Film editor Bob Mori sent the Preservation Society his thoughts on the impending strike in LA by the backroom workers who say they are short-changed by movie moguls and entertainment gurus.
The industry is estimated to be worth more than 700 billion dollars, yet many who work in it earn a barely living wage.
More than 98 per cent of union members have voted for the strike, according to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
It’s not an unexpected action though, unions has been fighting for years for shorter working hours, safer conditions and better benefits.
President of the IATSE, Matthew Loeb, said: “This vote is about the quality of life as well as the health and safety of those who work in the film and television industry. Our people have basic human needs like time for meal breaks, adequate sleep, and a weekend. They deserve nothing less than a living wage.”
Hourly wages for television, video and film camera operators are about $32.50 – $5.43 more than the average wage in the U.S. For too long the star-makers have been cashing in on cheap talent, they say.
Bob, who has worked on many films, commercials and music projects said: “It’s seems to me that business people always ask creatives to tighten their belts… While they continue making loads of cash.”
He included this clip from the film Mank, the 2020 film about alcoholic scriptwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz and 1930s Hollywood.
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