A Look Ahead
The past year has been one of the most challenging periods many of our members have faced in a long time. Extended slowdowns, canceled projects, and long gaps between calls created real uncertainty for working families across our crafts. For some, it meant hard financial choices; for others, it meant stepping away from the industry entirely, even if only temporarily. That reality should not be forgotten as we look ahead.
As we move into the new year, there are signs that the industry is beginning to regain momentum. Production is slowly increasing, more projects are moving forward, and more of our members are getting back to work. The pace of recovery remains uneven, and no one should expect an overnight return to “normal,” but the overall direction is positive. For many members, even incremental improvement makes a meaningful difference.
At the same time, technology continues to evolve rapidly and reshape the way our work is done. Wireless communication systems are more powerful and more complex. Remote workflows, once considered a temporary solution, are now a standard part of production. Virtual and hybrid production models continue to expand, changing how crews collaborate both on set and in post. These tools may be new, but the requirement for skilled professionals is not. In fact, as technology advances, the need for experience, judgment, and problem-solving only increases.
Producers are moving forward with tighter schedules and closer budget scrutiny, placing additional pressure on crews to deliver high-quality work efficiently. Our members do that every day. Sound, video, and communications are critical to production, and they require preparation, training, and professionalism. These are not areas where shortcuts lead to success, and the industry continues to rely on our crafts to meet increasingly high expectations.
This environment makes the role of the union more important than ever. Protecting jurisdiction, defending standards, and ensuring that new technologies are implemented responsibly are essential to preserving good jobs and safe working conditions. Training and education remain key priorities, not only to help members adapt to new tools, but to ensure that those tools are used in ways that respect the work and the workers.
There are still challenges ahead, and the road forward will not be without obstacles. But as production increases and the industry continues to evolve, our focus remains clear: supporting our members, protecting the work, and advocating for the value of skilled professionals. The strength of Local 695 has always come from the people who do the work, and that will continue to guide us in the year ahead.
In Solidarity,
Scott Bernard
Business Representative