The Chicago Activator - March 6, 2015

Official E-Newsletter of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local

Mar. 6, 2015

IN THIS ISSUE Self-Tape an Audition Benefits of Membership John L. Dales Scholarship

The Conservatory Presents -

Self-Tape and Submit an Audition

Collaboration Award

Mar. 23, 2015

SAG Awards Viewing Tax Time

Details below.

Performer Tidbit

Conservatory Event: Self-Tape and Submit an Audition Want to learn what casting directors expect from an actor when submitting a self-taped audition?

Member Jim Dougherty will show you how he has landed several speaking roles in movies from his self-taped auditions.

Learn proper setting, lighting and sound for the recording. Jim will give advice about eye line and your reader. He is also going to share what not to do. He'll cover video compression and different software for both Mac and PC, a tool that can be used to get the smallest file sizes while maintaining quality.

Bring your smartphones and we'll pair up and practice his techniques.

6 p.m. Monday, March 23 KMRC 1 East Erie Suite 660 RSVP to Kathy Byrne at kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org.

Park for $13 at 10 East Ontario. Enter on the north side of Ontario between Wabash and State, then take a ticket. When you sign in, you may purchase a four-hour ticket for $13. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure. Cash only please.

Benefits of Membership Are you aware of all of the benefits of your membership with SAG-AFTRA? If not, we encourage you to log into your SAG-AFTRA account and learn more about how SAG-AFTRA protects and serves its members.

The many benefits include contracts and collective bargaining, access to the KMRC, Conservatory events and programs offered by the SAG Foundation.

SAG-AFTRA members are also eligible for outstanding deals on entertainment, car rentals, insurance, medical visits, prescriptions, real estate, legal services and more. Just log in as a member at SAGAFTRA.org and click on "Deals and Discounts" under Members Service.

John L. Dales Scholarship The 2015 John L. Dales Scholarship competition is now open for SAG-AFTRA members and their dependents. The deadline for submission is March 16.

The SAG Foundation John L. Dales Scholarship Fund was created in 1973 in honor of the Screen Actors Guild's longtime executive secretary. Since its creation, the John L. Dales Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $6 million in scholarships to 1,730 SAG-AFTRA members and their dependents.

There are two types of John L. Dales scholarships: 

Standard scholarships are awarded to eligible SAG-AFTRA members and their dependents for study at accredited institutions of higher education.



Transitional scholarships are awarded to eligible SAG-AFTRA members interested in pursuing related professions within the entertainment industry or changing their career paths.

John L. Dales scholarships are granted for study at accredited and licensed universities, colleges, junior colleges, adult specialty schools and trade/vocational schools. The number and amounts awarded are determined annually by a committee of the SAG Foundation.

The John L. Dales Scholarship Fund is available for eligible SAG-AFTRA members and their dependents and made possible through gifts, grants and sponsorships. The SAG Foundation never draws on SAG-AFTRA dues or initiation fees. More details and an application are available online.

Women in the Arts and Media Coalition Seeking Submissions for Collaboration Award The Women in the Arts and Media Coalition Inc.'s $1,000 Collaboration Award and honorable mentions are designed to encourage professional women in the arts and media from different specializations to work collaboratively on the creation of new artistic works. Submissions of films or other media projects that fall under SAG-AFTRA's jurisdiction must be signatory to the applicable SAG-AFTRA agreement.

Submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 30.

More information is available at SAGAFTRA.org.

Applications are available at womenartsmediacoalition.org.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement by the union nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

Chicago members and their guests gathered at the Public Hotel for a SAG Awards viewing party on Jan. 25.

Tax Time - Tracking Down W-2s Are you missing any W-2s? SAG-AFTRA does not issue W-2 tax forms. Instead, members receive them from the companies for which they've worked. If members need to contact a studio or payroll house directly to change their listed address or ask questions about W-2 tax forms, the contact information for some of the major studios and payroll houses (including union contacts) is available at SAGAFTRA.org.

Performer Tidbit Moving? Log on it SAGAFTRA.org, click on Membership then Membership Services. Using the forms available in the Document Library, you can update your Membership Records with your new, correct address. You must be logged in as a member to access this page so click on User Login located on the upper right hand corner of the home page. While you're there, double check the other information: phone, email, etc. If your membership records are not up-to-date, delivery of all checks and notifications mailed from SAG-AFTRA can be delayed.

If you need any help with this process, please call the Membership Department at the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local at (312) 573-8081 ext. 2541 or 3712.

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