Equity's 2013 survey of members
1. How old are you?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
under 20
1.1%
43
20 to 29
14.7%
559
30 to 39
19.3%
735
40 to 49
18.7%
712
50 to 59
21.1%
804
over 60
25.0%
951
answered question
3,804
skipped question
8
Response
Response
Percent
Count
2. How long have you been an Equity member?
Under 5 years
24.6%
937
5 to 10 years
17.6%
671
11 to 15 years
12.0%
455
16 to 20 years
8.1%
307
21 to 25 years
7.8%
297
over 25 years
29.9%
1,137
answered question
3,804
skipped question
8
1 of 22
3. What is your gender?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
male
53.5%
2,037
female
46.1%
1,752
transgender
0.4%
15
answered question
3,804
skipped question
8
2 of 22
4. How would you describe your race or ethnic origin?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
white
English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern
80.3%
3,031
white Irish
3.0%
112
white European
5.4%
205
Gypsy or Irish traveller
0.1%
5
other white background
2.5%
94
Indian
0.6%
23
Bangladeshi
0.0%
0
Pakistani
0.2%
6
Chinese
0.3%
10
other East Asian
0.3%
10
black Caribbean
0.9%
35
black African
0.6%
24
0.2%
7
mixed white and black Caribbean
0.7%
25
mixed white and black African
0.3%
13
mixed white and Asian
0.6%
24
1.5%
58
2.4%
92
answered question
3,774
skipped question
38
Irish/British
other black African/Caribbean
background
any other mixed/multiple ethnic
background
other (please specify)
3 of 22
5. Do you identify as disabled?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
yes
3.5%
129
no
96.5%
3,593
answered question
3,722
skipped question
90
Response
Response
Percent
Count
6. How would you describe your sexuality?
heterosexual/straight
85.2%
3,161
lesbian/gay woman
1.0%
37
gay man
8.1%
301
bi-sexual
3.9%
145
1.8%
66
answered question
3,710
skipped question
102
other (please specify)
4 of 22
7. Most of my work in the entertainment industry is as an . . .
Response
Response
Percent
Count
actor
61.5%
2,182
choreographer
0.4%
14
circus artist
1.4%
51
dancer (ballet)
0.1%
4
dancer (commercial)
0.7%
25
dancer (contemporary)
0.6%
23
entertainer
4.1%
146
model
0.3%
10
puppeteer
0.8%
30
singer (opera/concert)
2.3%
82
singer (other)
2.6%
94
stage management
4.1%
147
stand-up comedian
0.6%
21
stunt artist
0.6%
22
television/radio presenter
0.7%
25
theatre designer
0.5%
18
theatre director
2.9%
102
theatre fight director
0.2%
8
variety artist
1.3%
45
voice-over artist
2.5%
88
walk on/supporting artist
2.7%
97
I no longer work in entertainment
1.4%
48
7.5%
267
answered question
3,549
other (please specify)
5 of 22
skipped question
263
8. I also work in the entertainment industry as an . . . (please tick all which apply)
Response
Response
Percent
Count
actor
28.7%
711
choreographer
3.9%
97
circus artist
2.0%
49
dancer (ballet)
0.7%
17
dancer (commercial)
2.5%
62
dancer (contemporary)
2.7%
66
entertainer
12.3%
305
model
5.7%
141
puppeteer
4.9%
121
singer (opera/concert)
3.1%
76
singer (other)
19.2%
474
stage management
4.0%
98
stand-up comedian
2.9%
72
stunt artist
0.9%
23
television/radio presenter
4.0%
98
theatre designer
1.3%
32
theatre director
13.1%
325
theatre fight director
0.9%
23
variety artist
5.1%
125
voice-over artist
28.3%
701
walk on/supporting artist
11.6%
287
21.2%
524
answered question
2,475
other (please specify)
6 of 22
skipped question
1,337
9. In the entertainment industry I mostly work in . . . (please tick all which apply)
Response
Response
Percent
Count
advertising
12.1%
431
audio books
5.9%
211
children’s entertainment
9.0%
319
circus
1.9%
68
clubs and pubs
7.3%
258
commercial theatre
19.8%
703
corporate events
14.9%
529
cruise ships
1.7%
61
digital/on-line
3.9%
140
feature films
21.7%
770
fringe theatre
28.5%
1,011
games
1.6%
57
musical theatre
13.0%
461
music business
2.6%
93
National Theatres/RSC
8.9%
317
opera/ballet company
3.4%
119
radio
11.0%
389
regional theatre
28.4%
1,009
role play
13.4%
477
subsidised repertory theatre
14.3%
509
television
32.2%
1,143
theatre in education/YPT
9.0%
318
West End theatre
12.3%
436
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I no longer work in entertainment
other (please specify)
2.1%
74
14.6%
519
answered question
3,549
skipped question
263
10. How many weeks professional work did you undertake in the past 12 months?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
more than 40 weeks
12.1%
431
30 to 40 weeks
9.0%
320
20 to 30 weeks
13.3%
473
10 to 20 weeks
20.1%
712
less than 10 weeks
34.9%
1,239
none
10.5%
374
answered question
3,549
skipped question
263
8 of 22
11. How much did you earn from your work in the entertainment industry in the past 12
months?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
nothing
11.2%
397
under £5k
37.7%
1,339
£5k to £10k
18.3%
650
£10k to £20k
19.1%
679
£20k to £50k
11.4%
405
£50k to £100k
1.5%
55
over £100k
0.7%
24
answered question
3,549
skipped question
263
12. Have you worked in entertainment for no pay in the past 12 months?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
yes
46.1%
1,637
no
53.9%
1,912
Whether you answered "yes" or "no" please say why
9 of 22
2,572
answered question
3,549
skipped question
263
13. If you answered "yes" to question 12 were you paid expenses?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
yes
48.0%
828
no
52.0%
896
answered question
1,724
skipped question
2,088
14. If you answered "yes" to question 12 in what part of the entertainment industry did
you work for no pay? (please tick all which apply)
Response
Response
Percent
Count
film
25.1%
411
film school
15.6%
256
on-line
3.4%
56
script reading
13.3%
218
television
4.5%
73
theatre
46.5%
762
workshop
14.0%
229
25.3%
414
answered question
1,637
skipped question
2,175
other (please specify)
10 of 22
15. At Equity's 2013 annual conference it was said that there is a growing trend of acting
opportunites being denied unless members agreed to appear nude. Is it your impression
that this trend is happening?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
yes
10.9%
379
no
32.6%
1,136
don't know
56.5%
1,968
answered question
3,483
skipped question
329
Response
Response
Percent
Count
16. Have you ever felt pressurised to appear nude at a casting?
yes
4.2%
149
no
95.8%
3,400
please add any comments here
11 of 22
550
answered question
3,549
skipped question
263
17. In the past year, how many times have you contacted Equity?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
once
23.5%
752
2 to 5 times
23.0%
734
6 to 10 times
2.8%
90
more than ten times
2.2%
69
I have not contacted Equity
48.6%
1,553
answered question
3,198
skipped question
614
12 of 22
18. If you did make contact with Equity in the past year, what was it about? (Please tick
all which apply)
Response
Response
Percent
Count
benefits or tax
13.6%
225
bullying at work
3.0%
50
charitable support
2.1%
35
contract conditions
24.7%
408
equal opportunities
1.6%
27
health and safety at work
4.0%
66
insurance
12.4%
205
minimum rates of pay
14.4%
237
pensions
6.7%
110
repeat fees
6.9%
114
subscription rates
14.6%
241
training
5.5%
90
39.0%
644
answered question
1,650
skipped question
2,162
other (please specify)
13 of 22
19. Thinking about your answer to the question above, how satisfied were you with the
response you got?
very satisfied - my query was
dealt with
fairly satisfied - I got an answer but
it did not help me
not very satisfied - my question
was not answered
not at all satisfied - I got no
response at all
Response
Response
Percent
Count
70.3%
1,141
20.3%
330
4.9%
80
4.4%
72
Please explain why you were or were not satisfied
14 of 22
485
answered question
1,623
skipped question
2,189
20. Below is a list of entertainment industry issues recently discussed by Equity. Please let
us know how important each issue is to you.
arts funding cuts
bullying at work
fringe theatre
very
fairly
not very
not at all
the most
Rating
Rating
important
important
important
important
important
Average
Count
66.1%
18.6%
4.0%
(2,107)
(593)
(128)
1.6% (51)
36.4%
33.8%
20.6%
7.4%
(1,154)
(1,069)
(651)
(234)
28.4%
43.5%
21.4%
5.3%
(895)
(1,368)
(673)
(167)
9.7%
1.70
3,189
1.8% (58)
2.04
3,166
1.4% (44)
2.08
3,147
1.78
3,173
1.91
3,189
1.3% (42)
2.64
3,177
2.4% (77)
1.95
3,171
1.8% (58)
1.88
3,170
1.62
3,193
answered question
3,198
(310)
53.2%
29.7%
8.7%
(1,687)
(941)
(277)
non-professionals working in theatre
47.9%
27.2%
15.3%
4.8%
4.8%
and TV
(1,529)
(869)
(487)
(152)
(152)
13.3%
27.4%
42.9%
15.1%
(422)
(869)
(1,363)
(481)
39.5%
35.4%
17.7%
4.9%
(1,253)
(1,123)
(562)
(156)
low pay/no pay productions
nudity on stage and screen
on-screen credits
2.8% (90)
39.5%
39.8%
15.5%
3.3%
(1,253)
(1,263)
(490)
(106)
performers’ rights over their
61.7%
26.4%
5.2%
recorded work
(1,969)
(844)
(165)
pensions
1.7% (53)
5.6%
(178)
5.1%
(162)
skipped question
15 of 22
21. Equity believes equality at work is of great importance. Please let us know how important
each issue below is to you.
very
fairly
not very
not at all
the most
Rating
Rating
important
important
important
important
important
Average
Count
access to work for members with
54.6%
33.8%
8.0%
disabilities
(1,746)
(1,081)
(255)
1.7% (53)
2.0% (63)
1.63
3,198
55.5%
30.3%
9.3%
(1,774)
(969)
(298)
2.7% (86)
2.2% (71)
1.66
3,198
2.1% (67)
1.81
3,198
1.94
3,198
1.79
3,198
answered question
3,198
bullying or discrimination against
lesbian, gay, bisexual or
transgender members
career progression for black and
45.3%
36.1%
13.1%
3.3%
ethnic minority members
(1,448)
(1,156)
(420)
(107)
44.1%
30.8%
16.5%
4.6%
4.1%
(1,410)
(984)
(527)
(146)
(131)
work opportunities for older
53.5%
28.3%
9.7%
actresses
(1,712)
(905)
(310)
gender balance in casting
3.0% (95)
5.5%
(176)
skipped question
22. Are there other issues you believe Equity should be concerned with?
no
yes (please specify)
16 of 22
Response
Response
Percent
Count
63.5%
2,030
36.5%
1,168
answered question
3,198
skipped question
614
23. Equity already offers membership to students on vocational courses, but do you
believe Equity should also offer membership to emerging artists yet to get any paid
work?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
yes
37.2%
1,191
no
34.0%
1,087
don't know
28.8%
920
answered question
3,198
skipped question
614
24. Do you believe entry criteria for Equity should be more stringent, less stringent or
remain the same? Paste the link below into your browser for details of Equity's entry
criteria: https://www.equity.org.uk/about-us/join-us/how-can-i-join/
Response
Response
Percent
Count
more stringent
25.0%
798
less stringent
9.0%
288
remain the same
49.5%
1,584
don't know
16.5%
528
Please let us know why you answered as you did
17 of 22
1,600
answered question
3,198
skipped question
614
25. Do you use the Equity diary?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
yes
59.2%
1,893
no
40.8%
1,305
answered question
3,198
skipped question
614
26. Instead of a printed diary, would you prefer an Equity on-line diary or app?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
yes
28.7%
917
no
71.3%
2,281
answered question
3,198
skipped question
614
18 of 22
27. What do you believe that Equity does well? (please tick all which apply)
Response
Response
Percent
Count
campaigning
58.8%
1,879
equality representation
43.5%
1,392
industrial negotiations
52.3%
1,671
insurance for members
64.0%
2,046
jobs information
19.2%
614
legal support
60.3%
1,928
pensions
30.3%
969
tax and benefit advice
43.8%
1,402
7.5%
241
answered question
3,198
skipped question
614
other (please specify)
28. What do you believe Equity could do better?
Response
Count
1,544
answered question
1,544
skipped question
2,268
29. Are there additional services you believe Equity should provide?
Response
Count
686
19 of 22
answered question
686
skipped question
3,126
30. What is your preferred method of getting information about Equity?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
post
17.1%
546
e-mail
67.1%
2,145
website
7.9%
253
social media
1.9%
60
personal contact
4.2%
133
1.9%
61
answered question
3,198
skipped question
614
other (please specify)
20 of 22
31. In the past 12 months, what Equity activities have you taken part in?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
attended a branch meeting
17.0%
545
attended an Annual General Meeting
5.6%
178
10.9%
348
attended an open meeting
5.6%
179
attended a workplace meeting
9.3%
297
2.8%
88
backed an Equity campaign
29.5%
945
been an Equity Deputy
4.8%
153
followed Equity on Twitter
20.3%
650
stood for election to a committee
4.2%
135
talked about Equity at work
45.2%
1,447
visited the Equity Facebook page
17.0%
544
visited the Equity website
57.8%
1,848
42.6%
1,361
20.3%
649
5.1%
163
answered question
3,198
skipped question
614
attended an Equity event or
workshop
attended the Annual Representative
Conference
voted in an Equity election or
referendum
I have not taken part in any Equity
events
other (please specify)
21 of 22
32. When Equity holds a referendum of members the Council makes its view clear by
urging members to vote in a particular way. In 2011 the Council also ran a campaign in
the Equity magazine to persuade members to support a rule change. Do you believe the
Council was right to run a campaign in this way?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
yes
45.0%
1,438
no
12.8%
409
don't know
42.2%
1,351
answered question
3,198
skipped question
614
33. Thank you for taking part in this survey. If you wish to make any further comments
about this survey or about Equity please do so here.
Response
Count
465
22 of 22
answered question
465
skipped question
3,347