THE

BULLETIN HOLLYWOOD CALIFORNIA

Chartered Local 728 studio electrical lighting technicians Vol. 18; No. 1 May 15, 1939 the only set lighting iatse local in the world 2008 Giving Back Behind the scenes with the Local’s newest Executive Board Member Gary Andersen Page 4

Also Inside Training Training An Update from the January Meeting Training! PRESIDENT’S REPORT Page 2 Many members have not completed their Safety Pass classes ... a requirement to work. Collateral Damage BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE’S COLUMN Page 3 MARCH/APRIL TRAINING SCHEDULE Page 6 So you think you’re “On the books!”? 480V Power Systems TREASURER-CALL STEWARD’S MESSAGE Page 6 SAFETY & TRAINING DIRECTOR’S COLUMN Page 7

Your MPTF donation makes a difference Contract Services Awards Funding for Local’s Skills Training Program MPTF Pledge Form Page 8 Page 7 I.A.T.S.E. Local 728 Top Items from Hollywood, California President January’s Dennis K. Grow by Vice President Dennis K. Grow, Greg A. Langham Meeting President Business Rep-Secretary Patric J. Abaravich Treasurer-Call Steward he Writers Strike has finally been building. Please don’t expect it to be R. Bruce Prochal Tsettled and hopefully everyone will anything like their building. But we promise be back to work soon. The Screen it will be a building you will be proud of. Executive Board Actors Guild’s contract is up at the end Our goal is to make it as “green” as Gary Andersen Branch Brunson of June. Let’s hope the actors don’t go possible. Michael Everett out. Our health plan can’t afford it. You will be receiving the Membership Larry K. Freeman At the Membership meeting in Directory for 2008 soon. We are going Michael Gips January, three motions were passed in to make an electronic version that you can Roger L. Lattin an effort to help those having a hard download from our web site. Along with Steven R. Mathis Dick McConihay time due to the strike. The first is to waive the annual printed version of the directory, Jerry Posner the $25 reinstatement fee for suspended we will update the electronic version David Watson members; members who are two quarterly. The directory will be in PDF Karen Weilacher quarters delinquent in their dues. format and posted in the Members Only Robert A. Wood, Jr. The second is to waive the $50 late section. At some point in time, we hope Sergeant-At-Arms fee for members working delinquent. to make the directory an interactive Raymond J. Poblick Dues must be paid in full by the day database on the web site. A member could Parliamentarians after the first pay period. This is to let log on and change his/her info and the Alan M. Rowe you work first, and then pay your dues. directory would be as current as possible. Raymond Poblick The third is to waive the requirement Have you been to our web site? There Safety & Training Alan M. Rowe, Director that your dues be paid before you can is a lot information available to you. David take any of Local 728’s Training courses. Watson does a great job of keeping it up Shop Stewards This was a good time to take advantage to date. Currently on the front page is CBS - John L. Murray of these classes. You should have strike survival information that could be Fox - Pascal M. Guillemard received a postcard with the increased of help to those you having a hard time Paramount - Frank Valdez Sony - John Jacobs schedule of classes. right now. In the members Only section Universal - John Trujillo All of these motions are in effect only you will find past minutes of our meetings, Warner Bros. - until the end of this quarter, March 31. the Basic Agreement, the Commercial Gary M. Andersen A recent ruling by the Equal Employ- Agreement, our Constitution and By- ment Opportunity Commission stated Laws, forms and other information that CLC Delegates Patric J. Abaravich that employers do not have to provide could be of use to you. Our web site Mike Everett the same health benefits for retirees under address is: http://www.iatse728.org Dennis k. Grow 65 as they do for retirees 65 and over. Fraternally, Iain O’Higgins The International said that this ruling would have no effect on us, as our Office Staff Sandra O’Connor retirees over 65 already coordinate their Sean Harkess health benefits with Medicare. Contact Numbers Julianna Bessey The building at 1001 W. Magnolia in 818-891-0728 Burbank is now ours. The sellers The Bulletin remedied the problems we had with the 1-800-551-2158 Publisher building. We are now working with the Fax: 818-891-5288 Margie Stites Pacific Media Group architect on plans for remodeling. This www.iatse728.org Editor is the same architect who did Local 80’s Dennis K. Grow PAGE 2 Union Spotlight Collateral Damage Deceased Brother Andrew Robert Schorr, 74 years old, a member since Feb. 14, 1966, passed away by Patric J. Abaravich, Jan. 5, 2008. Brother Michael B. Lam- Business Representative - Secretary bert, 42 years old, a member since May 18, 1996, passed away Feb. 6, 2008. Brother Carl Boles, 81 years ow that the WGA strike is over, it remind you that you need them to go old, a member since Sept. 9, 1946, passed away Feb. 10, 2008. Nwill still take a few weeks to get back to work. Maybe not next week or back into full swing. During the 100- next month, but it will catch up with you. First Notice day strike, many forces came to the aid If you need to schedule a class or classes, Jesse M. Austin, Matthew of our members in time of need. First please call me at the office. Berger, Christopher Burr, and foremost was the Motion Picture And on one last note, I have been Paul A. Christian, Brian S. D’haem, Derrick Esperanza, Television Fund (MPTF); these are the saying the same message over the past Michael Gioulakis, Luke people who operate the motion picture 20 months trying to encourage everyone Miller, Ryan Norris, Jor- health clinics around town. Not only do to save their money for a strike. I must dan Parhad, William they provide great medical services, but sadly remind you that nothing is settled Pogoda, Michael Sikie, and it is very inexpensive for our health plan. with the actors, and although a usable Langston York. We saw them come to the frontlines with contract template is there, no one knows Second Notice their community support. They helped at this point whether or not the actors Jason Apperson, Jean- tremendously by providing not only will be able to modify it for their needs. Philippe Belliard, Gregory financial aid but other services during the Capp, Jesse Cooper, Michael strike. Dorowsky, Donald Fish, David Harris, Daniel Hickey, Additionally, the Actors Fund Thomas Howard, Christo- provided both financial and moral pher Pass, Beau Lambert, support; and the LA County Federation Landon Livengood, Ryan P. of Labor came forward mobilizing their Lynch, William McCormick, troops in the housing (mortgage/rent MEETING Yuji Nakaza, David Navarro, Brian C. Rupp, Matthew assistance) and utility assistance program. NOTICE Theimann, Richard Thomas All of these supporters helped a and John Zivelonghi. myriad of people in our industry who Attention all Members were adversely affected during the strike. The next New Members I’d like to remind you that when you Congratulations to the fol- General membership lowing new members: Clifford see those flyers to donate some money Myers, who wAS sworn in on or to give a weekly check donation to Meeting will be held at Jan. 10, 2007; and Ukwuoma the MPTF or donations to the Actors 9:00 A.M. (sharp) on Amaechi, Larry Brecht, Jr., Fund, or to our participation in the Los Saturday, Dessie Coale, Laren Fitton, Angeles County Federation of Labor, Eduardo Giraldo, Jarrod MARCH 8, 2008 Hettler, Stephen Irvine, this is where some of your money and David Kane, William time go. Messina, William Persaud, Another thing as you head back to At IATSE Local 44, James Plaxton, Craig work: Many of you have not completed Poulsen, Jason Plaxton, your Safety Pass classes. Although the 12021 Riverside Dr., Craig Poulsen, Jason Sali- North Hollywood nas, Daimon Shippen, many weeks off during the strike would Mitchell Ursetta and have been the perfect opportunity to PLEASE BRING YOUR Jerome Ward who were sworn complete the classes, it seems the majority UNION CARD! in on January 12, 2008. of the members in need did not take advantage of the down time. I must PAGE 3 Serving on the Local 728 Executive Board is just Gary Andersen’s way of Giving Back t 54 years old and nearly 35 “blessed years” in the business, newly elected Local me off while I was on 728 Executive Board location.” AMember Gary Andersen says he simply Management then made a wants to make a contribution before he deal with Local 728, and the retires. union soon put Gary to “I want to retire at age 60,” he notes, work in set lighting. “I really adding, “The main thing is I want to leave had no clue, and no job the business a little bit better than I found training,” he recalled. it.” “In fact, I hated it. I was Gary always knew he would go into at Universal on the noon rig the entertainment industry. At a very early and everyone at that time age, he would accompany his father to knew it was the worst call in the set of the New York-based Gary the business.” With a Moore Show, a live television broadcast pregnant wife at home, where the senior Andersen ran the Andersen toiled on the lot teleprompter. (Gary is named after the until they laid him off shortly famed television host.) after his arrival. “My dad was very well known and “I almost got out of the popular in the industry. He got into the business at that time. But business right after World War II in 1946, one day I ran into Harold A motorcycle enthusiast, Gary often and he worked on a lot of shows over H. Muskatell [a former takes to the road on his Harley for the years. He became a union member Local 728 union official] and vacations. The most recent was a in New York in 1948. We moved out I told him that I was used grand, nine state, 6,000 mile journey here in 1971 and even though he was the to working with actors all with his daughter. general manager of Q-TV, the day and I never got dirty. teleprompter company, he kept his union Now, I’m schlepping cable,” card.” Gary recanted with a laugh. Gary was 20 years old when he first Muscatel’s sage advice pointed out started working for Q-TV. “Being the that the job really couldn’t get any worse, was an excellent gaffer.” son of someone who was respected and so Gary stuck with it and soon went to The rest, as they say, is history. And as good as he was, I had to be as good work at 20th Century Fox. His big break today, Gary’s resume is filled with a or better. We worked together for a came at 26 years old when he started long list of pilots, mini-series, and while and we had a great working working on Trapper John, M.D. and extremely popular shows including relationship,” Andersen recalled. began shadowing gaffer Bill Shaw. Hotel, Step by Step, Family Matters, The He was working at Q-TV when his “I told him I wanted to learn Colbys, and The Love Boat – the one series father passed away in 1979. It was during everything he did, and he taught me. that took Gary to 32 different that time that Gary was involved in his Then, halfway through the show, Bill countries in a nearly 10-season run. first union movement. “I wanted the wanted screen credits and they wouldn’t “I’ve basically worked for two pay of the teleprompter operators to be give it to him so he quit. They needed a producers my whole life, Miller Boyett equal to the set lighting guys. The bosses gaffer and the camera man approached and Aaron Spelling. And Spelling took offense to that and they laid me. I had learned a lot from Bill; he Continued on the next page PAGE 4 A New Term Begins At the January General Membership Meeting, Local 728 President Dennis Grow swore in members who will be serving a new three-year term on the Executive Board. Pictured above are Gary Andersen, Larry K. Freeman, new Vice President Greg Langham, Treasurer-Call Steward R. Bruce Prochal and Karen Weilacher. (Not pictured: Alternate Executive Board Members Branch Brunson and Robert A. Wood, Jr. The pair will serve a one-year term and were sworn in at a later time.) A host of new members also took the union oath. For a complete list, please see Page 3.

Gary Andersen Continued from the previous page treated us like gold. Everything was first figured I wouldn’t get elected,” he a huge issue and very important. You class. I had a great time on his shows.” recalled with a chuckle. “I work at the have to learn your craft as well as you The years also brought some union WB. How popular could I be? I didn’t can.” activism. Gary served on the Executive campaign yet I got the second most It’s also not uncommon for long-term Board about 20 years ago, and was a votes. But hey, it’s a big responsibility members to compare today’s standards long-time Warner Bros. lot steward. For and one I’m taking seriously.” and practices to those long ago. “We the past eight years, he’s been a WB rental Currently, the Northridge resident had a lot more camaraderie back then. I agent. says it’s important for him to sit back think it’s very important for us to watch “I stopped gaffing after 22 years. and learn as much as he can. “I’m not out for one another and to take care of Honestly, I got tired of the hours and I one to jump into something until I know our brothers and sisters.” got older. When I first got the rental what I’m doing. But, I do have some This is exactly what Gary would like job working 7 to 5, it took me months definite ideas on some things I’d like to to accomplish as a member of the to get used to getting off at five o’clock. see get accomplished.” executive board. “I’ve enjoyed a really I really thought I was doing something One area of concern is training. good living putting two kids through wrong.” “Because we’ve lost the grouping private school, traveling, buying homes In January, Gary was sworn in as an system, today we have kids being … the industry has been very good to Executive Board member to serve a thrown into the mix who really don’t me. The least I can do is give back a three-year term. “I was nominated and know what they are doing. Training is little bit.” PAGE 5 Call Steward So, you think you’re Information ny Local 728 member repre- Asenting the producer in filling “On the books!”? calls or needing assistance, should contact the Local office during nor- by R. Bruce Prochal, mal business hours. The Local’s nor- Treasurer - Call Steward paid your dues. Lately, EDD (also mal operating hours are 8:00 a.m. known as the Unemployment Office) to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Fri- has started calling me more often, and day. reetings everybody! While I hope if you are not “On the Books,” for If you need to hire prior to 8:00 Gthat all of our members have whatever reason, I have to be truthful a.m., after 6:00 p.m. or over the found a way to remain financially stable to them. weekend, please phone the Call during this protracted Writers strike, I If you have recently paid your dues Steward at 818-438-0728. still get many calls from members who and believe you were “on the books” Members seeking weekend work should call the Steward at the Local have not. I am sure that the Business prior to 1st January, 2008, please call on Friday to put your name on the Representative gets as many, or more, me to get back “on the books.” Weekend Availability List. of these calls as I do. I’ve got to go... RBP Anyone who hires off roster or Do not give up hope. As of this hires any member who is not cur- writing (06 February 2008), The Writers SUSPENDED/DROPPED rent with their dues without first Guild of America is rumored to be FIRST QUARTER 2008* calling the Call Steward, shall have calling for a membership meeting very charges filed against them and shall soon to consider ratification of a SUSPENDED be subject to the assessments levied currently tentative agreement with the ADAMSON, ERIC S. by the Trial Board if found guilty. BERARDI, PHILIP N. Our present contract work week Producers/Conglomerates. Do we BERNSTEIN, EDWARD B. want it to happen? Of course. Will it BROWN, EVANS consists of any five (5) consecutive happen? Let’s hope it does. CASLIN, FRANK C. days out of seven (7) consecutive So much for the Writers, let’s get to COOK, DAVID AVERY days. FEINBERG, ADAM R. this month’s theme; So, You Think You FREEMAN, PETER Are “On the Books!” GEAGAN, EMILY S. With nearly five hundred members HOLLE, VESA TRAINING SCHEDULE still “Delinquent,” I am really surprised JACKSON, RENALDO at the number of members who call JOHNSON, KURT H. JONES, KELLY J. March 15 to find out whether they are “on the KANESHIRO, ALAN DMX Networking & books,” only to find out that they are KLINE, RONALD Dimming Technology not “on the books.” Why are they not LUCA, IAN E. “on the books,” because they are MABRY, BRETT MARQUEZ, MICHAEL S. March 29 “Delinquent.” MARTIN, JAMES D. Lighting Console Programming Strike or no strike, our Local is un- MORRIS, REGINALD der contract to the Producers to supply, RAMOS, ROBERT J. April 5 when requested, members who are in REGAN, ROBERT A. TBA good standing with the Local. I can SCHNEIDER, KENNETH SIMMONS, OWEN G. not and will not dispatch a member STRONG, JAMES K. April 7 & 8 who is delinquent. Dropped GrandMA Console Training Generally, by the fifteenth day of COX, THOMAS P. each new quarter, we are down to FRANCO, CHRIS April 12 HOOD, ALBERT A. about 300 “Delinquent” members and ISWARIENKO, KURT A. Electricity 101* that is the time when I usually purge MORTON, TIMOTHY LEE the “on the books” list. This year, with TAMAYO, VLADIMIR A. April 12 the strike, I waited four weeks before WAUGH, KIERAN J. Expression Console Training purging the list. Active Non Roster MUSKEY, JACK G. The point I am trying to make is (*Indicates this course qualifies for this, do not believe that being “on the * List current as of Feb. 26, 2008 ETCP Certification Renewal Credits.) books” is a safe refuge if you have not PAGE 6 Voltage requires specific training 480V Power Systems

by Alan M. Rowe, here is an old saying that you don’t Safety & Training Director Tknow what you don’t know. With rapid changes in technology and health and safety codes, this is true for every people utilizing 480V systems receive larger scale. member of our local. training prior to their use. We will be starting up our Rigging The continuing evolution of tech- Since yellow is used as a phase for Wet Locations & Underwater nology affects how we do our jobs. identifier in 480V systems it is important Lighting classes once the weather gets LEDs, Media Servers, Automated to remember that YELLOW IS NOT warmer. If you are interested in Lighting, Drafting, and Pre- Visualization SUITABLE TO USE AS A PHASE Underwater Lighting, you must be are just a few of the examples where IDENTIFIER IN 120V POWER SCUBA certified with a minimum of we have to keep current with the tools SYSTEMS. This applies whether or not an Open Water certification. I that are available to us. This is not only 480V systems are currently in use. 480V recommend several post-certification to make ourselves more efficient now circuits are found with transformers, air dives and Advanced Training before but also to protect our jobs in the future. conditioning, special effects and some you take these classes or work The local offers classes and seminars to lighting fixtures. These items may underwater. Now is the time to start keep us up-to-date with new technology. become present on any set at any time. thinking about this training or brushing- The best way to keep current on these Many of our members have been up on your dive skills. If are you are events is to send an email to: 728Training- taking advantage of the downtime to interested in SCUBA diving for [email protected]. come in for the accelerated training that recreational or business purposes there The codes and guidelines that govern we have been offering. This has led us are several local training opportunities. how we do our jobs are also constantly to re-formatting several of our classes With class offerings from the Basic evolving. The Industry Wide Safety into a more interactive and fun format. Open Water through NITROX and Committee is currently developing an I am an advocate of hands-on training working in overhead environments, addendum to Safety Bulletin 23 on the so we are integrating more “toys” into there is something for everyone. use of 480V power systems. Use of our classes. For a list of companies that are 480V power gives our Gaffers some Our Electricity classes are a prime offering discounts for members of great new tools and allows our rigging example of this as we are using low Local 728, please email me at crews to run long distances with less voltage kits to demonstrate the [email protected]. cable. principles that we discuss in Electricity However, this voltage requires 101. This continues into the Electrical additional training and specific Power Lab where we do the same equipment. It is very important that hands-on experimentation, only on a Funding Awarded for Skills Training ontract Services has awarded the our Underwater Lighting Class. 9 of these members who are in Good Standing with Cfunding for our Skills Training classes are new to our schedule. I will be the Local and have completed their Safety Program through next January. They have writing class descriptions over the next Pass classes. New members are eligible given us the backing to provide 27 few weeks and will publish those as soon to take these classes during their first 90 different classes for our members. as they are available. days even if they have not completed Most of these classes are shorter 4- We are currently working on producing their Safety Pass requirements. If your hour sessions that focus on specific topics a schedule for the entire year. A partial I-9 with Contract Services has expired, I to make you a better Set Lighting list an be found on Page 6 of this will be able to update it at most classes. Technician and more valuable member publication. The Rigging for Wet The entire list of classes is listed on of the crew. Of these 27 classes, 5 of Locations Class and the Underwater the Local’s web site, www..iatse728.org. them are Electrical Classes; 5 are related Lighting Class will start in June/July. The Members can also contact Safety & to Plotting and Visualization; 4 are Rigging newer classes will start being introduced Training Director Alan Rowe at Classes; 9 are Lighting Control Classes; 3 into our schedule in the summer. [email protected] directly are Specialized Technician Courses; and These classes are available to all for more information. PAGE 7 Studio Electrical Lighting Technicians FIRST CLASS I.A.T.S.E. Local 728 U.S. POSTAGE 14629 Nordhoff Street PAID Panorama City, CA 91402 Los Angeles, CA Permit No. 34694

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