MEMPHIS, Tn., Feb. 1 — With only four hours before a strike deadline, two locals of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes (IATSE) and a low budget production set for initial release on the Internet signed a collective bargaining agreement that represents another significant step by the IATSE to organize content produced for cyberspace.
IATSE Local 600 International Cinematographers Guild and IATSE Local 492 Studio Mechanics of Tennessee and Northern Mississippi, with the assistance of IATSE Representative Scott Harbinson, signed a contract with the low budget production Lovely by Surprise at 3:00am CST January 26. The first-time agreement calls for retroactive benefits, reduced double time interval from 16 to 12 hours, housing guarantees, meal penalties, rest periods and other professional standards that the IATSE has worked to establish throughout the spectrum of low budget production.
John Hilsman represented IATSE Local 600 and Peter Kurland and Bob Hill represented IATSE Local 492 in this successful organizing effort. Lovely by Surprise, directed by Kirt Gunn, began production in Memphis January 16.
