SAAC Forum

https://www.carscoops.com/2022/03/ford-patents-hydrogen-powered-engine-that-could-save-the-v8/

I did get married in Vegas. Once.  At the Little White Chapel.  It never lasted.  Nothing ever does.  But it was fun while it lasted.  I loved Red Rock.  We headed there and then to Death Valley.  It was great.  I remember swimming in an open air pool on February 14th.  I have thought about Vegas from time to time.  I won't rule anything out. 

Quote from: crossboss on April 03, 2022, 12:41:18 PM

Quote from: deathsled on April 03, 2022, 11:37:06 AM

Quote from: crossboss on April 03, 2022, 12:35:08 AM
'Below the Line' refers to anyone not getting a residual for the film or TV show you worked on. Producers, directors, writers, and actors, musicians, etc are 'Above the Line'. I agree us 'peons' are the guys/gals who make the movies. Too bad IATSE doesn't see it that way. They take our dues, never place us for work (anymore), and as of the past 20 years can give a rats ass about us. Around this time, IA 600 was going broke, and desperate for revenue. So, guess what they did? They opened the flood gates and allowed every so called 'cameraman' join the union. Wedding videographers, freelance still guys, etc were now allowed to join without all the red tape, sponsors, and working in a union house for a probationary period. Pay a fee, and your in. This pissed off a lot of senior and valued members who had to jump through hoops for years to join. This was the downfall of the quality shows we used to work on. Hire a non-union kid for 50 bucks a day was allowed. All I can say, IA 600 is a joke. This is the reason I went on leave. No regrets.

Thanks for the education.  I honestly did not know.  I should put you in touch with my dad or figure out how to get him on this site (he's 94 now but still wants to go back to IATSE for work).  He loves talking about his days as a cameraman and lighting guy and so on.  He was one to the first to cover the Toronto Maple Leafs (Leaves lol) on Hockey Night in Canada.  He talks endlessly about being the main cameraman on the Queen's visit to Canada in 1968 or so.  Anyway, I still think the exertainment industry gives a better life than the one I chose practicing law.  Sorry about hijacking the thread but we are talking about show biz which is the theme of the thread so our subtopic is tangentially related, I would contend.

My worthless two cents...
It's amazing your 94 year old dad still has the passion to go back to work! As to my reply, IF he wishes to return back into the union, make sure he still can. For an example, if he retired, went on leave, etc he will have to renew his membership. This can be expensive. Is it worth it? In todays movie/TV world, most stuff is now non-union. Why renew when it won't be worth it. With out the 'connections' you once had, its a no brainer not to return in my opinion. On the flip side will anyone hire him? It's a younger generation who now holds the reigns in this industry. At 94, take it easy and enjoy your golden years. Thats my take on all of this. Just me...

That's not him.  He is the most hyperactive 94 year old I know.  Can't sit still.  Has to be out driving, out doing something.  Wants to build a shed himself in his backyard, wants to get his 65 Mustang fastback on the road again, shovels his own snow in the driveway, a social butterfly whereas, I am far more introspective and a loner.  I seem to recall him saying he still has an active card.  I couldn't believe he worked on Pacific Rim in Toronto pulling 14 hour days.  He says he plans to live to be 120 years old.  He will, in any case, no doubt outlive me.  He desperately wants to go to SAAC in Indianapolis this year and says he plans to drive down (which makes me nervous at the thought).  In closing, as the great Roman Senator Seneca said in his treatise on "The Shortness of Life" we are not taken in the order of our birth registration. 

Quote from: crossboss on April 03, 2022, 12:48:20 PM
The crime rates quoted sometimes are inaccurate. As an example, here in Vegas, Sun City Summerlin 'shows' a bad crime 'rate'. This could be further from the truth. Summerlin IS the safest community in Las Vegas. That said, where ever you decide to move, I suggest to actually go there and rent a place for 6 months. Its a hell of a lot cheaper than moving there....IF it turns out to be bad.

Sage advice.  But I think I've run out of rocket fuel to escape the gravitational pull of where I am presently.  But one never knows what one's future self might do. 

Perhaps the perception of their speed came from invidious comparisons of the day to everything else that was on the road at the time and when such comparisons were made, well they were fast.  Can't really compare the Wright brothers' plane to an A-10 Thunderbolt or the SR-71.  Well you can, but...

Quote from: 67 GT350 on April 03, 2022, 11:43:18 AM
Question is, should we take a picture with todays prices so in 2023 before the election, we think todays price is cheap?

I think that a capital idea.  As the saying goes (and with much truth to it), those who disregard history are doomed to repeat it.

Quote from: crossboss on April 03, 2022, 12:35:08 AM
'Below the Line' refers to anyone not getting a residual for the film or TV show you worked on. Producers, directors, writers, and actors, musicians, etc are 'Above the Line'. I agree us 'peons' are the guys/gals who make the movies. Too bad IATSE doesn't see it that way. They take our dues, never place us for work (anymore), and as of the past 20 years can give a rats ass about us. Around this time, IA 600 was going broke, and desperate for revenue. So, guess what they did? They opened the flood gates and allowed every so called 'cameraman' join the union. Wedding videographers, freelance still guys, etc were now allowed to join without all the red tape, sponsors, and working in a union house for a probationary period. Pay a fee, and your in. This pissed off a lot of senior and valued members who had to jump through hoops for years to join. This was the downfall of the quality shows we used to work on. Hire a non-union kid for 50 bucks a day was allowed. All I can say, IA 600 is a joke. This is the reason I went on leave. No regrets.

Thanks for the education.  I honestly did not know.  I should put you in touch with my dad or figure out how to get him on this site (he's 94 now but still wants to go back to IATSE for work).  He loves talking about his days as a cameraman and lighting guy and so on.  He was one to the first to cover the Toronto Maple Leafs (Leaves lol) on Hockey Night in Canada.  He talks endlessly about being the main cameraman on the Queen's visit to Canada in 1968 or so.  Anyway, I still think the exertainment industry gives a better life than the one I chose practicing law.  Sorry about hijacking the thread but we are talking about show biz which is the theme of the thread so our subtopic is tangentially related, I would contend.

I love high gas prices.  It's a genius move.  Less cars on the road (in theory as I have not observed any reduction) and less food on the table therefore body mass index control.  It's all for the good. Lol!  I blame it all on the Russians.  The default go to that explains eeeverything.
Brilliant move to take a photo of the date and the corresponding gas price Mr. FL SAAC.  My proverbial hat is off to you.

Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on April 02, 2022, 09:56:36 PM
Idyllic but not safe. It's only safer than 4% of other cities. Of course it does look like Eden compared to Chicago.

https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/co/grand-junction/crime

LOL!  Maybe I better stay put.  Bartlett rates an 87 out of 100 for crime (100 being the safest) whereas Grand Junction, CO is a 4.  Wow!
https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/il/bartlett/crime

Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on April 02, 2022, 06:43:55 PM

Quote from: 557 on April 02, 2022, 05:33:36 PM
If he weren't dead I would nominate the late Fred Rogers("won't you be my neighbor?").Just what this country needs right now.....

Too bad the dead can only vote but not hold office

Chicago and the State of Illinois knows all about that!

Currently working on another short story, this one with a venue in Grand Junction Colorado.  Since I like to research what I write for accuracy, I took the liberty of finding a couple of YouTube videos showing the city.  Wow!  What an idyllic little spot.  Dreamy and has a quaint and safe feeling about it.  I could imagine living there.  What a diametric contrast to Chicagoland.  Friendly people versus the nasty, vile sourpusses we have in Chicago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH7u648AR0c

Quote from: 67 GT350 on April 02, 2022, 12:27:18 PM

Quote from: deathsled on April 02, 2022, 10:04:28 AM
Why not investigate? But it could be a homicidal trap too. Getting good vibes here for another horror story.

Yes, a horror story involving "thinking" your going to buy a car....YEEK! Not as bad as the horror story we are living. LOL

Well...I do have a strong memory of paying $1.92 for gasoline at the end of 2019.  Those were the days.

Quote from: crossboss on March 30, 2022, 01:01:09 PM

Quote from: shelbydoug on March 30, 2022, 12:43:38 PM

Quote from: crossboss on March 30, 2022, 12:35:29 PM
Rock did not deserve it. Saying so, is actually condoning it. All comedians make jokes. And the one that started it was just that, a harmless one. Even Smith laughed. Its when his dysfunctional wife gave the attitude, thats when Smith's ego took over. Smith should go to jail, banned from all further events, and his Oscar revoked. Thats what SHOULD happen. However, it won't as long as the current affirmative action awards (Oscars) continues to pander to the WOKE crowd. Look at the low quality films nominated for several past years, and horrible actors. In my opinion, cable shows have better scripts, actors, cinematography, etc. Sad to say, I once worked in that movie industry.

I just don't agree but maybe that's why you don't work there any more. Words have consequences. You want to kiss ass, that's your business but it makes you look really bad.

I NEVER kissed ass to anyone in the industry. Reason I left, the industry was going down hill, and work was being shifted to low pay inexperienced non-union idiots. Union rates climbing, no support for us 'below the line' workers like me (camera operator/DP). I'd rater work on my cars...

What is "below the line" about a camera operator/DP? If you don't have them you have no movie. My dad was in the TV industry and did some movies as such for 70 years in various capacities but mostly as a cameraman. He is very proud of catching a triple play on camera during a Blue Jays game in Toronto back in the late 70s or was it early 80s. He retired around age 86 after Pacific Rim. But he says he wants to go back to work in IATSE. He will be 94 on April 10th.

Why not investigate? But it could be a homicidal trap too. Getting good vibes here for another horror story.

Congratulations on your retirement. But...stay busy. Maybe write a book about your life as well.