Why Hiring Local Union Stagehands for Film is a Win for Local Economies

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Why Hiring Local Union Stagehands for Film is a Win for Local Economies

Hiring local union stagehands when a movie production comes into town benefits the local economy in several significant ways:

When a film or television production rolls into town, it brings more than just movie stars and camera crews—it brings economic opportunity. But not all local spending is created equal. One of the most impactful ways a production can support the local economy is by hiring local union stagehands. These skilled professionals don’t just keep the show running—they help build a stronger, more resilient community.

What Is a Film Crew?

A film crew is a team hired by a production company to help make a movie. Unlike the cast (actors) or producers (owners of rights or funding), the crew handles the technical and creative work behind the scenes.

Film crews are divided into departments—like camera, lighting, sound, and art—each specializing in a key part of production. Some roles have existed since the early days of cinema and remain essential today.

Production happens in three main phases: pre-production, principal photography, and post-production. Some crew members are involved in one phase, while others work throughout the shoot. The crew is also divided into "above-the-line" (directors, writers, producers) and "below-the-line" (technical and craft workers) roles.

Creating Quality Jobs That Stay Local

Union stagehands are more than just workers—they’re members of the community. When productions hire local union labor, the paychecks stay in town. That money gets spent at local restaurants, on housing, at grocery stores, and through other small businesses. Instead of importing labor and exporting wages, producers can directly fuel the local economy by hiring the talent that’s already here.

Highly Skilled, Production-Ready Crews

Union crews are trained, experienced, and certified in the latest industry safety and technical standards. They know how to handle equipment, solve problems under pressure, and keep sets running efficiently. When productions choose local union hands, they’re not sacrificing quality—they’re gaining reliability, safety, and professionalism that keeps things on schedule and on budget.

Investing in Long-Term Growth

Union locals don’t just represent workers—they build futures. Through apprenticeships, training programs, and mentorship, unions grow the next generation of skilled workers. That means a stronger workforce in your region for years to come. When film productions support that ecosystem, they’re helping to establish the area as a long-term destination for the entertainment industry.

Boosting Tax Revenue & Community Services

Higher wages mean higher income tax revenue for cities and states. When union workers thrive, the whole community benefits through increased funding for schools, roads, and public services. This kind of sustained, well-paid employment has a ripple effect across the entire local economy.

Fair Work, Fair Pay, Stronger Communities

By hiring union, producers also support fair wages, safe working conditions, and dignified jobs. That kind of commitment strengthens not only the economy, but also the social fabric of the community. It sends a message that workers matter—and that quality work deserves quality pay.

The Bottom Line:
When film productions come to town, hiring local union stagehands isn’t just good PR—it’s smart economics. It supports the local workforce, boosts the economy, and ensures a safer, smoother, and more professional production. It’s not just the right thing to do—it’s the best thing to do.

Interested in Filming in Santa Cruz and Monterey County?

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Common Stagehand Jobs During Onsite Film Production

While film crews are shooting, stagehand labor plays a critical role behind the scenes. Here are some of the key roles typically involved:

Grip

Grips are skilled technicians who handle the rigging and non-electrical elements of lighting setups. Working closely with the electrical department, they install flags, bounces, overheads, and other tools to shape lighting for a scene. On sound stages, grips also move large set pieces to help position the camera. They report to the key grip and often belong to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) in the U.S. and Canada.

Key Grip

The key grip leads the grip team and oversees all set operations related to rigging and camera movement. Working directly with the director of photography (DP), the key grip helps design and execute lighting setups and camera blocking. They also coordinate moving the camera smoothly through the set.

Best Boy (Electric & Grip)

In a film crew, the term "best boy" refers to the lead assistant to either the gaffer (best boy electric) or the key grip (best boy grip). They serve as the department foreman, handling crew management, scheduling, equipment rentals, safety, and coordination with other departments. A woman in this role may be called a best girl.

Best boys are essential to daily operations, often joining location scouts and stepping in for department heads as needed. On small sets, they work closely with limited teams, while larger productions may involve extensive grip and electric crews supported by multiple best boys.

Dolly Grip

The dolly grip operates camera dollies and cranes. They lay and level dolly tracks, push and pull the dolly, and often transport the camera operator and assistant during moving shots, ensuring smooth and precise camera movements.

Our Services

Rental Equipment

We offer rental equipment with skilled technicians for special event lighting and audio requirements, projector rentals, virtual event setups, and live streaming services to enhance the overall event experience.

Our service area includes:

Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Watsonville,  Felton, Scotts Valley, Boulder Creek, Ben Lomond, Big Sur, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Salinas, and more.

Venues in Santa Cruz and Monterey County

While we have extensive experience working in the mentioned venues, our capabilities extend beyond these, and we are not confined exclusively to these locations.

Some of our clients include:

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