Transcript of Live Chat with Guild President George Spiro Dibie, ASC

Moderator (Sep 23, 2000 1:01:27 PM)
Welcome to the chat. President Dibie is online with us from London where he is visiting his family. Let's go with our first question.

Debra (Sep 23, 2000 1:01:32 PM)
Does the Guild have any educational or apprenticeship programs for students while they are in school?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:02:21 PM)
The Guild is involved in community service, which consists of working with universities. A good example is CSUN in Northridge or NYU in New York. We do cinematography classes, which include history of film as art and hands-on workshops—lighting, camera, etc. It's a continuous process. Also we invite cinema students all the time to our workshops.

Moderator (Sep 23, 2000 1:03:17 PM)
This question was sent to us earlier this week by Vittorio Storaro: Film resolution is around 6K with "enormous" levels of color. Video is 2K with many fewer levels of color. Yet instead of raising video quality closer to film, the industry seems to be settling for pulling film down to video quality. What can we do as cinematographers to change this tendency?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:04:51 PM)
Vittorio, as you can see in my editorials the last two years, we've been fighting for quality. Because we are in a global economy, where producers don't give a damn about art or quality. The bottom line is their goal. I wish every cinematographer, including you, would talk about the quality of film, preservation of film, and archival of film every time you have a chance.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:05:01 PM)
These qualities will never be matched by video. Never.

Jalen (Sep 23, 2000 1:05:07 PM)
How do I get started doing multi-camera work?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:07:05 PM)
First, you must know how to light for single camera. That's priority number one. There is a system which I have lectured on for the last ten years, that you could follow with a little extra work, that you could accomplish shooting for multi-camera. It is called Dibie's square system or X system in lighting.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:07:36 PM)
The gist of the system is you place two people in the middle of a square (an imaginary square within a set). Go to each corner, place a light and starting from the back side, you call these two lights the back cross keys.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:07:55 PM)
The lower part of the square you might add one or two soft lights. The keys, the soft light will dictate your exposure. And the back crosses will dictate your painting with light. Repeat this process whenever the two actors move to a different area.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:09:22 PM)
Also, I suggest or recommend that you visit your colleagues who are doing multi-camera shows, film or video. See how they do it, that's your best bet.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:09:49 PM)
Also, we do lighting workshops all the time—try to attend these workshops, you’ll learn a lot.

ottofocus (Sep 23, 2000 1:10:24 PM)
President Dibie, the new hourly rates took effect on August 1st. Today is September 23rd. With all the mailings from the union, why hasn't the Guild mailed new rate cards to the membership? This seems to be a recurring problem.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:11:51 PM)
We have problems with the producers where they reneged about the rates of our Eastern Region members. And we could not mail the rate cards until we finalized the negotiations.

Philip Hurn (Sep 23, 2000 1:12:16 PM)
Hi George. I've heard predictions that the 24P system will, in 2 years take over episodic as well as sitcom television. I hope that this isn't true. What do you think?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:13:40 PM)
Hi, Phil. We have seven series this season done using the 24P (Panavision) system. Also other series are shot with Panasonic 480. Ninety percent of the decision to go film or digital video is  economics.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:14:04 PM)
It's not to do with art or technology. The producers in our last negotiations tried to use this technology to reduce our rates and benefits.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:14:58 PM)
But we fought back and we stopped them from doing so. All your 24P series, i.e., episodic, MOW, feature, must be done under the basic agreement. Sitcoms, behind the scene, etc., they will be done under the video/green book agreement.

ChrisMan (Sep 23, 2000 1:15:20 PM)
The SAG strike has pushed huge amounts of production out of the country. Producers are finding ever more skilled crews there at huge savings in labor costs to them. Since they can give more to their directors its natural for them to go. Understanding this, how can we keep them here? Over my lifetime I have seen so many closed factories where unions have simply lost out to cheaper labor overseas. I don't want our studios to stand empty for the same reason.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:16:32 PM)
To stop runaway productions, the International started signing contracts to fit the producers' low budget projects. That's one way of doing it, and it's happening. We have a lot of projects in this country today, shooting using this formula.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:17:55 PM)
There is no way for us to compete with the exchange of the dollar. Second, economic incentives given by the Canadian provinces. Third, and most important, the producers get away from Hollywood to avoid paying residuals.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:18:43 PM)
Now, we are working very hard with a lot of senators and congressmen to make our government more responsive to our plight. DGA is spearheading this fight. We sent a booklet of all our members all the congressmen and senators names, phones, and faxes—asking our members, their friends, families, colleagues to write about our situation.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:19:42 PM)
It's a battle everyone should be involved in. Not just the Guild leadership.

ChrisMan (Sep 23, 2000 1:19:51 PM)
But the big budget projects are going too. Can we have the union lawyers construct and suggest useful trade legislation? --(yes and the residual thing is a big issue. we know!)

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:20:46 PM)
Our Guild is a part of 600 locals in this country. The national leadership is working very hard with Washington, senators, congressmen to create legislation to level the field.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:21:02 PM)
As I mentioned, the DGA also is working very hard in Washington DC with their lobbyists. I know that because I am a member of DGA and the PAC committee. The national spokesperson for the IATSE in this country is Mr. Tom Short.

ChrisMan (Sep 23, 2000 1:21:54 PM)
Glad to hear this, thanks!

dptobe (Sep 23, 2000 1:22:01 PM)
After all of these years, the TV Academy has just established a category for multi-camera film shows? Why does this category get so little respect? Is comedy that much easier to shoot?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:22:57 PM)
This is a conflicted question. The TV Academy, by creating the multi-camera film award, was admitting finally that we should have the respect we've deserved for a long time.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:23:25 PM)
A lot of my colleagues who came from features and episodic into multi-camera, they do consider it respectable.

Sandy Butler (Sep 23, 2000 1:24:18 PM)
Will the strong American dollar help or hurt our industry?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:24:55 PM)
In the short, it will hurt us. It did not hurt me in London when I exchanged dollars for pounds, though. :)

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:25:08 PM)
But the strong dollar is always a danger to our industry.

Moderator (Sep 23, 2000 1:25:15 PM)
Another question sent in by Vittorio Storaro: The guild has changed its name. Isn't it time to change the title director of photography to cinematographer?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:25:52 PM)
Dear Vittorio, next time you do a film project, contact the Guild and we'll work with you.

ottofocus  (Sep 23, 2000 1:26:10 PM)
While we're discussing name changes, perhaps we might change our name to "national" cinematographers guild.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:26:35 PM)
The Guild membership consists of international members. And because we are in a global economy, it's better for us to stay where we are.

gene (Sep 23, 2000 1:27:07 PM)
Do you have favorite shows in your own body of work?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:27:50 PM)
Yes. Barney Miller, Buffalo Bill, Growing Pains, Night Court. Just the 10 of Us.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:28:06 PM)
Over 20 film documentaries.

Moderator (Sep 23, 2000 1:28:11 PM)
Will you go back to shooting documentaries in the future?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:28:35 PM)
Yes. Especially today with all these producers, or so-called producers, in our industry that are accepting less quality and they have no concept about our industry, the history and the culture part of it.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:28:46 PM)
It makes me mad and encourages me to go back and shoot documentaries.

Movie Moses (Sep 23, 2000 1:29:21 PM)
How does the Short Film Showcase work? Who is eligible?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:29:50 PM)
The Short Film Showcase is open to all classifications within our Guild, except the director of photography. The member must be in good standing to be eligible to submit his or her project.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:30:09 PM)
It's as simple as that.

Debra (Sep 23, 2000 1:30:48 PM)
Has all of the new technology made cinematography easier?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:31:13 PM)
This is a question that is always asked by a producer. All the new technology is nothing but tools. Using a light meter, the old one or the digital one—how does that make your job easier?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:31:56 PM)
Sorry, it does not. You still have to paint or write with light. We are storytellers. We are painters. It is not easier for Chagall or Picasso whether they use ink or oil or whatever.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:32:31 PM)
Technology, again, is nothing but tools. And the tools change. Five years from now you will have different tools. And yet you are going to go to every set and look at the scene, rehearse and start to help the director put his vision on the screen by lighting or not lighting. Using color or not using color. By contrast, composition, etc., etc.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:33:07 PM)
None of the above would be changed.

chaim600 (Sep 23, 2000 1:33:43 PM)
Hi George, having had four years of experience with our national local, fighting to preserve and improve our contracts and merge our benefit funds, what do you see as the most pressing challenges facing local 600 in the future?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:34:51 PM)
Our biggest challenge is to keep the producers, may I say the greedy producers, away from destroying our contracts and using every gimmick.  From new technology to cheaper labor in Prague and Sydney.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:36:01 PM)
To me, our biggest challenge to meet the onslaught of these global tyrants is to be united. Today more than any time in the history of our Guild, we need to be united. We need every member in this local to stand behind us.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:36:27 PM)
So we can continue the fight. It's a bloody war we've been fighting.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:37:04 PM)
Chaim, I've never seen so many greedy producers taking orders from their bosses in Tokyo, Paris, Sydney, Ontario, Vancouver, London, like we have today.  It is imperative that we stick together and fight. As you know, we fought and we succeeded because we had the backing of our membership.

Jalen (Sep 23, 2000 1:37:29 PM)
Is there a danger of cinematographer drain with so many good jobs moving to Canada and other places? Is there a solution?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:38:17 PM)
We had the same problem in the early 60s where productions ran away to Europe. We saw the same problems in the 70s, 80s, and now the 90s. The difference is today we are in a global economy mode.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:39:12 PM)
So I want to be honest - we do not have a drain. We have more than enough cinematographers who are willing to work and shoot but they don't have the jobs in this country.

cameraop (Sep 23, 2000 1:39:19 PM)
Just want to say hi and ask when you will be coming to Florida. Jon Abrams

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:40:11 PM)
Hi, Jon. Because of my visit to London with my family, I could not be with you in Florida on Sept. 19. But I will continue doing trainings and workshops for our members all around the country. I'll see you soon.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:40:33 PM)
And by the way, thank you for your beautiful support.

cameraop (Sep 23, 2000 1:40:46 PM)
Very good.

bricks50 (Sep 23, 2000 1:41:00 PM)
Is there any advantage of joining the Guild straight out of school or is it better to get more experience first?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:41:39 PM)
I would suggest you get more experience first. But that will not stop you from working on shows. And when the union comes to organize them, help them by organizing it. That will make you eligible to join the Guild.

Metalmouth121/2  (Sep 23, 2000 1:41:59 PM)
Do you know when the next workshop will be?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:42:33 PM)
The next workshop, which will be our annual lighting workshop, will be in Los Angeles on November 11 and 12, Saturday and Sunday. We will have five cinematographers each day, doing their thing. If you are interested, make sure you respond immediately because these workshops fill up immediately.

ottofocus (Sep 23, 2000 1:43:09 PM)
George, I want to thank you and the Guild for providing Production Weekly to the members on our website. It has been a very helpful tool for job hunting.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:44:04 PM)
We are continuously working to create ways for our members to find or look for jobs. A good example is our training program and hands-on workshops with the digital cameras, which we started three years ago. Hopefully this will enable our members to be ready and qualified for work.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:45:14 PM)
By the way, it's very nice to hear a member thanking the leadership.

vegasdp (Sep 23, 2000 1:45:18 PM)
Is the lighting workshop open to Non-guild members?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:46:03 PM)
Yes, but for a very limited number because our own members always come first. It's their Guild, their workshop.

nefcyjay (Sep 23, 2000 1:46:02 PM)
The way I understand it, before Canada entered the NAFTA they demanded their "cultural industries" (defined as motion picture and television) be exempted from the agreement. Our politicians sold us out and agreed. The Canadians went back and put into effect this 30% subsidy (both federal and local) and promoted it along with their soft dollar to the American production companies. Our politicians, both Democrat and Republican now refuse to even admit what they did or offer any solution, either a tariff or American subsidy.

nefcyjay (Sep 23, 2000 1:46:05 PM)
George, you are my hero.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:46:54 PM)
Dear Jay. Let me correct you. The Canadian government does not deal directly with incentives.

nefcyjay (Sep 23, 2000 1:47:12 PM)
Who does then?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:47:14 PM)
The provinces of Canada are the ones who are offering all these benefits.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:48:11 PM)
It is not true that our politicians don't care. We have Democrats and Republicans, in the Senate and Congress, working very hard to create legislation to help. I am sorry this is an election year, and because of that I don't believe we will see any results from the hard work of these legislators until next year.

Buzz (Sep 23, 2000 1:48:17 PM)
I read that you have been elected governor of the film peer group in the TV Academy. What are your plans?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:49:20 PM)
Yes, I was very lucky to be elected by my peers. We started four years ago fighting to create the multi-camera film awards and I'm glad we succeeded.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:49:55 PM)
I'll continue to fight to represent our cinematographers by collaborating with other crafts so we can get the clout we need to make things happen within the Academy. One problem we have—the membership of the TV Academy cinematography category is very small.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:50:45 PM)
My plan is to encourage a lot of our cinematographers to join the Academy, thus enlarging our influence in activity and vote. Today we have feature cinematographers, episodic cinematographers, MOW cinematographers—all submitting their programs for our consideration.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:51:26 PM)
So I will encourage all cinematographers to join.

RobertoColleto (Sep 23, 2000 1:51:29 PM)
I read the part of the interview where you mention the Sony brochure talking about benefits in labor agreements for shooting video. That's a point that Larry Thorpe had denied. Has anyone from Sony responded?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:51:56 PM)
I am sorry to say—no. And Mr. Thorpe owes me $100. That's a bet we made when we were both on the panel.

Sandy Butler (Sep 23, 2000 1:52:17 PM)
George, what are you working on these days?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:53:05 PM)
Sandy, they are planning to do a two-hour movie of Growing Pains reunion. If it is done in the USA, I'll shoot it. If they take it to Canada, I'll stay in Hollywood.

Moderator (Sep 23, 2000 1:53:08 PM)
Another question sent in by Vittorio Storaro: What can be done to gain co-author's rights of cinematographers around the world, so we are seen as above the line?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:53:53 PM)
Dear Vittorio, that is a great idea, if you had brought it up when the industry was run by seven families who cared about the industry and the people in it.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:54:34 PM)
Today, in a global economy, being above the line, means divorcing yourself from your crew. That's very destructive and that's one weapon the global moguls will use to destroy our union.

nefcyjay (Sep 23, 2000 1:54:39 PM)
I agree that we will see no relief until after the elections. Our efforts on the political front need to continue. I bring this up to point up the immensity of the problem, and that is not of our making. We recognize it and are trying to find a solution.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:55:24 PM)
Dear Jay, the first time I met you at the Guild, you were very very active. Fighting to keep work in California, if you remember. And I promised you a long time ago, with your help, and the help of many, many, many members, we'll continue the fight.

bobf (Sep 23, 2000 1:55:46 PM)
the TV academy magazine Emmy published an article in august promoting digital cameras- saying it is so easy that producers can now put the camera on their shoulders and shoot their own shows.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:56:32 PM)
I wrote a letter to the TV Academy magazine responding to the misinformation they printed. They were quoting people who had been given Sony equipment for free to do their projects. And that was one way they had of thanking Sony.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 1:58:29 PM)
Don't forget, Timecode, the movie lasted one week and disappeared. Again, I want to emphasize. This is all propaganda pushed by equipment manufacturers' marketing people.

Invisigoth (Sep 23, 2000 1:58:55 PM)
What will the Guild do if there is a strike next year?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:00:13 PM)
Our hope is not to have any strike. There are good signals coming out of SAG and the other guilds that they learned a lesson from the current situation.

Moderator (Sep 23, 2000 2:00:17 PM)
Another question sent in by Vittorio Storaro: Many of your television programs were recorded on video. What can be done to preserve and archive color video for future generations?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:00:58 PM)
For the last five or six years, 80 to 90% of network origination were on film. We started in 1990 shooting action in the 1:33 area of the frame and protecting 1:78. So the producers are aware that to protect their investment they must originate on film.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:02:44 PM)
I'll give you an example, Vittorio. The Show of Shows, one of the funniest shows in US history, was done on video. The Lucille Ball series were done on film. Every place I go in this world I see the Lucille Ball show. The Show of Shows disappeared.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:03:12 PM)
I hope the producers will learn that saving a few pennies in the front will kill their investment in the future.

ottofocus (Sep 23, 2000 2:03:46 PM)
The Show Of Shows wasn't even shot on video, it was "live" TV. Any existing images today are merely black & white kinescopes, which are, of course, film.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:03:57 PM)
You are right, it was still done live, and it was kinescope. Although the quality was so bad from day one it could never be used.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:03:08 PM)
And, just think if that series were shot on film—we would be all sitting and laughing in our living rooms, because they had the best talent.

Assistant Op (Sep 23, 2000 2:03:46 PM)
Who are your heroes among cinematographers?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:04:09 PM)
James Wong Howe (I gaffed for him).

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:04:18 PM)
Harry Stradling, Sr.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:04:28 PM)
Vittorio Storaro.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:04:38 PM)
Allen Daviau

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:04:52 PM)
John Bailey.

dptobe (Sep 23, 2000 2:04:55 PM)
I read that there are more women and minorities in the Guild today and that is great. Are there still programs for encouraging diversity in the membership?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:05:21 PM)
Yes. And if you follow our magazine, we've had inserts this year and last year doing just that. Also, we are active in community service in all parts of L.A.

F stop (Sep 23, 2000 2:06:53 PM)
Do cinematographers and crew members who work in multi-camera get stereotyped?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:07:12 PM)
Not any more. Cinematographers are doing multi-camera who came from features, MOWs, episodic.

Moderator (Sep 23, 2000 2:07:44 PM)
Our final question sent in by Vittorio Storaro: Unfortunately, film and video have different aspect ratios. In your opinion, is there a way to find a common standard?

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:09:14 PM)
Vittorio, you mean television and the big screen, right? There are no standards as we speak. But you hear a lot about 16x9 (1:78).

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:09:45 PM)
The aim of our Guild is to encourage a system that will show the films of our members the way they were shot and intended to be seen. Our cinematographers should be ready to get involved and collaborate with post-production artists.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:11:43 PM)
By doing so, they protect their vision. It's very important that our cinematographers are on top of all new technologies—in production and postproduction.

nefcyjay (Sep 23, 2000 2:11:49 PM)
The ASC proposed standard, 1 x 2 aspect, 1000 line, 72 frame/sec, progressive scan was too logical. The FCC mandated only a "transmissiion standard" when they could have fixed all this with the ASC standard.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:13:06 PM)
Jay, the FCC did not mandate on one system. There are 18 standards and they left it up to the marketplace to decide which system will be followed.

ottofocus (Sep 23, 2000 2:13:13 PM)
Thanks George, this was a great idea! Have a safe journey home

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:13:30 PM)
Thank you, ottofocus and everyone. I always appreciate members who say thank you.

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:13:59 PM)
A special thanks to all our members who joined me today (tonight for me in London).

nefcyjay (Sep 23, 2000 2:14:13 PM)
Thank you George!!!

George Spiro Dibie, ASC (Sep 23, 2000 2:14:14 PM)
I am proud to be a member of this Guild, and I promise to continue fighting for you!