Cirrus@Austlit

'The article makes use of an, as yet, unpublished archive that documents the process of unionization between the early television industry in the mid-1950s and the primary entertainment union at the time, the Australian Theatrical and Amusement Employees’ Association. The article uses this archive to explore intersections among the creative production industries of radio, film, and theatre, and how this network responded to the entrance of Australian television. Lastly, it uses these findings to argue for more pervasive historical patterns that involve the entrance of disruptive media technologies, industry standardization and professionalization, immigration, cultures of creative labour, and trade unions. These findings present a fruitful understanding of how new technology affects the nature of creative work and its organization.' (Publication abstract)