August 28, 2008- Union
members say major movie production in Los Angeles has come to a virtual halt
as producers eye contract talks with the Screen Actors Guild.
The Hollywood studios scheduled most of their productions to wrap up around
June 30 in anticipation of drawn-out negotiations, and indeed, talks between
the Guild and the industry are ongoing, the Los Angeles Times reported
Tuesday. It said only one major studio film, DreamWorks SKG's
"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," is underway.
"We've had a substantial drop-off," Ed Brown, business agent for
Local 44 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, told the
Times. His union represents craft workers such as set decorators and special
effects technicians. Brown said about 3,500 of the union's 5,500 members were
working.
He told the Times that current work levels are off nearly 10 percent from
this time last year, saying that the drop-off would have been larger if not for
a substantial number of small-budget films whose independent producers have
signed contracts with the Screen Actors Guild.
But analysts say producers are ultimately betting there won't be an actors'
strike and will ramp up production next month, the Times said.
By JOHN ANDERSON
Published: July 27, 2008
Twin Hopes: Satisfying Movie, Low Cost
...Immediately after “Manure” wraps,
essentially the same crew will begin production on another film, “Stay
Cool.” “The old studio system had that factory, conveyor-belt
process,” Mark Polish said. “That was something we wanted to look into, say,
‘Hey, maybe we could do two like these, maybe three or four with breaks in
between.’ ”.... More
Hollywood actors, producers at
loggerheads over contract
LOS ANGELES, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The chief negotiator
for the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) on Friday accused the latest contract offer
from Hollywood producers of falling short in the area of work appearing in new
media.
In a message sent to SAG members and
posted on the union's Web site, chief negotiator Doug Allen said the contract
could not be accepted even though the offer largely follows the framework of
deals accepted by directors, writers and a smaller actors' union.
The harsh response served as an
indication that the on-again, off-again contract talks between SAG and producers
were at a standstill. No new negotiations have been scheduled. more...
CHANNEL ISLAND
Will 'Ugly Betty' and others strike for SAG?
Films and TV sag under the $tar system.
By Scott Collins, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
May 11, 2008
"...Hollywood doesn't have a technology
problem. It has an income-disparity problem. Everyone knows it, and yet no one
talks about it..." more
TV crew members still feeling effects of writers strike
Many can't find work with production down, and their bills are piling up. Some
are facing foreclosure and bankruptcy.
By Richard Verrier, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
April 28, 2008
"...The writers strike ended two months ago. But many in Hollywood
remain on the brink..."more
"Don't Swim at the
Bottom" by Art Adams
If you’re competing on price alone, you’re
going to lose. Compete on what you can DO! .... more
from "Stunning
Good Looks by Art Adams".....Art Adams
A native of Northern California, Art Adams spent ten years in LA--first at film
school (Loyola Marymount) and then working in the film industry. He started out
as a camera assistant ... more
"What
it's really like to work in Hollywood"
"Moran
is pragmatic when it comes to his future. He views trailer editing as a way to
open doors and to gain valuable experience while also make a decent living.
'I have yet to give up my dreams, but I will probably spend more time now
pursuing more realistic goals,' said Moran... more
The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Power 100 list is our annual
ranking of influential female executives in Hollywood. Rankings reflect
professional achievements, company role, financial and green-light
responsibility and force of personality... more
Column: "Working Hollywood" by
Cristy Lytal
De Longis helps Harrison Ford crack
the whip -- literally
The bullwhip tutor teaches the actor how to get just the right snap for '
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.' more
As films' train master, he keeps period pieces on track....
Consultant Arthur J. Miller Jr. kept the railroads running for
'Leatherheads.'more
She made sure 'Sweet Nothing in My Ear' takes signing
seriously....
Linda Bove coaches the cast in deaf culture for the CBS
telefilm. more
Katie Brock makes them sit up and beg....
And her charges do plenty more for the animal trainer, who had
quite an exotic menagerie to work with for 'Nim's Island.'more
Miniatures master cuts dramatic backdrops down to size for
'10,000 BC'....
Joachim Grüninger re-creates lands and landmarks to lend
illusions of grandeur.more
She minds their Ps and Qs....
An etiquette coach's love of history helps her ensure that
'The Other Boleyn Girl's' on-screen manners are true to their era.more
Sound advice on issues of the deaf....
Deaf actress Linda Bove...more
(LA Times Archives)
He's locked in on authenticity; Percussion cap guns.
Flintlocks. Pocket pistols. Under R. Vern Crofoot, period projects
get it right....
"Your average individual at that time, even a gentleman
of that era, would have been carrying a weapon at all times," says Crofoot...
more
(LA Times Archives)
His job outlook is up in the air...
It was John Marzano's love of photography that first got his career as an
aerial director off the ground... more
(LA Times Archives)
He gives actors a sporting chance...
When he was shooting hoops on North Carolina's high school state championship
teams, he dreamed of.... more
(LA Times Archives)
Drawing on his comic book cred...
When a film's in the hands of storyboard artist Rob McCallum, action springs
to life...more
(LA Times Archives)
Breathing life into Bigfoot...
Robert Hall's job isn't just about makeup. Engineering, chemistry and more
are involved... more
(LA Times Archives)
Steering clear of troubled waters...
Daren Bailey, former derring-do British diver, does whatever it takes to
float Hollywood's boats...more
(LA Times Archives)
Coach's accent is on accuracy...
Francie Brown uses her skills as a dialect expert to help actors open up and
say 'ah' -- and other sounds -- the right way...more
(LA Times Archives)
ACTOR'S TAXES: The Great Hollywood Ripoff - Getting paid
"under the table" will end up putting you overa barrel. by Frank Wynan
"This is going to be a strictly cash deal. No one's going to know!
Right?..." more
"Have you crewed on a project whose producers have promised
that "the check is in the mail", or now actively avoid your phone
calls? This is a list of clients who promise pay, but fail to cut a check at the
end of a shoot or mail out payment..."