Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/987068
9 Stunt Coordinator or anyone else that may facilitate creating safe driving shots. If you feel that your concerns are not being considered, call one of your BRs and ask that they contact production to speak about the dangers of this practice. • Always request that the camera be mounted and secured rather than handheld, as a handheld camera creates a much greater risk to everyone in the vehicle. • If a free driving situation is unavoidable due to circumstances beyond your control, the airbags need to be de-activated by a trained technician prior to any rehearsal or shooting takes place (please note that pulling a fuse will not accomplish this as capacitors in the circuitry can still fire the airbags). If the airbags cannot be de-activated, a tow rig or other method should be utilized. While federal regulators and vehicle manufacturers do not recommend de-activating airbags, experts have agreed that this is a safer practice at this time. This is new territory for them, so these guidelines may change and we will update you should they do so. • If free driving at highway speeds is necessary, the camera should be hard-mounted and not handheld. When free driving at any speed, production should ideally close down the route in question, or, in the event you are shooting on a live street, should surround the shooting vehicle with cars driven by qualified drivers. • If you have a driving shot in the schedule and production does not appear to be taking your concerns seriously, request that a Local 600 rep be present on set when the shot is being done and also report this to the studio safety hotline listed on the call sheet. We would like nothing better than to share definitive rulings as to what is, or is not, acceptably safe concerning driving speeds, airbags, vehicle types and beyond, but unfortunately, there are far too many variables that come into play with every scenario to consider. With that in mind, if something that you are being asked to do causes you concern for your safety or the safety of your fellow crew members, please speak up with the knowledge that the Local will support you. While we continue to search for concrete solutions, please be aware that it takes a tremendous amount of time to deal with government institutions and the hierarchy within our own industry. Our absolute priority is the safety of our members and as such, we need to gather as much feedback as possible. Please help by alerting us about driving shots as far ahead of time as possible so that we may work with greater effectiveness toward protecting all of our members and all of your co-workers as well. Our belief is that all shots, given enough time and forethought, can be planned in a way that will allow our members to excel at their craft while keeping everyone safe, now and in the future. Thank you for your time. Fraternally, Mark Ulano CAS AMPS President IATSE Local 695