Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/501792
58 CINEMONTAGE / SPRING 2015 58 CINEMONTAGE / SPRING 2015 n I cannot think of anyone more deserving of the Editors Guild's Fellowship and Service Award than my friend and mentor Joe Aredas. The five tenets of this award — professionalism, collaboration, mentorship, generosity of spirit and commitment to the labor movement — are all contained in any accurate description of Joe. He was my predecessor as the head of the IATSE West Coast Office, and those are very large shoes to fill. Joe's calm- under-fire approach became apparent to me — literally — early on in my career. We were driving to the LA County Labor Federation when some gang members began shooting at one another. As the man with the gun approached Joe's car, I was yelling for him to go, which likely would have resulted in him hitting the gunman or getting us shot, or both. Joe very calmly locked the car doors and waited, with one foot on the gas and the other on the brake. The gunman passed by the car and kept going. Joe turned right (after signaling, of course) and we pulled into the Labor Federation. When I asked him why he hesitated, he replied that he didn't hesitate; he simply picked his moment. He followed up with a wink and said, "Patience my friend, patience." That was only one of many life lessons that Mr. Aredas has imparted upon me. The stories are endless and the examples are plentiful. His patience and calm demeanor have served as a goal to which I strive. His willingness to mentor and teach the next generation is why I am in the position I am today. Congratulations on this achievement, Joe, and thank you for all you have done. Michael F. Miller, Jr. Colleague/Mentee; International Vice President/Director, Motion Picture and Television Department, IATSE n Joe Aredas, Sr…. When I hear that name and see his face, I know that everything will work out fine. Joe was head of Human Resources at CFI. I worked on the lot but not for the company at that time. My husband Gary was a foreman at CFI and was involved in many arbitrations with Joe. Gary would always report to me how fair and just Joe was in his decisions. I joined the Local 683 Board of Directors in the late 1990s. Joe was always there to give his sage advice and to help mentor and guide us. He was our Zen Master of calm. I was lucky to transition with Joe to Local 700's Board of Directors. So many fond memories of picnics, bowling, IATSE Conventions and Joe's family... Thank you, Joe! Christi Moore Colleague/Mentee; Retired Negative Cutter and Board member of Local 700, Motion Picture Editors Guild, and Local 683, Laboratory Film/Video Technicians and Cinetechnicians n Congratulations on the Fellowship and Service Award to you, Joe! You have been an incredible colleague and friend over the many years of service to your craft and the industry. Your ability to bring folks together in a respectful and professional manner is the envy of all who have known you. We wish you all the best in the work you still have left to do in the industry — and on the golf course. All the best to you and the family from Carmine and myself. George A. Palazzo Colleague; Senior Director, Participant Services, Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plans; former International Trustee, IATSE; former Business Agent, IATSE Local 729, Motion Picture Set Painters and Sign Writers n I want to congratulate you, Joe, on your outstanding service to the entire motion picture community. These efforts have been no less than tremendous, whether it be in post-production, with IATSE, or serving the City of Los Angeles. Of course, it makes me feel great to have been involved with you as a friend and colleague for a quarter of a century. As they say, "It's not the job, it's the people." Never was that truer than in my case. It has been absolutely great to work with you. You're the best! Michel Papadaki Colleague; Retired Vice President, Sales and Marketing, CFI and Technicolor n I have known Joe Aredas professionally for about 15 years. I have no particular anecdotes, funny or otherwise, to relate, except that I'm pleased to go on record with the following: Joe is a consummate professional who has the most amazing capacity to calm sometimes-less-than pacific waters and to forge consensus in situations that previously defied same. When he came to the IA's West