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488 NEWSLETTER
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

OFFICIAL 488 STUDIO MECHANICS MEETING NOTICE:
  
 NEXT MEETING ON: Sunday, April 11, 2010
1:00 pm in SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Seattle Labor Temple - 2800 First Ave, Seattle WA 98121

A Letter to the February 14, 2010 General Meeting from President Greg Smith

Good afternoon,
I’d like to begin by expressing my regrets at not being in attendance myself today. My reasons are at least of a favorable nature in that the film “Late Autumn” is not only still in production and actually filming today, but heading toward its final two weeks of principle photography.
Before I veer too far from the topic of “Late Autumn”, I’d like to take a moment to recognize Bobby for his herculean efforts towards getting the show underway despite the numerous and significant obstacles. Having delicately navigated and held together the tenuous negotiations between the teamsters, ourselves and our old friends at “North By”, the show finally sputtered to a start on January 12th.
Given the much-discussed financial uncertainty of the project, Bobby took great measures to assure the solvency of at least the payroll for our working members. There are two weeks of payroll on deposit with Cast and Crew to assure employees get paid even if other aspects of the show’s financing come under crisis. So far people are getting paid and although the checks are smaller than we would like, they seem to spend just fine.
By and large the show is going quite smoothly. The Korean personnel and producers are very friendly, and express much appreciation. Outside of a potential situation brewing over locations staffing, I could honestly characterize it as a very harmonious project.
At the very least I expect this show will finally resolve (or at least begin to resolve) a few agonizing issues that “North by” has long had their head in the sand about.
Having been so long winded on the topic of “Late Autumn” perhaps that can serve as my steward’s report as well.I’d like to move on to the matter of committees.
First off, the finance committee: I will chair that committee and it will be staffed by Charlie Carlson, Bob Riggs, Linda Bloom and Rachel Thomson.
Regarding the membership committee, I’ve appointed Willy Wilson as the chair and have asked him to recruit the remaining 2 seats in addition to the BA’s.
As for the communications committee, I’ve appointed Carly Sertic as the chairperson and have asked her to appoint up to 3 remaining seats outside of Linda who is on the committee by virtue of office.
Also, I’ve appointed Phil LaFond as the chair of the constitution committee. He will recruit the remaining seats.
With regards to filling out the committees I would like to ask the chairs consider both geographic practicalities pertaining to member’s ability to convene but also the balance of representation between the northern and southern jurisdictions.
At this point I’d like to sincerely thank Willie for standing in for me today and reading this lengthy note. I hope that the meeting goes well and I look forward to seeing everyone soon.

NORTHERN  BA REPORT by Bob Riggs

Late Autumn has wrapped principal photography after a 40 day shoot. There were a few bumps getting started in both the production company's and our dealing with the Teamsters, but by all accounts the show was very enjoyable to work on. The producer, Steven Nam has donated $5,000.00 to the IATSE Training Trust Program.

NXNW is close to wrapping "The Hit List" in Spokane and is working to bring a TV pilot to Spokane.
Amy Dee of the Washington incentive program is sponsoring a day for crew members to go to their office to observe what they do and how they are working to promote Washington State. Amy is also working hard to bring a different TV pilot to Seattle.

We've had a decent winter in our commercial market with a decent size Coors commercial recently.
Our Theaters are busy and I'm looking forward to the upcoming contract negotiations.

Peace Out and smoke them if you got them.

 Bob Riggs 360-239-8218

SOUTHERN BA REPORT by Charlie Carlsen

The HBO miniseries has pushed one year. They still intend on Oregon locations but have delayed production.
Leverage begun production in March with much of the crew from last season returning.

We are in contract talks with the "Bruce" Ashland productions for a late 2010 tier two production in Eugene.

RA Reed scene shop is in contractual vacuum. We are working with the IA on how to deal with unpaid member benefits. I met with several people at the Austin IATSE Executive Board meeting for advice.

"A Cave for 40 horses", a 20 million dollar production, is looking in the South Salem area for this summer. The production entities are new and I have doubts on the financing. No incentive paperwork has been filed with the film office.

We are in the process of moving our Oregon Office to the SW side. At the same time new computers and software will be purchased. There are years of financial and membership files to weed through; both paperwork and computer files. I am working with General Secretary Bloom to help get things organized prior to the big move. Linda's computer skills and bookkeeping savvy have made this tedious project enjoyable.

Charlie Carlsen

Arrears List (coming soon)

Members who are in arrears 1 quarter.

Dan W. Bates, Alison Binford, Shaun Bowlby, Caitlin Carnahan, Lisa Caryl, Alayna Caryl, Christopher Chalk, Jan Cook, Levi Cummings, Todd Doyle, Klair Ethridge, Jeanne E. Franz, Tony J. Ghiglione, Chad W. Griffin, Mark Haleston, Steven M. Hangebrauk, Jesse Homan, Shalaine Howell, Bree Judah, Alexandria Klaue, Gerald Koble, Ronald J. Leamon, David Lewis, Susannah Lowber, Jeremy Mackie, Tyler Macklin, Charles Miller, Julie Miller, Eric Miyake, Cynthia Moore, Bethanne Mullen, Amanda Needham, Bill Northcutt, Gerald M. Parr, Wilson Peery, Ann Penny, Troy Joseph, Peters Christopher, Purkiss, Ryan Schow, Matthew Semchee.