The Activator - Feb. 24, 2014

Official E-Newsletter of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local

IN THIS ISSUE

Feb. 24, 2014

Hey All You Party Planners...

KMRC Committee Feb. 26 Senior Radio Players Feb. 26 W&W Meeting

We Need Your Help!

Volunteer at GCFD Mar. 28 Get Your Mind & Body On Track Freelance Tidbit

The KMRC Committee is planning its second annual fundraiser at the Mayne Stage on Monday, May 19. We need your help!

Creative Chicago Expo The Latino Media Explosion Health Care Town Hall.

If you can help with ticket sales, securing silent auction items, public relations, social media outreach and other details, let us know!

To volunteer for this terrific event, please contact Kathy Byrne at kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org.

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.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago Senior 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 the Mistress of Misinformation's niece with a unique dilemma that must be solved by the Mistress of Misinformation. 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.

Important Negotiation Meeting Thursday SAG-AFTRA Chicago will hold one more Wages and Working Conditions (W&W) meeting 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.

6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27 - Principals (This meeting includes reviewing all proposals to date and developing recommendations to submit to the 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.

SAG-AFTRA to Volunteer at GCFD on March 28 SAG-AFTRA Chicago is once again returning to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Join staff and members from 9 a.m. - noon on Friday, March 28. The GCFD is at 4100 West 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 Greater Chicago Food Depository is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while 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.

We still have 25 spaces to fill. Please invite your family and friends to join you and volunteer today.

To participate, please RSVP to Linda Swenson at linda.swenson@sagaftra.org by March 17, 2014.

Get Your Mind And Body Back On Track It's been snowy and cold. That's your excuse for not working on your resolution to get your mind and body in shape - or to find new ways keep it that way.

For actors, your body is a very important instrument. It has to be physically, mentally and emotionally together to handle the challenges of a successful acting career. This workshop will offer tips and techniques to get and keep your acting temple fit.

Come to this interactive workshop prepared to move and participate. Dress comfortably. Led by SAG-AFTRA member Troy Pryor, certified personal trainer and owner of Pryor Fitness, the evening will begin with some body work.

Once you have the tools to keep your body in its best shape possible, Courtney Rioux, SAGAFTRA actor and certified life coach, will lead a GLEE workshop: Goals, Limiting beliefs, Emotional mastery & Examining your Six Human Needs.   

Find more happiness, peace and confidence.

Stop letting fear and stressful thoughts get in your way of success.

Figure out exactly what you want and how to get it now!

When: 6 - 8 p.m. Monday, March 10 Where: Kaufherr Members Resource Center (KMRC), 1 E. Erie, Suite 660, Chicago, IL 60611 RSVP to Kathy Byrne, kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org or (312) 573-8081, ext. 508.

Freelance Tidbit Hey, all of you smartphone users. Have you ever shown up on a set, signed your contract, and there isn't an extra copy for you? You know you want it for your records. Next time, take a picture (or two) with your smart phone!

Say Goodbye to Stamps and Envelopes!

SAG-AFTRA now offers free, paperless billing of your membership dues via your preferred email account. Receiving and paying your dues bill online is efficient and environmentally friendly.

Log in to your member account at SAGAFTRA.org and sign up today. To learn more, visit SAGAFTRA.org/onlinebilling.

11th Annual Creative Chicago Expo - Moving Forward Keynote speakers include film producer Robert Teitel When: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15 Where: Chicago Cultural Center 78 E. Washington St. Chicago, IL 60602 Admission is free. No RSVP needed.

The Creative Chicago Expo connects Chicago's creative community with resources they need to thrive. More than 30 workshops and 140 exhibitors contribute to make this event a must-do for professional and aspiring designers, musicians, filmmakers, actors, artists and others.

SAG-AFTRA members Tony Castillo and Cedric Young are conducting a workshop, Marketing for the Individual Artist, at noon on Saturday, March 15. Other workshop presenters include Kickstarter, Lawyers for the Creative Arts, Kartemquin Films, Links Hall, Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy and Fractured Atlas.

Accessibility:

Accessible entrance, 77 E. Randolph St. Accessible restroom facilities.

Wheelchairs available, see information desk or call in advance to reserve.

ASL interpreters are provided with 72 hours' notice.

Assisted listening devices available for public events.

More information available at City of Chicago online.

Just Say SĂ­!: The Latino Media Explosion - Opportunities In Any Language Live Stream Educational Event, Tuesday, March 18 Hispanics are the fastest-growing demographic in the United States. Bilingual, bicultural, secondgeneration and third-generation Hispanics have seized the imagination of advertisers, distributors, producers and content providers, creating an explosion in Latino media.

There is a proliferation of content being created in English to capture the attention and buying power of this important and growing market, while not ignoring the landscape and strength of the Spanish-language audience.

Presented by the SAG-AFTRA Spanish Language Media Committee, MOVE LA and MOVE NY, don't miss a fantastic opportunity to learn about this segment of our industry, how it affects you and how to best realize opportunities in your market - whether you speak or work in EspaĂąol, English or both!

Chicago members are invited to the KMRC to view the event live-streamed from Los Angeles with panelists and members participating via video conference in New York and Miami.

When: 6 - 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 18 Where: KMRC, 1 East Erie, Suite 660, Chicago RSVP: Chicago@sagaftra.org, please include 'Latino Media' in the subject line.

Chicago Artists Health Care Town Hall Too many artists are uninsured! Learn how to obtain health insurance with full benefits at a reasonable cost.

6 - 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 19 Kaufherr Members Resource Center 1 East Erie, Suite 660, Chicago Learn about the Affordable Care Act and how to sign up for insurance in Illinois.

Find an affordable health insurance plan that cannot deny coverage for pre-existing conditions and covers doctor and hospital visits, maternity care and prescription drugs.

Connect with Chicago-area health resources for people in the arts.

If you qualify, you can also enroll into the Illinois Medicaid program.

Trained Enrollment Navigators will provide individual assistance to help you sign up for a health plan.

RSVP to Chicago@sagaftra.org with 'Health Care' in the subject line.

Admission is free and open to all Illinois residents. You do not need to be a SAG-AFTRA member to attend.

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

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.