I've heard even worse things, that they would allegedly firebomb the trucks of any competitors that came to work there if production tried to work-around them.
The only way to work with them, is bow to them and let them know they are Gods and you are hoping they will please let you shoot your movie on budget. If you shoot a movie for 99 Dollars and sell it for 100, you shoot another movie. If you shoot a movie for 101 and sell for 100, you failed. If you have less control over your shooting cost, you don't even want to go there. UNLESS, you have to shoot at that particular location.
I've heard even worse things, that they would allegedly firebomb the trucks of any competitors that came to work there if production tried to work-around them.
As a former member of that group, I cannot confirm nor deny that claim.
The only way to work with them, is bow to them and let them know they are Gods and you are hoping they will please let you shoot your movie on budget. If you shoot a movie for 99 Dollars and sell it for 100, you shoot another movie. If you shoot a movie for 101 and sell for 100, you failed. If you have less control over your shooting cost, you don't even want to go there. UNLESS, you have to shoot at that particular location.