The Chicago Activator - March 24, 2014

Official E-Newsletter of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local

March 24, 2014

IN THIS ISSUE Create Your Own Content Event Planners Needed

Members Can Soon Combine

Agent Access SAG-PHP Plan II Coverage

SAG-AFTRA Earnings

Molly Pan Reports Special Hours KMRC on April 23 Freelance Tidbit

to Qualify for SAG-PHP Plan II Coverage

DePaul H.S. Union Summer School Paperless Billing

Details below.

April Conservatory Event Create Your Own Content The best way for actors to work steadily is to create their own content. It's been that way for decades. The digital age has made it technologically more feasible for everyone.

At this event, our panelists, Lisa Cordileone, Craig J. Harris, Grace McPhillips and Troy Pryor, along with Mel Jackson and Emile Cambry, will discuss the trials, tribulations and triumphs of creating your own content. There will also be an opportunity for event participants to get advice on their projects, whether the project is in development, in production, in post-production or just a germ of an idea at this point.

Also, since creating your own content isn't done in a vacuum, we'll learn about a tremendous resource in Chicago called BLUE 1647, which will provide physical space, curated programming and other means to connect collaborators and nurture their abilities to bring their ideas to fruition.

When: 6 - 8 p.m. Monday, April 14 Where: Kaufherr Members Resource Center, 1 E. Erie, Suite 660, Chicago, IL 60611 RSVP to Kathy Byrne, kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org or (312) 573-8081, ext. 508.

Park for $11 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 $11. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure. Cash or credit cards only.

Event Planners, Promotions Experts: We Need Your Help!

Plans are underway for the second annual fundraiser to benefit the KMRC. It will be held on Monday, May 19 at the Mayne Stage. Watch The Activator for more details.

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.

Agent Access with Johnson McKay Talent Peggy Johnson of Johnson McKay Talent, Chicago's newest franchised agency, will interview SAG-AFTRA members for the purpose of representation the week of April 28.

Deadline for submissions is noon, Wednesday, April 23. No electronic submissions accepted. If selected for an interview, you will be notified by Friday, April 25.

Please mail or drop off your submission, (headshot, resume and your SAG-AFTRA member number), to Kathy Byrne at SAG-AFTRA Chicago, 1 East Erie, Suite 650, Chicago, IL 60611. If you have any questions, please call the SAG-AFTRA office, (312) 573-8081, ext. 508.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago's Casting Access/Agent Access program is an ongoing, cooperative venture for the mutual benefit of Chicago talent agents, casting professionals and SAG-AFTRA members in good standing. It is not a workshop, training or "feedback" program or a guarantee of work or future audition or employment opportunities. It is an opportunity for casting professionals and talent agents to hold "generals" and become better acquainted with the wide variety of talent in Chicago's SAG-AFTRA membership.

Members Can Soon Combine SAG-AFTRA Earnings to Qualify for SAG-PHP Plan II Coverage In December, the trustees of the SAG-Producers Health Plan (SAG-PHP) announced a new way to meet the needs of members who do not qualify for coverage under either the SAG-PHP or the AFTRA Health Plan. At that time it was announced that beginning July 1, 2014, members with earnings under SAG-AFTRA contracts may be able to combine their earnings reportable to each plan in order to meet the dollar earnings requirement for SAG-PHP Plan II eligibility (currently $15,100).

We are pleased to announce that more information regarding this benefit has now been announced by SAG-PHP, including how and when to apply. To learn more, please review SAGPHP's Special Edition Take 2 newsletter, found online at sagph.org.

The union's primary goal is for the merging of the SAG and AFTRA plans, and we continue to support the efforts of the trustees to find ways to qualify participants for health coverage through their combined earnings under SAG-AFTRA contracts.

SAG-AFTRA's Molly Pan Reports on March Conservatory Event Led by SAG-AFTRA members Troy Pryor, a certified personal trainer, and Courtney Rioux, a certified life coach, the March Conservatory event Get Your Mind and Body on Track got members moving and motivated.

By Molly Pan As actors, we too often focus on our emotional selves and neglect our bodies and minds. To succeed in the business, we need to develop all three. At this event, Get Your Mind and Body on Track, our expert peers aided fellow SAG-AFTRA members in opening the doors to a holistic wellbeing.

After talking in-depth about diet and nutrition, Troy Pryor led a great workout circuit designed specifically to build a better bikini body for the summer (my own personal goal), and just get us moving. It was quite vigorous, and I was sweating within minutes. I was sore for two days afterwards, but it was the good kind of sore!

Courtney Rioux's GLEE workshop (Goals, Limiting beliefs, Emotional Mastery and Examining your six human needs) was phenomenal as well. I was encouraged to nip negative thoughts and habits in the bud and to deal with the rejections and insecurities that we all have to deal with in our lives and careers. I shared my insecurity about not having an acting degree. With an enlightened approach, Courtney helped me think positively about that and quite a few other things. I came out of the session feeling lighter, both in body and mind.

Special Hours for KMRC on April 23 The Kaufherr Members Resource Center will not be open on Wednesday evening, April 23. The KMRC will be open during the day, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Freelance Tidbit Is your SAG-AFTRA membership card too bulky, too heavy and just too much to carry? Or maybe you prefer to keep it framed and hanging in a place of honor. Either way, if you choose not to carry your card, please memorize your membership number.

You will be asked for it when you sign in for auditions and sessions. It is a very important part of record-keeping and is used to make sure you are paid correctly and on time.

DePaul University's High School Union Summer School DePaul's 2014 High School Union Summer School is July 7-11. The course includes discussion of the importance of unions, collective bargaining role play, a tour of Pullman where the students will evaluate the actions of the participants of the Pullman strike and a discussion on the future of work.

The class is tuition-free and each student who attends all five days of the summer school receives a $100 stipend from the Labor Center. Lunch is provided each day.

To be eligible, students must have completed their freshman, sophomore, junior or senior years of high school in 2014. The class is limited to 24 students and is held at DePaul, 14 E. Jackson, 14th floor, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day.

Contact Bob Breving at (312) 362-6802 or rbreving@depaul.edu for more information or an electronic copy of the short application and waiver.

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

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.

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/chicago