Official E-Newsletter of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local
November 30, 2015
IN THIS ISSUE New Member Orientation Low Budget Film Contracts CAFM Event Ticket Discount
New Member Orientation
National TV Show Sheet Volunteer at GCFD Feb. 5
Noon, Tuesday, Dec. 8
Election Workers Needed
Details below. New Member Orientation, Tuesday, Dec. 8 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 SAG-AFTRA Chicago'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. Noon, Tuesday, Dec. 8 Please call Kathy Nelsen at the SAG-AFTRA Chicago office, (312) 573-8081, ext. 2541, or email Kathy at kathy.nelsen@sagaftra.org to reserve your spot. Park 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 cash, $14 Visa, MasterCard or American Express payment. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure. The event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing, no guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome. You must bring your current membership card for admittance (paid through Oct. 31, 2015 or April 30, 2016).
Low Budget Film Contracts - What SAG-AFTRA Members Need to Know 5:30 - 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9 KMRC 1 E. Erie, Suite 660 Chicago, IL 60611 This seminar is a must-attend for anyone working on or planning to work on low budget films or Web series. 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 covered project. Ever wonder how to properly fill out a time sheet; how, where and when to sign your employment contract; or how to negotiate on your behalf? This is the workshop for you! Space is limited. RSVP to Kathy Byrne at kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org. Dinner will be served. You must be a current member of SAG-AFTRA (paid through Oct. 31, 2015 or April 30, 2016) or AEA to attend. Park 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 cash, $14 Visa, MasterCard or American Express payment. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure. Discount for CAFM Holiday Hurrah Tickets SAG-AFTRA members are eligible for a discount to the Chicago Acting in Film Meetup (CAFM) Holiday Hurrah fundraiser on Monday, Dec. 14. From now until Dec. 7, enter promotional code CCCP-SAGAF to save $10 off your ticket. More information including a link for tickets is available online. The Holiday Hurrah is the CAFM annual networking night and holiday fundraiser when the private meetup group goes public. This is its seventh year celebrating the entire Chicago Film Community with the last big party of the season. Proceeds from the event help fund the group's ongoing educational work, special industry events and outreach. The CAFM is a 501(c)3 nonprofit group. WHAT: CAFM Holiday Hurrah WHERE: Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago, IL WHEN: 7 to 11 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14 The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are 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 nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.
National TV Show Sheet There is a National TV Show Sheet located on the SAG-AFTRA website. You must log in as a member to view the information. When you log in to SAG-AFTRA and visit the Chicago page, select National TV Show in the column on the left. This is a listing of all SAG-AFTRA television series shooting throughout the country. All of Chicago's franchised talent agents also receive this information on a monthly basis. The Show Sheet is supplied for informational purposes only. SAG-AFTRA to Volunteer at GCFD Feb. 5 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. 5. 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. Serve the Community on Election Day. Do Good. Get Paid. The Cook County Clerk's office is recruiting community members to serve as suburban poll workers for the March 15, 2016, presidential primary. Poll workers are an essential part of the democratic process, as they both assist voters in their community and ensure the polling place is running smoothly. Poll workers are paid $175 or $325, depending on the position they choose. Visit cookcountyclerk.com/judges to learn more and apply. 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