Some of these definitions are a bit arcane and convoluted. Where the application of this agreement ends and that of the BBC’s agreement with the Musicians’ Union begins can occasionally be unclear. For example, while Equity terms apply to the engagement of "pop groups", MU terms apply to that of "jazz groups". And the dividing line between the different sections of the BBC/Equity agreement can be controversial, too: puppeteers, for example, are included in the section governing actors, rather than that dealing with variety acts.
But of course the descriptive terms applied to the different kinds of people who make a living from appearing on the stage and on television are just that: descriptive, not definitive; and people of that kind are constantly inventing new ways of using the stage and television in the pursuit of art and/or entertainment. These definitions are an attempt — and in the vast majority of cases a successful attempt — to define things that are constantly changing.
If
yours is one of the small minority of programmes where there is a real doubt
about whether a particular performer or group of performers should be engaged
under the terms of this agreement or under those of the BBC/MU agreement,
or if it is not clear whether he/she/they should be engaged as, say, an actor
or a variety act, then you should seek advice from the sources shown at the
end of this summary.
