Chicago Cameraman
Still Rolling After 50 Years

June 2005 IBEW Journal

Chicago Local 1220 member Verne W. Blakeley, Jr.’s career reads like the history of the last half of the 20th century. The versatile cameraman witnessed historic moments behind the lens of his camera, filming Edward R. Murrow, Ed Sullivan USO shows at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the Kennedy-Nixon debates. Broadcast across America, the celluloid highlights of his career have earned a place in the American cultural lexicon.

"We learned a lot from each-other back then, and everybody, including talent and producers, were equals," Blakeley said. "Today, the only place left for that is in our union."The operating engineer who today works at WGN-TV in Chicago got his start in television in 1954, back when cameras had names like RCA and Norelco. He received his 50-year pin this year, and is still rolling with the changes. Digital is the technology de jour today and at 75, Blakeley has no plans to retire."I’m learning high-def now," he said. "You’ve got to keep the brain active or else."During his full career, Blakeley has done both studio and remote work, in the lingo of the business. He shot the game show "What’s My Line," baseball, basketball, wrestling, boxing and hockey. He was even aboard the USS Enterprise when John Glenn made the first orbits of the Earth, NASA’s first step to the moon.

"What’s amazing about him is he’s been able to adapt to the rapid change of technology in this industry," said Local 1220 Business Manager Robert Wratschko. "This in itself is a huge accomplishment."