Comments on: Q&A: Dusty Kelly, Organizer, IATSE Local 891

By: Jim Thacker

Jim Thacker — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:56:32 +0000

As far as I know, there are still tax breaks for ‘qualifying film production expenditure’ carried out in the UK, which does include visual effects: at least, those pages are still on the Film Council and HMRC websites:

http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk/taxrelief
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/fpcmanual/fpc50090.htm

I’m not an expert on this, though, so I stand to be corrected if that has changed recently.

By: S Gomez

S Gomez — Tue, 10 May 2011 12:20:38 +0000

Tax incentives in the UK??? really? check your facts not sure that is true at all. We are losing out to Canada constantly.

By: geoff hull

geoff hull — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:47:22 +0000

We need to realize that the world has changed and give up on the phony idea of Free Trade. No other country is really doing it. They all have an industrial policy, in which the government actively competes, to attract desirable industries. Whether it is tax credits, energy policies, R&D support, or predictable regulations. China India Canada Germany all do these things and they protect the industries they have with tariffs. Germany is a great example. Their labor is not cheap but they manage to export, high value manufactured goods all over the world. They just don’t leave it open to companies and individuals to compete on their own.

By: OT

OT — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:57:47 +0000

Who is going to stop the studios to outsource to India, China etc .. ? Lets face reality this is a dying industry in the West ! Only highly key talented people, will have jobs, execution will be done in cheap labour countries.
Currently in Canada a VFX Company can give away the VFX at cost and with some magic trick they still make a good profit. Thats not the same in Los Angeles.
no tax credit = no work = no IATSI

By: geoff hull

geoff hull — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 20:28:38 +0000

I have been working under an IATSE contract through the Art Directors Guild for over 10 years now. I owe much of the standard of living that I enjoy to the working environment that it has created. I highly recommend the Union and it’s benefits. I know far too many people who are abused by unpaid hours, working requirements, and a total lack of benefits.

By: Honest John

Honest John — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:36:44 +0000

In these far more enlightened times, issues by either party must be heavily suspect for deceptive omissions and fraudulent concealment. Some unions are built on this corruption. Simply will the value and brotherhood and sisterhood provide economic merit beyond proven professional partnership. Now as just common sense and standard of care due diligence stuff ask small departments in 891 like art to accounting if the 891 cost and other premiums have been “honestly” worth the special representation by Ms. Kelly and the company she keeps. What is her reputation “exactly” to justify your trust.as with any political promise maker. Has she ever had efforts in her own union to remove her in matters of trust? How many times? Why? Why? Why? Has her union ever been involved in “coercion and intimidation” as defined by courts restricting trade and in fact threatening members or washing hands when things get ugly and does she know any fake pretending in elections where some will run from self-interest and blatant greed suppressing those far more qualified from education to experience and in some specific cases far more honest. Did 470 members vote on a platform of a forensic audit and full RCMP investigations. Ask Ms. Kelly and see if she lies or how honest. Many watching. Many places. Two sides to every story. The truth is out there.