PRODUCTION & POST NEWS
ASPEC’S SUSTAINABLE ROAD MAP A SPEC (Association Of Studio & Production Equipment Companies) provides a crucial collective voice to camera, grip and lighting-hire companies, plus studio and production facilities. Here, ASPEC’s chair, Dana Harrison (director of operations at ARRI Rental UK) writes-in with an update. “ASPEC has origins going back to the early 1980s. Originally it was represented by major, competing lighting rental and studio facility companies supplying the film, television and multi-media industries. Prime movers at the time were Mr Lighting, Grip House and Lee Lighting, along with smaller, niche firms, such as Bell Lighting, On The Spot and Rainbow Lighting, names which have passed into the mists of time. Initially, called the Lighting Contractors Association, its success as a representative
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14 MAY 2022 CINEMATOGRAPHY WORLD
body, resulted in a decision to incorporate it as a vehicle to best represent the interests of its members, and so was born the Association Of Lighting & Studio Facility Companies Ltd. When one realises that the initial membership comprised of companies that were the fiercest of competitors, it reveals the determination and desire to work together. Some of the association’s early successes include working with the Ministry Of Transport to achieve sensible and workable tachograph rules for the industry. A Crane Guidance document, the first of its kind, saw all member companies supplying camera cranes, working together to put in place a concise publication. This would go a long way in ensuring the safety of the camera crews and the production personnel working around them. This document has stood the test of time and has recently been updated to include all the new crane and remote heads currently in use throughout the film and television industry. With an increasing membership, which went beyond lighting equipment, it was decided to rebrand the old association to reflect its current members, which now included rental companies specialising in camera, lenses, remote systems, and several other equipment types. And so, the Association Of Studios & Production Equipment Companies (ASPEC) was born! Throughout the period of both the old association and the new ASPEC, key people played an active role in committees set up by the Health & Safety Executive, which was originally set-up as the Broadcast Joint Advisory Committee (BJAC) and later became the Joint Advisory Committee for Entertainment (JACE). ASPEC also chaired the Film Broadcast & Multi-media Safety Group (FBM-M) subcommittee of the HSE over several years and was involved in various initiatives including Rental Guard, a global vehicle for tracking and tracing stolen equipment. In 2002, ASPEC negotiated a formal labour agreement for the provision of gaffers, electricians and electricians to commercials following failed negotiations between the Electricians’ Union (AMICUS) and Production Companies Association (APA). This agreement is still in place today. In recent years ASPEC gave up some of its independence in favour of becoming an association within PLASA (Professional Lighting & Sound Association). However, after a period, it was recognised, that PLASA better-represented the events industry and therefore, it was agreed that the two associations would split amicably, with ASPEC once again independent and representing its own unique market sector. Fast forward to 2020, when Covid-19 hit our shores – a challenging and trying time for the whole of our industry. The members of ASPEC found themselves under a degree of pressure
to re-open their businesses to production. It suddenly dawned on associations, representative bodies and other interested parties within the industry, that without camera, grip, lighting and ancillary equipment, facilities and studios, any return to work was near-impossible. Members began working immediately to create a ‘Return To Work’ strategy. The aim was to reach a consensus amongst all members where an agreed and consistent approach was achieved when it came to pandemic guidelines, risk assessments, protocols, hygiene and sanitation. A successful ‘Return To Work’ strategy was achieved by 1st June 2020, when all member companies were able to reopen their doors with the confidence that they could provide a safe working environment for their employees, productions, and crew. There was a realisation amongst the industry’s representative associations that the companies making-up the membership of ASPEC play a crucial role in the development, formulation and implementation of policies and strategies relating to the film, television and multimedia industries. With pride, the association can now rank itself amongst the decision makers within the industry, having been recognised and given stakeholder status for any future initiatives. It goes without saying that all member companies were dealing with the fears and unknowns of Covid. It was a scary time. But the results of this experience created a strong unity amongst all members that honestly will outlive the memory of the pandemic. With Covid protocols established across the industry, our members were able to get back to doing what they do best – successfully supplying to a booming industry in the UK – and it has resulted in many member companies reporting record-breaking business.
Looking over the horizon, the association has leant its support to member company initiatives, such as the Camera Technicians’ Apprenticeship Scheme, a fully-funded placement scheme for young leavers. With Barry Bassett (MD of VMI. TV) leading the cause, and in collaboration with ScreenSkills, LSA and Next Gen Skills Academy, they are looking to support the second intake late in 2022/2023. Have a look online at the Camera Prep Technician Apprenticeship (www.nextgenskillsacademy.com). For many years, ASPEC member companies have been training young people within their organisations. Many of them are now successful freelance crew in the industry. Rental companies provide the best opportunity for young people to learn the tools of the trade and prepare them for a career in the industry. All members take great pride in seeing so many people come through their doors and spread their wings. So what’s next on the agenda for 2022? Sustainability. ASPEC is looking at different ways to work collaboratively to make meaningful changes to the industry and the environment. This will include waste reduction, equipment life cycle and recycling, facility energy efficiencies and more. Watch this space!” Consider joining ASPEC, visit https://aspec.website/joining-aspec
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