"Grey area" between IATSE 600 and 695 ?

[Brian Wells]

Could someone help me understand what's allowed and not allowed when working as a Video Playback Operator and/or DIT as far as unions are concerned?

My general impression is that VTR is local 695 and DIT is 600. But, where is the line between these two professions anymore? I mean, if you playback RED files with a Rocket card, that's DIT land. But, what if you record the HD-SDI output of the RED and play the scenes back instantly from an AJA Ki-Pro? Is that solely the domain of 695? On so many jobs it would be handy, not to mention uniquely marketable, to offer playback and DIT. I'm just wondering if that's even possible in union organized cities?

I have been working, quite successfully, for a while doing both jobs, on regional and national commercials in a right to work state. And some union towns, where they deal with the union issues through a payroll service (I guess, I don't really know). And, because I've been so busy lately, it's got me wondering about moving someplace nice and sunny (Cali, Florida, etc.) and attempting to continue to do the same kind of work elsewhere. I love the work. Just not the snowy weather where I currently live...

Help me understand what's possible with unions and these jobs. Thanks!

 

[Michael Romano]

Thats a good question! I'm a 600 DIT in Hawai'i and I've never had any issues with the 695. Never even heard a peep for that matter, even though some people have told me that DIT is a 695 position. This is a hotly debated issue between others I've spoken with and with 600 claiming the DAM/DIT spot, possibly between the locals.

I *Think* if you're not playing back the master camera files (Digital Negative) it would be considered a playback only system and not a part of the camera system, thus a part of 695. By no means is that the word of either the 600 or 695!

I might have to put a call into the hall tomorrow as I'll be doing more jobs on the west coast this year and there is a higher potential for conflict. Nobody wants that.

BTW - Florida is a RTW state last I checked, shouldn't be an issue should you end up there

 

[Andrew Walker]

Playback and data management is part of 695

 

[Michael Romano]

So being in Hawai'i I missed the office hours today at the 600 but this info is from the 695 website:

"The Video Engineer - Data Capture Operator records video and sound when the recording device for the camera is not contained within the camera itself. In the case of the latest generation of High-Definition video cameras, specialized recorders are used in order to sustain the incredibly high data transfer rates that are generated by these cameras."

Since the RED has a contained recording device, I tend to think this doesn't fall under 695 umbrella. A playback engineer WOULD be part of the 695 as he is recording the material and playing it back. A RED data manager almost falls into a post production category really. I'll try to get them on the horn tomorrow and I'll post the results of my communications.

If any other DIT guys would like to chime in, any info would be appreciated.

 

[Michael Romano]

So I just spoke with the 600 Local Rep and got a bunch of great answers.

They stated to me that 695 does NOT have a claim to DIT. They further explained that Digital Asset Manager is not a position at all. In the 600 you can be either (In respect to this thread) a DIT or a Loader. A loader is a restricted version of the DIT as far as responsibility: Specifically being in charge of Loading only. Neither position is rostered.

The 600 DIT position encompasses the handling of all materials from the camera right up to the handoff to post production. DIT can adjust image, camera settings, metadata etc. This includes camera systems with external recording devices that are used to create final delivery image. On set video playback is 695, not the domain of the DIT. There are many more possible responsibilities but this is the core in relation to our question.

They had a lengthy statement explaining in great detail the responsibilities of a 600 DIT and I can assure you, it covers the RED DIT position as we know it.

In response to your Aja Ki question - That WOULD be a 695 position, although in LA only I believe. I don't know how you effectively handle both at the same time but doing so in a union environment would be problematic.

I was also informed that should a production extend into a right to work state, the union contract still applies to work performed in that state. Companies based in a RTW state likely don't have any contracts with unions so it is sort of a null issue in that situation.

As a disclaimer:
I gathered all of this information from a telephone conversation with the 600 Reps. If you are a member with questions, contact them directly. They were very forthcoming and eager to explain the intricacies of this topic.

LAYMANS END RESULT:
RED DIT (Primary Weapon: MacPro/RAID) = 600
VIDEO PLAYBACK (Primary Weapon: Raptor/AJA Ki) = 965

 

[Andrew Walker]

So I just spoke with the 600 Local Rep and got a bunch of great answers.

They stated to me that 695 does NOT have a claim to DIT. They further explained that Digital Asset Manager is not a position at all. In the 600 you can be either (In respect to this thread) a DIT or a Loader. A loader is a restricted version of the DIT as far as responsibility: Specifically being in charge of Loading only. Neither position is rostered.

The 600 DIT position encompasses the handling of all materials from the camera right up to the handoff to post production. DIT can adjust image, camera settings, metadata etc. This includes camera systems with external recording devices that are used to create final delivery image. On set video playback is 695, not the domain of the DIT. There are many more possible responsibilities but this is the core in relation to our question.

They had a lengthy statement explaining in great detail the responsibilities of a 600 DIT and I can assure you, it covers the RED DIT position as we know it.

In response to your Aja Ki question - That WOULD be a 695 position, although in LA only I believe. I don't know how you effectively handle both at the same time but doing so in a union environment would be problematic.

I was also informed that should a production extend into a right to work state, the union contract still applies to work performed in that state. Companies based in a RTW state likely don't have any contracts with unions so it is sort of a null issue in that situation.

As a disclaimer:
I gathered all of this information from a telephone conversation with the 600 Reps. If you are a member with questions, contact them directly. They were very forthcoming and eager to explain the intricacies of this topic.

LAYMANS END RESULT:
RED DIT (Primary Weapon: MacPro/RAID) = 600
VIDEO PLAYBACK (Primary Weapon: Raptor/AJA Ki) = 965

Well info from Local 600 is going to be a bit bias about where the job of DIT should be. I could see 600 having a guy from their local if the cards were never off loaded. Because then the recording would only be within the camera. But as soon as the card or drive leaves the camera and is transfered to another system then that should be a 695 job or at the very least a 700 job.

Also on the topic of right-to-work states I believe that the contact carries over with the production if there are a union signatory production. If they aren't then they can hire anybody they want. If that job doesn't exist in the place they go to for union production then they might have to hire someone from where that job exists and pay for then to come out and do that job. Or they can hire and train someone on location as long as that person says there are going to join that particular union once they get enough days in to join.