Hollywood Greed Makes for Long Days
The bargaining parties of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees are meeting to discuss the dangers to human life caused by excessive overtime (“Hollywood Unions Want Closer Look at Workday Issue,” May 22). A consensus will never be met until the producers set sensible shooting schedules and give up their unrealistic deadlines.
Money, it seems, is not the problem. Two 10-hour workdays would be far less expensive than one 19- to 20-hour day. But release dates are set by management far removed from the cogent realities of filmmaking, and producers are reluctant to make waves.
The unions are really only giving lip service to the problem. Excessive overtime means a lot of extra money in the pocket. It might be months before the next job starts. People have to eat. If the IATSE took a stand, contracts would require reopening, strikes might happen, work could stop. After all, this is only about perils to life and limb. It’s not important when there’s money to be made.
They’re meeting in Palm Springs to discuss the issue. This, in itself, might be dangerous. Excessive exposure to the sun could cause cancer.
BYRON MEYERS
Los Angeles
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