In Harm’s Way

In a current contract proposal before the American Motion Picture and TV Producers, studio teachers Local 884 is asking for tighter restrictions on directors found guilty of violating child labor laws. Director John Landis isn’t mentioned, but a union source tells us that such a clause was written because of the tragedy during the shooting of his episode of “Twilight Zone: The Movie.”

No Local 884 member was present, as required by state law, the night of the 1982 helicopter accident that resulted in the deaths of actor Vic Morrow and two child actors. Landis, Warner Bros. and two others each paid $5,000 fines to the state Labor Commission for employing children later than 6:30 p.m. and exposing them to an extremely hazardous situation near explosives. The director was acquitted of manslaughter charges.

The Local 884 clause, if accepted, would affect productions involving any director previously found guilty of violating child labor laws. The clause would require that another “director of record” be used on the days minors were present or that a law enforcement officer or Division of Labor Standards Enforcement field deputy be employed to ensure that a studio teacher was present when children were working.

Union reps negotiating the new contract refused to discuss the proposed restrictions. A union member said the clause had “almost unanimous union support,” despite possible repercussions from producers.

An AMPTP spokesman said the contract will be “carefully studied and considered” along with other union proposals.