Film and TV Technician (1957)

134 Organisers' Page FILM & TV TECHNICIAN October 1957 TELL US WHEN YOU GET A JOB I AST month I referred to the J failure of members who obtain employment to notify Head Office. I do not apologise for quoting the following instance which occurred during Bunny Garner's absence on holiday. I had been trying to satisfy a studio's request for staff and the conversation was roughly as follows: "These are available Miss A, Miss B, and Miss X ". There was a burst of laughter from the studio end of the 'phone. " Miss X has been working here for the past three months ". My face was slightly pink. It does emphasise the point I have made previously, that our members, on commencing work, should advise us. Congratulations to Vivian Temple-Smith, A.C.T.T. Shop Steward at Pinewood, on his election as Chairman of the Joint Works Committee. This is I believe the first occasion at Pinewood when an A.C.T.T. member has been so honoured. It is a fitting tribute to the sterling work put in by Vivian in the comparatively short time that he has been our Steward there. Friends will be pleased to hear that Peter G. Nash has had a very successful six months as a lighting cameraman in the Pagewood Studios, Sydney, Australia. He has now gone to New Zealand to work with the New Zealand Film Unit. Logic An enquiry recently into absenteeism (not, I hasten to add, in A.C.T.T. grades, or in fact in the film industry at all) asked a worker concerned this question, " Why do you only work three days per week ? " The reply was " I have discovered it takes that much to keep me." Hush Telegraph In all industries the bush telegraph is a well used and respected institution, and in films it acts with great speed. A meeting had been held at one studio to discuss a location, details had been discussed and after E.C. approval the same evening the company were advised. The first thing the next morning was an enquiry from another studio which gave details of what they had heard had happened. For once the bush telegraph was too quick. But it does keep you on your toes! Many locations are at present operating, and cover great distances. One small but undoubtedly By FRED TONGE pleasant one is on the " Queen Elizabeth " to New York and back, others are on the Jungfrau in Switzerland, in Dublin, and on the Virgin Islands; others range from the Tyrol to Brighton. A meeting was held recently of a location which was proceeding abroad to elect Unit Steward and settle one or two minor details. This was settled and I felt that all was well. A day or two later I met an officer of one of the other unions concerned. It seems that some of his members had signed individual contracts and were as a result very much worse off than their colleagues in the other two unions. Individual contracts may look very nice on paper but on more careful scrutiny they may well show that the worker is going to be the loser. In this particular case no A.C.T.T. personnel were involved, but it should warn our members that the normal conditions laid down are in their best interests. In the few grades where individual contracts are specifically mentioned in A.C.T.T. agreements experience has shown our members what to look for, and it is well known that these members have their contracts "vetted" from time to time. Freddy Ford Bunny Garner has passed on to me a letter from Freddy Ford who is working in Canada as Director of Photography in Regal Films, Toronto, which I think members will like to read. He writes: Many thanks for placing me on the list for the above situation. I am delighted at being here to photograph the first black and white CinemaScope feature being produced in this country by a Canadian company. I never thought I should have an opportunity of shooting a modern cowboy story. I have a complete crew: Operator Jackson Samuels (Canadian), 1st Assistant Manny Alpert (American), 2nd Assistant Don McMillon (Canadian), 3rd Assistant Ted Winters (Canadian), Clappers Loader Denny Murphy (Canadian) and two Grips (Canadian). Just returned from our first week's shooting on location, " Owen's Sound," Georgian Bay. Real cowboys, ranches, horses, cattle and gun-running bandits, including the old sheriff in this film. The cast, actors from Hollywood, Alison Hayes, Jim Davis, John Hart (of The Last of the Mohicans fame), Tony Brown (The Boy and His Dog), Austin Willis and many other featured players. Saw some of the rushes on Saturday. Apparently the Director, Sam Newfield, is delighted with the photographic quality. The boss, Mr. S. Newfeld, had a representative from 20th, Hollywood, visit the studio to view our efforts, he sent me congratulatory messages. The star, Alison Hayes, has received another contract from the company because of her good looks and performance, she also thanked me for my efforts on her behalf. So, you see, we are making pretty good headway over here. It's a great country, food excellent, hospitality outstanding, and generous people who are willing to accept knowledge from persons who arrive here with experience and willing to teach them the up-to-date methods of our K 'ontinued on page 142)