HOLYWOOD UNION MEN
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Cannon Films’ Menahem Golan alleges that his use of IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) union craftsmen in Sylvester Stallone’s film “Over the Top” cost him an additional $2 million (Outtakes, by Pat H. Broeske, Sept. 28).
Balderdash!
In the first place the film only shot for 30 days and there is no way union costs could have added $2 million to the production. In the second place, if producers pay their union artisans over scale, by what convoluted reasoning can they blame that cost on the contract rates?
If our movie makers would follow the IATSE contract to the letter, taking into consideration the skill of those artisans and their ability to work at far greater speed than inexperienced, non-union crews, they would save millions rather than spending them.
The constant complaint from Hollywood producers that they go over budget because of unions is so much hogwash. They go over budget because of greedy, arrogant and inept executives. Not because of the workers.
MAC ST. JOHNS
Sherman Oaks
Spokesman,
International Representative
IATSE of the U.S. and Canada
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