Let’s talk about what’s trending…
With the new year upon us, I wanted to outline one of my goals for 2025—the emergence of a Technical Trends Task Force.
The Local 695 Technical Trends Committee was formed in 2008 to monitor emerging technologies that will have an impact upon our jurisdictional crafts. This committee has traditionally been spearheaded by former Vice President and current Trustee Jay Patterson. It is under his legacy that the FCC Licensing Project was created as a response to the possibility of white space devices interfering with RF spectrum used by wireless microphones.
As our Local grows and takes on new technological challenges, Jay will take on an emeritus role within this group. Jay and I hope to bring on the next generation of technical leadership with the transition to the Technical Trends Task Force. Our goal is to add two to three new leaders, encompassing as many facets of our Local as possible. James Delhauer, Video Engineer and Director of Communications/Political Affairs, will spearhead the video side of this group. I’m fielding inquiries for leadership in AI, IT, Video Walls, and Sound/Audio subsets for additional positions.
The heart of the Technical Trends Committee’s mission statement is “to seek out individuals outside of the production engineering community, whose relevant technical expertise can keep our understanding of the ongoing evolution of technology current, and help us understand the implications, ramifications, and applications of developments on the technology horizon.”
The main goal for 2025 is to research and collect information to help guide discussions in AI and emerging technology fields with the AMPTP. We need to expand upon the original mission statement and include the following questions:
- What areas of AI or emerging technology will potentially impact our jurisdictions?
- Where are potential uses of AI or emerging technology within our fields?
- What software and hardware are currently being used or have potential uses in the future?
- What are the economic impacts of implementing emerging technology both positive and negative?
And most important:
- What areas are you most interested in learning more about?
- What skills are you looking to learn or improve?
- What education can we provide you?
Discussions with the AMPTP regarding our contractual educational up-skilling and reskilling program started in November 2024. The IATSE AI Subcommittee plans to meet with the AMPTP before the end of the first quarter of 2025. As a member of this committee, my focus is to help create a vision for the industry and program at large. I need your help to focus on the needs of our members so I can bring them to the table. I am assigning this agenda to the Technical Trends Task Force.
Local 695 is the technical Local of Hollywood’s IATSE bargaining unit. We have the opportunity to play a larger role in this technical evolution. Jay, James, and I have already begun working to assemble this task force, which will start to meet after the General Membership Meeting on February 8 at Local 44. Anyone interested is welcome to attend. If you are interested in being part of this group, please reach out to 695TechTrends@gmail.com
In Solidarity,
President Jillian Arnold