Local 600 Now Accepting Entries for the 2008 Emerging Cinematographers Award

Last Year's Honorees and Presenters (Top L-R) Stephen Lighthill, Rob Kositcheck, Clyde Bryan, Bill Roe, Rodrigo Prieto, Tim Bellen; (Middle L-R) George Spiro Dibie, Bruce Doering, Hilda Mercado, Steven Poster, David Miller, Darren Genet; (Bottom L-R) Paul Babin, Chris Johnson, Michael Alba, Jovo Zovko, Cameron Duncan

The Emerging Cinematographers Award gives aspiring cinematographers a chance to exhibit their work and draw crucial exposure in a high-profile venue. This event familiarizes the Motion Picture Industry with our members and gives them the chance to see the rising talent of Local 600.

Many of the past recipients have moved on to enjoy successful careers behind the lens. Past recipients include Amy Vincent, Director of Photography, Hustle and Flow, Evey's Bayou, The Caveman's Valentine; Ken Glassing, Second Unit Director of Photography, CSI: Miami; Josh Bleibtreu, Second Unit Director of Photography, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Van Helsing, The Punisher and two years on X-Files; and Robert Kositchek, Jr., Second Unit Director of Photography, The Pretender, Insert Unit DP on The X-Files, Second Unit on 24, Director of Photography on Heroes Under Fire and The True Story of Che Guevara.

Click here for details and application form
Deadline is March 24

Local 600 Waives Dues for Members Hurt by Strike

The Local 600 National Executive Board took a historic vote at the Feb. 16-17 NEB meeting to help members impacted by the strike. The national board voted to waive quarterly dues during the first quarter of 2008 to those brothers and sisters who were in good standing at the time of the strike and who have experienced financial hardship as a result of it.

Application form. The form must be sent to your Region Office as soon as possible, with a postmark no later than March 31, 2008.

Click here to view President Poster's letter on this issue and to download the Dues Credit Application

SOC Honors Camera Operator of the Year and Lifetime Achievement

The SOC presented Jacques Jouffret with Society of Camera Operators' award for Camera Operator of the Year in feature film for his work on Into the Wild at its awards event on Feb. 16. The SOC also presented director of photography Robert Primes with the Society's President's Award for lifetime achievement in the industry and dedication to the SOC at the ceremony, held at the Goldenson Theater of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

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ICG 45th Annual Publicists Awards Honors Local 600 Publicists

More than 1,000 publicity and marketing executives, producers, studio and network executives, celebrities and press turned out for the ICG 45th Annual Publicists Awards Feb. 5 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The event was hosted by "Access Hollywood" co-anchor Billy Bush.

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IATSE Sets Early Negotiation Dates with AMPTP

The IATSE has set negotiation dates with the AMPTP for a successor to the 2006 Basic Agreement. These negotiations will be held April 8-9, 2008, and will focus on wages, health, pension and Individual Account Plan benefits as well as new media. The current agreement expires August 2009.

Grants Still Available to Local 600 Members Recovering from Strike

More than 50% of cash grants awarded by The Actors Fund have gone to below-the-line crew members. Local 600 members are being encouraged to apply for grants, even with the strike's end, to help recover from the WGA strike.