In late April, the IATSE and the Motion Picture Corporation of America (MPCA) signed the first long-term, low-budget national agreement for theatrical film productions between $5 million and $7 million.
At the West Coast Office of the IATSE, President Short and MPCA President Steve Stabler met and signed the two-year agreement, after it had been unanimously ratified by the General Executive Board of the IATSE.  President Short stated, “It has been a goal of the Alliance to work with these independent producers in coming to terms that are agreeable and workable for the producers, the lA, and mostly for the numerous crews working on these projects. Ultimately, this Agreement provides those crews with competitive wages and benefits.”  Prior to this Agreement, low-budget theatrical projects were negotiated on a project-by-project basis.  This National Agreement is significant of the strides that the IA has made with independent film producers, working to meet their needs and address their budget.