TURN THIS RATE DOWN!!!!

[David Allen Grove]

I meant to say "prior to the Mandatory operator position being eliminated."

[RonBaldwin]

Funny they would respond with that...they give siht away just for fun then claim victory.

[Michael Stumpf]

Update:

 

In this case, Karma is a bitch.

The operator who lowballed (GOM) and took the rate I refused, was fired (for reasons I know but won't disclose here).

The operator who dayplayed last season was brought back per the #2 man (Producer/Director) on the show.

Because of this, he required the rate to go up.

Fox still refused to make the hourly higher but apparently they approved an increase in the weekly rental to compensate.

 

Personally, I still feel a higher hourly would of been preferred as that's what goes on the books and is what other shows

will look at and base their rates after.

 

 

All I have to say, again, regarding union minimum rates is:

I was once against it, but now as far as TV is concerned as long as it's at least 20% (but preferably 25% over operator rate) I think it's

a perfectly acceptable proposition.

Holding out for the group "banding together" to keep rates up is like thinking if we all stop driving our

cars on Sunday's or all go buy hybrids the oil companies are going to lower gas prices back down to under $2 a gallon......you are dreaming on

both accounts.

There are many of us who ACTUALLY have time and time again refused low ball rates and did so staunchly over the years. But there are too many low ballers

who have not and therefore have contributed to the decline of the Steadicam Operator rate. The low ballers are not going to go away, and TV studios aren't suddenly going to start feeling generous again and offer the daily steadicam rates we used to get 10+ years ago.

 

The unions ARE SUPPOSE to be there to PROTECT us and do what's best FOR us.

In order for them to negotiate a steadicam minimum rate, we steadicam operators have to demand it from them.

 

Good day all

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

The unions ARE SUPPOSE to be there to PROTECT us and do what's best FOR us.

In order for them to negotiate a steadicam minimum rate, we steadicam operators have to demand it from them.

 

 

How many times does this need to be said. The union is NOT going to negotiate a Steadicam Minimum. There are a few reason for this.

1) the operator position is no longer mandatory

2) the union can't adequately protect what little we have left, how do you expect them to protect a new "Niche" position

3) the union doesn't even understand WHY we are different from any other operator that they don't cover

4) Look at the last round of contract agreements, they didn't exactly do a bang up job there

 

It's better for the community to police it's self. Know a lowballer? when they need help, screw them, when they are out of work and want leads, screw them. When you need to be covered, don't call them. Make them persona non gratta... and above all, let the community know who they are.

[David Allen Grove]

Michael, why not call the Union and ask Bruce Doering about it and let us know what he says?

 

I'm not endorsing a Steadicam minimum but at least we would get the Union's current position of this subject.

[Rob Vuona SOC]

I have to agree with Eric along with some of the others, asking the union is not going to get us anywhere. Policing ourselves in our own genre seems to be the most efficient way . I recently turned down two separate gigs that were three weeks each because of rate and budget issues. One of them helped out a fellow operator and the other still perpetuated the poor rate due to someone else taking it and agreeing to the rate. It happens in all genres and the only thing we have is what we think is right and what we are worth. Don't sell yourself short, your worth the rate !