Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/756468
81 Q4 2016 / CINEMONTAGE 81 Q4 2016 / CINEMONTAGE York, I got furious with their Board, but Ron calmed me down and, eventually, he made our merger happen. Around the same time, IA President Tom Short suggested we take in the post- production sound members of Local 695; both Ron and I recognized the close working relationship between picture editors and re-recording mixers. Later, the unique Local 854, story analysts, asked to join us; Ron said, "They think about story and the strength of story. They belong with us." Our members voiced their concern that the Editors Guild would lose its identity with these mergers. "We will not lose our identity," Ron insisted, "we will enhance it." And he focused on how the new membership could contribute to the power and stature of the Guild. Then, kicking off the new century with a bang, Ron and the Board gave free rein to editor Steve Cohen to transform our newsletter into a real magazine. Steve had already worked with Executive Administrator Lisa Dosch to create our website, which also raised our public profile. Through everything, Ron, I've had a terrific time with you — and I'm sure the staff appreciated your thoughtfulness to stuff towels under your door so the cigar smoke wouldn't overwhelm everybody! Donn Cambern, ACE Motion Picture Editors Guild President, 1992-2001 n I first met Ron Kutak in 1997. The post- production sound classifications of Local 695 were being merged with the editors of Local 776, which they did on January 1, 1998. Asked to represent the re-recording mixers on the Board of Directors of the newly formed Local 700, I was wary of the transition. Not only did I feel that 695 had been weakened by internal discord, but digital technology had created jurisdictional disputes within the sound community. How we would be received in the merged Local was a major concern of our members from 695. From the beginning, Ron preached unity. He understood there were cultural differences, not only in the way we operated, but in how we interacted with those who employed us. Ron encouraged Board members to resolve the disputes and redefine the workplace. The potential impact of any issue that came before the Board was considered across all classifications. Ron counseled equal fairness for all members and no decision was rendered that benefited one group of members at the cost of another. The same careful consideration was given when the LA and New York Locals merged later that year, and again when the Film Labs merged with Local 700. Almost 20 years have now passed, and while Ron and I are not always in agreement, I never doubt that he advocates what he believes is in the best interests of the membership. Gregg Rudloff Motion Picture Editors Guild Vice President, 2014-present Re-recording Mixer Representative, 1999-2013 n I first met Ron Kutak in 1998, when I traveled to his office on Sunset Boulevard to help negotiate the merger of Locals 771 and 776 into a National Editors Guild. Many of us, on both coasts, had wanted to merge for years but were unable to put all the pieces together to make it happen. Ron strongly believed that one united Guild would strengthen and empower editors across the country. He reached out to us in New York determined to make it work this time, and earnestly began the process of bringing us together. We were aware that other unions