The Chicago Activator - Dec. 17, 2013

Issue: #25

Dec. 17, 2013

IN THIS ISSUE RSVP for SAG Awards Party Rita Moreno to be Honored

Don't miss Chicago's

Chicago W&W Details KPBS Staffers Join Union Movie Tickets Freelance Tidbit

SAG Awards Viewing Party Saturday, Jan. 18

Musicians Dental Clinic in Chicago Holiday Schedule

Details below.

RSVP Now for SAG Awards Viewing Party Saturday, Jan. 18 Rockit Bar & Grill, 22 W. Hubbard, Chicago rockitbarandgrill.com 5:30 - 7 p.m.: Cash bar and light appetizers 7 p.m.: Watch the 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards速 Open to SAG-AFTRA members in good standing, this special event is free to members, guests are $10. One free drink and appetizers during cocktail hour are included. There is a special seating section for young performers.

You must RSVP - space is limited. RSVP to kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org or (312) 573-8081, ext.

508. Please RSVP by Jan. 10.

For Your Consideration If your November dues bill was paid by Dec. 2, you are eligible for SAG Awards voting and any For Your Consideration offers. Register at SagAwardsRSVP.org for Screen Actors Guild Awards updates and screening invitations. Follow the SAG Awards on Facebook, Twitter and SAGAwards.org.

Rita Moreno to be Honored with 2013 SAG Life Achievement Award Groundbreaking actor, singer, dancer, author and educator Rita Moreno has been named the 50th recipient of SAG-AFTRA's highest tribute: the SAG Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment. Given annually to an actor who fosters the "finest ideals of the acting profession," the SAG Life Achievement Award will join Moreno's rare catalog of preeminent industry and public honors, which also includes an Oscar, two Emmys, a Tony, a Grammy, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of the Arts. Moreno will be presented the performers union's top accolade at the 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards速, which will be simulcast live on TNT and TBS on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. (CT).

At 82, Rita Moreno continues to embody the creative diversity that has been the hallmark of her nearly 70-year career. She is one of only 11 artists and the only Hispanic performer to have won the entertainment industry's four top competitive awards.

For a complete list of this year's nominees, please visit SAGAwards.org.

Chicago W&W Details SAG-AFTRA Chicago will hold Wages and Working Conditions (W&W) meetings and caucuses in preparation for negotiation of the TV/Theatrical-Exhibit A Contracts that expire June 30, 2014. All performers who work under the Film or Television Agreements are encouraged to attend at least one of the meetings to give input on the contract and possible proposals for the negotiating team.

Watch your email and future Activators for further details.

Wednesday, Jan. 15, noon - Background Performer Caucus Monday, Jan. 20, noon - Principals Monday, Feb. 3, 6 p.m. - Stunt Performer Caucus Thursday, Feb. 13, noon - Principals Thursday, Feb. 27, 6 p.m. - Principals Location: SAG-AFTRA Chicago, 1 East Erie, Suite 650, Chicago, IL 60611 You must be a Chicago Local member in good standing and RSVP in advance to Kathy Byrne at kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org to participate. If you park in the garage at 10 East Ontario, your parking will be paid.

KPBS Staffers Join Union In November, staff at KPBS public radio and television in San Diego voted to recognize SAGAFTRA as their union. The new bargaining unit will cover 55 public media professionals who produce, report, host and present content for television, radio and the Internet. This election allows them to move forward to negotiate a first contract.

"KPBS provides a unique and valuable service to the San Diego community," said Peggy Pico, host of Evening Edition for KPBS. "We look forward to a role in decision-making and to starting our negotiations."

The election was conducted today by the National Labor Relations Board, Region 21.

"We will be standing with you to ensure that your quest for a real voice at work, guaranteed by a binding union contract, is heard and respected," SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard, Executive Vice President Gabrielle Carteris, Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino and National Vice President, Broadcasters Catherine Brown said in a statement to KPBS staff.

KPBS is the second public media station in Southern California to organize with SAG-AFTRA this year. In January, staff of KPCC in Pasadena voted to join SAG-AFTRA. SAG-AFTRA also represents public media professionals at National Public Radio, KQED in San Francisco, WNYC in New York and other stations.

Movie Tickets The SAG-AFTRA Chicago office now offers discount tickets for use at AMC theaters. Tickets must be purchased in person, $7 each, two-ticket minimum. Cash, Visa, MasterCard or American Express accepted. Some restrictions apply - including not valid for first 10 days of run - but tickets no longer expire. They are good until you use them.

Please call the office for specifics and to confirm availability at (312) 573-8081, Ext. 712 or 541.

You can also email chicago@sagaftra.org. Log on to amcentertainment.com for participating theater locations and schedules.

Freelance Tidbit Always know the MPU (Maximum Period of Use) of all your commercials so that you or your agent can issue a timely renegotiation notice to the signatory. If your commercials are not renegotiated, the signatory will simply continue paying the original rates for another 21 months. By the way, commission is no longer to be paid to your franchised agent if the commercial is rolled over at scale.

Musicians Dental Clinic in Chicago MusiCares, in collaboration with Chicago AFM and Smiles Programs, will host a free dental clinic for music professionals.* Eligible patients will receive a complete dental exam, bitewing X-rays and a dental cleaning free of charge. All appointments must be scheduled in advance.

9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Jan. 7 Chicago AFM, 656 W. Randolph Suite 2W, Chicago, IL 60661 *To qualify, participants must document at least five years professional music career history.

Please call MusiCares at (877) 303-6962 for more information and to obtain an application.

Please note that nothing herein constitutes or is intended to imply an endorsement of any individual or company participating in this event.

Holiday Schedule for Office and KMRC The SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local office and the KMRC will close on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 24 and 25, and Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec 31 and Jan. 1.

To provide members with evening access to the center during the holidays, the KMRC is open until 9 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 23 and on Thursday, Jan. 2.

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 Hotline: (312) 867-3710 Email: chicago@sagaftra.org WEBSITE SAGAFTRA.org.