Local 461's History, Boundaries and People
Who we are, Where we are, and how long we've been there!
Jump to areas of interest in this document. History
- Location - What we've done.
History
Over 80 years ago a group of entertainment technicians
from the Niagara area made a career choice to join with the International
Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Time has proven to these entertainment
industry employees and those who now follow in their footsteps, that joining
the I.A. was and still is the best choice! We were allowed the home autonomy
that enabled us to negotiate contracts that dealt with concerns of area
people and the conditions they worked under. As a member of the Alliance
we are given all the legal support we require and have access to people
who deal with contractual issues across the continent both on a day to
day and long term basis. Our members have worked in every imaginable area
of the entertainment industry. From opera to motion picture production
and everything in between. We stay on top of the skills employers
demands of their employees. Members are trained with various accredited
job skills to diversify their job knowledge base and therefore increase
the individual's employability.
During the 1980s, IATSE Local 461 began to supply technicians to the
Shaw Festival Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The bulk of our membership
is employed in numerous departments at the Festival's three theatres, helping
to bring quality theatrical productions to this area of the province.
Local 461 has diversified itself with training programs and a talented
membership from theatrical stage, motion picture, television, and rock
and roll staging.
Local 461 hosted the 1996 IATSE Canadian Convention in Niagara Falls,
Ontario. We also co-hosted the international
convention in Toronto during July 1998.
Location
We are located in Southern Ontario, Canada. Our
geographic jurisdiction includes the Niagara Peninsula which is the shaded
area on the above map. IATSE Local 461's geographic jurisdiction encompasses
over 800 square miles of forests, escarpment, gorges, farmland, vineyards,
cityscapes, rivers and two Great Lakes. This area has proven itself to
be diverse enough to support many film location shoots. Separated
from New York State by the Niagara River, the area boasts 5 airports within
a one hour drive, two in the U.S. and three in Canada.
What we have done and what we can do:
Theatrical Stage: We supply technicians for the Shaw
Festival Theatre as well as supplying crew for travelling attractions
in our jurisdiction. This labour pool consists of stagehands, audio technicians,
electrical technicians, carpenters, welders, wigs hair and makeup, wardrobe,
box office, front of house services, and touring personnel.
Scenic Production: Our scenic production credits are extensive. We supply technicians to the majority of scene shops in Southern Ontario. These shops employ IATSE Local 461
members in all trades and crafts.
Projection: Projectionists skilled in 16 mm, 35 mm, IMAX
and RPG situations, video technicians, screen installations and New York
State licensed laser technicians (both low and high powered classifications).
Motion Picture Production: Iatse Local 461 has technicians skilled in many areas of motion picture production such as electrics, Fx, grips,
hair and makeup, wardrobe, transport, carpentry and craft services. In the past we have provided
technical support for various feature films such as "Niagara" starring Marylin Monroe,
"Trapped in Paradise" starring Nicolas Cage and "Blues Brothers 2000" starring Dan Ackroyd,
among numerous other productions.
Today, IATSE Local 461 continues to provide technicians conversant with the latest technologies for the entertainment industry.
