Official E-Newsletter of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local
March 20, 2017
IN THIS ISSUE Chicago Women in Film Brand & Market Yourself Commercial Audition Conservatory Asian Pacific American Media Committee Event
March to Success this Spring with a Variety of Events
Election Workers Needed
details below
New Member Orientation
The National Women's Committee of SAG-AFTRA Celebrates Chicago Women in Film A now-famous Chicago actor once said in an interview that since he could not find a producer to hire him, he became a producer and hired himself. On Friday, March 31, we will be celebrating women filmmakers who made the definitive choice that rather than look to others for opportunities, they would create them for themselves. Panelists include: Erica Weiss is a Jeff-nominated theater director and filmmaker based in Chicago. Her primary passions lie in the development of new work and bringing female voices to the stage and screen. Along with longtime collaborator Caitlin Parrish, she co-directed The View from Tall, which has screened at the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Chicago International Film Festival. Mary Kay Cook, a SAG-AFTRA member and co-producer of the film The View from Tall. Cook is an award-winning independent film producer with credits spanning multiple mediums, including features, documentaries, short films and web series. Susan Kerns is an assistant professor at Columbia College Chicago and the founder of the Feminist Film Festival. She has produced and/or directed six short films, wrote the feature Little Red (currently streaming) and is producing the feature documentary Manlife: The Last of the Lawsonians. Rae Shaw is a writer, director, producer and graduate of the University of Chicago, where she debuted her award-winning film Soap & Roses. We will be interviewing her by Skype from Los Angeles. She will share what it's like for a woman of color to break into a facet of the business dominated by white males. Don't miss this fun, inspiring and empowering event! When: Friday, March 31
Dinner at 5:30 p.m., discussion 6 - 8 p.m. Where: Kaufherr Members Resource Center (KMRC) 1 E. Erie, Suite 660 Chicago, IL 60611 RSVP to Kathy Byrne at kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org Park for $15 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 $15. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure. Cash only, otherwise add $1 for credit card purchase. This meeting is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing. Unfortunately, no guests allowed. Parents/guardians of younger performers under 18 years old are welcome. SAGAFTRA members, please bring your membership card (paid through April 30, 2017) for admittance. SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local's Diversity Committee Presents Seize the Day: Brand & Market Yourself - Saturday, March 25 Give yourself some leverage. Be proactive. Join us to see how to best brand and market yourself. This event is open to SAG-AFTRA and AEA members in good standing. Read more SAG-AFTRA Conservatory Presents Got that Commercial Audition? Now what? - Monday, March 27 Now that you are inside the room, what do you do? Please join O'Connor Casting's very own David Murphy for an interactive evening of what to do inside the room! Read more A Conversation: Opportunities for Asian Pacific American Actors Sponsored by the SAG-AFTRA National Asian Pacific American Media Committee What challenges do you face as an Asian-American Actor? Are you looking to leverage your talents across several acting mediums (TV, theatrical, voiceover, live theater, commercials)? Do you get hired primarily in one area, not the others and ask yourself why? Share an evening with drinks and a light dinner along with other Asian-American actors and let's discuss what it takes to navigate the industry and put ourselves in a better position for more work. When: 6 - 8 p.m., Monday, May 1 (to kick off Asian-American History Month) Dinner will be provided at 5:30 p.m. Where: Kaufherr Members Resources Center 1 E. Erie, Suite 660 Chicago, IL 60611 RSVP to Kathy Byrne at kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org Park for $15 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 $15. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure. Cash only, otherwise add $1 for credit card purchase. This meeting is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing. Unfortunately, no guests allowed. Parents/guardians of younger performers under 18 years old are welcome. SAGAFTRA members, please bring your membership card (paid through April 30, 2017 or Oct. 31, 2017) for admittance. All SAG-AFTRA members in good standing are welcome.
Cook County is Hiring Citizens to Support Local Democracy on April 4 The Cook County Clerk's office is hiring community members to serve as poll workers during the April 4 consolidated election. It's a unique opportunity to support local democracy, meet and serve your neighbors, and learn about the election process. Two positions are available: election judge or equipment manager. Election judges and equipment managers both assist voters and ensure the polling place is running smoothly. Equipment managers are also responsible for setting up and maintaining the voting equipment. Due to the additional responsibility, equipment managers receive more training and higher pay. Election judges earn $190; new equipment managers earn $340. There is a particular need for poll workers in the northern and western suburbs. Openings in the south suburbs are limited. Access to a car is required. To learn more and apply online, visit cookcountyclerk.com/judges or call (312) 603-0970. New Member Orientation, Tuesday, April 18 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 SAGAFTRA 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. 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 18 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 for $15 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 $15. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure. Cash only, otherwise add $1 for credit card purchase. 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 April 30, 2017). 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