The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

i:;s CINE TECHNICIAN September 1955 Organiser's Page COMMERCIAL T.V. During the month a meeting was arranged by those employed in TV HOUSE, to which the Organiser was invited as a guest speaker. Permission was received from the Executive Committee to attend this meeting and very helpful suggestions were given to the Organiser by the Executive Committee. The meeting itself was held at the Hammer Theatre and approximately 120 people attended, some of whom were members of A.C.T. and others who were not members of any trade union. Amongst those present were three Executive Committee members and the Chairman of the TV Producers' Section. The Organiser addressed the meeting on the history of Trade Unions, particularly A.C.T., and stressed the importance of the Trade Union Movement as a whole and the necessity for everyone to join their appropriate union. Arising from this address several questions were asked which ranged from the " closed shop " and " 10 (c) " to the necessity of joining a Trade Union at all. The members of the Executive who were present helped in answering questions and clarified replies to others. The general summing up of the meeting can be placed under three headings: 1. It was quite evident that no one at that meeting wished to join the B.B.C. Staff Association; 2. The general feeling seemed to be that there should be one union for the commercial television field, certainly inclined towards A.C.T.. and the Organiser had difficulty in explaining that it was impossible for A.C.T. to accept into membership those technicians who rightfully should be organised into other unions; 3. The Executive members present agreed that the meeting was a stimulating one from many points of view, and in particular drew attention to the amount of spadework the Trade Union Movement has still to do in normal industrial education. EDITED By MIDDY Arising from the meeting a committee has been set up at TV House to look into the question of Trade Union organisation, and it is hoped that a general meeting of all A.C.T. members will shortly be called to elect a Chairman, Committee and Shop Steward, and to use that central committee as a platform for recruiting within the television field. Visit of Soviet Technicians A number of British film technicians had the opportunity of meeting members of the Soviet Film Delegation at A.C.T. Headquarters on Wednesday, 10th August. Mr. Rudocoff headed the Soviet Delegation and Mr. Solovie, Head of the Film Division at the Soviet Embassy, was also in attendance. A.C.T. was represented by Cecil Baker (Denlabs), Dave Boston (British Acoustic), John Cox (Sound Supervisor, Shepperton Studios), Sid Etherington (Technicolor), John Gow (Special Effects, Pinewood), Len Girdlestone (Denlabs), George Hill (Equipment Specialist), Oswald Morris (Lighting Cameraman) and Harry Williams (Technicolor). In an informal atmosphere, during which there was an exchange of views on all aspects of film production, the evening passed all too quickly. When the time came to say goodbye the British technicians were invited to the Soviet Embassy for the following Monday. There they had the opportunity of seeing one of the latest Soviet colour films. Romt << and Juliet, and were entertained in a way for which the Embassy is becoming noted. (Pictures on page 139) Charles Chezeau Dies We regret to announce the death of Charles Chezeau, Secretary of the Federation Nationale du Spectacle, the federation of all French film technicians' and workers' unions. M. Chezeau was an honorary member of A.C.T. The General Secretary has sent the following letter expressing the Union's sympathy and regret to M. Louis Daquin. SecretaryGeneral of the Syndicat des Techniciens de la Production Cinematographique, Paris: " I was very sorry indeed to receive your letter and to learn of the sad death of Charles Chezeau. " As you will know, I and many other leading members of this Union had known him for a good many years and had grown not only to like him personally but to appreciate his sterling work not only for French films and film workers but also for international collaboration and friendship. We send both to Comrade Chezeau's family and to your Union our very deepest sympathy in such an irreparable loss." Visitors from Egypt A.C.T. officers had the pleasure of meeting six Egyptian technicians who were on a three weeks' visit to look round studios and laboratories. They are employed by the Shell Film Unit in Cairo and included three Directors, a Producer Manager, a Sound Recordist and a Cameraman. The Egyptian technicians have recently formed their own union, and, like A.C.T. in the early days, they are experiencing great difficulty in getting recognition of their union from the various employers' organisations. Many interesting experiences were exchanged during: our meeting with them. Friendly meetings of this sort go a long way in cementing goodwill and understanding between different nationalities. May we continue to welcome fellow technicians from other countries to exchange ideas and widen our friendships among people of other lands.