PAMM FAIR, SAG DEPUTY NED, RESIGNS EFECTIVE DEC. 31, 2009

Pamm Fair, who joined the Screen Actors Guild staff in 2002 and served as a deputy national executive director, is resigning from the organization effective December 31, 2009. No immediate replacement will be named to her position and Fair remains on staff through the end of the year to transition responsibilities.

Screen Actors Guild National President Ken Howard said, “On behalf of the Guild, I want to thank Pamm for her contributions and service to SAG members and wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

National Executive Director David White said, “During her time with the Guild Pamm directed key efforts ranging from communications to high profile outreach. Over the last several years she has been engaged in redefining the Guild’s new media initiatives, organizing efforts and legislative advocacy on key Guild issues. Her contributions to the Guild have been varied and significant and I thank her for her dedicated service. I know I speak for all of us in wishing her continued success in this next phase of her journey.”

MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS-OCTOBER 2009

2009 National Membership Meeting October 18 and
Important Information about the Commercials Contract



[1] Join us at the 2009 National Membership Meeting, Saturday, October 18

[2] Important Information about The Commercials Contract

In observance of Columbus Day, Screen Actors Guild will be closed Monday, October 12.

[1] Join us at the 2009 National Membership Meeting, Saturday, October 18


Come be heard at the 2009 National Membership Meeting.

When: Saturday, October 18, 2009
2-3 p.m. – Mixer with national board, staff and members, visit Committee tables, sign-up for speakers list for an opportunity to speak at the microphone during the open forum section of meeting
3-6 p.m. – Meeting/Q&A



Where: Beverly Hills Ballroom at The Beverly Hilton
9876 Wilshire Blvd.

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

www.beverlyhilton.com



Parking: Parking will be validated. Please read all posted signage. Guild is not responsible for illegally parked vehicles.

Agenda:



· Reports by President Ken Howard, Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino and Interim National Executive Director David White

· Find out about SAG member events and activities

· Purchase thesagshop.com merchandise

· Register for SAG 24/7 and iActor®


No RSVP necessary. For more information call (323) 549-6447 or email specialevents@sag.org.

The membership meeting is only open to paid-up SAG members in good standing. Unfortunately, no guest allowed. Parents/guardians of young performers under 18 years-old are welcome. PLEASE BRING YOUR SAG MEMBERSHIP CARD FOR ADMITTANCE (paid thru October 31, 2009).

[2] Important Information about The Commercials Contract


Did you know?

You may have noticed the rapidly changing pace of the industry and of technology itself. It seems like every week a commercial breakdown comes out with new terminology in it that makes you question which Screen Actors Guild contract the job falls under. In an effort to clarify some commonly used terms and how they apply to the Commercials Contract, we have chosen two areas of discussion that we, the SAG staff, get questions on every day. We hope you find them useful.



#1 WEBISODES and WEB CONTENT

The term “webisode” is used to describe content that is made for and airs specifically on the Internet. For the framework of this discussion, the terms “webisode” and “web content” will be applied specifically to commercials and ad-related content. A webisode is a one-off commercial for an advertiser or a web series created for a long term campaign. A webisode or web content for an advertiser may or may not feature a product. Ad campaigns with overtly entertainment-based content and no typical commercial message are known as “branded entertainment” or “branded content.” With branded content, an advertiser attempts to link its product or service with a wider audience by adding another creative layer to its brand marketing strategy. Sometimes the advertiser will create a microsite–a webpage separate from the advertiser’s homepage that may have a different domain name – on which to air the webisode(s), so at first there may appear to be no direct link to the advertiser. Branded content/entertainment is financed by the advertiser. Under the Commercials Contract, a webisode can be anywhere from 15 seconds to 3 minutes in length. Any web content of significant length is evaluated by SAG staff to determine whether it falls under the Commercials Contract or the Industrial & Educational Contract. SAG has had jurisdiction over Internet commercials since 2000.



#2 MOBISODES and NEW MEDIA CONTENT

The term “mobisode” was originally coined to define television episodes that were reformatted for mobile devices/cell phones and for episodic content created specifically for mobile devices/cell phones. This term has expanded to include commercials and/or branded entertainment shown on mobile devices. Under the Commercials Contract, new media is defined as “digital, electronic, or any other type of delivery platform including, but not limited to, commercials delivered to mobile phones and other digital and electronic media. The term new media is intended to be all inclusive of digital, electronic or any other type of delivery platform, whether now known or unknown.” Please be aware that for commercials, the term new media does not apply to commercials on the Internet. A commercial that is available for viewing by using the web browser on a BlackBerry would be considered Internet use. A commercial that pops up on a cell phone via a digital network available only from a particular wireless provider (i.e., Verizon) would be considered new media use. SAG has had jurisdiction over new media commercials since 2006.



Questions? Please contact the Commercials Contract Department: Los Angeles (323) 549-6858 / New York (212) 827-1454

PRESIDENT HOWARD'S FIRST OFFICIAL APPEARANCE RECOGNIZES DIVERSITY

FROM THE SAG PRESS RELEASE:

LOS ANGELES (September 30, 2009)—Newly minted Screen Actors Guild National President Ken Howard made his first public appearance in his official capacity Monday night. The event was a SAG American Indian membership caucus hosted by SAG National President’s Task Force on American Indians, and SAG Affirmative Action & Diversity.

Howard’s remarks demonstrated his strong, personal commitment to diversity within the entertainment industry, which also has been an ongoing historical mission of Screen Actors Guild.

“”We all know the media does not accurately reflect the full range of the American Scene,” Howard said. And we all know we have not reached our goals for diverse portrayals or diverse casting.”

The president’s appearance served as a commencement of a wide variety of programs and initiatives honoring Screen Actors Guild’s Diversity Awareness Month in October. (Click here for a complete calendar of events.)

“By pulling together we can achieve a greater awareness and commitment to fair employment practices on the part of industry decision-makers and ultimately we will see expanded casting and hiring,” Howard told members.

But he noted that making strides is never easy.

Jaisey Bates, Vice-Chair, DeLanna Studi, National Chair, Ken Howard and Brian Wescott, Membership Caucus Subcommittee Chair
From left to right: Jaisey Bates, Vice-Chair, DeLanna Studi, National Chair, Ken Howard and Brian Wescott, Membership Caucus Subcommittee Chair

Howard related his own experiences in pitching The White Shadow to network television in the 1970s. The story chronicled the efforts of a white high school basketball coach working with a predominantly African American inner-city team. While the show was ultimately produced, achieving critical acclaim and syndication, there were initial concerns that audiences might not respond to a drama featuring so many non-Caucasian actors in major roles.

While views on diversity have evolved, there is more work to do and Screen Actors Guild members can help change attitudes, Howard said.

The audience, which included about a half dozen Writers Guild of America, West cardholders, also were empowered by a screening of a segment from the PBS miniseries Trail of Tears and subsequent panel discussion with casting director Rene Haynes, actor Russell Means, actor Tonantzin Carmelo, President’s National Task Force Chair Delanna Studi and SAG Affirmative Action Diversity National Director Rebecca Yee.

For more information about upcoming Diversity and Affirmative Action Events, check the Diversity page of SAG.org, or e-mail diversity@sag.org with questions.

REGIONAL BRANCH MEMBER ALERT: GET INVOLVED!

From SAG's press release:

There are a variety of ways in which a member can serve the Union and committee service is a great way to lend your talents, experience and knowledge of the industry to benefit the Guild and its members.

If you are interested in serving your Union, you are encouraged to complete the appropriate Committee Service Request Form for your Division and return it to the Regional Branch Division Office of Administration via email, fax, mail or in person. Once the completed form is received, the request will be forwarded to the appropriate Committee Chair for consideration. You will be notified by the Guild in November if you have been selected for service.

With the exception of a few committees, all committees are reconstituted following the Guild’s annual elections in September. Therefore, if you wish to be considered for service in the 2009-2010 Committee Year, please submit the appropriate Committee Service Request Form by September 30, 2009.

On the SAG Committee’s section of the website, you will also find information on the Guild’s committee structure as well as lists of committees and descriptions. If you have any further questions, we are here to help! Please contact Lisha Brock for more information at (972) 361-8185 or by email at lisha.brock@sag.org.

WGA WEST ELECTION RESULTS

Final Results of 2009 Officers and Board of Directors Election
From the WGA-W Press Release:

LOS ANGELES -- The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) has announced the final results of its 2009 WGAW Officers and Board of Directors election.

The following members were elected to serve as Officers: President – John Wells; Vice President – Tom Schulman; Secretary-Treasurer – David N. Weiss.

"I'm remarkably humbled by the membership returning me to the Presidency of the Guild. I look forward to working with the Board again and to working with David Young and his talented staff to meet the many challenges that lie ahead,” said Wells.

“My congratulations to John Wells for his success in a hard-fought campaign. And my congratulations to all members elected to the board. We writers can be somewhat argumentative and opinionated, as anyone who has ever sat around a writers’ table knows. This campaign certainly highlighted some our differences. Now, it's time to pull together and work for the benefit of us all,” said Elias Davis.

The following nine members were elected to the WGAW’s Board of Directors: Patric M. Verrone, Howard A. Rodman (inc.), Dan Wilcox (inc.), Linda Burstyn, Billy Ray, Steven Schwartz, Chip Johannessen, Carleton Eastlake, Ian Deitchman.

There was a tie for the eighth seat on the Board of Directors. Under the Guild’s constitution, both candidates will be seated.

NUMERICAL RESULTS: President: John Wells (1,191, 52.8%); Vice President: Tom Schulman (1,204, 55.5%), Secretary-Treasurer: David N. Weiss (1,114, 53.3%). Board of Directors: Patric M. Verrone (1,364, 10.1%), Howard A. Rodman (1, 270, 9.4%), Dan Wilcox (1,132, 8.4%), Linda Burstyn (953, 7.1%), Billy Ray (915, 6.8%), Steven Schwartz (914, 6.8%), Chip Johannessen (865, 6.4%), Carleton Eastlake (818, 6.1%), Ian Deitchman (818, 6.1%).

The Officers and Board members will serve for a term of two years, effective immediately.

OTHER RESULTS: Candidates for Officers: President: Elias Davis (1,066, 47.2%); Vice President: Howard Michael Gould (967, 44.5%); Secretary-Treasurer: Christopher Keyser (976, 46.7%). Candidates for members of the Board of Directors: Mick Betancourt (766, 5.7%), Jeff Lowell (745, 5.5%), Jan Oxenberg (725, 5.4%), Luvh Rakhe (636, 4.7%), David Wyatt (511, 3.8%), Jennifer Heath (437, 3.2%), Eric Wallace (273, 2.0%), Jed Weintrob (239, 1.8%).

A total of 2,348 valid ballots were cast, making this one of the largest election voter turnouts in WGAW history – illustrating ongoing Guild member engagement. The ballot count was supervised by Robbin Johnson of Pacific Election Services, Inc., an independent firm.

The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) is a labor union representing writers of motion pictures, television, radio and Internet programming, including news and documentaries. Founded in 1933, the Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members. It is involved in a wide range of programs that advance the interests of writers, and is active in public policy and legislative matters on the local, national and international levels. For more information on the WGAW, please visit: www.wga.org.

AFTRA PREZ REARDON ELECTED AFL-CIO V.P. FOR NATIONAL COUNCIL

AFTRA President Reardon Elected AFL-CIO Vice President to Serve on Executive Council

From the AFTRA Press Release:

PITTSBURGH (September 16, 2009)---Roberta Reardon, National President of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), released this statement today following her nomination and election to a seat on the AFL-CIO Executive Council and the election of Richard L. Trumka as president of the AFL-CIO: "I am profoundly honored to have been elected to serve on the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO, the nation's largest labor federation representing more than 11 million workers in 56 national and international labor unions. I would like to thank IATSE President Matt Loeb for his nomination and President Trumka for his support. I am deeply grateful to my fellow AFL-CIO Convention delegates for the honor of electing and entrusting me with this incredible responsibility. I look forward to serving on the Executive Council as a new opportunity to represent not only the members of my union, AFTRA, but all working men, women and children in the American labor movement.

"On behalf of the 70,000 members of AFTRA, I am delighted to congratulate Richard L. Trumka on his election as the new AFL-CIO President. As AFTRA members witnessed first-hand when then Secretary-Treasurer Trumka addressed our delegates at this summer's AFTRA Convention in Chicago, he is an effective, experienced and inspiring leader.

"President Trumka's impressive career in organized labor, first with the United Mine Workers of America as a staff attorney, board member and ultimately as their president, followed by his distinguished service as Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO since 1995, make him an excellent choice for AFL-CIO President. His knowledge of the diverse issues facing working men, women and children, and AFTRA members in particular - from the Employee Free Choice Act, the Performance Rights Act, meaningful health care reform, Internet piracy and media consolidation to the importance of protecting quality journalism and diversity in the workplace, make him exactly the kind of tough and visionary leader to propel the American Labor movement forward in the 21st century.

"We look forward to working closely with the dynamic team of President Trumka, Vice President Arlene Holt Baker and Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler as we work together to guide union members, and all Americans, back to the path of economic success and the bright future we all deserve.

"We extend our deep and heartfelt appreciation to outgoing AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney, for his courageous leadership and dedicated service during some of the most challenging years that working Americans have ever faced. Without his leadership, we would not be able to stand united with hope for our future. Whether airline pilots or nurses; longshoremen or administrative professionals; or performers, recording artists and broadcast journalists, the working families of America have had, and will continue to have, a strong advocate in our friend John Sweeney."

The AFL-CIO is governed by a quadrennial convention at which all federation members are represented by elected delegates of our unions. Convention delegates set broad policies and goals for the union movement and every four years elect the AFL-CIO officers-the president, secretary-treasurer, executive vice president and 43 vice presidents.

These officers make up the AFL-CIO Executive Council, which guides the daily work of the federation. The AFL-CIO Executive Council meets at least twice a year to consider important union movement business and policies. The council regularly issues statements on legislative measures affecting the interests of working families, ongoing struggles for justice for workers and more. An AFL-CIO General Board includes the Executive Council members, a chief officer of each affiliated union and the trade and industrial departments created by the AFL-CIO constitution and four regional representatives of the state federations. The General Board takes up matters referred to it by the Executive Council.

About AFTRA: The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO, are the people who entertain and inform America. In 32 Locals across the country, AFTRA members work as actors, journalists, singers, dancers, announcers, hosts, comedians, disc jockeys, and other performers across the media industries including television, radio, cable, sound recordings, music videos, commercials, audio books, non-broadcast industrials, interactive games, the Internet and other digital media. The 70,000 professional performers, broadcasters, and recording artists of AFTRA are working together to protect and improve their jobs, lives, and communities in the 21st century. From new art forms to new technology, AFTRA members embrace change in their work and craft to enhance American culture and society. Visit AFTRA online at http://www.aftra.com/.

SAG MEMBERS: HOLLYWOOD DISABILITIES FORUM IN OCTOBER

FROM SAG 9/15/09

ATTENTION PERFORMERS WITH DISABILITIES
Seeking Submissions for Actors Master Class
at Hollywood Disabilities Forum
October 24, 2009

I AM PWD* – Inclusion in the Arts and Media of People With Disabilities – in partnership with WGAW Writers with Disabilities Committee and Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts, will host an executive industry conference on accuracy and inclusion of and access for people with disabilities in entertainment on Saturday, October 24, 2009.

SEEKING PERFORMERS:
A portion of the Hollywood Disabilities Forum will include an Actors Master Class for performers with disabilities. April Webster of April Webster and Associates Casting will be selecting performers to participate who will then be paired with another performer and given a short scene to memorize and rehearse before the class. The scenes will then be presented on the day of the forum, with highly-regarded actors and/or directors in the industry who will work with the actors in front of an invited audience of fellow performers and industry professionals. The dual purposes of the class is to provide awareness to industry decision makers of the wealth of untapped professional disabled actors out there ready to work, while the performers are given invaluable instruction in their craft.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING:
Eligibility requirements: You must be a performer with a disability and a member in good standing of Actors’ Equity Association, AFTRA or SAG.

Submission deadline: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 no later than 4 p.m.

· ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS AND HAND-DELIVERIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER SEPTEMBER 23.
· MAILED SUBMISSIONS POSTMARKED AFTER SEPTEMBER 23 WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Submission guidelines:
· Please submit ONE headshot and resume along with a cover letter.
· If necessary, please indicate any accommodations you may need in your cover letter.
· Please do not submit DVDs, CDs, reels, or audio files.
· You can submit via email, via mail or via hand-delivery—follow the instructions below:
Email: You can email your headshot, resume and cover letter to diversity@sag.org

SAG members can also submit their iActor profile by emailing it to: diversity@sag.org
Please include your cover letter in the body of the email message.

Performers who have profiles on Breakdown Services http://www.breakdownservices.com/ or Actor Access http://www.actorsaccess.com/ are able to submit via email by sending it to diversity@sag.org

REGULAR MAIL:
Screen Actors Guild
Affirmative Action & Diversity
Attn: I AM PWD Actors Master Class
5757 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036

DROP-OFF SITES (no later than 4 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23):
Please feel free to hand-deliver your headshot, resume and cover letter to any of these locations during regular business hours:

Actors’ Equity Association Actors’ Equity Association
Attn: IAMPWD Actors Master Class Attn: IAMPWD Actors Master Class
6755 Hollywood Blvd. 165 W 46th Street
5th floor (entrance on McCadden Place) New York, NY 10036
Hollywood, CA 90028

AFTRA AFTRA
Attn: IAMPWD Actors Master Class Attn: IAMPWD Actors Master Class
5757 Wilshire Blvd. – 9th Floor 260 Madison Avenue – 7th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036 New York, NY 10016

Screen Actors Guild Screen Actors Guild
Affirmative Action & Diversity Affirmative Action & Diversity
Attn: IAMPWD Actors Master Class Attn: IAMPWD Actors Master Class
5757 Wilshire Blvd. – 7th Floor 360 Madison Avenue – 12th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036 New York, NY 10017

Performers selected to audition will be contacted no later than Tuesday, September 29 and must be available for auditions on Friday, October 1 or Thursday, October 2.
Final selections will be made the week of October 5.
MUST BE AVAILABLE on Saturday, October 24 in Los Angeles, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. for the Actors Master Class.

Please call (323-549-6644) or email (diversity@sag.org) us with any questions.

THANK YOU!

*I AM PWD is a national civil rights campaign seeking equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities throughout the entertainment and news media. I AM PWD was founded by members of Screen Actors Guild, AFTRA and Actors’ Equity Association to bring media and public attention to the issues of media access, inclusion and accuracy for people with disabilities.

AFTRA: 34 MILLION REASONS WHY BEING UNION MATTERS

From the AFTRA Press release: 34.4 Million Reasons Why Being Union Matters

As reported at the 2009 AFTRA National Convention, AFTRA recovered more than $34.4 million in claims and H&R contributions for AFTRA members since the last Convention in the summer of 2007.

This is real money that your union has pursued against employers and returned to AFTRA members. Although most of these claims were initiated by the union office through AFTRA’s normal enforcement and compliance efforts, some claims were initiated based on information we receive from you – the members – about late payments or payments not received at all, or discrepancies between your AFTRA H&R Earnings Report and your pay stubs, or seeing your commercial or TV show re-run but not receiving your residual.

As a professional performer or journalist, stay vigilant and keep track of your earnings. Learn about what your AFTRA contract guarantees. Check your payments against your own records and time sheets. If you notice a mistake or have any questions, contact your AFTRA office right away, and we’ll help you figure it out.

In this economy, every dollar counts, and AFTRA is here to help make sure that you and your family get all the money and benefits you deserve.

Learn more at http://www.aftra.com/