A group of more than 40 set builders and scenic painters are alleging that they have been left unpaid for work on two major television projects, the working title “Fixer” and a separate series referred to as “The Associates.” Both projects involved Helix 3D, a construction company now reportedly facing liquidation, which has left workers collectively owed over £250,000. Concerns are mounting that crew members will not see any of this money, despite completing the set work over the summer and right up to the start of filming.

Multiple crew members claim to have been hired by Helix 3D to build and paint sets for “Fixer” (a big-budget gangster drama said to include stars Tom Hardy, Dame Helen Mirren, and Pierce Brosnan) and “The Associates.” The workers, many of whom put in overtime and six-day workweeks, report that they have not been paid for up to a month’s worth of labor. This news is particularly distressing as it unfolded just before the holiday season.

People are missing up to a month’s wages, and just before Christmas, it’s absolutely disgusting,” said one scenic painter.

For many, the problem is compounded by the fact that Helix 3D allegedly has a history of unpaid invoices and has “done this before,” according to several individuals who have previously worked with the company.

Helix 3D’s Apparent Liquidation and Shuttered Operations

Helix 3D’s chief executive, Brian Dowling, reportedly informed crew members via WhatsApp that it was unlikely they would be paid before Christmas. Helix 3D’s website and social media have been taken down, and its workshop is said to be up for sale.

• Helix 3D had been paid by the production companies behind the shows, 101 Studios and MTV Studios, for the construction work.
• A “devastating” message from Dowling signaled that the company could not fulfill the owed wages, citing financial difficulties and the impending sale of its offices.

Bectu (the broadcasting union) has been contacted by several of the unpaid workers to coordinate a “mass claim” against Helix 3D. The union is urging all those affected to get in touch and share details about when and where they worked, in hopes of negotiating with production companies and applying collective pressure.

Tom Hardy’s Intervention and Paramount’s Response

In a surprising turn, actor Tom Hardy, 47, reportedly offered to personally cover the wages owed to the crew on “Fixer,” in which he is set to star. According to a source close to Hardy:

“He offered to [pay]. But the production and Paramount have sorted the payment.”

Paramount, upon learning of the crew’s plight, stepped in swiftly to ensure the workers would receive compensation in time for Christmas. A source at Paramount said it was “outraged” to hear about the non-payment situation and acted to rectify it immediately.

Chris Hudson, an official representing Bectu, wrote a letter to Brian Dowling criticizing Helix 3D’s treatment of its workers. In the letter, Hudson stated:

“Our members deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and compensated on time for their work. It is wholly unacceptable that they are facing significant financial precarity, particularly ahead of Christmas.”

Hudson emphasized that financial liquidity problems—caused by an office sale or other issues—were not valid justifications for withholding wages. He further noted the lack of transparency regarding Helix 3D’s finances, saying such a situation should have been foreseeable.

Bectu continues to collect statements and documentation from the unpaid workers, encouraging them to share details via email. The goal is to compile a detailed timeline and push for direct contact with the relevant production companies, increasing the likelihood that affected workers will eventually be compensated.

As Helix 3D reportedly heads into liquidation, many crew members are left uncertain about their prospects of receiving the full amount owed. Some worry that individuals associated with Helix 3D might form a new entity and proceed with future projects—like a second season of “The Associates”—while crew members from the first round remain unpaid.

The high-profile involvement of Paramount and Tom Hardy signals that major stakeholders are taking the issue seriously, at least for “Fixer.” However, the unsettled debts for “The Associates” and other ongoing or past Helix 3D projects remain in limbo. In the meantime, Bectu and affected workers are coordinating to ensure that this situation does not go unnoticed, calling on the film and TV community to spread the word and advocate for fair payment practices.

How to Help and Get Involved

• Spread the Word: Those affected hope to pressure Helix 3D and any future spin-off companies to address unpaid wages.
• Contact Bectu: If you or someone you know has worked for Helix 3D without payment, email Bectu with details (dates, project names, locations).
• Stay Informed: Monitor film and TV industry forums or union newsletters for updates on collective actions or possible legal remedies.

SOURCES:

Tom Hardy offers to pay wages of crew on Guy Ritchie series after company failure:
https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/tom-hardy-offers-pay-set-crew-guy-ritchie-series-the-associate-paramount-b1200454.html

The statements made in this article are based on first-hand accounts, statements from crew members, union representatives, and publicly available information. While Paramount has confirmed that it is stepping in to pay wages for “Fixer,” details regarding Helix 3D’s financial status have not been independently verified, and no definitive ruling of wrongdoing has been made by a legal authority. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research, seek professional advice where necessary, and approach the information presented here with due diligence.

The post UK: Construction Crew Left Unpaid on Major TV Projects, Helix 3D Faces Liquidation first appeared on Film Industry Watch.

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SOURCE:

The post Bectu list of alleged failures to properly observe obligations to members (UK) – December 2023 first appeared on Film Industry Watch.