Breakfast
TV
The breakfast TV had a relaxed atmosphere. The news reader had not
started yet, so the cameramen were talking with each other. The title
music was playing, but the news were late. While waiting, the news
anchor listened to the camera men chatting.
The
discussion revolved around YLE's compensation for occasional TV appearances.
The cameraman asked, 'Does YLE pay compensation for those who are
interviewed, or also for those who just happen to be captured on screen?'
'I guess not,' the other cameran man answered. 'If someone just happens
to be in front of the camera, probably all they get is free publicity.'
'But surely they should receive a small amount if they do a performance,'
the news reader commented. 'At least a nominal fee should be paid
for singing or dancing, should't it?'
The
meteorologist had listened to the discussion by the weather maps.
The camera crew asked her to clarify the situation. 'Okay,' she answered.
"Individuals do not receive compensation for accidentally appearing
in front of the camera. But if they perform a song or a dance, they
do receive financial reward depending on the duration of the performance.
The older the person is, the greater the payment, and this rule applies
to the age of 61, after which the amount diminishes from year to year.
The fare is also affected by the performer's home town. In Helsinki
there are more chances for performing in front of the camera, so it
is paid less, but in a provincial town, such as Uusikaupunki, there
are fewer opportunities so, if such an event presents itself, the
compensation is relatively high. But at any rate the compensations
are small and not comparable to a full-time profession.'
The
broadcast had been so unusual that I told my co-workers about it later
on in the office. An older colleague of mine commented: 'This is a
great chance for gaining some additional income. Before the age of
retirement there are plenty of opportunities for performing in TV.'
A
new employee was introduced at the coffee table. I was surprised when
he announced that his name was Ukko Hänninen. 'You've got the
same name as me!' I said. Wondering how this was possible, I asked
if he had the same email address too? 'Don't worry,' my namesake said,
'There are extra characters in my address, so our emails don't get
mixed up.'
I
was still amazed. It was very unlikely that there should be another
person with the same name, particularly in the same workplace. Fortunately,
he looked a bit different from me. The second Ukko had a blond moustache
with a conservative tie and jacket.
