IATSE Local 764

Theatrical Wardrobe Union » The wardrobe workers and guardians in television, film, and live performance centered in New York City and vicinity. » www.ia764.org

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A Report from Local 764 Trustee Carmia Marshall-David regarding her experience at the AFL-CIO MLK Civil & Human Rights Conference:

Attending the AFL-CIO MLK Conference was a profound honor and a powerful reminder of what the labor movement stands for—then and now.

The weekend was filled with substantive, no-nonsense presentations and workshops led by movement leaders, including Liz Shuler, President of the AFL-CIO, and Patrick Moran, President of the AFSCME Maryland Council. These conversations were not abstract. They were urgent, grounded, and rooted in the real lives of working people.

In the tradition of Martin Luther King Jr.’s preaching, the message was clear: we are stronger together. Our shared humanity outweighs our differences, and progress begins when we choose open hearts and open minds. But openness is not passive—it is a decision. A commitment to confront systemic injustice directly.

The most emotionally charged and vital issue in the room was mass deportation. It was made unmistakably clear that this is not a side issue—it is a labor issue, a human rights issue, and a moral issue. The call was to stand in solidarity, protect vulnerable workers, and actively fight systems that destabilize families and communities.

Alongside this, there were thoughtful and necessary conversations around AI and the future of work. We are living through the fourth industrial revolution, and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence is already disrupting industries across the board. While AI brings opportunity, it also presents real risks if workers are left unprepared.

The call to action was practical and empowering: upskill, stay informed, and take initiative. Learning AI is not about becoming a tech expert—it’s about adaptability, agency, and long-term job security. There are accessible and free ways to begin:

Free AI Learning Resources

Google – AI Essentials: A beginner-friendly introduction to AI concepts and real-world applications.

IBM – Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: Covers AI fundamentals, ethics, and the societal impact of automation.

Microsoft – AI Fundamentals: Explores how AI tools are already being used across multiple industries.

Coursera (Free Audit Options): Courses like AI for Everyone that require no technical background.

edX (Free Audit Options): University-backed courses focused on AI, automation, and the future of work.

The through-line across every conversation was unmistakable:

Solidarity across unions and communities.

Collective responsibility to protect the most vulnerable.

Revival and resilience—a re-commitment to keep going, even when the work feels heavy.

This conference wasn’t just about reflection—it was about responsibility. Showing up informed, united, and ready to act. The work continues, and it requires all of us.

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Our members are more than just their work. Sometimes their wirk inspires them to their next act! Here is one such story:

CLARA RONK

Please describe what is Hang Check?

Hang Check is a set of long plastic covers that snaps onto the hang rod of a rolling rack covering over hanger hooks to secure them.

Hangers stay fixed and aligned especially during transportation.  Hang Check sets come in different lengths and offer two different sized diameter snap clips to fit tightly to industrial or smaller collapsable racks. 

What was the “ugh, there has to be a better way” moment that led to this invention?

A few years ago, I was working in a huge background shop on a large period piece primarily shot on location. We had lots of uniforms and winter coats! We constantly struggled to secure and travel hanging wardrobe, and there was a lot of it. At that time, most crews would velcro foam noodles or apply gaffers tape to the racks, this was a wasteful, expensive, sticky, and a time consuming mess! I initially thought about the concept of Hang Check then. But, the idea was really cemented while working at Barclay Center when Bette Midler performed her final US concert before flying to London. Her Wardrobe Supervisor asked me to hang her very, very expensive designer chiffon show dress in the wardrobe case and…TAPE the hanger down!! I thought, tape and chiffon in the same box, on a plane?  I guess it made it. But that sealed it for me. I realized Hang Check can be used on rolling racks and in road cases.  I immediately started 3D printing different shapes and product ideas. 

What has been your biggest struggle with Hang Check?

The biggest struggle was finding a local manufacture. I attended free manufacturing conventions at Javits Center, twice! On my second visit I met a friendly business person who said, you need to consider extrusion manufacturing. That was a life changing moment that narrowed down my factory search. I am very fortunate that Hang Check is manufactured in Middlesex, NJ by a three generation family owned factory called Fram Trak Industries. They are the best, I could not have asked for better, I’m grateful.

Now that your tool is out in the world—what’s the coolest or weirdest way someone’s used it?

The coolest:  I was recently thrilled to see a video in which Gilded Age Wardrobe was hang drying white blouses on an industrial rack setup outside the truck lift. The blouses were blowing back and forth in the wind and held securely by Hang Check! Better than a clothesline. 

 The weirdest: The Wardrobe Supervisor for John Legend's Tour was stuck in the lower level of a big arena after the elevators went out of service. To get to the upper level artists dressing rooms with the finely pressed wardrobe,  they needed to travel up several flights of stairs. With Hang Check already attached to the rolling rack, they had the genius idea to remove the hanging rod from the posts and climb the stairs with supporting rod on their shoulders instead! Mission accomplished. They sent me a photo of their rescue! 

What’s something you wish more people knew about designing something useful and actually getting it out there?

I made sure Hang Check worked well, so that with confidence, I could recommend it to my peers! I didn't want to make a product that did not live up to its reputation!  Hang Check.  Especially before asking others to spend money on something they’d never seen before,  I think it helped to both see and use it, to discover the effectiveness and ease of use.  I decided to gift Hang Check to crews to test it first hand.  Marketing is a huge hurdle when you invent a brand new unique product,  particularly one that is newly conceived.

What advice would you give to other inventors looking to bring a practical product to market ?

Do a lot of research, testing, and make prototype types before beginning manufacturing. Apply for a Provisioanal Patent, this protects your product for one year during develomepment. Also its so important to select a good product name that no one else uses and then more importantly an available matching URL name for your website. Really hard to do.

Where can Hang Check be purchased?

Hangcheck.xyz can be purchase at Manhattan Wardrobe Supply, Western Costume  Supplies, Jan Al Road Case Co. and on our website. @hangcheck.xyz. 

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It's that time of year! Local 764 Toy Drive! Collection of new unwrapped toys for Housing Works, an organization that battles homelessness within the HIV/AIDS community.

Buy an unwrapped toy at a store and drop it off at Local 764's office. You can even mail your donation to the Local 764's office directly.

It's that easy!

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Sign up on the link provided!

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#iatse #ia764 #764strong #764Solidarity

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Indigenous Authors Shine in These 2023 Releases

Indigenous Authors Shine in These 2023 Releases

Including poignant family sagas, gripping psychological thrillers, powerful memoirs, and more.

November is Native American (Indigenous) Heritage Month. Check out one or more of these books to learn more about the lives of Native Americans and their experiences.

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Reposted @metoperawardrobe Last night we opened X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X to a full house at @metopera

Here’s a sneak peak of our dressers setting up for Act 3. 🧐 Fun fact: It takes 14 dressers to QC our Men’s Chorus in Act 3. They have just under 2 minutes including travel time to go from their Mecca to 1960s Riot looks.

#wardrobe #metwardrobe #opera #iatse @iatselocal764 @iatse

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2023 Free Flu Shot Information

Over 200,000 Americans are hospitalized each year due to flu-related complications. Luckily, you can significantly reduce your risk of the flu by receiving your annual flu shot.

This year, the Entertainment Community Fund will once again partner with Mount Sinai to offer free flu shots for our community!  Your flu vaccine will be easy, free, convenient and safe.

Date: October 19, 20, 26 and 27

Time: 10 am–1 pm ET (all dates)

Location: 

The Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts

729 Seventh Avenue

12th Floor

New York, NY 10019

Pre-registration and appointment required. No walk-ins. This flu shot is free for the insured and the uninsured.

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On Labor Day, UNITED WE STAND! United and moving FORWARD. The entire IATSE is participating in the 2023 MEMBER CENSUS! We need to be heard! PARTICIPATE! https://sri.cornell.edu/iatse/ #iatsecensus2023 #764JoinsTheCount #IAMemberCensus. #GetCounted

Share this message with your union kin. The Member Census closes at the end of September.

It takes LESS THAN 5 MINUTES to complete!

Link to the Census is in our bio!!

DON'T WAIT, PARTICIPATE!!

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Today is National Voter Registration Day! It's crucial for everyone to vote, so spread the word to your friends and family about registering to vote.

#RegisterToVote #NationalVoterRegistrationDay #YourVoteCounts #MakeYourVoiceHeard

nationalvoterregistrationday.org

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IATSE Local 764 members step into the spotlight!

Take the IATSE Census. #764JoinsTheCount #IAMemberCensus. #GetCounted #BeHeard

https://sri.cornell.edu/iatse/ #764JoinsTheCount #IATSECensus2023 #MemberCensus2023

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The 2023 IATSE Member Census is a critical initiative to gain accurate, anonymous, and aggregated statistics regarding the IATSE membership across the United States and Canada. By inviting every IATSE member to participate, this census will empower the union to better advocate for members’ rights and interests and will ensure that future actions reflect the union’s membership.

If you've already taken the Census, join us to learn how you can have an impact encouraging your union kin to participate and be counted. IATSE Members can register at the link below:

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Today is an important day as we celebrate TWU Local 764 Day! Former Mayor Bill de Blasio officially recognized it and declared June 23rd "TWU Local 764 Day." We would love to hear about your moments as a Local 764 Member! Please feel free to share in the comment section below.

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Swearing in new members at the June 22, 2023 membership meeting. These workers earned their 30 days in theater,opera, film & television. We welcome them to the 764 Wardrobe Community!!

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The Local 764 Social Justice Task Force would like to invite their 764 kin to the next meeting of the HERITAGE BOOK CLUB.

Join us in reading “Sophie Go's Lonely Hearts Club” by Roselle Lim. 

For our third selection, the Social Justice Task Force would like to invite our kin to read this delightful book with us.  We have chosen a book by a Filipino American author who gives a modern spin to some of the Chinese folklore stories and tradition told to her as a child by her grandparents.  

This book is described by its publisher as "a new heartfelt novel about the power of loneliness and the strength of love that overcomes it"

 

We will be sending out a date and registration link shortly to discuss this charming and funny book.

 

SYNOPSIS:

Newly minted professional matchmaker Sophie Go has returned to Toronto, her hometown, after spending three years in Shanghai. Her job is made quite difficult, however, when she is revealed as a fraud—she never actually graduated from matchmaking school. In a competitive market like Toronto, no one wants to take a chance on an inexperienced and unaccredited matchmaker, and soon Sophie becomes an outcast.

In dire search of clients, Sophie stumbles upon a secret club within her condo complex: the Old Ducks, seven septuagenarian Chinese bachelors who never found love. Somehow, she convinces them to hire her, but her matchmaking skills are put to the test as she learns the depths of loneliness, heartbreak, and love by attempting to make the hardest matches of her life

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The Local 764 Social Justice Task Force would like to invite their 764 kin to the next reading and meeting of the HERITAGE BOOK CLUB!

As we near the end of women’s month, we want to recognize all of the fearless women who dared to change the world.

Join us in reading “Unbought and Unbossed” by Shirley Chisholm. Chisholm was a formidable trailblazer who was the first Black woman elected into Congress. She was a courageous woman who spoke for the voiceless, tackled social and racial injustice, and changed the face of American politics forever with her passion to create equality for all.

Unbought and Unbossed is Shirley Chisholm's account of her remarkable rise from a young girl in Brooklyn to America's first African-American Congresswoman. She shares how she took on an entrenched system, gave a public voice to millions, and sets the stage for her groundbreaking bid to be the first woman and first African-American President of the United States. By daring to be herself, Shirley Chisholm shows us how she forever changed the status quo.

We’ll be holding a discussion group to share our thoughts on Sunday April 23rd at 12 pm. Please register here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIodOuoqT8oHNAyzNmuSjcEKlfBS8lacTSmg

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The Local 764 Social Justice Task Force would like to invite their 764 kin to the FIRST HERITAGE BOOK CLUB for the month of FEBRUARY!

To celebrate Black History Month, the Task Force would like to invite our union kin to read with us:

Nubia: The Awakening by Omar Epps & Clarence A. Haynes

Black joy is essential to celebrate. While the history of Black folks in America is at times too horrific to recount, black trauma too frequently presented as entertainment or the only history part of Black history worth chronicling. Black culture is not monolithic. The culture is eclectic, rich in varied experiences, and undeniably has contributed to some of the most iconic American movements such as the fight for civil rights and the spread of the organized labor unions.

This month we explore black fantasy. Nubia: The Awakening is a gripping and exciting futuristic fantasy that revolves around three teenage refugees whose people struggle under oppression. Their lives change when their dormant supernatural powers awaken.

Let's explore and discuss this futuristic novel in Zoom's virtual space!!

We’ll be holding a discussion group to share our thoughts on this futuristic novel on MARCH 5th at 12pm.

Please register here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsdOqgqzMoGtAC3qgCIryJM9tdeFaaiOpk