About Us

IATSE Local 728 Studio Electrical Lighting Technicians was chartered on May 15th, 1939, to cover work in their jurisdiction of the Motion Picture Industry. This was eventually extended to Television, and now Streaming Productions

Lighting Technicians are responsible for the installation and removal of temporary electrical power systems, lighting control systems and lighting instruments necessary for the making of motion pictures and television production, including live performance productions, commercials and webisode productions. From Chief Lighting Technicians (Gaffers) to Assistant Chief Lighting Technicians (Best Boy/Girl), as well as Lighting Console Programmers (Board Ops) to the essential Rigging Departments led by the Chief Rigging Technicians, their Assistants (ACRTs), Fixtures, Lighting Control and the Technicians that support them all and do the work. We are the ONLY ALL-LIGHTING Local in IATSE. We have unparalleled skills, a nationally recognized training program and are available to serve shows worldwide!

Studio Electrical Lighting Technicians were initially a part of IATSE Local 37, the Hollywood 'Super' Local that encompassed several studio backlot crafts and was the largest local in the country. When some members of Local 37 (dubbed the "37 White Rats") rebelled and formed a rival union in protest of the believed collusion that existed between studio bosses, IATSE leadership and organized crime, the International Alliance broke up Local 37. In 1939, IATSE split Local 37 and created Locals 728, 727, 80 and 44. 

Delegates to the Central Labor Council of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor – AFL/CIO 

"House of Labor" 

Greg Reeves 
Martin Weeks 
Malakhi Simmons 
Dennis K. Grow 
Lorne McDougall 
Matt Heinz 
S. Cricket Peters 
Jimmy "C" Cornick