IATSE Local 480 Blog

Craft Service Caucus Report

What follows is a brief synopsis of the caucus we held on July 16th. Please feel free to chime in if there is something I missed and we will try to include it in the newsletter.

First, I want to say thank you to those of you who took some of your precious time to join us, especially those who are on shows. I was suprised and gratified by the large turnout. We discussed a number of subjects and I mention here the ones that stuck in my mind.

A strong topic of discussion was respect for locations - picking up and disposal of trash. remediation of any damage, and removal of signage, etc. Trach has always been craft services responsiblity, in fact it is one of the primary responsibilities. There is no question on this -period.
If locations, or any other department want to help you that is fine, but help is all it is. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITIY to make sure that the trash is picked up and properly disposed of. If it is not, don't look to anyone else but yourself. Here are my personal suggestions: there is no such thing as too many trash cans on a set. I don't care if they are pop-ups, hard cans, or cardboard boxes with liners; but you really can't expect people to go around looking for a trash can. You should empty these cans as necessary, and always at the end of the night. Then place the trash in an area that locations has identified for you - such as a dumpster or central spot that the teamsters can find. At the conclusion of a location you should be (along with the locations representative) the last person out. You shouldn't leave until you both agree that the location is clean. If that's not possible because it's dark, there are turnaround issues, or the teamsters have left and there is no way to dispose of the trash, then you should return the next day or make arrangements for one of your crew to return the next day. Abandoning a location is NOT AN OPTION. If the production company gives you grief over this refer them to me. You also can't be hauling large amounts of wet trash in your trucks or trailers - that is a health department issue, not a Union issue.

Another hot topic was the delineation between craft service and catering. The lines have become increasingly blurred over the last few years. In Los Angeles it reached the point where the IA felt that the Craft Servie Local (727) (of which I was a proud member), had abandoned its' traditional jurisdiction and they revoked its' charter and merged it with Local 80. If that's not a clear message I don't know what is. The Teamsters cover cook/drivers, therefore, they cover caterers. If you want to be a cook/driver GREAT - there is a shortage of them, but I will insist that there is a craft service person on the show as the contract calls for. Union craft service people don't cook, either here or in Los Angeles. If you want an example of a Los Angeles Union craft service person look to "Wild Hogs". Teddy did a great job, but he wasn't preparing little snacks from scratch - that's a pro. Your primary responsibility is, as it always has been, the assistance of other crafts (after all that's where the name came from), providing beverages appropriate for the time of day, taking care of the trash, and if you have time after fulfilling these reponsibilities, susteanance between meals. You are not junior caterers. We're going to make it clear to the production companies that food service is the caterer's job. I sat in the meeting and realized that I have more expereince than all the keys who attended combined. In all my years as a craft service person, and I did a lot of big shows - I never cooked, never. People still call me for jobs even though I haven't worked since "The Day After Tomorrow", four years ago. You don't have to cook to impress people. So stop it.

That leads us onto the topic of equipment. I started on the back of a prop truck with coolers, a coffee machine, and trash cans. As that's what craft service was. We are now seeing more and more elaborate rigs that many of you simply can't drive. There also have recently arisen some issues with the health departments, particularly in Albuquerque. I am not sure after all these years why this has become a hot topic now, nevertheless it is, all of our duty to respect local regulations and conform with them. The good news is that they have set up systems that make it simple, user friendly, and inexpensive. They all respect each others' jurisdiction so we don't have to go through a multiple qualifying process. Here is my understanding: On the city of Albuquerque's website (www.cabq.gov) there is an application for a temporary food vendors permit. You're not permanent so this is the option for you - fill it out, fax it in along with your business registration (I'm assuming you are all registered businesses with a tax id#) and the $15 fee which production will reimburse you for. This gives you a 2 week permit. if you need another permit, they will issue it to you. It's a really painless process and the lady whom I met from the health department was wonderful. The argument that we have always made is that we only serve individually wrapped, prepared snacks, but as you can tell from the previous paragraph some of you are cooking, therefor we fall into this category. So suck it up, fill out the form, pay the $15 and be legal. There is another, cheaper way to do it, which is to have your vehicles permanently permitted and that costs $50. They have a few more requirements, but none of them are particulary onerous. However, it opens that can of worms of having a permanent commissary kitchen which is pretty expensive so I think there is a balance there. I plan to talk to those of you who own equipment to rent and pass on the words of wisdom from the health department. As I stated before you are not cook/drivers and I really think we need to have another discussion if you all go out and qualify as kitchens before we have a much more painful discussion with the Teamsters about violating their jurisdiction. Let's pick up these temp permits people.

Sister Brooke Fair brought up a great point and spoke eloquently to the issue that no other department acts like craft service when it comes to interpersonal relationships. Grips don't call me and speak poorly of their peers and collegues - many craft service peoplpe do. juicers don't call each other and complain about other juicers - but craft service people do. There is a level of professionalism that is lacking, and Sister Fair you are so right, we need to come together. We need to fix this; I am looking for a solution. In the meantime let's declare a moratorium on the whinning and try to move together as the proud Union film technicians that we are.

Thanks again for your valuable time, you are some of the best people I have been fortunate to associate with.

Locations Caucus Report

Thank you to those of you who joined us at the caucus in Albuquerque. The total attendance was exactly fifty, including eight film liasons, forty members, and two people from the Film Office. I wanted to express my sincere appreciation to all of you who took the time to attend and contribute. I especially want to thank those of you who drove a long distance. A huge tip of the cap is due to our instuctors, Lisa Strout and Don Gray, from the Film Office who were not only there on a Saturday (unusual for normal State offices, the norm for the Film Office), but they spent the whole day giving us useful information and great tips. There were even a couple of good war stories.

I can't possibly sum up the entire eleven hour affair, but here are some random thoughts that struck me:

1. I had received a number of inquiries and concerns as to the level of involvement that local film liasions should have. I really believe that these liasions view their role as assisting you and not getting in the way and they all assured me that this is how they viewed their participation in the process. I found them all to be eager to work with us and not usurp our jurisdiction.

2. We spent a large amout of time talking about appearance. We, as a local, would really rather not get involved in dress issues, but we did want to pass on that there is a definite concern that some of our people are too casual for a high-level position that deals with the public like a location manager or assistant. The general consensus was a clean shirt with an open collar was fine, a jacket in the back of the car for important meetings with elected officials on locations helps, but, proper hygiene is very important. Three different people have talked to me privately about one of our assistants/manangers that works all the time and seems to have an unfortunate body odor issue. I love this person like my own family, so I won't single her out, but, would you all check because it is definately one of you.

3. We also spent a great deal of time talking about the pimos and whose responsibility they were. The general consensus was, it really depends who hired them. If you picked them up, it is more your responsibility and if the Teamsters hire them, more of the responsibility falls to them. I'd suggest you try to work this out with transportation. What I won't suggest, but insist on, is that Article 13 (all local and national health and safety requirements be strictly adhered to) be enforced. Our cosmetology people (hair and makeup) by state law must have access to running water after they visit the facilities. Therefore, plastic port-a-potties, with or without Purell are NOT acceptable. So, unless the hair and makeup trailer or the honey wagon is close, call your favorite vendor and bring something that satisfies the basic requirements. I really can't imagine anything more tacky than going back to put lipstick on someone after you come back from the bathroom with unwashed hands.....yeesh. I thought we had actually put this one to rest, but just last night I visited a set that had two port-a-potties right beside it and an H & M trailer parked a van ride away. Come on peoplpe, do the right thing.

4. ITC. Another hot topic. Let's be clear on this: you can't do your own ITC unless you are using licensed people. This local is always happy to put on classes in any subject, and should you desire, we will put on an ITC class for your people. It's $500.00 a day. The class lasts about eight hours, you can have a maximum of ten people and we will pick up 80% for Union members. While this gives your people a state certification to do it, I'm still going to come back to "if there is any question, use a cop, and if it is really important use a state cop with a black and white." Also, you should check the jurisdiction of your cop and make sure that you are not bringing city cops into the county, etc.

5. There's some pretty amazing technology out there and Don Gray did a good job of scratching the surface. Unfortunately, the hotel had no internet access, so that's all he could do. I think it will be useful for Don to do a class a couple of times a year to keep us updated on the newest technologies. Also, don't forget that your Union is a good resource and if you want us to buy something we can all share to would increase our professionalism, feel free to ask and we will give it strong consideration.

6. There was a discussion on the Union status of location managers. I can't really help on this one, because, unlike the Teamsters, we consider you to be the equal of those that shape the picture, like the costume or production designer. The reason why you're "by individual negotiation" is that we assume you negotiate for a living and you're going to do better than we can. I know because I get the payroll reports that some of you are doing pretty well. Some of you are screwing yourselves and your assistants. A deal memo is just that: it's what your deal is. Don't sign a deal memo without defining what a flat rate is. If you want to sign a deal memo that says you get overtime after twelve hour days, that's fine. Six twelve hour days, that's fine too. Eighty hours in a week, that's fine. Whatever you want, but don't leave it open ended. I would put in a minimum hourly rate if I were you, even if that rate is $15.00 and hour or you say, "I can't be paid less than the Utility Techs" and some of you would be getting a raise! Really, an open-ended deal memo means absolutely nothing and I don't know anyone else that does that except some of our location managers.

7. The main theme I got from the meeting was this: respect. We spent a long time discussing, and we all agreed that respect for: the locations, the businesses that we affect, the extras and local people we interact with, and respect for the overall well being of the film business in New Mexico is of Paramount importance. Let me be clear what we mean by that - and give you an example. I got a call this morning from Lester Berman of Wildfire. the neighbors around one of their Hero sets have issues about them returning there. That is a HUGE problem, as this is a clearly established set for their 3rd season. They have absolutely no issues with Wildfire (who they feel have respected the neighborhood and the village of Los Ranchos) however, another motion picture shot there during Widlfire's hiatus and the neighbors now judge all movies by the behavior of that project. This is causing big probelms for Wildfire, who, frankly dosen't deserve it. Lester and Christian are going to go house to house and apologize for the actions for the other picture company and hopefully mend the fences (in one case quite literally). What were the issues? The ususal - people driving too fast, driving on the grass, loud noises at night, parking where there is not to be parking, trash, need I go on? This is inappropriate and I am planning to speak with the location manager from that show personally. We need to understand that these locations are for all of us to use, and one compnay's bad behaviour can lose us all of our essential locations. We need to respect local buinesses. I have witnessed in the last few weeks unnecessarily large street closings, unnecessarily long ITC holds, unnecessary blocked parking, and over enthusiastic security. This has simply got to stop. Businesses have a right to conduct commerce in in the same way we have right to shoot our movies, as we have seen with the situation in Madrid sometimes a simple buy out is not enough. If you want support from these local businesses I would really suggest that you not only notify and permit, you frequent and purchase.

We must do a better job of respecting our extras and the local people we interact with. We have received several complaints (many of which I will take up with the craft service people) that extras are not being given enough: tables, chairs, shade, bathrooms, water, snacks, etc. The extras casting people are telling us that we are making their lives much more difficult in finding extras fro folms. We have also received complaints (not just from Madrid) that our people are being at best standoffish, and at worst arrogant in thier interaction with locals. I plan to address this in the next newsletter. I'm assuming this not coming from our professional locations people, but if you see any of our members acting that way talk to them and call me.

Remember, you are the face of the production companies and how you interact with people and places will determine the future of this business. There is not person in this local who is not capable of being a consumate professional we just have to remind ourselves of what that means.

So, there are a few of my thoughts and recolloetions. Again, thanks to Lisa and Don. if anyone else wants to chime in, we'll pass it on in the next newsletter.

Remember to Vote!

Greetings all-

Just a quick reminder that tommorrow is the Primary Election and you should all get out and vote if you did not take advantage of early voting. Your Business Agent, Jon Hendry wanted to remind you all that a representative from Shirley Hooper's campaign spoke at the last membership meeting and was very well received. Shirley is running for Secretary of State, and is the mother of Member Greg Hooper. Jon encourages you to support Shirley if you feel you can.

Big Things A Brewin'

This is your Business Agent and I'm planning to use this Blog to keep you updated on shows and other things to keep you in the loop. I also plan to vent sometimes on things that make me mad.

Open your statement from the Iatse National Benefits Fund and PAY ATTENTION to what it asks you to do. Don't take the chance on losing your health insurance that you worked so hard to get by not sending in a co-pay. Many of you will not need to make a co-pay, some of you will. It is really hard to re-qualify if you lose these benefits. The deadline to make your co-pay is JUNE 15th - that means the check is in their hands on the 15th - not in the mail. You may also pay online by credit card.

You may be receiving a call from shows that you have not heard of that were not in the newsletter. The shows are coming in so fast we can't get the word out on a monthly basis, but we do put them up on the website the minute we get them. So look on the site for info on "Seasons of Dust", "Tennessee", "Save Me", "Joyride", "The Hitcher", and "Motelman". There are also a couple of Union commercials floating around, and Lisa Weinicke is looking for people to help with the Governors Cup so she may be calling you.

I'll keep Blogging, my next rant will be about Craft Service people pretending they are caterers, and Locations people being blamed.

Fraternally,
Jon

Hello 480 members! The Blog is now up and running. If you wish to have your comments posted to the blog please email them to me at: local480@msn.com I will post them for you! Jon hopes to keep a running diary for you all to read and will try to post most days.

I would like to extend thanks from the office staff to the following members who were kind enough to pitch in and assist us in our temporay move this week. Robin Brazy, Tom Caldwell and son Dave Meyer, and Ben Bustos. We really appreciate your assistance in what was certainly not a fun job!

We are all moved in to the new digs - located just below our old office on Chamisa Street. It really is quite a nice space. Our phone lines have been moved as well as the fax and DSL lines so we are ready to roll.

Work continues on the new building, and I think you will all love the place when it is finished. We don't have a move-in date yet, but we are getting closer. Kudos to Secretary Treasurer Laurie Hudson for her tireless work on this project. She has really done you all proud! I can't wait for all of you to see it! There are many members to thank for work on this project as well.

Thats all for now - Annie