Michael Moore's Film Non Union

[Richard Lightstone, CAS]

Michael Moore's latest documentary "Capitalism: A Love Story", has run into trouble in attempts to give out free tickets to Unions.

The American Federation of Teachers has turned them down because Moore didn't hire any members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. "Michael Moore and one of our sister unions, IATSE, are in discussions about concerns the union has," the AFT told ABC News. "The AFT has decided against accepting tickets until those issues are resolved."

Moore's agent, Ari Emanuel, seems to blame the IATSE for treating documentarians as "second-class filmmakers." "This is a Writers Guild, Screen Actors Guild and Directors Guild film, as all Michael's films are," Emanuel said. "He is a proud, dues-paying member of all three of these unions."

I'd say that's been the modus operandi of Hollywood Producers and Agents for years. Almost writes itself as an episode of "Entourage".

RL

[RPSharman]

A friend of mine used to work for Current TV before being replaced by an automatic mixer.  There were numerous attempts by technicians to organize the network.  Why is this unusual?

"Current TV is an independent media company led by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and businessman Joel Hyatt."

[studiomprd]

well, I for one question Mr. Moore's status as a "documentarian"...

and what do the teamsters think??

[John Blankenship]

well, I for one question Mr. Moore's status as a "documentarian"...

and what do the teamsters think??

IMHO:  Agreed, he's not.  He's an editorialist who employs a "documentary style."  He then manipulates those documentary elements, with disregard for integrity, to support his preconceived views.

Some of the situations he's illuminating I agree with -- they need to have the strong light of accountability cast upon them. 

However, as someone who has worked on several docs, I have strong distaste for his methods, or for him to be classified along with some of the documentarians, I've worked with who were diligent about maintaining honesty in the material, even if it ran counter to their personal views.  Those people I hold in very high esteem.

John B.

[Jim Gilchrist]

well, I for one question Mr. Moore's status as a "documentarian"...

and what do the teamsters think??

Michael told me he got a Teamsters card for a segment of TV Nation, Communism's Farewell Tour, since he worked as a loader by handing boxes up into the truck.

Best regards,

Jim

[Brian Ferguson]

In "Bowling for Columbine" he had an interesting segment about Canada having lots of guns but a different culture regarding violence. Canada has a low murder rate compared to the U.S.. Making a point about it not being the weapons and ammo but the mentality of the society. Then in the next segment he goes to Walmart to ask for a refund on some bullets that were lodged in a kids body from the Columbine shooting. Making a big deal about the easy accessibility of guns.

Contradictory at best. Is it the culture of our society or is it the firepower?

His work is  a string of opinions slapped together. I turned it off after that flip flop in presentation.

[John Blankenship]

For an eye-opening documentary about Michael Moore, the man, his tactics, and his ethics, I recommend the documentary, "Manufacturing Dissent."

This is not an attack piece created by some extreme right wing group out to discredit Mr. Moore.  It was made by a Canadian couple, who (From Wikipedia:) "stated that when they first sought to make a film about Moore, they held great admiration for what he had done for the documentary genre and set out to make a biography of him. During the course of their research, they became disenchanted with Moore's tactics."

http://www.manufacturingdissentmovie.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manufacturing_Dissent

See the special features on the DVD for a discussion about Moore among some highly regarded documentary filmmakers such as Albert Maysles.

John B.

[chriskellett]

Well, it does raise an interesting question.  How many IASTE members have worked on a union documentary? Every heard of one?  I can say that I have done my fair share on these types of projects over the years and I have not ever run across a union one but maybe that is just my circle. 

[studiomprd]

yes, that is an interesting question,  but Mr. Moore's movies are mocumentaries!

[Marc Wielage]

...Mr. Moore's movies are mocumentaries!

I'm torn on this subject, because I agree with Michael Moore's opinions a lot of the time, but his methods leave a lot to be desired. I studied documentary filmmaking throughout film school and thoroughly understand the strict definition of what a documentary is supposed to be. Moore's films are highly manipulative to the point of almost breaking the truth to make a point, which makes me shake my head in dismay.

The classic was in Farenheit 9/11, where Moore reportedly showed a Senator walking away from the camera after Moore asked him if he would let his children serve in the Iraq War. The Senator later released a statement saying he gave the filmmaker a 3 minute answer, telling him that yes, he would want his children to serve, and also that his nephew had been over there twice already, and he would never use his influence to help his relatives avoid military service. But his children were under the age of 10, and unable to enlist at the moment. Moore cut the remarks because it was more "interesting" to show the Senator storm away -- which is not what actually happened. (And others on the net have documented dozens of other, equally-harsh criticisms.)

And yet I do agree with a lot of the points the guy makes. It's still hard for me to watch filmmaking that's got this hard an editorial slant to it, no matter how well-done it is.

--Marc W.

[S Harber]

We held out and as a crew were willing to not work prior to the start of  the doc "Religulous" a couple of years ago.

After a week or so of talks the project went union. We held a very good hand in the negotiations as we had our director, Larry Charles, going to bat for us and our benefits. He saw our point that everyone else was receiving benefits other than those of us making the sound and picture work.

When everyone else around you is getting benefits and residuals etc. it does get hard to relate to them when issues like the WGA strike happen. Greed and callousness can be front and center when sharing the wealth concerns are brought up and that really is what differentiates those I enjoy working with and those who make a job work.

I have been on plenty of projects where the WGA and DGA are on board and IATSE isn't. We've all been there but when we bring up crew unionization concerns things are all of a sudden just too expensive.

In general, the union docs that I have been on have been negotiated so the we are on a flat but generous rate where hours are reported at say 50 hours per week and that is reported if we are over or under.

Scott Harber

Well, it does raise an interesting question.  How many IASTE members have worked on a union documentary? Every heard of one?  I can say that I have done my fair share on these types of projects over the years and I have not ever run across a union one but maybe that is just my circle. 

[wolfvid]

I worked a series of union commercials that MM directed a few years ago. He was a mensch. He actually took personal interest in most crew members lives. (Wow)  It was a hidden camera series of funny spots for Midas muffler. He could not help himself and had to break the "hidden" part as much as he could. Then noone recognized him and thought he was just as bizarre as the situations we set up. He had to be in every shot it seemed. I do like his films and I do like his politics, even though he is a clown. It seems those are the only voices heard today outside the Washington consensus.

PS did you know there are 6 lobbyists for the Health industry for every congressperson?

SO he is swimming in money yet can't conceive of hiring union talent?? what?          wolf

[Last Rites Films]

As a former member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Chicago), I'm really surprised he didn't hire union crew. Especially given a project about the ills of capitalism, and how big business "union-busters" are hurting the American economy. Teamsters were devastated by the closing of GM plants in his native Michigan, a subject he covered in the 80's in ROGER & ME. So of all people, I wouldn't expect this from him.

Talk is cheap, and actions speak louder than words. If Mr. Moore is serious about real change, then he should lead by example. In response to other posts about his filmmaking methods: love him or hate him, you have to admit he knows how to pick 'em.

[berniebeaudry]

As a former member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Chicago), I'm really surprised he didn't hire union crew. Especially given a project about the ills of capitalism, and how big business "union-busters" are hurting the American economy. Teamsters were devastated by the closing of GM plants in his native Michigan, a subject he covered in the 80's in ROGER & ME. So of all people, I wouldn't expect this from him.

Talk is cheap, and actions speak louder than words. If Mr. Moore is serious about real change, then he should lead by example. In response to other posts about his filmmaking methods: love him or hate him, you have to admit he knows how to pick 'em.

I'm not surprised.  I'm not a Michael Moore fan at all and I won't go to his movies.  He is a major hypocrite IMO and will do or say whatever it takes to suit his purposes.  As you said, if he was truly interested in change he would lead by example.

Bernie

[Brian Ferguson]

Moore's agent, Ari Emanuel, seems to blame the IATSE for treating documentarians as "second-class filmmakers." "This is a Writers Guild, Screen Actors Guild and Directors Guild film, as all Michael's films are," Emanuel said. "He is a proud, dues-paying member of all three of these unions."

I'd say that's been the modus operandi of Hollywood Producers and Agents for years. Almost writes itself as an episode of "Entourage".

RL

I just noticed this quote and thought it was ironic that Ari Emanuel was the inspiration for Ari in Entourage. He is Rahm Emanuel's brother who is President Obama's Chief of Staff. Rahm was also a high ranking member of the House of Representatives before working for the White House. His other brother Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, 50, chair of the department of bioethics at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"“Ari and I tell Zeke: ‘You haven’t done squat for the family,’ ” says Rahm, the middle brother.

That’s because Zeke hasn’t had a TV character based on him, as have Rahm Emanuel, the Illinois congressman and former Bill Clinton adviser who was said to be part inspiration for White House aide Josh Lyman on The West Wing, and Hollywood agent Ari Emanuel, the model for lovably trash-talking agent Ari Gold on HBO’s Entourage."

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/7712.html

Art imitating life.

[wolfvid]

Had a discussion with one of his producers:  Seems he pays them well but "expects a lot". ( is that code for unpaid overtime?)

Seems the producers are rewarded with trips to Cannes for his premieres....

He said that the IATSE is not a "real union" therefore he does not feel obliged to hire union crews.

I would agree with him that the IA is a house union (a union that acts on behalf of the house, the studios) but I am not sure if his selection of reality here is not based on personal greed.  Union members still have better conditions that the ones he offers - with no health plan.

I loved his best film : "SICKO"  of course. Did he glamorize the health services in Europe?  yes... but he made a valid important point in the film and it came home without too much of his self indulgent shenanigans.

wolf

[Zack]

Canada has a low murder rate compared to the U.S.. Making a point about it not being the weapons and ammo but the mentality of the society.

Of course Canada will have lower rates versus the U.S., their entire population is a good 3 million lower than California alone lol.  It's a numbers game.. not mentality.

[Eric Toline]

Of course Canada will have lower rates versus the U.S., their entire population is a good 3 million lower than California alone lol.  It's a numbers game.. not mentality.

The numbers are usually based on a percentage of the total population to level the playing field.

Eric

[studiomprd]

as my friend Eric noted, it is a 'rate', as in' number per 100,000 population'.

[studiomprd]

I'm bringing this oldie topic back, as Michael Moore is again in the news! ("Occupy" movement)

" One of the many things that bug me about the industry in which I work is the large population of phonies who claim to be liberal, caring, green and unaffected by their wealth and fame but in reality are just as self-centered and addicted to their huge, over-air-conditioned living spaces and private planes as those at whom they point their fingers. And none is more phony and finger-pointing than Michael Moore... Moore seems to be everywhere of late, talking about the "occupy" movement and fashioning himself its spokesmodel.... When (Piers) Morgan made the statement that Moore is "worth millions," Moore responded with "No, that's not true." He went on to justify that comment by saying, "Even though I do well, ...Celebritynetworth.com pegs Moore's net worth at more than $50 million, and Moore is suing TWC for $2.7 million more in profits from Fahrenheit. (Reports at the time of the lawsuit said Moore already had received $19.8 million from TWC for that film alone.) . "

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-moore-occupy-wall-street-goldman-sachs-257186?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Compose%20-%20new_daily_headlines_500px_110311_%20(4)%20(1)&utm_content=

[Mirror]

Michael Moore = white Jesse Jackson. Where there's a camera and something to exploit you'll find one of them. Both are repugnant.

[justanross]

I hate Micheal Moore so much. He's such a liar. And from what I've heard a huge asshole.

It pissed me off in Sicko when he came up to Canada and tried to make it look like we have this amazing health care system. Which is a huge lie. Our hospitals have not enough beds and long wait times.

[studiomprd]

Filmmaker Michael Moore, the outspoken political activist whose documentary-style movies frequently condemn capitalism, reportedly owns nine different homes — including a $2 million mansion in Torch Lake, Michigan.

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/24/michael-moore-movie-making-critic-capitalism-has-n/#ixzz38bcT0lMz
 

[VASI]

A friend of mine used to work for Current TV before being replaced by an automatic mixer.

 

- It is called "ISO Recordist" and not automatic mixer.

[Henchman]

Filmmaker Michael Moore, the outspoken political activist whose documentary-style movies frequently condemn capitalism, reportedly owns nine different homes — including a $2 million mansion in Torch Lake, Michigan.

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/24/michael-moore-movie-making-critic-capitalism-has-n/#ixzz38bcT0lMz

Who said he was anti capitalism?