Responding to a diminishing number of inquiries, here's the general pattern of what the hell I do Monday through Friday -- using today as an example.
8:30 -- Get into office; plow through e-mails. Answer questions about health plan, wage rates (usual kinds of stuff.)
9:00 -- Immigration visa comes in by Fed Ex; I flip through supporting letters, articles, application form, fill out check-off sheet. Take it to recording secretary-assistant Jeff Massie for final look-see and typing. 9:20 -- Take down paintings in art gallery in preparation for the next show.
9:45 -- Depart with bag of 401(k) enrollment forms to meeting with Hasbro staff. Walk through of production floor, get told by a board artist: "This is the best studio I've worked at in years." (Second time this has happened. I tell the boarder my theory of "every studio has three groups: Happy, unhappy and the fence-sitters, and you can tell the quality of studio by which group is biggest." He allows how this is probably true.)
10:30 -- Hasbro's first 401(k) meeting. Fifteen people show up, I go through my pension review and enrollment instruction spiels at a carny barker pace, finish in thirty minutes since everyone has to get back to work and I have promised "to keep it short." Find out about sick day policy from the H.R. person and pass it on to artist who wants to know.
11:00 -- Walk through of Starz Media-Film Roman (on upper floor.) Talk to a few people about running for executive board positions (since election is coming up.) Talk to other people about studio morale and possible contract infractions. (None reported.)
...
12:00 -- Lunch with Wise Old Producer and semi-retired art director who are happy to be comfortably out of the Hollywood rat race. Discussion about the joys of raising children and education in the public schools.
Afternoon: Work on two different grievances, setting up meetings and discussing possible settlements.
5:10 -- depart for home and work on TAG blog. Dinner of peanut butter, sliced strawberry and banana sandwich. Yum.
I'm a union rep who tends to concentrate on retail business -- meaning I go to studios a lot, talk to members a lot, go through many e-mails and phone calls.
When studios are in hiring mode, TAG throws a lot of "new member lunches" designed to educate newbies about the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plan. (I've learned that you can't repeat info too much. Many members don't know that the Animation Guild offers three pension plans.)
My basic daily pattern is office work ... followed by studio visits ... followed by more office work. Breaks up the day. To the question, "Why do you walk around the studios so much, what does that do?":
1) Helps collect information.
2) Shows management "the union" is present and observing.
3) Gives members a chance to ask questions.
What I don't do is pay much attention to what story development and production work is going on. Not my department, and for the most part I'm happy not knowing. (But once in a while I look at something -- like the Kung Fe Panda special at DWA. Too good to pass up.)
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19 comments:
Hi Steve,
I believe we met briefly last year when you came to CalArts as a guest to Maureen Furnis's class.
I was a first year then, but I have a question in preperation for the future.
You mentioned an immigration visa was sent to you/your office. Being English, I would have to one day encounter the visa process if I ever wish to work in animation in the US.
As a heads up - What part does your office/the union play in the immigration visa process, and what do you have to do towards it?
Thanks,
Rich
It must be nice to have a job where you can produce no real results in improving things and still get paid.
to anon at 11:08
find something to do!
wtf
Steve Hulett is the Glenn Beck of animation.
Give it a rest...ever know of a time when information was so forthcoming??????
That was information? I guess admitting to doing very little and hanging out with old buddies is info, so be it.We should pat him on the back, oh wait, he's covered that.
"That was information? ...." is what YOU said....
Because he said... "Responding to a diminishing number of inquiries, here's the general pattern...."
is what he voluntarily offered,
to which to YOU said.... "I guess admitting to doing....and.....is info, so be it. We should pat him on the back...."
But NOOOO......you write unappreciative insults. You truely are dorklands best.
What part does your office/the union play in the immigration visa process, and what do you have to do towards it?
We write letters of review to the INS for O-1 visas. We don't write letters for H1-B visas.
There are Immigration and Naturalization Service criteria that O-1 applicants must meet. They submit application forms and supporting material to us that are usually the size of a small phone book.
I read the material, fill out a check list, after which an "objection/no objection" letter is written and sent to the applicant's attorney, then sent on to the INS.
"Steve Hulett is the Glenn Beck of animation."
No. Steve Hulett is SUPER smart and doesn't lie.
glenn blech didn't graduate high school, is an ex-heroin addict and alcoholic, and a failed drive time am radio zoo yakker. And he lies. A lot. And he's anti-American Constitution.
"Steve Hulett is the Glenn Beck of animation."
So he's the third most popular union rep?
Who are numbers Two and One?
Steve deals in REALITY, unlike a fringe wingnut like the terror supporter glen beck.
ever stop by the 2nd floor of film roman? there's artists there too now...
Steve only wanders around the Simpsons crew when at Starz. No one's ever seen him in the Marvel area...
Guess I don't blam ehim...the Simpsons will be there long after Marvel and the other shows are long gone...
Steve, you have to seriously consider taking away the anonymous feature in this blog. Just nasty, misplaced negitive energy that nobody really needs. It's especially repugnant on a day of rememberence like today. Use the Cartoon Brew system where at least you know who's attacking you.
Peace out!
Yeah, take away the anonymous feature and then take away the ability of syncophants like the last Bob and Rob "professional" writers to post.
Because they 'always' help the discussion...
Syncophants? Great, now I have to use a dictionary...
"syncophants"...no, not here...wait, could he have meant sycophants? Nah, a smart person like that wouldn't misspell the most important word of his "discussion".
Last resort of a bad debater: grammar and spelling...
Did you check everyone's punctuation as well...?
I personally don't review and spellcheck every stupid response on this board...my guess very few do.
I'm assuming you knew what theperson who misspelled "sycophant" meant? So, I guess, he/she got their point across. Or maybe, the mirror was to much for you....
ever stop by the 2nd floor of film roman? there's artists there too now...
All the time. Was there last week, in fact. Also up on the third floor.
I didn't get to the OTHER half of the second floor, however. (That's the comedy, Film Roman part.)
Personally, I enjoy getting bashed by anon. #1, #2, #3. ... etc.
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