Cycle “W11 – Investigation Department”, in which Sebastian Wątroba played himself, was broadcast on TVN in 2004-2014. It was the first quasi-documentary series on TVN, referred to as docu-crime because of its subject matter. He told the story of the work of Krakow’s policemen. After the success of the quasi-documentary, Wątroba quit his job in the real police and devoted himself to acting.
The average audience of “W11” in some years exceeded 2 million viewers. The most popular episodes were watched by over 3 million people. Eight people appearing in the TV series “W11 – Wydział Śledczy” and “Detektywi” 10 years ago entered into a dispute with TVN and the Association of Polish Stage Artists (ZASP) for the payment of royalties due in their opinion. Together, they are seeking approximately $17 million in royalties plus interest.
– The case is still in the District Court in Warsaw, although it has progressed a bit. A material appraisal expert has been appointed, ZASP no longer disputes that we are entitled to these royalties, and finally, after eight or nine years of our battle, he sued TVN for royalties for several quasi-documentary series, including “W11 – Investigation Department” for the amount of PLN 80 million since 2004. We have information that some money has been transferred from TVN to ZASP, but unfortunately the relationship is mysterious and does not want to tell us how much money, when it will be paid and whether it is all the amount they asked for. I do not know what they are waiting for, I suspect that the valuation of the expert as to the amount of royalties due to us – says Sebastian Wątroba to the Wirtualnemedia.pl portal.
Sebastian Wątroba: We are successful because ZASP sued TVN
– Our success is that ZASP sued TVN for several series, at least several dozen actors who were robbed by TVN of royalties – emphasizes the actor.
He adds that the sum of PLN 17 million for overdue royalties was calculated on the basis of the number of program broadcasts and “the contract that ZASP had with TVN”. – ZASP also presented its calculations. – We are waiting for the decision. I think now it’s more about the size of the royalties than the merits of the lawsuit. An independent court expert was appointed in the case, who issued an opinion, confirming that the para-documents are audiovisual works, we performed acting tasks, we are creators and royalties are unquestionably due to us – says Sebastian Wątroba.
At the end of last year, Wątroba confessed in social media that people playing “W11” were forced to renounce royalties. – With us in W11, “maltreatment”, threatening us with dismissal, closing the possibility of further career in the media and other threats if we do not waive royalties in this case ended up in court, as a result of which we were kicked out of the series – he wrote then.
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– We were not intimidated. I think this will be the end of the matter, but since we are waiting 10 years, we will wait another year or two – Wątroba tells us. We asked TVN and ZASP for a comment, but until the publication of the text we have not received a response.
Sebastian Wątroba to play in a feature film
Sebastian Wątroba did not rest on his laurels. He is now taking part in the shooting of the next, 13th season of the TV series “Lombard. Life under collateral” of TV Puls.
– This is a permanent role, for the first time in 17 years I’m not playing a policeman, so I’m very happy about it. I play the fiancé of one of the main characters in the series, Ania, who works in a pawnshop, a businessman of Polish descent living permanently in Sweden. I will appear in the episode of the series “For Good and for Bad:”, where I play a policeman. I will probably have such roles until the end of my life, but it is very nice to work there. It was nice to meet my friends, Kasia Skrzynecka and Mikołaj Roznerski, whom I have known for years – says the actor.
Sebastian Wątroba reveals that he has also been invited to a feature film that will debut in cinemas. Unfortunately, I can’t say anything more about it. All I can say is that I’ll be playing a policeman. I will start shooting in July.
ZASP paid royalties to the actors of quasi-documents
As ZASP admitted in September 2021, persons acting in quasi-documentary productions are covered by royalties only from January 1, 2016. A special commission agreed to it, which noticed a change in quality in individual productions and an improvement in artistic value.
However, royalties apply to formats broadcast on TVP, Polsat and Puls. TVN and TTV channels still do not intend to pay them in the case of paradocuments. Representatives of the board of ZASP then claimed that they do a lot for Wątroba, and he is not even a member of their organization.
Liver from the series “W11” answers the head of ZASP: My filmography is richer
– Before Mr. Wątroba started the dispute, he signed a contract agreeing to play and waiving everything. Such an enlightened man with education signed such an unfavorable contract for several hundred episodes? The new management, I’m talking about myself here, decided to make a claim. This is not our claim. For me, an actor is someone with qualifications who has graduated from a theater school. Mr. Wątroba considers himself an actor, but he is an amateur. He doesn’t have those powers, but he can be a great amateur. We are the artist-performer. If he had any modesty, he would call himself an artist-performer. He can pass the extramural exam. Then, with the greatest pleasure, I will shake his hand and say “buddy”. Yes, we are on “pan” – ironically Krzysztof Szuster, president of the main board of ZASP.
2023-07-12 07:47:47
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