Page 40 - Urban Kapital Magazine PROMO 21_Neat

ACTING SCENE IN THE UK VERSUS HOLLYWOOD
LOCKDOWN TALKS WITH BRITISH ACTORS

LEFT IMAGE, THE BASEMENT BUNCH / RIGHT IMAGE, CHARITY MUIRURI

Financial support for actors? Speaking on this issue, Sèverine Charity talked me through her
said “I’m not eligible for a lot of sup- journey of being an actor. From
Quarantine has been a financial strug- port the government has provided, having a supportive drama teach-
gle for some actors. Because of this, as I’ve only been self-employed for er in high school, which then later
the government has announced a two years. But I’m in a very fortu- inspired her to take on a perform-
scheme to support the self-employed nate position because I have sav- ing arts degree in university. But
during these tough times. Support ings.” Despite this, Sèverine added during her third year at university,
from the state has meant a grant for that she still receives a minimal she became uncertain about her
the self-employed, worth 80% of their amount from her work at a theatre, chosen career and decided to take
average monthly profits over the last as they agreed to pay employees a break.
three years. To be eligible for this that are on zero hour contracts.
support, individuals need to earn less “In the third year a lot was hap-
than £50,000 a year and at least half British-Kenyan Charity Muiruri, 27, pening at university and home, my
of their income must have come from who is an actor and collaborator for mind wasn’t in the right place and
self-employed work. The Basement Bunch. Also shared so I felt I needed a break”.
her opinions on how she is coping
Backstage an online career resource financially, she said, “I’m not spend- Because of this decision Charity
for actors and performers pointed out ing a lot of money and the money I felt lost on what she wanted to do,
criticisms of this scheme. They ad- am getting, I am saving”. Before the but then was drawn to Creative
dressed that many actors do not earn lockdown, Charity lived and worked Access where she secured a job at
50% of their income through self-em- part-time in Leicester for a theatre a talent agency.
ployment, as people often work in Pay company, like many UK employees
As You Earn (PAYE) to support their she is still earning regular income “I started off feeling great about it,
acting career. According to them, the having been put on ‘Furlough’. A but then when you’re an actor at
government scheme does not cover support system for firms hit by heart you start seeing opportuni-
those who recently became self-em- Coronavirus, which allows employ- ties you wish you could be doing”.
MAGAZINE // 40 ine Howell-Meri, support cannot be from the government. tivated to get back into acting and
ees to claim 80% of their wages
ployed. So, for many like Sèver-
Because of this, she was later mo-
claimed for those with less than three
she did just that.
Continued...Kia Fullerton