Close X
Friday, November 22, 2024
ADVT 
National

Victoria B.C. Filmmakers Face Backlash, Death Threats Over Gender-Based 'Justice Pricing' Of Tickets

The Canadian Press, 20 Sep, 2017 12:07 PM
    VICTORIA — The filmmakers behind a comedic web series in British Columbia are facing fierce backlash after they tried to tackle economic disparity with ticket prices.
     
    Organizers for the Victoria premier of "Building the Room" used "justice pricing" when tickets went on sale last week, with white males being charged $20, while others paid $10.
     
    Sid Mohammed, a spokesman for the production, says organizers wanted to address the fact that white males tend to have more purchasing power than other demographics.
     
    But he says they received a "huge amount" of backlash on the pricing, including emailed death threats and accusations that the practice was racist and constituted discrimination.
     
    Organizers have responded by lowering the admission price for white males to $15 and announcing that any profits from the door will be donated to the Native Friendship Centre of Victoria and the Victoria Pride Society.
     
    Mohammed says he appreciates the community's engagement on the subject and doesn't believe it will over-shadow the show's premier later this month.
     
    "We don't think the people we want at the event are particularly angry about this," he says. "We've had a lot of support — it's been quieter, for sure — but we've had a lot of support for this pricing model."
     
    Constructive critiques have helped improve the model and organizers aren't taking the death threats seriously, Mohammed says.
     
    "It's part of change making. I think a lot of people who make change receive this kind of negative attention," he says.
     
    The idea of gender-based pricing isn't new.
     
    Earlier this year, a cafe in Australia made headlines around the world for introducing an 18 per cent surcharge for men, representing the gap in wages between men and women. The cafe donated the proceeds to women's charities.
     
    Despite the uproar, Mohammed says he plans to continue pursuing what he calls justice pricing.
     
    "We're going to keep pushing forward and trying to make this better and better so the community can enjoy a great show and enjoy it in a way that they feel good about the dollars they're spending," he says.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    All Alerts, Evacuation Orders Lifted As Worst Wildfire Season Eases In B.C.

    All Alerts, Evacuation Orders Lifted As Worst Wildfire Season Eases In B.C.
    VANCOUVER — For the first time in nearly three months, all wildfire evacuation orders and alerts have been lifted in British Columbia as the province begins to recover from its worst wildfire season on record.

    All Alerts, Evacuation Orders Lifted As Worst Wildfire Season Eases In B.C.

    Five-Term BC MP Nathan Cullen Endorses Jagmeet Singh For Federal NDP Leadership

    Five-Term BC MP Nathan Cullen Endorses Jagmeet Singh For Federal NDP Leadership
    Veteran New Democrat MP Nathan Cullen has opted to back Ontario legislator Jagmeet Singh to replace Tom Mulcair as party leader, saying he is not concerned that Singh does not hold a seat in the House of Commons.

    Five-Term BC MP Nathan Cullen Endorses Jagmeet Singh For Federal NDP Leadership

    B.C. Premier Breaks Campaign Finance Reform Promise, Say Opposition Liberals

    B.C. Premier Breaks Campaign Finance Reform Promise, Say Opposition Liberals
    VICTORIA — British Columbia's Opposition Liberals say the New Democrat government's legislation to get big money out of politics comes with a huge broken promise from Premier John Horgan.

    B.C. Premier Breaks Campaign Finance Reform Promise, Say Opposition Liberals

    IHIT Says Richmond Murder Victim Was 'Known To Police'

    Homicide detectives have identified the man shot to death early Monday morning in an apparently targeted attack in Richmond, B.C.

    IHIT Says Richmond Murder Victim Was 'Known To Police'

    Allowances Will Fill Fundraising Gap For Political Parties In B.C.

    Allowances Will Fill Fundraising Gap For Political Parties In B.C.
    VICTORIA — British Columbia's plan to get big money out of politics and shake off its reputation as the Wild West of election campaign financing comes with a potential cost to taxpayers of almost $30 million over the next five years.

    Allowances Will Fill Fundraising Gap For Political Parties In B.C.

    Proposed Ban On Balloons Voted Down By Vancouver Park Board

    Proposed Ban On Balloons Voted Down By Vancouver Park Board
    VANCOUVER — A proposed ban on balloons at any beach, park or community centre has been rejected by the Vancouver Park Board.

    Proposed Ban On Balloons Voted Down By Vancouver Park Board