Home and away contracts

[Tamxxx]

If the contract runs out of H&A actors, can they still stay longer then their contracts?

[-Ben-]

If an actors contract expires and they haven't renewed it, then staying on longer isn't possible.

But, if their contract runs out, and the Executive Producer want's that actor to stick around for, say, another six months, then as long as the actor is fine with that, they sign a new short term contract, which is basically an extention to the previous one.

[Tamxxx]

  -Ben- said:

If an actors contract expires and they haven't renewed it, then staying on longer isn't possible.

But, if their contract runs out, and the Executive Producer want's that actor to stick around for, say, another six months, then as long as the actor is fine with that, they sign a new short term contract, which is basically an extention to the previous one.

Thanks, so if the actor wanted to stay for , 10 years, will it be possible?

[MarMar]

If they're interested in keeping him on...

[TabbyCool]

Well, Sally and Alf have been on the show for 18 years, so it's possible, obviously. It just depends on whether the producers want to keep the character, and obviously whether or not the actor wants to stay. Once their contract is up, if they aren't asked to renew it or extend it, then they will leave though. They could always sign a new contract later though, I'm sure several characters have left then returned later on with new contracts.

[MarMar]

Pippa being one of them. She left a few years ago, and I guess she has contracts for each guest-episode she's in...

[TabbyCool]

Other characters have returned for guest stints, including Lance, Sophie, Blake, Steven, Will, Kit and Chloe. There are more, but those are the ones that spring to mind.

Didn't Colleen leave then return with a more permanent contract?

[loveangelmusicbaby]

Yes as long as the actor renews their contract on time they can stay longer. Sometimes the actor doesn't want to stay on so they just finish up their contract and leave for greener pastures...or for LA or London!

[-Ben-]

  Tamxxx said:

Thanks, so if the actor wanted to stay for , 10 years, will it be possible?

For 10 years - No. The longest contract an actor is normally offered is 3 years. It's unusual for the actors to be offered anything longer in an Australian show. A 3 year contract is on the basis that the producer wants that particular character to stick around long term. Any character whose length of stay is undecided, gets a shorter contract - i.e. Laurie Foell. This of course could also be the actors choice.

Contracts can also be terminated on every 13 week cycle (I think).

Re: Sally and Alf: Well, as they're original cast members, their contracts are automatically renewed, unless the actor has expressed wishes to leave. In the States, original cast members are given a lifetime contract (obliviously after a certain number of years). I guess H&A do something similar.

Re: Pippa and other returned cast: They would be given a different kind of contract. But if they only appear for a couple of eps, then no contract is necessary.

[MarMar]

  -Ben- said:

Re: Pippa and other returned cast: They would be given a different kind of contract. But if they only appear for a couple of eps, then no contract is necessary.

Maybe it is done that way in Australia, but here you have to sign a contract when you enter a job, so that it will be registered and you pay tax for the money earned. I don't think Pippa and other retuning characters are played by actors who don't sign any form of contract.