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488 NEWSLETTER
December 2009
I.A.T.S.E. Local 488 - STUDIO MECHANICS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Motion Picture Technicians
Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, its Territories and Canada

PRESIDENT'S REPORT by Maureen Wilhelm

Brothers and Sisters,
            This a joyous time of year. It is my great pleasure to wish everyone Happy Holidays!!! Here's looking forward to a steady recovery to our economy. In the mean time, take advantage of our "buy 3-get one free" stamp deal. Many of you did last year, and we are offering the deal again at your request.
            Thank you to all who have written or called their representative(s) in support of insurance for all Americans. We still have hope that our country will take care of the un/under-insured.
            When buying your holiday gifts, please remember that buying pirated movies and music only hurts our business. Piracy is one of the biggest problems in the movie industry today and it can only be stopped by letting your friends, neighbors and co-workers know to buy the real deal.
In fact, buy the union label whenever you can.
            I hope to see you all at the January 10th Holiday/Election party in Centralia.
            Peace and joy to you and your loved ones. Happy New Year!
In Solidarity,
Maureen Wilhelm, President

NORTHERN BA REPORT by Bob Riggs

“Late Autumn” has pushed principal photography for an undetermined time while they work out a contract with Teamster Local 174. I’ve been working daily with both parties and am still hopeful that production will be up by the first of the year. We still will have to work out our differences with the Teamsters over Location Managers.

I was able to sign Straight Eight Films to the IATSE Term Commercial Agreement and they have shot their first project under contract. I believe that other local production companies will follow their lead when they see how successful the IA can make a production company.

Boeing’s DreamLiner finally flew and Jetliner Films was in town again, under an IA contract, to capture the moment. Look for Jetliner to come back in the early part of the year.

NXNW wrapped “The Big Bang” and by all indications it was a great show for our members. They have another project slated for the first of the year and I’m hoping for another smoothly run project.

We have the Seattle Opera contracts we rolled over coming up this year along with several other of our Theatrical Shop contracts for negotiations. Given the economy, it will be interesting to see what position the different venues take up at the table.

I hope everyone gets a chance to spend time with family and friends over the upcoming holiday period and best wishes for a prosperous New Year. Peace out and smoke em if you got em.

Bob Riggs 360-239-8218

SOUTHERN BA REPORT by Charlie Carlsen

We are still expecting “Leverage” to open season 3 production offices in Clackamas on January 25^th. Off production would commence in February and production in early March.

HBO, “Undaunted Courage” scouted Oregon then headed to Montana and Canada. I am waiting for full disclosure on schedules and locations.

The rumors of the next production of the “Twilight” series has the phone ringing from everyone except the studio. Given the incentives of other areas and the commitment the State has to HBO, it is unlikely we would host any significant portions.

Congratulations to the “Restless” crew for the hard work on that production. Sony is happy with the product and recognizes the value of producing here.

By all indications, Laika will not seriously begin hiring again until fall 2010. Please keep me informed if you learn otherwise.


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488 NEWSLETTER December 2009 I.A.T.S.E. Local 488 - STUDIO MECHANICS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Motion Picture Technicians Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, its Territories and Canada PRESIDENT'S REPORT by Maureen Wilhelm Brothers and Sisters, This a joyous time of year. It is my great pleasure to wish everyone Happy Holidays!!! Here's looking forward to a steady recovery to our economy. In the mean time, take advantage of our "buy 3-get one free" stamp deal. Many of you did last year, and we are offering the deal again at your request. Thank you to all who have written or called their representative(s) in support of insurance for all Americans. We still have hope that our country will take care of the un/under-insured. When buying your holiday gifts, please remember that buying pirated movies and music only hurts our business. Piracy is one of the biggest problems in the movie industry today and it can only be stopped by letting your friends, neighbors and co-workers know to buy the real deal. In fact, buy the union label whenever you can. I hope to see you all at the January 10th Holiday/Election party in Centralia. Peace and joy to you and your loved ones. Happy New Year! In Solidarity, Maureen Wilhelm, President NORTHERN BA REPORT by Bob Riggs “Late Autumn” has pushed principal photography for an undetermined time while they work out a contract with Teamster Local 174. I’ve been working daily with both parties and am still hopeful that production will be up by the first of the year. We still will have to work out our differences with the Teamsters over Location Managers. I was able to sign Straight Eight Films to the IATSE Term Commercial Agreement and they have shot their first project under contract. I believe that other local production companies will follow their lead when they see how successful the IA can make a production company. Boeing’s DreamLiner finally flew and Jetliner Films was in town again, under an IA contract, to capture the moment. Look for Jetliner to come back in the early part of the year. NXNW wrapped “The Big Bang” and by all indications it was a great show for our members. They have another project slated for the first of the year and I’m hoping for another smoothly run project. We have the Seattle Opera contracts we rolled over coming up this year along with several other of our Theatrical Shop contracts for negotiations. Given the economy, it will be interesting to see what position the different venues take up at the table. I hope everyone gets a chance to spend time with family and friends over the upcoming holiday period and best wishes for a prosperous New Year. Peace out and smoke em if you got em. Bob Riggs 360-239-8218 SOUTHERN BA REPORT by Charlie Carlsen We are still expecting “Leverage” to open season 3 production offices in Clackamas on January 25^th. Off production would commence in February and production in early March. HBO, “Undaunted Courage” scouted Oregon then headed to Montana and Canada. I am waiting for full disclosure on schedules and locations. The rumors of the next production of the “Twilight” series has the phone ringing from everyone except the studio. Given the incentives of other areas and the commitment the State has to HBO, it is unlikely we would host any significant portions. Congratulations to the “Restless” crew for the hard work on that production. Sony is happy with the product and recognizes the value of producing here. By all indications, Laika will not seriously begin hiring again until fall 2010. Please keep me informed if you learn otherwise.