Tom Brandau for Business Rep

I’m writing to ask you to please vote in the upcoming 695 local elections. Actually, I’m asking for your vote and with it, support for progressive change. Many of you have never worked with me and don’t know me directly, but I need your help now… every vote is crucial.

Today, the election comes down to the almost 1100 members who don’t vote. I’d like to talk directly to you and I’m going to make some assumptions:

• you don’t read anything the local sends you. I’m not surprised, why should you? You are getting nothing for your membership, you just want to work, and I don’t blame you.

• you do a mix of union and non-union work; some reality shows (often on weekends) between union days, and you’re looking forward to being in the feature/TV circuit full-time.

• maybe you’re a video guy or girl who has seen his job distributed among three PA’s. With no support from the local, do you go to camera or not?

• maybe you’re a guy like Mark Grech who showed up on a Tier II lo-budget agreement to find a parking lot full of rolling stock, two cameras and a techno-crane on a weekly, and yes, even oscar-winning talent, only to be blown off by the local… and the west coast office. He got the crew paid. Call him.

• or worse, you’re getting $500/12 ($41.66) on a reality show. What you need is healthcare and some safety support, to whom the local says “we can’t organize these crappy shows”.

• or even worse still, maybe the union does come down and the rep. has a screaming nose to nose with your producer, and now you’ll never work for that producer, a good client, again.

I could go on, but it’s painful. I’ve been there. I’ve had a good long run as a production mixer, and nothing would give me more personal satisfaction than seeing the local run correctly.

That’s why I’m doing this. Truthfully, the hardest check I write is to Local 695. I’m that angry. And I need your vote. We need your vote!

At the local level we can do so much better, please give us another chance. I hope you’ll take a minute and go to my website, www.productionrecording.com and if you like what you see, honor me with your vote… but however you vote, please do vote!

If you need a ballot do not call the local. Contact Kami Cohen at the accountant's office directly at 818 487-1140 to request that a replacement ballot be mailed to you.

I will conduct our business with direct actions and attention to detail, and make decisions with an open exchange of ideas and information.

Finally, all the best to you and yours this holiday season. I hope it’s healthy and safe and I thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Thomas Brandau
213-446-1315 cell 24/7