|
|
|
November/December
1997
|
|
Color and Sound Come to Our
Site
|
This month the Newsletter on the Web features color photos
for the first time. The printed Newsletter runs black and
white pictures because that's how it's printed, but the Web
has no such restrictions. Photos will now be displayed in
their original form, which means that many will be in
color.
We're also hard at work making audio
an integral part of the site. Our first project will be the
posting of the Financial
Seminar recently held at the
Bel Age Hotel. We're using RealAudio technology. This allows
you to listen to the entire seminar at something like AM
radio quality.
You'll need to configure your browser
with the 'Real Player' plug in. We'll soon post complete
instructions, but you can get started now by visiting the
Real
Audio Site or the Real
Player download page. Download
the 'Real Player' and install it. It's free. (You don't need
the 'Real Player Plus', which is not free.) If you are using
Navigator or Internet Explorer the installer should find and
configure your browser automatically. AOL Mac users will
have to configure their browsers manually. We've adapted
RealAudio's tech notes into a page of
instructions to help
you.
There's a whole world of audio now
available on the web. The Real Player is the way to gain
access to it.
The AFL-CIO celebrated a victory in November when the "fast
track" trade legislation failed to win enough votes. It may
still resurface but too many Democrats saw it as anti-worker
and anti-environment for the Administr-ation to win their
support this time. Organized labor lobbied, demonstrated and
made phone calls to persuade Congress that this legislation
would be a fast track to lost jobs and low wages, not fair
trade.
Experimental filmmaker Jonas Mekas
received the 1997 International Documentary Association
Preservation and Scholarship Award at the annual IDA awards
gala on October 31st in Pasadena. He earned the award for
his work preserving "underground" films. Distinguished
Achievement Awards were also given out to the year's best
documentaries at the gala.
Music editor Steven Saltzman
is now teaching Pro Tools digital audio workstation. He's
just finished work on 'Reasonable Doubt.' Other credits include 'The Ride' for
director Michael O.
Sajbel. For more info:
(310)551-1605.
As many of you may be aware, the City of
Los Angeles adopted an ordinance requiring those working at
home to obtain a $25 Home Occupation Permit. Less publicized
was the portion of that ordinance that extended the City's
Business Tax and License requirements to those working at
home.
Our Guild has joined a coalition of 14
other entertainment industry guilds and organizations to
organize opposition to this new home business tax, seeking a
broad exemption from the tax for individuals who do not
change the residential character of their neighborhoods and
place no burden on city services. We will keep you apprised
of any developments. If you want more information, please
contact Cathy Repola.
|
Organizing Non-union Editors Around
The Pool
|
On a Sunday in late October Guild
organizers entertained a group of non-union editorial
workers as part of a drive to organize post-production
houses in L.A. Field Rep Mike
Breddan and his
wife Lucille opened up their home and pool to the editors.
While children splashed happily, our organizers, office
staff and some members of the Board of Directors answered
questions and shared stories with these potential members.
Over deli sandwiches, the talk ranged from the aesthetics of
editing to balancing family and job responsibilities to how
to get a job on feature film. Guild staff - our employees -
gave up their Sunday to help in the continuing effort to
organize all non-union post-production in L.A., and for this
we all thank them.
The Guild won the election on October
28th. Many issues are still pending with the NLRB regarding
the election but we are confident we will prevail.
|