Jeremy Dickson
Entertainment Reporter
Humber film students looking for jobs in the film industry got some sound advice from three IATSE representatives this week.
IATSE, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, is the labour union of professional stagehands, motion picture technicians and allied craftspeople in the entertainment industry.
The union helps its members secure better wages, working conditions, health programs and retirement plans and is the oldest and largest union in the entertainment industry, with 110,000 members.
Toronto IASTE representatives from three branches spoke with film students on Tuesday, addressing their concerns about getting in the union, rates and fees, security and the likelihood of summer jobs and work after graduation.
“We’ve had a bit of a bumpy year with the recent ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) strike, but it can only go uphill from here,” said Rick Perotto, who represents cinematographers and camera assistants from Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada in Local 667.
Perotto, a Humber grad, said this year’s group of graduates will find it tough because the industry is at a low-point, but recent agreements point to a brighter future.
“ACTRA and the DGC (Director’s Guild of Canada) have new contracts that provide better labour stability, Filmport Studios downtown will be ready for business in 2008 and The Incredible Hulk will be shooting here this summer,” said Perotto.
Landing the Hulk was an important step for getting other American productions back to the city, said Mimi Walsh of Local 873. Walsh, who represents all film technicians from grips and electric to hair and makeup, said it is likely that 100 per cent of technicians hired for the Hulk will be Canadian.
“Cinderella Man was previously the largest production shot in Toronto, but it will pale in comparison to what we are about to see with the Hulk,” she said. “These people from the Marvel studio worked with Canadian crews before on the X-Men series so they know a high level of professionalism will be maintained.”
Walsh said American producers are happy with the skills of IATSE members partly because of their high quality training programs for members to learn additional skills. “Toronto is well-known for its diversity within production and you must be able to adapt to various set environments because they all vary. It just makes you a better technician and more able to earn a living.”
Film grads looking to survive often land their first jobs in the production office or get hired on as production assistants.
Third-year film student Michelle Whiting, 21, got to witness the advantages of joining IATSE first-hand when she worked on Hank and Mike, a $1.6 million film recently shot in Toronto. “I got to see how the union members function and cope with issues. We had people that were working too long so they called the unions for help and they did help. People were working 18-hour days everyday and only getting paid for 10 so either you get your sleep or you get your money. The unions are there for you, that’s the point.”
