I’m a 13 year IATSE sound mixer. We’re supposed to begin principal photography on the new Simu Liu film next week and I voted yes on the strike this morning. I stand to lose over $40,000.00 for a month of work. However, I stand in solidarity with my IATSE brothers and sisters. The AMPTP are abusing crew work conditions out of greed. Netflix is the biggest offender.
@@James-cn9no Oftentimes crew have to work 12-16 hours a day (plus often 1-2 hours additionally off the clock) 5 to even 6 days a week. Far too often there are times where you could start at 7am, wrap at 9pm, get home at 11pm or later (I mentioned the additional work off the clock) then have to be back at 7am again. I could go into a dozen more issues, but that's a good starting point.
I really liked this format of Film Industry News. You said that you don't usually talk about this on the channel, but I wouldn't mind more videos like this.
Been in the industry for 9 years, and I can personally handle the 14+ hour workday as a Locations Dept member, but home life is super important as well. Right now my required turnaround is 8 Hour as a 728 Teamster (Locations), but I believe a change could increase the quality of work I am able to do alongside my fellow crew members.
I've been a member for nearly 30 years and the conditions and the contracts have continually degraded over the years. When I was accepted in 1993, turnaround was 10 hours. That was cut to 8 soon after. As you know, that's too short of a time to wrap out, go home, unwind, shower, rest, get up and be back to set in time for call. And that's just one aspect. Couple that with 16 hour "official shoot days" and it's a wonder why more crew aren't killed trying to go home. I know this is not news to you, Alex - but I think people need to know how difficult it is for production personnel Below The Line and why all IA members need to Vote Yes. While working members will take a hit, perhaps this will result in a better quality of life for the members - and that's worth it. I Voted Yes.
Thank you for highlighting this issue. I did see a few people on Instagram making reference to IATSE but no one gave as much detailed information as you have Alex. Good work man!
Good on them, the only power people have anymore is through acting together, companies will almost always act for their own financial self-interest and try to squeeze more for less.
Very important news. Ramifications for independent productions is one thing. The biggest deal I see is the tech streaming giants wanting to negotiate their terms. The ploy of Jobs for life no doubt ready to drive lower wages for overall financial stability. The biggest gap in the market is for a recognised training for filmmakers. A benchmark to gain access to employment on streaming and major studio productions.
Just curious - if a striking IATSE member is on a non-union job during the strike, can they still flip the production? Or in more general terms could a production be flipped during a strike?
Good question. Technically this could happen as the union administrative staff that would handle the logistics are still working…but I would honestly be surprised if this occurred because of other factors.
I would bet that you could. And that would then shut down that production. Its called being a "salt." Going into a worksite with the intention of unionizing it. Its a good move. Strengthens the union and the strike.
The Strike Authorization covers only the Hollywood Basic or Area Standards. If you're working a non-union project then you should be okay (though the IA supposedly frowns on members working non-union shoots). Union members are expected to continue working on shoots that are not under the Hollywood Basic or Area Standards Agreement.
this is good news, bad writers have wasted millions of work hours of better people and billions of hours of the audience. put that entire generation of writers to hard manual labor instead, we've got streets to clean.
This won't shut down everything, just shows associated with the basic agreement and the asa. Sports Broadcasting, Low Budget Theatrical, Pay Television (HBO, Showtime, Starz) and Commercial Agreements, still have to continue.
Well, I got the ol’ eng’neerin’ degree. Many of us are in other fields of work due to the long understanding that film has always had its instability. I know of some members who ‘collect’ union cards and they could and do move to other skilled trades, similar, to film. Lastly let me say, as an outsider coming in to the industry, I can already think of some producers who would appreciate ‘new media’ being taken a bit more serious.
They should strike or get their requests met asap I'd say. I listened to Allen from Sound Speeds who hosted a livestream with one of the IATSE guys. It's not fair for big corporations to pocket all this profit for a literal century and when something goes bad for a year, they're unwilling to help their employees. There should be more unions, everywhere. God knows we need them in Amazon and Tesla
Us in the rest of the world are not too worried, as more productions will go overseas - to us ! For 'us' its very hard or next to impossible to get a job in the USA, if we even wanted to work in a unionized environment. So having productions move away into the 'free' world, does not sound like the worst idea - while I emphasize with my colleagues that potentially will face a hard time....
Whatever your personal situation, be glad you don't work in some other production countries. I know production people where they work practically 24 hours for a shoot day. And for very low pay.
@@simonnordberg162 I'll work those strip jobs. Those people make too much money and want more. Ask the guy working the guard shack if he'd like to work on a set for a month and see if he doesn't jump at the chance!
don't know how long will it take for people to realise that unions like all collectives throughout human history are made to benefit some at the expense of everyone else
That’s literally just capitalism. At least with unions the workers have power in negotiations. Without them the businesses just profit off short changing and running laborers into the ground. IATSE is asking for the very BASIC workers rights here. Keep in mind that many non-union productions still like going off union rules because they keep workers happy and are an understood standard. A rising tide raises all boats.
@@JacobVossFilms just thank your stars we are living in this present timeline where you are condoned for your utter ignorance about how any of this works
Not hostage or blackmail - Unions are basically the workers response to being overworked. Right now people die driving home because they’re so tired. Unions are just trying to get common sense workers rights that most other industries already enjoyed. It’s actually not uncommon to have a less than 8 hour turn around between shifts - including commute which is often over an hour. These inhumane conditions are why unions are needed. All a union is is workers banding together to demand better conditions. Right now the producers have come to the bargaining table with ridiculous asks - the union came with demands on reasonable hours. By having unions, workers can come together with collective asks rather than just be a mess of complaints that would normally occur (which the business might or might not respond to)
In addition to what Jacob wrote - imagine your job being one where you must report to work at 9am. You get up, get in your car and drive there. Cool. All is good. You get there a bit early and grab a breakfast burrito. Cool. Easy. At 9am, you start working. At 2pm, you expect to get yourself a nice hot sit-down lunch. But your division head calls your boss to tell your team that instead of taking a lunch break, everyone is to keep working and, when you get a moment, you can run off to the cafeteria to grab some lunch. But you're grinding and your reports are due, so you really can't break away. Maybe you'll run down, grab a plate, scarf it down and get back to your desk. You keep working. You're really focused and you're doing a great job. At 5pm, a full eight hour workday, your friends in other businesses are clocking out and going home. You and your team are still going at it - full bore. At 8pm, you'd like to have something to eat. The cafeteria is open but you're still going full bore. Run away for a moment to grab a quick bite and get back to your desk. At 10pm your team is working hard. Still at full bore. Finally, at 1am, the office is in disarray. Desks have been moved and everything is askew because you've been going hard all day. The boss finally tells you that the project is good and the end of the day has finally come. Be back here and ready to work at 9am. But, before you go, you gotta rearrange the desks and bring the office back to the same condition it was in when you arrived at work sixteen hours ago. Only then can you drive home, shower, unwind, sleep, get up, get ready and be back to work before 9am, so you can get that breakfast burrito. Oh, and you have to work this schedule for Six Days a Week. This is the life of the average person Below The Line on a production.
Oh no! Hollywood can’t make cookie cutter bland movies that try to appeal to everyone anymore! We should protest and figh..... Oh hey look, check what the Koreans are doing on Netflix!
Thank you for making this video letting people know about the landscape going forward, Alex. #IASolidarity Hopeful this strike will improve the future of the industry as a whole. On the indie side, I’m already seeing productions care wayyy more than they ever did before about hours and turn around times which I am so thankful for. This needs to be a starting point for making set life more sustainable. Also the position the AMPTP left the bargaining table at was ridiculously bad for workers. Seemed like they were almost arguing in bad faith trying to force a strike. Really odd.
While I like your video, what is on the calendar is a call for a Strike Authorization -- it is NOT a guarantee of a strike. Respectfully, this fact is crucial and it was somewhat misrepresented in the opening. It took 6 minutes to get there, and this is great for driving the algorithm, but a bit disingenuous on the front end. As for how it will affect me, I will strike any show under the BASIC agreement, which excludes STARZ, HBO, and a few others. I live responsibly and have a fair amount of personal savings to withstand a prolonged stoppage. Having said that, I don't believe the Producers will allow it to happen. They cannot survive a strike any more than the unions can. A strike would be Mutually Assured Destruction for the whole industry.
Wellll you guys had a chance to boot Mr. French Laundry out of office…. On a side note, how does anyone in Cali wear a mask after seeing one, just ONE, video of our political leaders laughing and giggling at a crowded event with no masks on only to put them on as soon as they think the cameras are recording?
This potential halt definitely seems like a big problem for those workers and industry : ( hopefully they can all chill out and be more humbled and have a cold beer together and work things out! Cooperation always involves complicated deal making and agile fair compromise.
I’m a 13 year IATSE sound mixer. We’re supposed to begin principal photography on the new Simu Liu film next week and I voted yes on the strike this morning. I stand to lose over $40,000.00 for a month of work. However, I stand in solidarity with my IATSE brothers and sisters. The AMPTP are abusing crew work conditions out of greed. Netflix is the biggest offender.
Good to know thanks
All these streaming services are trying to screw iatse members wholesale. Pure greed.
why are y'all threatening top strike?
@@James-cn9no Oftentimes crew have to work 12-16 hours a day (plus often 1-2 hours additionally off the clock) 5 to even 6 days a week. Far too often there are times where you could start at 7am, wrap at 9pm, get home at 11pm or later (I mentioned the additional work off the clock) then have to be back at 7am again.
I could go into a dozen more issues, but that's a good starting point.
I really liked this format of Film Industry News. You said that you don't usually talk about this on the channel, but I wouldn't mind more videos like this.
Been in the industry for 9 years, and I can personally handle the 14+ hour workday as a Locations Dept member, but home life is super important as well. Right now my required turnaround is 8 Hour as a 728 Teamster (Locations), but I believe a change could increase the quality of work I am able to do alongside my fellow crew members.
Man you got me excited. I hope this really happens. 🖕🏻 Hollywood and the corrupt entertainment business.
I've been a member for nearly 30 years and the conditions and the contracts have continually degraded over the years. When I was accepted in 1993, turnaround was 10 hours. That was cut to 8 soon after. As you know, that's too short of a time to wrap out, go home, unwind, shower, rest, get up and be back to set in time for call. And that's just one aspect. Couple that with 16 hour "official shoot days" and it's a wonder why more crew aren't killed trying to go home.
I know this is not news to you, Alex - but I think people need to know how difficult it is for production personnel Below The Line and why all IA members need to Vote Yes. While working members will take a hit, perhaps this will result in a better quality of life for the members - and that's worth it. I Voted Yes.
Thank you for highlighting this issue. I did see a few people on Instagram making reference to IATSE but no one gave as much detailed information as you have Alex. Good work man!
The next week is certainly going to be interesting! Thanks for sharing the update!
Ha, that’s one word for it! Let’s see what happens…
Thanks for sharing, Alex
Thanks for watching!
Good on them, the only power people have anymore is through acting together, companies will almost always act for their own financial self-interest and try to squeeze more for less.
Unions are awful.
No
Very important news. Ramifications for independent productions is one thing. The biggest deal I see is the tech streaming giants wanting to negotiate their terms. The ploy of Jobs for life no doubt ready to drive lower wages for overall financial stability. The biggest gap in the market is for a recognised training for filmmakers. A benchmark to gain access to employment on streaming and major studio productions.
Thanks for the update. Sincerely hoping that you post videos more often.😊👍
Just curious - if a striking IATSE member is on a non-union job during the strike, can they still flip the production? Or in more general terms could a production be flipped during a strike?
Good question. Technically this could happen as the union administrative staff that would handle the logistics are still working…but I would honestly be surprised if this occurred because of other factors.
I would bet that you could. And that would then shut down that production. Its called being a "salt." Going into a worksite with the intention of unionizing it. Its a good move. Strengthens the union and the strike.
The Strike Authorization covers only the Hollywood Basic or Area Standards. If you're working a non-union project then you should be okay (though the IA supposedly frowns on members working non-union shoots). Union members are expected to continue working on shoots that are not under the Hollywood Basic or Area Standards Agreement.
Thank You Sir
this is good news, bad writers have wasted millions of work hours of better people and billions of hours of the audience. put that entire generation of writers to hard manual labor instead, we've got streets to clean.
Thanks very much for the very concise and informative video, Alex. I hope that everything is resolved amicably and swiftly.
What microphone did you use for this video? Kind regards
This won't shut down everything, just shows associated with the basic agreement and the asa. Sports Broadcasting, Low Budget Theatrical, Pay Television (HBO, Showtime, Starz) and Commercial Agreements, still have to continue.
Well, I got the ol’ eng’neerin’ degree. Many of us are in other fields of work due to the long understanding that film has always had its instability. I know of some members who ‘collect’ union cards and they could and do move to other skilled trades, similar, to film. Lastly let me say, as an outsider coming in to the industry, I can already think of some producers who would appreciate ‘new media’ being taken a bit more serious.
They should strike or get their requests met asap I'd say. I listened to Allen from Sound Speeds who hosted a livestream with one of the IATSE guys.
It's not fair for big corporations to pocket all this profit for a literal century and when something goes bad for a year, they're unwilling to help their employees.
There should be more unions, everywhere. God knows we need them in Amazon and Tesla
Only these corporations can frame over a billion per month in subscription fees as a "bad year"!
hollywood is burning, shud I seebate?
Us in the rest of the world are not too worried, as more productions will go overseas - to us ! For 'us' its very hard or next to impossible to get a job in the USA, if we even wanted to work in a unionized environment. So having productions move away into the 'free' world, does not sound like the worst idea - while I emphasize with my colleagues that potentially will face a hard time....
Strikebreaking is nothing to be happy or proud about.
Whatever your personal situation, be glad you don't work in some other production countries. I know production people where they work practically 24 hours for a shoot day. And for very low pay.
@@simonnordberg162 I'll work those strip jobs. Those people make too much money and want more. Ask the guy working the guard shack if he'd like to work on a set for a month and see if he doesn't jump at the chance!
@@simonnordberg162 Scabs gonna scab.
Good luck with that one.
don't know how long will it take for people to realise that unions like all collectives throughout human history are made to benefit some at the expense of everyone else
That’s literally just capitalism. At least with unions the workers have power in negotiations. Without them the businesses just profit off short changing and running laborers into the ground. IATSE is asking for the very BASIC workers rights here. Keep in mind that many non-union productions still like going off union rules because they keep workers happy and are an understood standard. A rising tide raises all boats.
@@JacobVossFilms just thank your stars we are living in this present timeline where you are condoned for your utter ignorance about how any of this works
@@nero008 I literally work in the industry with union people. I know how all of this works
Unions should be easier to join. It's a crap move to go on strike and flood the non-union job market.
Not good.
Why can unions take movie production companies hostage / black mail?
Why not work without union workers?
Not hostage or blackmail - Unions are basically the workers response to being overworked. Right now people die driving home because they’re so tired. Unions are just trying to get common sense workers rights that most other industries already enjoyed. It’s actually not uncommon to have a less than 8 hour turn around between shifts - including commute which is often over an hour. These inhumane conditions are why unions are needed. All a union is is workers banding together to demand better conditions. Right now the producers have come to the bargaining table with ridiculous asks - the union came with demands on reasonable hours. By having unions, workers can come together with collective asks rather than just be a mess of complaints that would normally occur (which the business might or might not respond to)
In addition to what Jacob wrote - imagine your job being one where you must report to work at 9am. You get up, get in your car and drive there. Cool. All is good. You get there a bit early and grab a breakfast burrito. Cool. Easy. At 9am, you start working. At 2pm, you expect to get yourself a nice hot sit-down lunch. But your division head calls your boss to tell your team that instead of taking a lunch break, everyone is to keep working and, when you get a moment, you can run off to the cafeteria to grab some lunch. But you're grinding and your reports are due, so you really can't break away. Maybe you'll run down, grab a plate, scarf it down and get back to your desk.
You keep working. You're really focused and you're doing a great job. At 5pm, a full eight hour workday, your friends in other businesses are clocking out and going home. You and your team are still going at it - full bore. At 8pm, you'd like to have something to eat. The cafeteria is open but you're still going full bore. Run away for a moment to grab a quick bite and get back to your desk. At 10pm your team is working hard. Still at full bore.
Finally, at 1am, the office is in disarray. Desks have been moved and everything is askew because you've been going hard all day. The boss finally tells you that the project is good and the end of the day has finally come.
Be back here and ready to work at 9am.
But, before you go, you gotta rearrange the desks and bring the office back to the same condition it was in when you arrived at work sixteen hours ago. Only then can you drive home, shower, unwind, sleep, get up, get ready and be back to work before 9am, so you can get that breakfast burrito.
Oh, and you have to work this schedule for Six Days a Week.
This is the life of the average person Below The Line on a production.
Honestly good.
Hollywood deserves it.
Oh no! Hollywood can’t make cookie cutter bland movies that try to appeal to everyone anymore! We should protest and figh.....
Oh hey look, check what the Koreans are doing on Netflix!
Thank you for making this video letting people know about the landscape going forward, Alex. #IASolidarity
Hopeful this strike will improve the future of the industry as a whole. On the indie side, I’m already seeing productions care wayyy more than they ever did before about hours and turn around times which I am so thankful for. This needs to be a starting point for making set life more sustainable. Also the position the AMPTP left the bargaining table at was ridiculously bad for workers. Seemed like they were almost arguing in bad faith trying to force a strike. Really odd.
Over 90% turned out for the vote and over 98% voted yes to striking. That speaks volumes.
While I like your video, what is on the calendar is a call for a Strike Authorization -- it is NOT a guarantee of a strike.
Respectfully, this fact is crucial and it was somewhat misrepresented in the opening. It took 6 minutes to get there, and this is great for driving the algorithm, but a bit disingenuous on the front end.
As for how it will affect me, I will strike any show under the BASIC agreement, which excludes STARZ, HBO, and a few others. I live responsibly and have a fair amount of personal savings to withstand a prolonged stoppage.
Having said that, I don't believe the Producers will allow it to happen. They cannot survive a strike any more than the unions can.
A strike would be Mutually Assured Destruction for the whole industry.
Alex, you are way too dramatic. Take a Valium and settle down.
Thanks for the info, Alex.
I support IATSE
Wellll you guys had a chance to boot Mr. French Laundry out of office…. On a side note, how does anyone in Cali wear a mask after seeing one, just ONE, video of our political leaders laughing and giggling at a crowded event with no masks on only to put them on as soon as they think the cameras are recording?
This potential halt definitely seems like a big problem for those workers and industry : ( hopefully they can all chill out and be more humbled and have a cold beer together and work things out! Cooperation always involves complicated deal making and agile fair compromise.