Jurisdictional disputes in the motion-picture Industry : hearings before a special subcommittee of the Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives, Eightieth Congress, first-session, pursuant to H. Res. 111 (1948)

MOTION-PICTURE JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES 469 bore the holes; neither side would yield and it was finally decided to convert the bunk room into a locker room. For the picture "Women's Army" on stage 18, the set called for a WAC barracks, dressed with double-deck bunks. The carpenters had always built doubledeck bunks and the material for these bunks was already cut for the mill when local 44 ' served notice that if the carpenters built the bunks, the property men would refuse to service the set. After 2 days of argument, neither side would yield and it was then decided to rent steel Army cots instead of building bunks. We were unable in this case to correctly portray the scene. Air ducts and pipes On stage 24 we had a section of an aircraft carrier. The air ducts and pipes had previously been installed by the carpenters. Prop makers raised an issue over their installation, claiming that they were set dressing and insisted on their installation. Otherwise they would not service the set. This was given to the prop makers. Walls Under the grip contract the handling of all walls is given to the grips. On stage 15 we had a set which simulated a stage of a theater and was a part of a theater building. The grips union claimed they were entitled to erect the walls of what was the simulated portion of the theater building. Also, that they should have installed a circular stairway which in the construction of the building should have been installed when the building was erected. On this same set a violent dispute arose with the set erectors union, claiming that certain of the scenery on the theater stage should have been built on the stage instead of being built in the mill by the carpenters. No stoppages of work followed. However, the dispute consumed approximately one-half day of time of various people. Mirrors On stage Ci, for the picture Unfinished Dance, the script called for a glass flooron the theater stage and behind proscenium arch. Floors of this character had always been laid by the carpenters. The ijrop makers claimed it was a special effect and being behind the proscenium arch, they had a right to lay it. The dispute was vigorous. However, the matter resolved itself inasmuch as it was decided to abandon the glass floor. However, in the same set the prop makers had made some frames to hold certain mirrors which would reflect the action of certain dancers in the scene to be photographed and inasmuch as the scene was depicting a rehearsal in the theater, certain action required workmen to walk over the stage carrying mirrors. Inasmuch as the prop makers were handling other mirrors, creating special effects, prop makers, members of local 44, lATSE, were assigned as actors to carry the mirrors and be photographed. The grips union, local SO, lATSE, claimed the handling of all mirrors and reflectors, etc., had been given to them by contract and insisted their men be assigned as actors to carry the mirrors. A violent argument ensued in which Mr. Holbrook, assistant business agent of local SO, threatened to close down the show unless the grips were given the job instead of the prop makers. In order to prevent the closure of the show until the matter could be settled, six additional grips were assigned to stand by, which they did for a period of one-half day until the grips union was convinced they had no right to demand the work of actors. We have one item in dispute in relation to mirrors as follows : Mirrors in tilted frames on the walls have always been installed by the carpenters. The prop makers now claim this work. No serious dispute has arisen although many wrangles have followed the making of installation of mirrors in tilted frames. Courtroom roiling and seats On stage 18 we had a courtroom scene which consisted of a replica of an entire courtroom without side walls. The action required that a moving camera boom move through the courtroom, drawn down the aisle to a close-up of the judge on the bench. This required the removal of the courtroom benches and the railing which usually divides the spectators and the attorneys and litigants. In order to facilitate the removal of the railing, the prop makers had put the rail on casters. It is ncn-mally grips' work to clear the way for the camera boom, irrespective of what equiinnent is to be moved. Mr. DuVal of local 44 ^ Property local, lATSE.