Founded: 1937
Members: 2,900
Please provide a brief description of your membership and what industry/industries your Organization serves.
Established in 1937, the Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) represents 2,900 members who work throughout the world in film, television and theater as Production Designers and Art Directors; Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists; Set Designers and Model Makers; and Illustrators and Matte Artists.
Please provide a brief description of the mission of your Organization.
In addition to collective bargaining and advocating for safety in the workplace on behalf of our members, the ADG’s ongoing activities include a Film Society screening series, annual “Excellence in Production Design Awards” gala, bimonthly craft magazine (PERSPECTIVE), figure drawing and other creative workshops, extensive technology and craft training programs and year-round Gallery 800 art exhibitions.
What guidance are you providing your members about the restarting of production and/or postproduction? What precautions/best practices do you recommend? (You are welcome to provide a direct link to a page on your site that addresses this question with regard to set guidelines/policies, etc.)
In addition to the protocols established in the Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee Task Force, the Art Directors Guild, IATSE Local 800, is working with its members for craft specific recommendations to ensure the safety of our members in the workplace. These recommendations will expand upon social distancing and PPE to address how our members perform tasks such as conducting surveys of locations, and the sharing of large format drawings, plans and schematics.
Prior to the pandemic, industry execs and artisans were in the business of balancing art and commerce–as well as safety. But now safety, health and welfare concerns take on a whole new dimension due to the virus crisis. What advice/counsel and/or vision do you have to offer to the overall entertainment and/or advertising industries on the future of production and/or postproduction?
The industries must come to understand that these new protocols will all come with an increased cost, but whatever that is, it will be far cheaper than the long-term impact of a second shutdown, either industry-wide or of a single production, if the virus starts to spread and cast and crew become ill. The workers of these industries must not be disincentivized from staying home if they have been potentially exposed or become ill. Real issues, such as enhanced sick pay, must be addressed. We look forward to working with our brothers and sisters in Labor as we address those issues which must be bargained with our employers. Together we can return to work safely and, to the best of our collective ability, do so in an environment designed to guard against exposure to the virus. The health and safety of the workers in these industries, from producers to talent to crew, must remain at the forefront.
