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Motion Picture Permittees:

Getting Started

You've accepted your first Union call to work.  Congratulations!  NOW WHAT?!

Be sure to get the following information when accepting a call:

• The name of the production or production company
• The phone number of the production company (This can also be accessed on the website) http://www.iatse212.com/pages/shooting.asp 
• The time of your call.
• Your rate of pay
• *The location or venue of the work.
• *A map if necessary
• *Who you will be reporting to

* This information may not be available from Dispatch.  Phone the production company directly for these details.

The specific tool/kit requirements are listed on the website under each department; see Tool Requirements

Be sure to dress for changing weather.  Keep additional winter gear in your vehicle.  You never know when the weather will change even in the middle of summer.

Come to work clean. You may be working in small quarters with many others.  There is no excuse for bad breath or body odor. 

Give yourself plenty of time to get to your call.  Consider traffic and road conditions. Do not be late.

 Movie productions often provide breakfast for the crew.  This is on your own time prior to the start of your work day.  The catering and eating tent are located in an area called 'the circus'� which is often close to crew parking but away from the filming location.

Upon arrival, report to your Dept Head or crew supervisor to be given your work tasks. Always follow the instructions you have been given.  There are no stupid questions, but there are better times than others to ask them.  Unless safety is an issue, save your questions for a slow time; not when everyone is under the gun to get things set up.  Beyond anything else, work safely.  If you are asked to do something that you feel is unsafe, you have the responsibility to speak up. If you do not know how to do something, admit it.  Do not put others in jeopardy by doing something the wrong way.

On a movie set, a catered lunch is provided.  It occurs at the beginning of the 6th hour of work after Crew Call. It is either 1 hour or ½ hour in length, with the time measured after the last IATSE member has been served. Snacks and drinks are available throughout the day at the Craft Service table.  If you are working at a Theatre or on a non-shooting crew, you should bring your lunch.  In most cases, a break away lunch is not possible.

Do not leave your work area without notifying someone in your department. There are washroom facilities on every set.  Carry hand sanitizer with you if there is no water available for hand washing.

On a movie set, it is forbidden to take pictures. Candid shots of performers is definitely a no-no!  It is also frowned upon to engage in conversation with the Director or actors unless they initiate it.  Everyone is there to work.  Do not, under any circumstance, report details of a movie or movie set on a blog, chat room, or to your friends.

Never be caught on a film set with your cell phone ringing! The embarrassment does not outweigh the consequences!  Turn them off or leave them in your car.

Be the best you can be.  Work efficiently and happily.  Leave your troubles at home.  Get along with the others in the department.  Think ahead.  Be proactive.

Be sure to fill out a start pack. You cannot get paid without one.  You will get this from your Dept Head or Crew supervisor.  If you are unsure of anything, be sure to ask.  You will also need to fill out a time sheet.  These are filled out in military time.  Military time does not have am or pm designations. It is based on a 24 hour clock.  Therefore, 1am to noon becomes 100 to 1200.  1pm to midnight becomes 1300 to 2400.  On film sets you are paid in 6 minute increments or .10 of 60.  You adjust your time out to the next increment of 6.  So, if you are clocking out and your watch says 5:15pm, you would put 1718 on your timesheet.  The Theatre and Stage contracts vary in their pay increments; although most are in 15 minute increments. Ask your Dept supervisor.

Carry permit evaluation forms with you.  You need your Dept Head to fill these out and send them in on your behalf.  You can obtain these forms from the Union office.

When the work is done or you have been released, clean up quickly and sign out. Leave your time sheet with your Dept Head.  He/she will check it, sign it and turn it in to the Production office.  Your cheque will be available at the Production office on the Friday of the following week.

Keep track of your days worked and keep a paper trail of pay stubs.  You will need this to get initiated into the Union.  

Dispatch :: How It Works

The Union operates a dispatch system based on qualified seniority. The seniority number is based on a person's induction date into the Union. Qualification is determined by the Departments, based on testing, certification etc.

Here is how it works. A Head of Department on a production informs their Production Manager that they require a certain number of crew. If the production will pay a premium for picked positions out of seniority order, then the Dept. Head may call any member she or he wishes. They must, however, always hire a member over a permit, as long as the member is qualified to do the job. If the production will not pay the premium rates, then production calls the Union and places a 'Hall Call' for the number of crew persons required.

The Dispatch person goes to the department lists and phones those people who are listed as 'available'� in order of their seniority number. It is extremely important that members and permits keep their availability current with Film Dispatch. You can do this on the website in Members Availability or by phoning Dispatch @ 250-5562. The allowed time for individuals to respond to the call is as follows:

• Calls placed more than 72 hours in advance of the call: A member/permit has 6 hours to respond, or they relinquish their right to the call.
• Calls placed 24 to 72 hours in advance of the call time: A member/ permit has 2 hours to respond or they relinquish their right to the call.
• Calls placed less than 24 hours in advance: The first available member/permit reached in person shall be offered the call.

All Hall Calls are placed by seniority in the above manner. In the event that there are no members to fill the position, the Dispatch person will proceed to the permit list. There is no seniority to the permit list. A Department Head may request any permit over another permit. If none are specified, then Dispatch will call the permits in a rotational order, trying to make sure everyone gets a chance to work.

• Being reachable. Have an answering machine or pager. Carry a cell phone.
• Checking your messages frequently
• Updating your availability as soon as you have finished work on a project.
• Taking calls. Be as available as you can for short notice calls.
• Being a valuable worker. Update your skills. Work cooperatively without attitude.

Departments:
The requirements documents are in PDF format. To view them you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader:

Forms mentioned in these documents can be found here: Applications