The Chicago Activator - Jan. 20, 2015

Official E-Newsletter of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local

IN THIS ISSUE

Jan. 20, 2015

Don't miss the 21st Annual

Screen Actors Guild Awards速

New Member Orientation Network Code Ratified

Sunday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. (CT) simulcast live on TNT and TBS

Working on Low-Budget Films Volunteer at GCFD Join the Rep Team Forum on Mental Health Services Senior Radio Players Union Plus

Visit the SAG Awards at sagawards.org for more information.

You can also follow the SAG Awards on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

New Member Orientation, Tuesday, Feb. 10 New members represent the future for SAG-AFTRA. The more knowledgeable they are, the stronger our union and all members are. The goal of the New Members Subcommittee of the SAGAFTRA Chicago Local's Community Outreach, Community Organizing committee is to educate, engage and empower professional actors from the moment they become union members.

The new member orientation event is only one part of that process. Topics covered include every step involved in the union experience, from initiation fees and the dues structure to the correct way to execute member reports and contracts. Other areas include agents and commissions, casting directors, resolving claims, health coverage, set demeanor, committees, staff and a variety of member benefits.

New member orientations are not just for new members. Whether you joined yesterday or 20 years ago, all members in good standing are welcome. Plan now to attend the next new membership orientation and stay informed.

Tuesday, Feb. 10 5:30 p.m. dinner, 6 - 8 p.m. meeting Please call Kathy Nelsen at the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local office, (312) 573-8081 ext. 2541, or email Kathy at kathy.nelsen@sagaftra.org to reserve your spot.

Park for $13 at 10 East Ontario. Enter on the north side of Ontario between Wabash and State, and then take a ticket. When you sign in, you may purchase a four-hour ticket for $13. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure. Cash only.

SAG-AFTRA Members Ratify Network Television Code Members of SAG-AFTRA voted to ratify the 2014 SAG-AFTRA National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting (Network Television Code). The vote was 96.5 percent in favor of the new contract.

More information and details about the new contract are available online.

Employment under the Network Television Code generates more than $200 million a year in covered member earnings. The code covers programming in all television day parts (except for scripted primetime programs on the networks and the CW, which is covered under the SAGAFTRA Television Agreement) and programming produced for digital media. Covered programs include morning news shows, talk shows, serials (soap operas), variety, reality, contest, sports, dramas in first-run syndication and promotional announcements. Current programs covered by this contract include CBS This Morning, The View, Jeopardy, General Hospital, Saturday Night Live, Dancing with the Stars, The Voice, Survivor, 60 Minutes and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, among many others.

Everything You Wanted to Know about Working on Low-Budget Films, but Were Afraid to Ask 5:30 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24 KMRC 1 E. Erie, Suite 660 Chicago, IL Are you and a bunch of your friends getting together and making short films? Webisodes? Spec TV pilots? Didn't think you needed to worry about being under contract? Well ...

This is your chance to ask all of your questions about working in low-budget films. And, you'll probably get the answers to some questions you haven't even thought of yet. Remember, as a SAG-AFTRA member, you need to be under contract for all work that you do. This includes student films, your best friend's pet project, and your self-produced short film and "no-budget" features.

Find out what to expect on set and how these films differ from the studio features and episodic television shows that you are used to. Learn where to find out about these auditions and how to flip a non-union film to a SAG-AFTRA signatory project.

Ever wonder how to properly fill out a time sheet; how, where and when to sign your employment contract; or how to negotiate? This is the workshop for you!

Space is limited. RSVP to Kathy Byrne at kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org. Dinner will be served.

Park for $13 at 10 East Ontario. Enter on the north side of Ontario between Wabash and State, then take a ticket. When you sign in, you may purchase a four-hour ticket for $13. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure. Cash only please.

SAG-AFTRA to Volunteer at GCFD Feb. 13 The SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local is returning to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Join staff and members from 9 - 11:45 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 13. The GCFD is at 4100 W. Ann Lurie Place in Chicago. This is near Midway Airport. Free parking is available.

We never know exactly what we'll be doing, but volunteer opportunities include repacking bulk products to individual/family sizes, assembling boxes with assorted food, checking expiration dates, labeling products, sorting products, etc. Participants must be at least 14 years old.

The GCFD is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people and striving to end hunger in our community. The GCFD distributes donated and purchased food through a network of 650 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to 678,000 adults and children in Cook County every year.

This event is open to everyone. Please ask family and friends to join you. To volunteer, please RSVP to Linda Swenson at linda.swenson@sagaftra.org.

Join the Rep Team Hey SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local members: We are looking for members to become part of the Rep Team. What is the Rep Team? The Rep Team is made up of SAG-AFTRA members who reach out to theater majors and film students at local colleges and attend local film-related functions like the Women in Film Focus Awards, Midwest Independent Film Festival, etc.

If you are interested in being considered to serve on the Rep Team in 2015, please contact Kathy Byrne at kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org for the next training date.

A News Forum on Gaps in Mental Health Services Community Media Workshop is hosting a news forum on mental health issues in Chicago. The panel features prominent activists and providers of mental health services.

The CMW news forum series is intended to introduce journalists to expert sources for stories on critical topics within Chicago communities.

When: 6 - 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 Where: Columbia College Chicago, 33 E. Congress Parkway

This event is free to attend. Please register on the Facebook event page.

This information is provided as a service to SAG-AFTRA members. The event is administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement by the union.

Save the Date Don't miss the SAG-AFTRA Senior Radio Players next performance on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)

Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center 77 E. Randolph (at Michigan) Admission is free, however seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Get Rollover Data from AT&T Wireless Starting Jan. 25 With a 15-percent monthly discount and up to $250 cash rebates from Union Plus, union members already have plenty of reasons to choose AT&T Wireless. Starting Jan. 25, new and existing AT&T Mobile Share Value customers can carry unused mobile data from one month into the following month with no signing up and no additional cost.

Log on to Union Plus for more information and for details on other discounts available to SAG-AFTRA members from AT&T wireless.

In response to members' requests to stay informed, The Activator may include notice of rallies, pickets and other actions by unions and the labor movement that have not been sanctioned by the National or Chicago Board of Directors of SAG-AFTRA. This information is provided as a convenience.

The information contained herein regarding workshops, vendors, special offers and the like is provided for informational purposes and is not intended to imply endorsement by SAG-AFTRA of them or the information, material, products or services provided. SAG-AFTRA makes no warranties or representations regarding the use of the material or the quality of the services or service providers.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago: (312) 573-8081 Email: chicago@sagaftra.org Website: SAGAFTRA.org