Actors' union files grievances claiming unequal treatment of BIPOC members

A Canadian actors' union has filed grievances against two production associations, claiming unequal treatment of BIPOC performers in hair and makeup services on sets.

Eleanor Noble, national president of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists — or ACTRA — told CBC News on Thursday that its members who are Black, Indigenous or people of colour regularly show up for work on set to find hair and makeup artists who are unprepared to work on their hair or skin tones. 

"We brought this to our negotiations and in the end we decided to file a grievance. We realize there is systemic discrimination on hair and makeup, and while it's an industry issue it's also a huge societal issue," Noble said. "Being treated equally, anywhere, is a fundamental human right."

On Dec. 22, ACTRA, which represents roughly 27,000 English-language performers in television, film, radio and digital media, sent a letter to its members outlining its complaints against the Canadian Media Producers Association and the Association québécoise de la production médiatique for what it says is a violation of human rights protections. 

The letter states that during recent negotiations on the Independent Production Agreement — which governs the employment of performers in most Canadian film, television and digital media productions — the two producers' associations gave "inadequate assurances and proposals" to ensure that hair and makeup services are provided equally to all performers.

"Our negotiating team made the decision to continue our fight through the legal process of arbitration where we are arguing this systemic practice violates the human rights protections we have in Canada," says the letter.

Among other demands, ACTRA wants all hairstylists and makeup artists on productions be adequately trained to work with all performers — regardless of skin tone, facial structure or hair texture — and provide a full range of products and equipment on set.

Toronto actor Samora Smallwood — originally from Mount Pearl, N.L. — told CBC News hair and makeup problems on sets have been talking points among BIPOC performers for years

From actors having their wigs "pushed back" by an untrained hairstylist — clipping their hairlines far from their foreheads — to makeup artists who don't get skin tones correct, she said, BIPOC performers share common experiences.  

"I've been in that situation, where I will say, 'I think that foundation is a little too dark,' and then the makeup artist won't speak to me for the rest of the day," said Smallwood, who is also co-chair of ACTRA's diversity committee.

Smallwood said BIPOC performers often don't speak up for fear of repercussions.

"I've had a makeup artist not show up on touches, and I'm standing there … and the other actors are getting their touches. There is a punishment for the actor if you do speak up." 

BIPOC performers often deal with a "close enough" standard when it comes to their hair and makeup, said Smallwood.

"We're still not allowed to demand or expect the perfection that other performers get to look like on screen and have everything just right," Smallwood said.