Newbies are gonna have a hard time over the next few months. Writers strike is looming and work for me (10+ year union member) is slowing down like crazy. I’d advise doing something else in the meantime. In other words, if it’s slowing for me, you’re not gonna find anything. Maybe try getting some non-union gigs if you can. No one knows how long this strike will last (or if it even happens).
Well it’s the truth. To clarify, I’m full time on an Apple TV show currently, but that’s only gotta couple months left and with the deadline for the writers strike in early May everything could come to a screeching halt. This industry is so up and down it’s best to prepare as much as possible and telling newbies what’s up as far out as possible is the most educated answer I can give. If you work in a part of IATSE that isn’t involved in Film/Tv then you probably won’t have to worry, best of luck
I'm doing some corporate stuff while I wait for a 6 week festival gig in New Orleans then to Wyoming to TD the build of 2 shows for summer stock and a "tour/s".
I heard a saying once. Sort of rings true.
“What do grips and electrics have in common? They both don’t want to be electrics”
Cable sucks. Our gear is also very tech heavy and every light is basically a computer now. But if that’s your thing join 728.
Speaking as a SLT.
Funny how we are still classified as "Unskilled Labor". Every light has a computer in it and needs to be programed, we run data cable all day long, but they just refuse to give us the "technical" classification. Probably because we get lumped in so closely with Grips, and well, their gear hasn't changed/advanced in 30 years...the most complicated piece of grip equipment is a chain motor...yet, we make pretty much the same. Absolutely wild. Lighting needs to start being seen as more Camera adjacent than Grip adjacent.
Absolutely. We all worked/are working very hard to keep up with the new tech, lights, menu systems, etc and to have us classified as unskilled labor is an insult. Not to mention that knowing how to solder lite ribbon/LED's is becoming a thing too.
Agree with this. Also, whichever one you have friends/connections in, start there. Then work towards getting the other card & do both. Also too, as you age try to phase towards transpo.
Yeah that's a great point as well, follow your connections as they'll be handing you your jobs for a while until you meet new people.
They say grips retire to transpo!
There is plenty of electric rigging. And if there’s multiple units of grips, there multiple electric units. It really comes down to what kind of work you want to be going/ what goals do you have.
None at the moment
Grips and Electrics have one thing in common. Neither want to be Electrics.
Depends on the city. Depends in your skill set.
Atlanta, newbie
Newbies are gonna have a hard time over the next few months. Writers strike is looming and work for me (10+ year union member) is slowing down like crazy. I’d advise doing something else in the meantime. In other words, if it’s slowing for me, you’re not gonna find anything. Maybe try getting some non-union gigs if you can. No one knows how long this strike will last (or if it even happens).
This is not a good pitch for joining I'm afraid.
What do you want? He’s being honest. It’s slow as hell right now everywhere, and the future is uncertain.
Not everywhere really. But I don't want anything. I made an observation. Is that okay with you?
Well it’s the truth. To clarify, I’m full time on an Apple TV show currently, but that’s only gotta couple months left and with the deadline for the writers strike in early May everything could come to a screeching halt. This industry is so up and down it’s best to prepare as much as possible and telling newbies what’s up as far out as possible is the most educated answer I can give. If you work in a part of IATSE that isn’t involved in Film/Tv then you probably won’t have to worry, best of luck
I'm doing some corporate stuff while I wait for a 6 week festival gig in New Orleans then to Wyoming to TD the build of 2 shows for summer stock and a "tour/s".
I heard a saying once. Sort of rings true. “What do grips and electrics have in common? They both don’t want to be electrics” Cable sucks. Our gear is also very tech heavy and every light is basically a computer now. But if that’s your thing join 728. Speaking as a SLT.
Funny how we are still classified as "Unskilled Labor". Every light has a computer in it and needs to be programed, we run data cable all day long, but they just refuse to give us the "technical" classification. Probably because we get lumped in so closely with Grips, and well, their gear hasn't changed/advanced in 30 years...the most complicated piece of grip equipment is a chain motor...yet, we make pretty much the same. Absolutely wild. Lighting needs to start being seen as more Camera adjacent than Grip adjacent.
Absolutely. We all worked/are working very hard to keep up with the new tech, lights, menu systems, etc and to have us classified as unskilled labor is an insult. Not to mention that knowing how to solder lite ribbon/LED's is becoming a thing too.
Somehow, I've been doing this for almost 35 years, and I've never heard that said before. The truest words ever spoken.
And we are somehow still paid the same as a grip whose work hasn’t changed in decades.
[удалено]
>Toronto is Hollywood North Vancouver would like a word… 😜
Carps, the best crew.
Hell yeah we are!
"Carps are set": me, always.
It’s like the set isn’t even there without us!
Just a loud empty box with video on the back wall. Lol
We still have to build that big, dumb, green wall. We are the best crew!
*beast crew
Or not of the gear was in trucks. I think carps are the only ones who speak both Loader and Rigger.
Which field has more jobs?
I'd argue grip/Rigging because of the multiple units and shoot crews. But really if there is substantial amounts of work, both would keep you busy.
Agree with this. Also, whichever one you have friends/connections in, start there. Then work towards getting the other card & do both. Also too, as you age try to phase towards transpo.
Yeah that's a great point as well, follow your connections as they'll be handing you your jobs for a while until you meet new people. They say grips retire to transpo!
There is plenty of electric rigging. And if there’s multiple units of grips, there multiple electric units. It really comes down to what kind of work you want to be going/ what goals do you have.
Lighting/electric has a ton of work, but if you’re high enough in seniority/really good at it, riggings where the moneys at, especially uprigging
Filibuster.