THE

BULLETIN HOLLYWOOD

Chartered Local 728 studio electrical lighting technicians Vol. 21; No. 8 May 15, 1939 the only iatse local dedicated to set lighting 2011

AS THE SERIES ENDS AND A SPINOFF WILL SOON BEGIN SHOOTING, THE ENTIRE PRODUCTION COULDN’T BE ANY CLOSER

Top Photo: (Standing, L-R): Greg McCurley, Ben Batzdorff, Donald Francis, ACLT Michael ‘Caly’

Callahan, Louie Cercedez,

Doug Lerma and THE CLT Scott Young (seated) CLOSER Bottom Photo: Daniel Lewis, Rigging Gaffer Frank Scheidback and Rigging Best Boy Shawn Blakeman

INSIDE u It’s Time to Give Thanks, PRESIDENT LANGHAM, Page 2 u Good Fortune Also Means Planning Ahead, BUSINESS REP’S REPORT, Page 3 u The CLOSER Feature, Pages 4 & 5 u Cash, Check or ?, by CALL STEWARD/TREASURER, Page 6 u Our Industry is Under Close Watch, TRAINING DIRECTOR’S COLUMN, Page 7 u Photos: Welcoming a New Baby and LA, Page 8 I.A.T.S.E. Local 728 Hollywood, California TIME TO GIVE President Greg a. Langham Vice President Pascal Guillemard THANKS Business Rep-Secretary Patric J. Abaravich Treasurer-Call Steward R. Bruce Prochal by Greg Langham, President Executive Board Branch Brunson rothers and Sisters, Larry K. Freeman Darryl Herzon I want to thank everyone who participated in the recent Local 728 election – Roger L. Lattin B not only the people that ran, but those who were nominated as well. The Steven R. Mathis foundation of our union has always been for the member, by the member and it’s critical Iain O’Higgins that members step forward to take on a leadership role. I’d also like to thank the Michael Paul Orefice, Sr. members who took the time to fill out a ballot and cast your votes. Your participation is Raymond J. Poblick equally important. We’ve published the certified election results below. Greg Reeves I recently got back from LDI and every year I go I’m just more blown away. It’s so Francis X. Valdez, III important that we have a presence there: we’re considered the gurus of the industry and David Watson we are the main go-to group when it comes to set lighting. That’s very impressive. Stay Karen Weilacher tuned. We’re featuring the Orlando LDI show in the next Bulletin. I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving and are gearing up for the holidays. It’s Sergeant-At-Arms definitely the time to celebrate and the Local did just that. I want to thank Jerrod Hettler Richard McConihay for all of his hard work in putting the Local 728 Holiday Party together for us at Parliamentarians Montrose Bowl. I’ve gone every year and each gathering is more enjoyable than the last. Alan M. Rowe All the kids – young and old – had a great time. If you couldn’t make it, you missed a fun Raymond J. Poblick Safety & Training party. - Greg Langham Alan M. Rowe, Director

ELECTION RESULTS Shop Stewards CBS - John L. Murray BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE (1) IA DISTRICT 2 CONV. DELEGATES (23) Fox - Gina M. Isaacs Patric J. Abaravich 538 Patric J. Abaravich 517 Paramount - Frank Valdez Blanks/Voids 113 Alan M. Rowe 484 Sony - John Jacobs Greg Langham 480 Universal - Jim Fine EXECUTIVE BOARD (6) Karen (KW) Weilacher 462 Warner Bros. - Steven J. Mathis 386 R. Bruce Prochal 440 Gary M. Andersen Branch M. Brunson 361 Pascal M. Guillemard 437 Greg Reeves 293 Steven Mathis 428 CLC Delegates Iain O’Higgins 257 Norman Lang 425 Patric J. Abaravich Raymond J. Poblick 243 Dennis K. Grow 417 Mike Everett James (Jimmy B) Bradfield 242 Branch M. Brunson 409 Gary Scalzo 168 Iain O’Higgins 406 Dennis k. Grow Brandon Herzon 104 Roger L. Lattin 405 Pascal M. Guillemard R. Malakhi Simmons 82 Greg Reeves 401 Rick Kelley Jeff Kirschner 63 Jerry Posner 388 Iain O’Higgins Blanks/Voids 405 Raymond Poblick 369 S. Cricket Peters Larry K. Freeman 369 Alan M. Rowe CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL (8) Rick Kelley 364 Office Staff Patric J. Abaravich 529 S. Cricket Peters 359 Sean Harkess Alan M. Rowe 523 Ken Roerden 357 Julianna Bessey Pascal M. Guillemard 470 Darryl “Sparky” Herzon 352 Claudia Smith Dennis K. Grow 442 Michael Everett 347 Iain O’Higgins 422 Gary Scalzo 278 Rick Kelley 400 Brandon Herzon 272 The Bulletin Greg Reeves 391 Jeff Kirschner 262 Publisher S. Cricket Peters 372 Raman Rao 245 Margie Stites Darryl “Sparky” Herzon 366 Robert E. Powell 239 Editor Blanks/Voids 1293 Blanks/Voids 5061 Greg a. Langham PAGE 2 Union Spotlight GOOD FORTUNE First Notice Dimitri Andrade, Christopher Carroll, ALSO MEANS Graham Chart, Jeff Conrad, Austin Cortina, Nikolas Garff, John PLANNING AHEAD Gorman, Geoffrey S. Knight, Harold Lacuesta, Leigh Mierke, Julian Najm, Jack Shaw and Michael by Patric J. Abaravich, Withers. Business Representative - Secretary Second Notice David Elwell, Richard Galvan, Francisco J. Gomez, James Green, Kenny ’d like to recognize and thank the be responsible and stay ahead of the Gritton, Craig M. members of Local 728 who game. An extension of Assembly Bill Housenick, Thomas participated in the email IA survey 1069 was signed by Gov. Brown a few McCarty, Gregory D. I and the members who attended the months ago giving California film and Stewart, Keith Sorrell and Michael Westby. town hall meetings. I believe the survey television productions one more year New Members and the meetings were both of tax incentives. Congratulations to the follow- monumental steps; made even more In order to keep productions here, ing new members Sworn in on evident by the attendance of President we all need to be responsible and take Nov. 7, 2011: Mark Mann; on Loeb. The fact that the International charge of keeping the momentum going. Nov. 8: Craig Housenick; on wanted to come down, roll up their In order to do this, we should find out November 12: Francisco sleeves and meet with us face-to-face who our congressmen and state Gomez James R. Green, Kenny Gritton, Thomas was very important. There is a lot more senators are. You should write them, McCarty, Jeremy J. Mennel, work to do though. We’ve never sat call them, fax them and email them Ashlan M. Moates and Rob- down in the same room to have them letting them know that these tax ert S. Roberts, and on Nov.14: hear what we have to say and both incentives are helping us keep our jobs Brandon M. Gleave sides are learning how to communicate and strengthen the California economy. with each other. But the fact that they It has to start with each and every Attention all are reaching out and we are one of us contacting our government Members communicating is a good thing. leadership – not only with what we The next General My best guess is that there will be want, but what we demand. To be membership Meeting will be more town hall meetings in the future. honest, these people see hundreds of held at 9:00 A.M. (sharp) on I’ll keep the membership updated as bills a month. Unless they’re working in Sat., January 14, 2011 more information comes up. the industry, this is just another bill. It’s Local 728 We’ve been very fortunate over up to us to show them what’s important 1001 W. Magnolia Blvd. this current season to have extremely to the constituents that live in their Burbank healthy work. Almost everyone has districts and that we support filming in PLEASE BRING YOUR been working which is always good. LA. UNION CARD! Just remember going into the holiday If we don’t say anything they think season that historically we start ramping we don’t care, and I know that’s not Local 728 Scholarships down so the work is going to get a little true. A lot of people feel lost and ask High school seniors of members thinner. Hopefully people have what can I do? Start by writing a letter. in good standing are highly budgeted for this and stashed away I’m not asking you to contact a hundred encouraged to apply for a Local some cookie-jar money, and filled up people. I’m just asking you to contact 728 Scholarship. Applications their bank of hours for benefits. We your state representatives. Load up their can be downloaded from the also have to remember that a certain mailboxes, email inboxes and fax Local’s website, amount of shows won’t know if they’re machines. Show them that the motion www.iatse728.org. coming back or not. We either have picture and television capital is still All applications must be pilots shot last summer ready to take Hollywood. completed and returned to the their place or new pilots being shot I hope all of you had a nice Local by December 31, 2011. after the holidays. Thanksgiving and are looking forward Moreover, we have to be aware to a wonderful holiday season. IATSE LOCAL 728 that there has been a lot of television 1-800-551-2158 production in LA, putting a lot of us to 1-818-954-0728 work. What I need for all of us to do is Fax: 1-818-985-8798 PAGE 3 AS THE SERIES ENDS AND A SPINOFF WILL BEGIN SHOOTING SOON, THE ENTIRE PRODUCTION COULDN’T BE ANY CLOSER ON

THE CLOSER

Doug Lerma, Greg McCurley, Donald Francis, CLT Scott Young, ACLT Michael ‘Caly’ Callahan, Louie Cercedez and Ben Batzdorff

“There isn’t a thing I can say about vast majority of the crew and cast, The team embraces The Sunshine Kids, The Closer that I don’t like,” CLT Scott excluding actress Kyra Sedgwick in her a foundation that is a particular Young is quick to point out referring to Emmy and Golden Globe-winning role as passion of one of the cast members. TNT’s No. 1 show. That sentiment Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson, will be The Sunshine Kids is dedicated to permeates the set filled with a large, staying on with the new show. providing exciting and positive group Tlongstanding cast and crew that has “There is very little turnover,” Rigging activities for children with cancer. seen little turnover in its seven seasons. Gaffer Frank Scheidbach added. “Even When they visit The Closer, the “It’s really an exceptional production with our day players … everyone is production stops shooting and company filled with really good really faithful to the show because they everyone from the office personnel to people,” he added. love it. You have an actual family feel the cast greet the children at the gate, Produced by the Shephard/Robin here that I haven’t had on other shows.” applauding. Company, The Closer recently began While the Local 728 members are a “It’s really cool,” Scheidbach shooting in HD, and celebrated its tight knit group that religiously plays the noted. “They come with a police escort 100th show. Now in its final season, lottery when the jackpot reaches $30 with sirens blasting and they get to the show upped its episodes from the million (and have joked that if they win spend the day on the set. It’s really normal 15 to 21 to tie in to the show’s they’ll buy an RV and continue to hang very special.” spinoff production, Major Crimes. The out), the entire cast and crew are close. Continued on the next page

PAGE 4 The production also likes supporting their crew and promoting from within, Young said. One of the show’s hairdressers is an extremely talented filmmaker. Knowing this, the producers let her direct two episodes. “Scott [Young] took a week off and instead of bringing in someone else, they brought me up and let me gaff,” ACLT Mike Callahan says. “I can honestly say that I haven’t worked on a show that has a feeling of family and supportiveness that comes from the top until I began work here. I feel like I’m not working for them but with them.” The crew also enjoys no more than 12-hour days on what member’s say is a pretty straightforward lighting regime. Staying true to the authentic work environment of the LAPD, several Daniel Lewis, Rigging Gaffer Frank Scheidbach years ago the production redesigned and Rigging Best Boy Shawn Blakeman the set to match the upgrades made in the actual police department. When those set changes were made, Young the DP wanted an incandescent look. time and have it in place before I ask. said his crew individualized all of the There was no place to float a balloon They are the fastest and most fluorescent switches to fire two, four or so we used nine 20K’s mounted onto efficient crew I’ve ever worked with.” six globes in any fixture. three condors over a two block area. “In general,” Scheidback added, Since moving to video recently, We were able to get the stop he needed “Our rigs are very straightforward. Young says color and temperature have because we were shooting high speed But these guys are just great, fast and become critical. “We’re constantly with our cameras,” Young said. efficient. And there’s no drama. They managing and monitoring the green “The challenge with the car crash make my life very easy which is what and magenta trying to get it as neutral was trying to get the F stop the DP I want at this stage of my life. I only as possible. Video picks up green really wanted and he didn’t want to use have two years and two months until quickly and that’s the color we were HMI’s. We had to work within the I retire and move to Oregon. I really really fighting with getting out.” And perimeters of the condor and the hope I go out on the new show Major while they are using some LED’s, weight issues, and a 35-degree angle Crimes.” Young notes that their throw isn’t that … actually, working out those issues “The feel of family and big and they’re using more and more was pretty fun,” Callahan recalled. camaraderie has always started with Kinos. He’s quick to add that the way the the producers and worked its way “Changing to HD video was lighting crew gels makes it easy. down,” Callahan emphasized. “It’s somewhat of a learning curve for “Everyone has a specialty and a niche remarkable to come here after lighting, not on the talent end but when they fill. Everyone knows their job, working on a show that didn’t it came to depth of field, changing the what’s going on, and where they need operate that way.” lighting setups and things like that,” to be. We’ve been together so long a lot “It’s great to come to work, not Callahan said. of things just happen without anyone get stressed out or beat up. Actually The production shoots seven-day being told what to do.” at this point in my career, that’s a episodes and is out on location two. Young couldn’t agree more. “I great thing. I love working with this One of their more challenging shoots can’t say enough good things about production,” Young concluded. was a large-scale crash scene on my dream crew. I rarely have to tell Melrose. “It was night, and video, and them what I need; they know ahead of

PAGE 5 Call Steward CASH, CHECK OR Information Any Local 728 member representing the producer in filling calls or need- DEBIT CARD? ing assistance, should contact the Lo- cal office during normal business by R. Bruce Prochal, Treasurer/Call Steward hours. The Local’s normal operating hours are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mon- day through Friday. If you need to hire prior to 8:00 a.m., after 6:00 p.m. or over the week- “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, end, please phone the Call Steward at it is time to pause and reflect.” 818-438-0728. Members seeking weekend work - Mark Twain should call the Steward at the Local on Friday to put your name on the Weekend Availability List. reetings everybody! I hope now, most banks issued the cards Anyone who hires off roster or everything is well and good with without any user fees. Other banks also hires any member who is not current Gall of you. announced that they too were going to with their dues without first calling As best as I can tell, the current work introduce similar fees. the Call Steward, shall have charges situation is stable at this time. Most of Since then, has filed against them and shall be sub- the crews for television shows have retracted on implementing the fees, but ject to the assessments levied by the settled in for the season. “The books” the damage has been done. To date, it Trial Board if found guilty. (availability lists) are staying at about the has been reported that at least 680,000 Our present contract work week consists of any five (5) consecutive same number from day to day, meaning people have moved their money out of days out of seven (7) consecutive the same number of members get on the national banks and into local non- days. and/or off “the books.” profit credit unions. There is, finally, some action in the Moving one’s money is one very good area of feature film production in town. way to relieve the angst many of us have Most of it is low-budget projects. This against corporate America in general. cash and can sometimes forestall paying the will at least put more of our members to Let me present another. piper if used in a responsible manner. Debit work. What would happen if everybody left cards are a different beast and, in my Let us move on to the theme … Cash, credit and debit cards in their pockets opinion, leave the door open for people to Check or Debit Card? and purses, and started using only cash use like credit cards. Unlike credit cards, the By now, you should all have heard or checks? funds behind debit cards vanish from a about the “” Talk about wreaking havoc in the checking account almost as if one was using movement. It is the protest and outrage banking world. cash. over corporate greed. Although not a The use of credit and debit cards is My point, in all of this is, if you want to formally organized protest, meaning clearly a convenience for us, but it is also really mess up the banking system, use more there is not a specific goal, an outgrowth to the bank’s advantage because they can cash and checks. In the end, they may have in the spirit of the movement did spring hire fewer people to handle the cash and to hire more people. up. It was called “Bank Transfer Day.” process the checks. Processing checks is Anyway, dinner is on the table and it is That day, Saturday, 4 November 2011, also quickly disappearing because time to go … RBP was the day people were encouraged to businesses can now make direct deposits move their money out of major national with check readers at their place of When planning your charitable banks and into local non-profit credit business. This is why it is nearly giving this holiday season, unions. impossible to get canceled checks The majority of the outrage over the returned anymore. By law, they can please consider banks came to the forefront when Bank replace canceled original checks with of America announced that they were check images. The going to start charging their customers Granted, credit cards are a major Motion Picture & who have and use debit cards $5.00 (five convenience and help keep us from Television Fund dollars) per month to use them. Until carrying around hundreds of dollars in www.mptf.org/ia PAGE 6 OUR INDUSTRY IS UNDER CLOSE WATCH; WE MUST PROTECT OURSELVES

by Alan M. Rowe, Safety & Training Director

he recent tragedy at the Indiana This move towards engineering away Code will be starting soon. If you are State Fair has once again brought risk and lessening the importance of the interested in participating in this review Tthe Entertainment Industry under skills & training of qualified personnel is process, please let me know. the scrutiny of not just OSHA, but also hitting industries all across the country. In other legislative and governmental the long run, it costs less money to create I am pleased to announce that the organizations. “safe” equipment and procedures than it IATSE Entertainment & Exhibition Our industry is under close watch and does to properly train a workforce. It also Industries Training Trust Fund will be we must be on guard to protect ourselves. gives the workforce less power to negotiate sponsoring a pencil and paper examination All of us, as professionals in this industry, for better wages and working conditions. for IATSE members who are interested in have two responsibilities to protect Fortunately, this movement hasn’t hit us yet becoming an ETCP Entertainment ourselves and our current safe practices. and that brings us to my second point. Electrician on Sunday, January 15. First of all, we absolutely MUST do For many years Local 728 and IATSE Contract Services will reimburse the everything we can to avoid accidents on have been involved in the standards writing primary exam fee for members who pass our sets & locations. Any accident can process to protect our interests and our the exam and Local 728 also has a bring us to the attention of organizations safe work practices. However, we need reimbursement plan for other specific that will ultimately limit our ability to your help to review these standards and the expenses as well. If you have any questions operate as qualified persons all in the new proposals to change them. and/or are interested in becoming an name of “safety.” Recently, the proposed standard BSR ETCP Entertainment Electrician, please It is important to realize that there are E1.18 was in public review. This document contact me. two approaches to safety in the workplace: concerns the use and selection of portable the first is to use skilled and trained power feeder cable in the entertainment Once again this year we will be having personnel who know how to get the job industry and had several provisions that an accelerated training schedule during the done in a safe and efficient manner. The would have caused significant disruption to holiday hiatus. Beginning in mid- second is to engineer away all risk so that how we do our jobs. Many of our December, we will be offering Skills the workforce does not need to be as members participated in the public review Training classes during the week as well as highly skilled and trained. and armed with these opinions, I was able on weekends. We will be offering classes in This is accomplished by the creation of to challenge this document last month at power, rigging, control protocols, lighting “foolproof ” technology and procedures LDI and found my way onto the review consoles, HMIs, and for the first time ever, that are intended to limit exposure to the committee. a class for CLTs on Lighting for the hazard. It always seems to be the case that Over the next few months, I will be ALEXA camera. The schedule will be these procedures and equipment are going through every concern that we have available on the Training728 site. You can developed by people who do not about this document and fighting to keep access the Training728 site from the understand the workforce they are trying anything out of it that will negatively Local’s website (http://www.iatse728.org) to “protect.” impact our abilities to do our jobs. And I or directly at https:// Far too often the end result is that will need your help. www.training728.org. these policies and “safe” (though often What we need are people who are You can reach me at the Local (818- unusable) equipment undermines the willing to review proposed standards and 954-0728), by email ability of the qualified person to do their give us their opinions. In addition to the ([email protected]), or job in a manner that would be just as safe comments of BSR E1.18, the next round through either website. and more efficient. of proposals to the National Electrical PAGE 7 Studio Electrical Lighting Technicians FIRST CLASS I.A.T.S.E. Local 728 U.S. POSTAGE 1001 W. Magnolia Blvd. PAID Burbank, California 91506 , CA Permit No. 34694 Return Service Requested

PRE-SORT FIRST CLASS

Congratulations! OCCUPYOCCUPY LOS ANGELES

Melissa Ralph and Local 728 Member Morris Blumberg are pleased to announce the birth of their baby boy, Ashley David Blumberg. Local 728 members Karen Weilacher (far left) and Christina Stallard Ashley was born on October 7th proudly marched with a “Stand Up & Stop The Corporate Destruction at 7:21 pm. and weighed in of America!” banner in a Los Angeles-based take on Occupy Wall Street at a healthy at 7 lbs. LOSprotest ANGELES on October 12 in Pasadena.