To our Brothers and Sisters of the IATSE,
This letter is written on behalf of the Local 600 Digital Imaging Technicians (DITs) in our Union nationwide. The security of the DIT position is under threat as a growing number of digital productions are shooting without a DIT.
Many productions are eliminating the dedicated DIT position as a cost-cutting measure while still utilizing equipment traditionally maintained by DITs. That equipment is instead being monitored and manipulated by other camera department personnel, often in addition to their already considerable workloads. Without a dedicated DIT to oversee the implementation of the cinematographer’s intent, quality control suffers and the digital negative is often in the hands of crew members whose primary focus is on other tasks.
This workflow not only puts our craft in jeopardy, it also harms the Union, camera departments and productions alike. Adding responsibilities outside of a discipline's job description is a step towards eliminating the focus and expertise of the entire craft system on which our Union is based.
There are many examples of how the responsibilities of a DIT are currently performed without a qualified technician. One Union brother in New York City has built a business renting fully assembled video carts, many capable of live image manipulation, to television productions which typically man them with Loaders, Utilities, or ACs. Another well-known production uses a program called “Foolcontrol” to remotely manipulate the image metadata live on set. Numerous others perform live image manipulation via external devices and computers, all without a DIT on set. There is also a trend of hiring a DIT for the first few episodes of a show, to set up equipment and develop creative look up tables (LUTs), then releasing the DIT and placing the responsibility of maintaining and loading the equipment and LUTs onto other members of the camera department. Instances like these, where a DIT is not used and should be, are what we would like to correct.
While we recognize that every digital shoot cannot be required to use the services of a DIT, it is unacceptable to delegate responsibilities to other members of the camera department which are traditionally performed by a DIT. This scenario echoes the playback issues Local 52 Video Assist Operators fought against years ago. There, the solution was to prohibit productions from offering playback unless there is a qualified individual on set.
Crew members from all unions and crafts need to be protected. As members of the IATSE, the undersigned ask for our Union leadership to acknowledge this issue and work with representative Local 600 DITs in advance of the April 2015 contract negotiations to ensure that our DITs have a voice in clearly delineating and preserving their responsibilities on set.
Please stand with us in defining the role of a Digital Imaging Technician, thereby protecting the future of our positions and the ongoing enhancement of our craft. Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
January 16, 2015
November 25, 2014
The momentum behind this petition proves that we are through with production companies treating our expertise like an optional line item. These penny-pinching executives better realize that we aren't going to stand by while they dismantle our craft.
Reached 100 supporters
November 19, 2014
154 Comments
We already more or less lost the loader position, we can't also now loose the Dit leaving all the workload to the 2nd AC. Unfair and inefficient. The camera dpt can't be tan by two people. Overtime is never cheaper than crewing up
As a former DIT and as currently an Editor, this position is invaluable to on-set operations as well as post. It can't just be delegated to another position, it needs it's own place.
As a Post Supervisor, I know the importance of having a dedicated DIT in the field to do this job. If done incorrectly, it can have serious consequences on the whole workflow, and affect conform down the line. Its a cheap save in production that can end up costing more in the long run.
I have worked in the camera department on jobs without a DIT and the workload for the camera department becomes too hectic. Quality of the work environment degrades, concentration is split, and the product suffers.
This is a real problem, not just for DITs losing work, but us loaders that are become expected to color, sync and transcode but for a loader rate. That doesn even count also assisting AC's by running gear and moving village!
Don’t let my career disappear!
We need DIT
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To our Brothers and Sisters of the IATSE,
This letter is written on behalf of the Local 600 Digital Imaging Technicians (DITs) in our Union nationwide. The security of the DIT position is under threat as a growing number of digital productions are shooting without a DIT.
Many productions are eliminating the dedicated DIT position as a cost-cutting measure while still utilizing equipment traditionally maintained by DITs. That equipment is instead being monitored and manipulated by other camera department personnel, often in addition to their already considerable workloads. Without a dedicated DIT to oversee the implementation of the cinematographer’s intent, quality control suffers and the digital negative is often in the hands of crew members whose primary focus is on other tasks.
This workflow not only puts our craft in jeopardy, it also harms the Union, camera departments and productions alike. Adding responsibilities outside of a discipline's job description is a step towards eliminating the focus and expertise of the entire craft system on which our Union is based.
There are many examples of how the responsibilities of a DIT are currently performed without a qualified technician. One Union brother in New York City has built a business renting fully assembled video carts, many capable of live image manipulation, to television productions which typically man them with Loaders, Utilities, or ACs. Another well-known production uses a program called “Foolcontrol” to remotely manipulate the image metadata live on set. Numerous others perform live image manipulation via external devices and computers, all without a DIT on set. There is also a trend of hiring a DIT for the first few episodes of a show, to set up equipment and develop creative look up tables (LUTs), then releasing the DIT and placing the responsibility of maintaining and loading the equipment and LUTs onto other members of the camera department. Instances like these, where a DIT is not used and should be, are what we would like to correct.
While we recognize that every digital shoot cannot be required to use the services of a DIT, it is unacceptable to delegate responsibilities to other members of the camera department which are traditionally performed by a DIT. This scenario echoes the playback issues Local 52 Video Assist Operators fought against years ago. There, the solution was to prohibit productions from offering playback unless there is a qualified individual on set.
Crew members from all unions and crafts need to be protected. As members of the IATSE, the undersigned ask for our Union leadership to acknowledge this issue and work with representative Local 600 DITs in advance of the April 2015 contract negotiations to ensure that our DITs have a voice in clearly delineating and preserving their responsibilities on set.
Please stand with us in defining the role of a Digital Imaging Technician, thereby protecting the future of our positions and the ongoing enhancement of our craft. Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
January 16, 2015
November 25, 2014
The momentum behind this petition proves that we are through with production companies treating our expertise like an optional line item. These penny-pinching executives better realize that we aren't going to stand by while they dismantle our craft.
Reached 100 supporters
November 19, 2014
154 Comments
The DIT monitor is invaluable to costume designers and costumers. We rely on it to get accurate visuals on how the costumes appear on screen. It is way more accurate than other video village monitors and crucial in helping me to do my job properly. Please do not do away with the DIT operators!
We already more or less lost the loader position, we can't also now loose the Dit leaving all the workload to the 2nd AC. Unfair and inefficient. The camera dpt can't be tan by two people. Overtime is never cheaper than crewing up
As a former DIT and as currently an Editor, this position is invaluable to on-set operations as well as post. It can't just be delegated to another position, it needs it's own place.
As a Post Supervisor, I know the importance of having a dedicated DIT in the field to do this job. If done incorrectly, it can have serious consequences on the whole workflow, and affect conform down the line. Its a cheap save in production that can end up costing more in the long run.
I have worked in the camera department on jobs without a DIT and the workload for the camera department becomes too hectic. Quality of the work environment degrades, concentration is split, and the product suffers.
This is a real problem, not just for DITs losing work, but us loaders that are become expected to color, sync and transcode but for a loader rate. That doesn even count also assisting AC's by running gear and moving village!
Don’t let my career disappear!
We need DIT
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The DIT monitor is invaluable to costume designers and costumers. We rely on it to get accurate visuals on how the costumes appear on screen. It is way more accurate than other video village monitors and crucial in helping me to do my job properly. Please do not do away with the DIT operators!