From the President                        Maureen Wilhelm

Union Pride = Self Pride
(excerpt from "Survival of the Fittest" by Mark Breslin)

If you spend any time on the highway, you'll see a lot of bumper stickers that say things like "Union Pride" or "Proud to be Union."  What does it really mean?  Union pride is about self-pride.  It's about standing up for and with your union, through your performance and commitment.
What union pride is not about is standing behind your union, expecting it to make excuses for why you can't get the job done.  Union pride is not one of your guaranteed benefits you get by making dues payments.  Union pride is earned.
Union pride is earned every time you go the extra mile to get the job done right.  It's earned by encouraging others to do the same.  It's earned by keeping up your skills and learning new ones.  It's earned by getting out of the mindset of "what am I getting in return for paying my dues?" and into the idea of "how am I supporting a positive union image every single day on the job?"  It's not what you put on your bumper, it's what you do on and off the job every day.

Southern BA Report                            Charles Carlsen

The River Why is near to signing an IA contract. The Low Budget rates will be about $21 keys, $19/seconds, and $17/crew with daily benefits at $60. Resumes can be sent to riverwhy@hotmail.com
 
For years there have been discussions of the possibility of a real sound stage in the Portland area. Prior to the incentives, the argument was “companies do not come to Oregon to shoot indoors”.
That has less validity now and interest for a stage has resurfaced. At a meeting last week, several stage ideas and requirements were discussed. To build a new, state of the art facility would be years in the making. Funding would be problematic and the red tape that ensnares such projects would be guaranteed.
I have suggested we forge ahead with the studies and process of building a stage, but at the same time do research on what is available now.
It is my recommendation that an existing building be sought within a 30 mile radius of Downtown Portland:
The basics----Sound stage- production area (not including office space)
Must be at least 10,000 square feet, open span
Minimum ceiling height 22 foot
 
Prefer:
20,000 30,000 square feet
24 to 36 foot ceiling height
Loading Dock(s)
Parking for trailers
Nearby parking for crew vehicles
Distant from Railroad, Airport noises
Nearby or attached office space
Nearby or attached construction space
 
The desire is to find such a building that could be adapted by each production company that utilized it. Each improvement would need to fit into a long term plan for the facility or be removed post production.
No, the minimum building described above is never going to be a state of the art production hub. It would, however, be a beginning that will be cost effective and meet current needs.
If successful it will give purpose to future, larger stages and would itself then become a support facility for the indigenous community.

Below is a partial list of a few current soundstages and their basic dimensions.
 
New Mexico
Santa Fe
90 X 90 soundstage  (8,100 feet) 32' to grid - 36' to ceiling
 
Albuquerque
Four stage at 18,000 sq feet, 45 foot ceiling
Four Stages at 24,000 sq ft, 45 foot ceiling
 
Shreveport, Louisiana
Stage A
36,000 sq, ft, clear span, 24 to 33 foot ceiling
Stage B
16,000 sq, ft, clear span, 24 to 33 foot ceiling
 
Vancouver, BC
Lions Gate
20, 500 Square Feet
190 by 105
Height - 40' Minimum
 
Hawaii
16,000 sq ft
29 foot height
 
Austin
Several Stages 20,000 to 30,000
minimum 20 foot, max 24 foot height
 

Hello From Joel Youngerman

I wanted to write a little newsletter piece to say hello to all my friends at Local 488, and let you know what I’ve been doing since leaving Seattle. For those of you who don’t know me, I was the Northern Business Manager of the Local from 1994-2003. At the end of 2003 I decided that I was not going to run for reelection, and that it was time for me to do something new, and that the Local needed a fresh perspective from the BA. From that point forward things happened very quickly and my wife Nancy and I decided that a change of scenery was in order. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to a lot of people that made my time representing the members so special and rewarding. My term ended December 31, 2003, and we were living in Phoenix by April of 2004. Nancy took a severance package offered by FedEx, so when we left Seattle, neither of us had a job, or really any idea of what we were going to do.

Fast forward to June, 2008, and after 4 years of eternal sunshine, 110 degree summers, and year-round golf, Nanc and I are doing really well. Nancy took some time when we got here to go back to school, and is now a certified Paralegal with a great job at a Phoenix law firm. For any of you who know who NFL Referee Ed Hochuli is, she works for his firm. As for me, in November of 2004, and at the urging of Sandy England and International Vice President Dan DiTolla, President Short offered me a full-time position as an International Representative. My primary responsibilities are working with Stage, Mixed, Theatrical Wardrobe, Broadcast, and Studio Mechanic Locals in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, although like all Reps, I can be assigned anywhere in the IA’s jurisdiction by the International President. As I’m sure you’re well aware, New Mexico is particularly busy with motion picture and television production, so there’s been no lack of work for me.

I’d like all of you to know that I loved being Local 488 BA, and look back at my life in the Pacific Northwest with great fondness and pride at what we were able to accomplish. I’m particularly gratified by the organizing we did with the Scenic Artists and Hair and Make-Up people in the theatrical community, and the motion picture contracts we were able to secure on virtually every significant production that came our way. I’m really happy that, finally, North By Northwest is under the IA Term Agreements, and want to congratulate Charlie Carlsen, David Robinson, and Bobby Riggs for making that happen. Lastly, I’m eternally grateful for the wonderful people I got to know as colleagues, co-workers, and friends, and want you to know that you will always have a special place in my heart. If anyone would like to contact me, my email address is jyoungerman@cox.net. I’d love to hear how you’re doing. Take care of yourselves, work safe, and be happy.

Joel    

From Stephen Klineburger

If you are buying fireworks to celebrate the 4th, get them early.  200 containers and the shipping port in china were blown up, and there will be a shortage this year.


Minutes of Meeting 4/13/08

BA Report 4/13/08

Minutes of Meeting 2/10/08

Minutes of Meeting 1/20/08

Minutes of Meeting 12/9/07

Minutes of Meeting 10/14/07

Minutes of Meeting 6/10/07

Minutes of Meeting 4/1/07

Minutes of Meeting 1/14/07
Minutes of Meeting 11/12/06

Minutes of Meeting 10/8/06

Roster 6/24/08