer, is invited by the membership to join the organisation in this category. Applications for people who feel they should stand in this category should accompany such an application form.

Introductory Member

An introductory member is a “new producer” (an individual or legal entity) who has not yet produced in the in the South African film, television, commercial, video or multi-media production industry.

Associate Member

An independent individual who is actively involved in the local production industry but who is not principally engaged in or pursuing the business of producing and therefore only produces, or pursues the business of producing on an ad-hoc basis (e.g. line producers, directors, editors, writers); or working in a related industry discipline; or an individual who is employed (not contracted or commissioned) as an “in-house” producer by a broadcaster. This category also includes producers who have been inactive and without production work for 6 months or more.

Affiliate member

An organisation or company which is engaged in or provides services and/or facilities for the South African film, television, commercial, video or multi-media production industry.

Student member

Individuals who are studying, undergoing training with a registered training institution.

NB: All membership applications need to be approved by the Executive Committee to ensure there is no person claiming to fit into an incorrect category to save on membership fees. This would be unfair to the other members and therefore not allow equal access to all. New members and existing members need to read and accept the terms of the IPO’s Constitution as being an employers association the IPO can now take action against its membership in certain extreme situations. Once full payment of the membership fees are received together with a completed application form, you will agree to abide by the terms of the organisation.