MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Q&A: NANCY HUM-BALBOSA
Nancy Hum-Balbosa, new International Representative for Western Canada, shares her story for Asian Heritage Month, celebrated each May. An 891 Set Dec. member for eight years, Nancy loves creative work, uplifting others, and growing the labour movement so that more people from diverse communities can enjoy the benefits of union representation and opportunities offered by a career in film. This summer, she’ll be sharing her knowledge as a part-time facilitator for the Motion Picture Industry Orientation course, mentoring BC’s next generation of film workers. Read our Member Spotlight Q&A on Nancy below!
1. What drew you into a career in the motion picture industry?
I’m a creative person, and film workers are a huge group of creatives. I get energy from that. I love film. Who doesn’t? I had heard about careers in the motion picture industry for a long time, but I’d also heard that it was difficult to get into – particularly because I had kids. I have three kids and when I started in the industry in 2016, my youngest child was already in high school. But I decided to take a risk. I’m the sort of person who tends to jump in with both feet, so that’s what I did. And I haven’t looked back since!
My brother in-law is a Teamster, and he said film is hiring, you should apply. In my retail life, I was a store manager and top stylist. Additionally, I love decorating spaces and I have a background in architecture and set design from Dalhousie University, so I jumped in. I took the permittee test, and failed the first time, but with some mentorship, was able to pass the next time around. In the first couple of years, I worked a lot of Day Calls, and then got onto the series A Million Little Things. I started as a Dresser, then became a Buyer, and by Season 2 was working as an Assistant Decorator. Having a background in HR and managing a business helped. It was still very difficult at times because it’s a world of interacting and collaborating with different directors and different departments, but it came out to be the most inspiring work because of what we accomplished as a team. For those starting out in the industry, people need to know it takes time. Give yourself a chance to learn new things and create a team with the crew. When you get to that level, it’s so awesome. The crew worked with such incredible synergy. You become more creative when the people around you are also lifted the same way you are. It’s magical.
2. What does Asian Heritage Month mean to you?
To be represented by 891 for Asian Heritage Month is such an honour. I’m the child of immigrants. We were a restaurant family – a family of labourers. We had no health or retirement benefits, or union to look to for support. We were on our own and responsible for ourselves. I value my Chinese heritage, and it gives me a different perspective on the importance of unionism and working together for the benefit of everyone. I think it’s important for people from diverse communities to see that a career in this industry is possible for them, and Asian Heritage Month is a good opportunity for me to showcase more people from my community. Visibility matters!
The black and white photo was taken in 1970 in Halifax, shortly before my family purchased the corner space on the left to create our family business – The Princess Restaurant. My high school was at the end of the street. I was the fifth child out of six children, and after high school I’d help with takeout orders, make egg rolls, run deliveries, and worked alongside my parents. It was an incredible journey for them to have a business and feed six kids plus my grandparents off it. My parents grew up in the 1940s in the province of Canton, China and had survived WW2. They lived by the motto: reduce, reuse, recycle. Through dedication and being frugal, they built a successful restaurant, and our family was then able to expand the business and purchase a second restaurant. My parents retired at the age of 57.
3. What inspired you to take on your new role of advancing union organizing as the new International Representative for Western Canada?
I spent eight years on the floor working in Set Dec. and am now three months into my new role. I knew that I wanted to keep helping others, and now I’m helping by building connections between workers on a large scale and networking with labour organizations. I have always believed that generally, people are stronger when they work together. I’m such a true believer in the union movement that it’s been a very natural transition for me to convey that message to workers. Organizing unrepresented workers isn’t about selling cars, it’s just talking to them and letting them know about the very real benefits of representation in the workplace. I like to give back and pass on what I’ve learned and help open doors for others. I want people to see ‘she did it’ and think ‘I can do it too’. That is the essence of why I am forging forward. I want creative fulfilling well-paid work accessible for anyone – female, and people of colour.
4. What you do you like most about the Union community, and what advice would you give members about getting more involved in the Union?
I was working for a few years before I found my crew and thought how can we give other people a chance to get involved in this industry? It took a few years to learn what IATSE is all about it, but I felt very welcomed, and saw how much the Union can help advance big picture thinking. I got to meet people I wouldn’t have met on the floor and see people showcasing skillsets that you can’t see on the floor. Attending meetings and conferences and getting involved more in the Union helps build camaraderie. Going to the Summer Institute for Union Women, for example, with other 891 members was great. I stay connected with the women I went to the conference with.
Nancy Hum-Balbosa giving a talk at the Summer Institute For Union Women in 2018.
The union community is all about support. Within IATSE and beyond, there’s a whole group of people who have pledged to stand together. We can accomplish incredible things as a collective. I love knowing that a group of people – often complete strangers – have my back, just like I have theirs. If you’re looking to get more involved in the Union community – and I hope everyone is – it’s all about showing up. I attended every conference, every department meeting. I showed up for everything. I just wanted to be involved and learn everything I could. The more you participate and learn, the more comfortable you become raising issues, taking on initiatives, and just shouldering some of the work that’s necessary to move us all forward.
891 Accounting member Jaqi Edwards (left) and Nancy Hum-Balbosa (right) attending a Unite Here local rally outside of Sonoma, California in 2018.
6. When it comes to the future of the motion picture industry, what’s one tangible thing you’d like to see change or improve?
I want to see the motion picture industry stay healthy and continue to grow. People need to keep working, and film jobs are not only creative, but they’re also good paying jobs. I’m a lifelong learner, and I appreciate how Local 891 and the IATSE International have expanded education opportunities. I am looking forward to the continued growth of education opportunities for members. Society evolves and technologies change, and I think that all of us – the Union and the members – have a responsibility to learn, adapt, and grow.
Help shine a light on other 891 members making BC’s motion picture community a great place to work. Email spotlight suggestions to communications@iatse.com and visit Ourwork.ca for more on the benefits of joining the Union. Questions about organizing in Western Canada? Contact IATSE International Representative Nancy Hum-Balbosa at nhumbalbosa@iatse.net.
