A few cost-cutting measures

In addition to restricting long-distance calls in Fort Lauderdale (see previous post), plans to cut more costs include shrinking the paper width in Chicago (will other Trib papers follow?) and using Los Angeles employees to shoot a promotional commercial.

In a memo to employees we found on FishbowlLA, LAT creatives invite mom and dad exempt staffers who "smile big, yell and get excited" to volunteer to participate in a crowd scene for the shoot. Sounds fun.

We just hope the LA script actually calls for LAT employees, because in a city full of union-represented talent (AFTRA, SAG), we'd hate to think the company would use its own people to avoid paying for professional actors. (end of post)