Cameras on Set

[Mike Borlace]

I was looking at some photos taken on set in the photo section and remembered that in Toronto, the camera union IATSE 667 has a rule forbidding all still cameras on a film set except those of the set photographer.  Does any other camera union have such a ruling on union shoots?

[Jeff Wexler]

The I.A.T.S.E. union rules, regardless of where the work is being done, firbids anyone from taking stills on the set other than the Unit Still Photographer. In addition, many shoots that are particularly "security" conscious, either because of the stars involved or the content of the movie, forbid other crew members from taking stills or video. These rules are not uniformally implemented by any means. Even on normal non-security movies, many of the other craft workers need to take lots of stills and even video in the performance of their jobs. For example, script supervisor for continuity purposes (less so now with reliance on video assist), prop masters, set decorators, wardrobe, make-up and hair, it goes on an on. In the very old days, all these support stills were done by the Unit Still Photographer. With the advent of Polaroid cameras and later, of course, digital still cameras, these pictures are taken by the various departments, not the Unit Still Photographer.

So, how do we get all these stills on the shoots we're on? People just bring their cameras, shoot discretely and no one seems to care on most shoots. If, however, you are caught with a camera on a shoot with Tom Cruise, you may be in a lot of trouble and risk losing your personal camera.

Regards,  Jeff Wexler