The Activator - Feb. 10, 2014

Official E-Newsletter of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local

Feb. 10, 2014

IN THIS ISSUE Brand & Market Yourself Chicago Radio Players Feb. 26

Diversity Committee Presents

Welcome to The Singer's Notes Chicago W&W Details KMRC Committee Meeting Freelance Tidbit

Seize The Day: Brand & Market Yourself

2014 Scholarships Holiday Schedule

Details below.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local's Diversity Committee Presents Seize The Day: Brand & Market Yourself To be successful in today's workplace, it is critical that all learn to brand and market themselves. A famous quote supports this: "Luck is where preparation meets opportunity." Branding and marketing yourself creates luck.

Give yourself some leverage. Get educated in all the things relating to branding and marketing yourself. This event is open to SAG-AFTRA and AEA members in good standing.

8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 Scheduled Presenters: Tony Castillo, Cedric Young, Craig Harris and Joe Wright Continental breakfast and a cold lunch are included.

RSVP to Kathy Byrne at kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org.

Park for $14 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 12-hour ticket for $14. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure. Cash only.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago Radio Players Feb. 26 The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Blood Money Caper Hard-boiled detective Sam Spade is on the case of the biggest bank robbery in San Francisco history. This triggers the bloody battle of Montgomery Street. Who is behind it all? You will be surprised! Sam earns his fee in spades in this action-packed adventure.

Easy Aces: Betty's Marital Problem A Chicago original! This subtle, easygoing comedy was created by Goodwin Ace and featured his wife Jane as The Mistress of Misinformation. She always proved to be "the fly in the oatmeal." This episode features Jane's niece with a unique dilemma that must be solved by Jane. Low-key comedy at its finest!

Director: Parker Gronwold Producer: Mercita De Monk 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) Wednesday, Feb. 26 Claudia Cassidy Theater, 77 E. Randolph (at Michigan Avenue) Admission is free, however seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

We welcome a new feature to The Activator, The Singer's Notes, written by Greta Pope, co-chair of SAG-AFTRA Chicago's Singers Committee. Developed to address "all things singer," Greta welcomes your input. To join the Singers Committee or to send comments, questions or topic ideas to the staff liaison for singers, please email Jolene Jones at jolene.jones@sagaftra.org.

The Singer's Notes

By Dr. Greta Pope I am excited to be elected to leadership of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local Singers Committee. Joe Wright and I are serving as co-chairs for this important committee. Work is well underway and our active committee member numbers are growing. We hope that you will join the Singers Committee and participate in the planning for our future. Let your voice be heard. Join us!

At a retreat in October, the committee established a new mission: To build a stronger SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local singers community, where singers will enjoy greater opportunity for work, continuing education and individual improvement, thereby bringing about greater singer loyalty to SAG-AFTRA. I am delighted to have recently been appointed to the SAG-AFTRA National Singers Committee. I will regularly report that news to you, too.

In addition to communicating local and national singer news, The Singer's Notes will also share tips to help you build a successful career as a singer. Our Chicago Local landscape has changed and we must change with it to remain viable as singers in this marketplace.

Next up, in The Activator's March 10 issue: The Business Plan, steps to develop and follow yours.

Chicago W&W Details SAG-AFTRA Chicago will hold two more Wages and Working Conditions (W&W) meetings in preparation for negotiation of the TV/Theatrical-Exhibit A Contracts that expire June 30. All performers who work under the film or television agreements are encouraged to attend to give input on the contract and possible proposals for the negotiating team.

Thursday, Feb. 13, noon - Principals Thursday, Feb. 27, 6 p.m. - Principals (This meeting includes reviewing all proposals to date and developing recommendations to submit to National W&W Committee.)

Location: SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local, 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.

Attention Members who are Actively Producing: SAG-AFTRA members who are actively producing cannot attend the W&W Committee meetings due to conflict of interest. However, you are welcome to email your suggestions to kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org by Feb 26.

KMRC Committee Meeting Noon, Wednesday, Feb. 26 Join the Kaufherr Members Resource Center Committee and play a role in guaranteeing that the KMRC continues to be a valuable resource. Your input is important to the KMRC and the many members who use it.

Whatever your skills or areas of interest are, your help is needed. There is always much work to do. To join the committee or to RSVP for the Feb. 26 meeting, email Kathy Byrne at kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org.

Freelance Tidbit Producers are allowed to call performers for a third or fourth commercial audition without payment for the first two hours if the producer: a) limits the audition to three or fewer performers per role; and b) none of the performers are auditioning for the role for the first time.

2014 Scholarship Applications Now Available AFTRA Foundation's George Heller Memorial Scholarship Fund The George Heller Memorial Scholarship Fund of the AFTRA Foundation was established to honor the key founder of AFTRA, George Heller, and now memorializes him as well as many other union members and executives.

Scholarships are offered by the foundation to SAG-AFTRA members and their dependents for academic study in any field, including broadcast journalism and labor relations or for professional training in the arts.

Visit the AFTRA Foundation website for information, guidelines and applications. The deadline for submission of applications - including all required materials - is May 1.

SAG Foundation's John L. Dales Scholarship Program The Screen Actors Guild Foundation announces the 2014 John L. Dales Scholarship Program for eligible SAG-AFTRA members and their children.

Established in 1973 to honor John L. Dales, who served as the SAG executive secretary for 37 years, the Dales Scholarship Program has provided more than 1,500 scholarships to members and their children who are pursuing their educational dreams.

Visit the SAG Foundation website for information, guidelines and applications. Applications must be postmarked by March 15.

Holiday Schedule for Office and KMRC The SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local office and the KMRC will close on Monday, Feb. 17 in observance of Presidents Day. 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.