The Digital Steering Committee by Carol Littleton, Vice President Digital technology has changed every aspect of post-production from the first frame of dailies to the last frame of the finished film, and while much of what we have enjoyed in the digital revolution has been positive, many of us are beginning to see disquieting signs of change. Film is a convergence of art, science and business. The latest generation of digital tools has enabled us to discover new kinds of artistic expression. But most of us have passed from initial infatuation to the reality of downsized crews, compromised quality and a decentralized workplace. The Digital Steering Committee has the task of gazing into a crystal ball to see how technology will affect our work in the future. A look back to the 50's provides us a frame of reference vis à vis our flexibility as a Guild. In a half-century we have embraced the challenges of television and the breakdown of the old studio system. We've responded to the realities of film schools, freelance employment and non-union production by opening up our roster and welcoming new members. We've coped with all kinds of technical innovations: magnetic sound, crystal sync, zoom lenses, miniaturized equipment and flatbed editing systems. But nothing has had a more revolutionary impact on our careers than digital technology. If our past record is any indication, we shall find ways of dealing with this most-significant sea change, as well. Knowledge is power. If the old adage is true, we need to arm ourselves with information. The Digital Steering Committee has developed an agenda for the coming year that will ultimately help us to plan a course of action: We will form a think tank of Guild members and technology experts in order to anticipate the next round of technical innovations. We will cultivate collaborative relationships with the manufacturers of our tools in order to have a voice in the future applications of technology. We will be more aggressive in finding ways to use our collective power to organize our ever more decentralized workforce. We will organize a series of caucuses, by classification, for members to discuss their problems concerning technology, employment and working conditions. We will use our web site to further engage member participation. We will solicit your opinions in a short survey designed to arrive at a more detailed understanding of how the convergence of technology and economics is directly affecting of our jobs. Within the next couple of months you will receive a questionnaire which will help us identify changes in the workforce, examine our expectations for future work opportunities and clarify the membership's needs for additional training. In the meantime, we hope you will join us in our online discussion groups and help us understand your needs and our future. The Digital Steering Committee hopes to be a facilitator toward understanding the dynamics of our expanded Guild and its place in digital post-production. We need your help.   Reprinted from The Motion Picture Editors Guild Magazine Vol. 21, No. 2 - March/April 2000   Guild Home | Magazine Home | Top of Page   Copyright © 2000, All Rights Reserved by The Motion Picture Editors Guild, IATSE Local 700