SUMMER 2009 VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2 QUARTERLY 695 THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF I.A.T.S.E. LOCAL 695 Table of QUARTERLY Contents 695 Volume 1 Issue 2 12 18 26 Features Departments Local 695 Emmy Nominations . 10 From the Editors & Business Representative 4 PSC Solice Evaluation . 12 From the President . 5 The pros and cons News & Announcements . 6 When Sound Was Reel 2 . 18 Job update, In Memoriam & more Reviewing early sound on film Education & Training . 8 Review of RF Day . 23 Zax-Net & the RF spectrum Navigating the Horse Latitudes . 24 A list of things to do Larry Levinson Productions . 26 Demonstrating against family-unfriendly practices What Every Video Engineer Should Know . 28 Cover: Warner engineer George R. Groves Grounding: How to protect yourself recording Fanny Brice for the movie My Man, circa 1928 (Courtesy George R. Groves Estate) 3 From the Business From the QUARTERLY From the President Representative 695 Editors I.A.T.S.E. Local 695 We are a technical Local; education keeps us afloat. In fact, we are obligated to a Production Sound Technicians, Television Engineers, permanent kind of student-hood in our work. This Local has acted with a clear- Welcome to the second edition of the 695 Quarterly. It was It was reported by a trustee of Video Assist Technicians and eyed urgency to this end, establishing an industry model for preparation with our quite a lot of work getting the inaugural spring issue out; the Motion Picture Industry Pension Studio Projectionists education program. having to go through design choices and prospecting for and Health Plans (MPI Plans) at the Certified & Chartered September 15, 1930 articles, but it was well received and the reaction to it has recent 66th IATSE Convention that A California Nonprofit Labor Corporation We are not alone. It was clear to our delegation at the IATSE Quadrennial been very positive tens of millions of dollars are Incorporated July 31, 1951, State of California Affiliated with the A.F.L.-C.I.O., Convention in Orlando, Florida, this past July, that a “pulling together” across the lost, which would otherwise be California State Federation of Labor, Alliance was taking place and education was the uniting factor. With all the work of getting a periodical up and running residual contributions paid to the and L.A. Central Labor Council behind us, we’re now having fun working on gathering new MPI Plans, because of the illegal Your representatives, Jim Osburn, Scott Bernard, Ed Moskowitz, Elizabeth Alvarez, articles that you provide to us. We promise to keep up the reproduction (“Piracy”) of motion 5439 Cahuenga Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601 John Coffey and myself, witnessed and participated in the transition to a new high standards we have strived to establish. picture and television programs. The (818) 985-9204 (323) 877-1052 administration, lead by International President Matthew D. Loeb. A generational immediate direct effect of this “Piracy” and loss of residual (818) 760-4681 fax changing of the guard was endorsed with a purposed view to the future. Busy in One of the goals we set for this magazine is to communi- contribution to the MPI Plans is a significant reason the cost [email protected] our committee assignments cate to the film and television community, as well as our of healthcare is being passed on to our members and threat- www.695.com and actively networking with membership, that Local 695 has the technical expertise and ening the pensions we have worked so hard to maintain. ——————————— our peers throughout the professionalism to be the leaders in the digital, new media BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE Alliance, we were struck by landscape. Reacting to IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb’s James Osburn telling moments about where Convention Report on “Piracy/Intellectual Property,” things seemed to be heading. You may have noticed that Local 695 has been evolving the the 836 delegates assembled at the recent 66th IATSE PRESIDENT Mark Ulano last few years. Our educational programs are in full swing, Convention, unanimously approved President Loeb’s report Poor economic policies and with many of and passed the following resolution: VICE PRESIDENT shortsighted politics of the these events Jay Patterson recent past continue to reap available for “Therefore Be It Resolved, that the IATSE and its Locals their harvest of anxiety, mak- viewing from take measures to lobby government, promote legislative and SECRETARY-TREASURER ing this the very moment Susan Moore-Chong our website at regulatory safeguards and partner with the industry at-large in that our collective pursuit of 695.com. The securing the motion picture business from piracy.” RECORDING SECRETARY excellence is most needed. 695 Quarterly, Elizabeth Alvarez An important step toward the Local 695 It is evident that the continual loss of MPI Health and meeting this need was the Membership Pension contributions lost by such “Piracy” must be SERGEANT-AT-ARMS intensive curriculum being Dean Striepeke Directory and a stopped. The administration of IATSE Local 695 is dedicated offered at the convention by the National Labor College (NLC) based in Silver new comput- to effect the necessary laws and action to eliminate the EXECUTIVE BOARD Spring, Maryland. The NLC offers classes in the development of union skills and er system to illegal reproduction and transmission of this “Piracy,” and Laurence B. Abrams labor leadership, as well as bachelor’s degrees in several labor areas. The two-hour assist the busi- protect our members’ health and pension benefits. Agamemnon Andrianos session the College presented drew an overflow crowd estimated to be near the ness representatives are all ways Local 695 is stepping up to Scott Bernard total number delegates (836) in attendance at the convention. This was a highly meet the challenge of the new media world. A coherent strategy requires input both from you and from Courtney Goodin Richard Lightstone motivated group of people committed to getting better at this labor thing, meeting the business community. Please provide my office with your Andy Rovins another highly motivated group of people, whose job it was to teach them how to We greatly appreciate all the support we received on our thoughts concerning this “Piracy” problem. Please contact do it. It was good news. first issue. Please keep the stories and ideas coming as we us at Local 695’s business office or [email protected] and/ BOARD OF TRUSTEES begin work on the fall issue. or (fax) 818 760-4681. Allen Bernard Other issues high on the agenda were demand for strategies to repel the assaults Gene Cantamessa Eric Pierce being made on healthcare reform, and film piracy as losses into the billions ham- You can reach us 24/7 at our email address: [email protected]. mered away at our members’ financial well-being. The organization seemed to be Good content and good reading. 695 QUARTERLY CO-EDITORS coming together in new ways, preparing for the coming storm. Realignment and Fraternally, James A. Osburn Richard Lightstone reconciliation was everywhere in the air as President Loeb, Jay Roth from the Eric Pierce, David Waelder and Richard Lightstone Eric Pierce DGA, and others spoke directly to the issue of current and future turbulence in David Waelder our industry. Until a new business model with effective distribution and mutually ——————————— beneficial payment formulas emerges, reading how things may play out will continue 695 Quarterly to be a challenge. DISCLAIMER: I.A.T.S.E. LOCAL 695 and IngleDodd Publishing have used their best efforts in collecting and preparing material for inclusion in the 695 Quarterly Inquiries or suggestions Magazine but cannot warrant that the information herein is complete or accurate, and do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any person for any loss or [email protected] damage caused by errors or omissions in the 695 Quarterly Magazine, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause. Further, Make no mistake; this was not an empty Kumbya moment. It was more than 800 any responsibility is disclaimed for changes, additions, omissions, etc., including, but not limited to, any statewide area code changes, or any changes not reported in writing bearing an authorized signature and not received by IngleDodd Publishing on or before the announced closing date. PUBLISHER hard-core trade unionists rededicating themselves to getting good, getting tough, get- Furthermore, I.A.T.S.E. LOCAL 695 is not responsible for soliciting, selecting or printing the advertising contained herein. IngleDodd Publishing accepts advertisers’ IngleDodd Publishing ting ready! Solidarity, on a practical level was emerging. We’re going to need it. statement at face value, including those made in the advertising relative to qualifications, expertise and certifications of advertisers, or concerning the availability or intended usage of equipment which may be advertised for sale or rental. Neither IngleDodd Publishing nor I.A.T.S.E. LOCAL 695 have any responsibility for advertis- ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Fraternally, ers’ statements, and have not investigated or evaluated the authenticity, accuracy or completeness of the information provided by any person or firm listed in the Dan Dodd 695 Quarterly Magazine. Readers should verify claims made in the advertising herein contained, and are requested to report to the Publisher any discrepancies which Mark Ulano become known to the Reader. (310) 207-4410 ext. 236 [email protected] President I.A.T.S.E. Local 695 4 5 NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS DENECKE, INC... Contract Services Administration and PRODUCTS TO HELP YOU Help During Tough Times Training Facility FOCUS ON SOUND. During these tough economic times, it’s good to know that our industry has some On September 16, CTATF and CSATTF will be merg- very good organizations to provide help, and please remember to put these organiza- JOB UPDATE ing and moving to a new facility in Bubank.