IATSE local 495

Just for the record...the merging of IATSE local 495 with local 122 was pretty much opposed by members of both locals. To hell with union democracy?

On the upcoming film commission thing, Studios film where they want/can. In San Diego Countyunion contracts have a 30 mile limit, to travel from a production office to the location, then they Start paying mileage. But union rates are lower here, which is a plus. Studios or Cinematographers like their gaffer, their key grip, etc. so they come from LA, & the rest from locals. some LA studio mechanics will prefer to hire THEIR IA buds from LA, & the producers usually limit ...this to save $$. it's all about the $$. Many LA members will agree to work as locals for the job. I say county, also, because I believe the best site for a studio is the San Marcos site. When I spoke to an Art Director, one who proposed budgets, for big budget pictures, like BIOSHOCK, which was canned for being too costly to produce. (play the game you'll see), he really seemed excited when I told him the height of the ceiling, 70 ft. Hollywood needs spaces like that. if there were an advantage to film here. they would build studios. they did for "Titanic" etc. as far as skilled film workers go, my observation is, if you build it, they will come. & they usually do. At one point we had 12 units filming around the county. See more

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Just heard Dan Mulvaney passed away last August. He was a permanent fixture on all of Stu Segall shows & an absolute professional. Usually he was yelling at me since I was walking into the shot. Our first Holiday party at the Aero Club he was our DJ & made the party rock. Most of all, I will miss his professionalism.