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| "Made in NY" Production Crafts Training Program Graduates Achieve Union Membership
“I would stand behind any of them,” he said. “They’ll continue the craft as I would have done it.” “The commitment from the trainees has been excellent,” said John Ford, president of Studio Mechanics Local 52. “It is not easy, no matter what the craft, and I am confident that those who stick with it will succeed.” During the training, Alexis recalled that the most important thing she learned was tying knots. “I remember practicing knots on the train,” she said. “People looked at me funny; at home, my family made fun of me. When I came home after the last grip test, I told my dad they complimented me on my knots.” His response? “‘They better have. That’s all I’ve seen you do.’” “Vanessa has a tremendous amount of drive,” said Miller. “She loved what she’s doing. I’m glad she jumped on. When she found out [she got accepted into the union], she called me first, and then her grandmother.” Becoming members of the union is “going to change their lives,” said Miller, noting that with membership comes health insurance, a pension and a 401K. “People always ask me why I want to be a grip,” said Alexis, who’s now working on the CBS drama “The 2-2.” “I love being a grip because grips stick together. You have a problem; we fix it. Most of all is that sense of unity. It’s my other family.” Ford also shared some advice for the new union members: “Always feel free to call the union with any questions or issues no matter how small, never be late, work hard, do a good job, and you will make it.” This past spring, another cycle of “Made in NY” Crafts Training took place, this time for the camera department. The equipment was donated by Panavision and Camera Service Center and Kaufman-Astoria Studios provided training space and access to stages for hands-on learning. Led by Angelo DiGiacomo, who worked as a camera assistant and has been a member of Local 600 for 33 years until his recent retirement, eight trainees learned the technical skills associated with Film and Digital Loaders. DiGiacomo was instantly impressed by everyone’s dedication. “They came early, they didn’t want to take breaks, they stayed late, they came back early from lunch,” he remembered. “They wouldn’t have taken lunch if we didn’t make them.” “This is an extremely comprehensive program, teaching both technical and soft skills necessary to start a career in our industry,” said Chaim Kantor, Eastern Region Director, Local 600 IATSE. “The application process, as designed and administered by Katy Finch at Brooklyn Workforce Innovations, requires a total commitment from the trainees. They come into the program with a full understanding of what is expected of them, and what it takes to succeed.” Following the training, Myo Campbell became a Local 600 member while he was working on a union project. “The hands-on training [during the program] with the different makes and models of equipment could take years if I learned in a live environment,” he said. Two other trainees from the program – Zakiya Lucas and Inga Moren – took the entrance exam and have been accepted as members as well. “They really all had a passion,” said DiGiacomo. “They all really wanted this.” “To me, being in the union is a new way of looking at my career, with obviously a new pay grade,” said Campbell, “but more so a new respect for what I do…[N]ot only do I respect my craft, but others will too. It feels like a special recognition.” Lucas, who had struggled to break into the camera department before taking part in the fulltime training, remembered how everyone in the program worked together because they all wanted to achieve the same goal. “It means a lot to get into the union,” she said. She recently wrapped production on a Spike Lee pilot for HBO as a camera loader and is looking forward to her next project. “Fundamentally, the core mission of any labor organization is to improve the lives of working families,” said Kantor. “The ‘Made in NY’ Production Crafts Training Program provides Local 600 and the other IATSE New York Production Locals with the ability to connect with young workers at the start of their career and to engage them by providing training that would otherwise be difficult, if not impossible, for them to obtain elsewhere.” The other trainees from the “Made in NY” Production Craft Training Program plan to take the union entry exams in the spring. “We help open doors, but our alumni are the ones walking through them and making the most of the opportunities,” said BWI’s Finch. “I look forward to going to the movies for the rest of my life and recognizing names in the credits of people I knew when they just started.” | | |
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