The Brooklyn Academy of Music is considering purchasing a suite of new LED stage lighting fixtures. LEDs, of course, use less power and radiate far less waste energy as heat than conventional stage lights, so some positives are immediately obvious.

Less obvious but incredibly crucial in an artistic environment are things like color temperature, smoothness of the dimming transition (especially at very low levels), and reliability of electronic components. Factor in other concerns like weight, durability, and cost of parts, and pretty soon the wide variety of available fixtures gets tough to choose from, especially if a substantial purchase is in the offing.

On September 23, 2016, BAM narrowed the choice down to three static fixtures and one moving light and rented examples for a "shootout". They also turned to Local 4 electricians for consultation. In addition to decades of combined experience handling and troubleshooting theatrical electrics, Local 4 works with dozens of lighting designers from around the world, with a variety of needs and approaches. These relationships and the conversations that flow from them about new technology and the future of the industry add tremendous value to the decision-making process. One more way Local 4 partners with our client venues to deliver quality to our organizations and, ultimately, our audiences.

The Democratic National Committee signed a national contract with IATSE to provide stage labor during the primary season, and nowhere were the stakes higher than here in Brooklyn. Hillary Clinton, the former senator from New York and Bernie Sanders, a native son of Brooklyn, ran campaigns that ranged from chess match to wrestling match. Events could be last-minute and sparse, or elaborately planned. It all came to a head at the CNN Democratic Presidential Debate at the Duggal Greenhouse on April 14th, 2016, and of course IATSE Local 4 was there.

Head of production Rocco Battaglia of Event Resource Professionals was impressed by our work. "Thank you for sending such a hardworking and highly skilled crew," he wrote in a letter to the Local's headquarters.

"It was a team effort where every man and woman Local 4 sent worked hard and diligently, while representing Local 4 in the very best light imaginable.  I have to thank the Local 4 Shop Steward Bill Horton Jr. and all of the Department Heads for their professionalism throughout the job, from start to finish.  They were absolutely magnificent."

We thank Mr. Battaglia for the kind words, and kudos to Brother Horton and the job's leads: Sean Saphire, Keith Silano, Ancell Brown, Jr., Mark Keshishian, Albert Salamone, Frank Torres, and Mike Matthews. Whether in an event space like the Duggal Greenhouse, an arena, amphitheatre, theater, mobile stage, or anywhere a production needs efficient, effective, and professional stage labor, IATSE Local 4 is the best choice in Brooklyn and Queens.

On October 19-23, 2015, the stage of the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Opera House became a Brooklyn street scene, and home to Jimmy Kimmel Live, ABC's popular late-night talk show. This was the show's second visit to Brooklyn, and Local 4 renewed many happy acquaintances.

Guests included Jay Z, Bradley Cooper, Bernie Sanders, Tracy Morgan, Howard Stern, Joy Behar, and Bill Murray, among others. Two very magical moments stood out in particular: our IATSE brothers and sisters painstakingly loading in a DeLorean Time Machine through the just-wide-enough loading door for the 30th Anniversary of the film Back to the Future, with Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd as guests; and a special overdub of the trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, voiced by our very own Local 4 stagehands. You can check out the results here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXRqbcu5rhc

Local 4 is delighted and proud to have partnered with ABC and Jimmy Kimmel to deliver another memorable Brooklyn week (Jimmy's first visit was during Hurricane Sandy.) Come back soon, Jimmy!

Local 4 members proudly partner with the Brooklyn Academy of Music to present Semele at the Howard Gilman Opera House.

Chinese visual artist Zhang Huan directs this East-meets-West production of Handel’s opera from the Canadian Opera Company, pairing a cast of debaucherous characters with a centuries-old Ming Dynasty temple. The show opens March 4.

Presented by Local 4 News as part of our new BREAKING NEWS! feature.

Semele Temple Crew-2-27-2015.jpg