Series:

The Crafts in Hollywood: Production Design

Topic:

Film and Television

COVID-19 Pandemic

Biographical Note:

Scenic artist, union representative for International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and International Union of Operating Engineers Local 501.

Interviewer:

Collings, Jane

Interviewee:

Koon, Gavin

Persons Present:

Koon and Collings.

Place Conducted:

Sessions one and two took place in Koon's home in Topanga Canyon. Because of the necessity of restricting personal contact during the COVID-19 pandemic, the third session was conducted by phone.

Supporting Documents:

Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library’s Center for Oral History Research.

Interviewer Background and Preparation:

The interview was conducted by Jane Collings, principal editor and interviewer, UCLA Center for Oral History Research; Ph.D., Critical Studies in Film and Television, UCLA.

Processing of Interview:

The interviewer prepared a timed log of the audio recording of the interview. The interviewee was given the opportunity to review the log in order to supply missing or misspelled names and to verify the accuracy of the content.The corrections made were entered into the text without further editing or review on the part of the Center for Oral History Research staff. Some months after the oral history interview was completed, the UCLA Center for Oral History Research re-contacted Koon to extend an invitation to participate in another interview session documenting the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the film and television industry. The final session thus focuses primarily on the personal, professional, and industry-wide effects of the pandemic.

Length:

4.5 hrs.

Language:

English

Copyright:

Regents of the University of California, UCLA Library.

Audio:

Series Statement:

This series of interviews was undertaken in collaboration with the Art Directors Guild. Its aim is to document the lives and work of Guild members and staff who have made a significant contribution to film and television history. Interviews capture the work of title artists, set designers, art directors, production designers, and many other categories. The contribution of labor unions in shaping the conditions of the work is also addressed.

Family’s background in film and TV industry--Interest in music--Work as a studio musician--Begins career as scenic artist--Serves on Local 816 board--Works at CBS, Disney, and Metromedia--Terms of IATSE contracts--Transformation to high-definition TV production landscape--Work for 1984 Olympics--The intense demands of scenic work--Need for workforce training in emerging digital technologies.

Industry changes due to digital production--Digital production training through the employee training panel (ETP)--An H1-B visa grant program for workforce development for digital technologies training--Implementation of the safety passport program through contract services--A surge in the membership at Local 816—Local 816 successfully negotiates expansion of 401(k) plan and health plan--Unsuccessful efforts to unionize visual effects work--Merging of Locals 790 and 845--Conflict at Local 800 over the position of executive director-- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) head Tom Short--Challenges facing the production industry--Importance of networking.

Learns of virus in mid-February while in New York City, when Broadway theaters shut down--Film and television shutdown shortly thereafter—The Industry-Wide-Labor-Management Safety Committee Task Force white paper--The question of managing new production costs--Current work with Local 501, public sector operating engineers--The dire condition of the L.A. city budget--Household practices in response to the pandemic, including social distancing and wearing masks--Predicts that impact of virus on society will be long lasting.