July 8, 2013

Issue: #14 IN THIS ISSUE Social Media Training 7-15

July 8, 2013

Save the Date

July SAG-AFTRA Conservatory!

New Member Orientation 7-16 S-A Radio Players 8-1 Union Day with White Sox 8-25 SAG Foundation Seeks Scripts KMRC Equipment Training Shorts N.Y. Showcase

6 - 8 p.m. Monday, July 15 KMRC 1 E. Erie, Suite 660 Chicago, IL 60611

Let's Get Social Learn expert social media tips to showcase your skills.

(Details below.)

SAG-AFTRA Conservatory Presents Let's Get Social 6 - 8 p.m. Monday, July 15 KMRC 1 E. Erie, Suite 660 Chicago, IL 60611 Learn expert social media tips to showcase your skills. In 90 minutes, you can go from powerless to powerhouse. This workshop will transform your knowledge and confidence. You'll learn how and why performers benefit by developing social media skills and networking.

Among the scheduled guests: Mana Ionescu, President of Lightspan Digital Tim Dadabo, SAG-AFTRA actor/performer, voice talent, social media junkie Thom Johnson, SAG-AFTRA broadcaster and Chicago Assistant City Treasurer, Economic Development Please RSVP to Kathy Byrne at kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org.

Work the perk!

Let's Get Social - like all SAG-AFTRA Conservatory and KMRC programming - is a benefit of your union membership and offered to all SAG-AFTRA members in good standing. Please bring your paid-up membership card (paid thru Oct. 30, 2013).

New Member Orientation, Noon, Tuesday, July 16 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 (COCO) 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 other 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. The next orientation is at noon, Tuesday, July 16. Please call Natasha Beals at the SAG-AFTRA Chicago office, (312) 573-8081 ext. 712, or email Natasha at natasha.beals@sagaftra.org to reserve your spot.

Don't Miss SAG-AFTRA Chicago Radio Players, Aug. 1 Two contrasting 30 minute programs Series: Suspense!

Program: Nobody Loves Me (Originally broadcast Aug. 30, 1945 on CBS radio) The title of this Suspense! program describes the lead character's significant problem with life: his need to stop the life of others. We hear him tell the police of his cruel upbringing and the psychopathic relief he finds in murder. What brings him to turn himself in? Well - no, no! - this is a tale well-calculated to keep you in suspense!

Series: Four Star Playhouse Program: The Incredible Annalee (Originally broadcast Aug. 21, 1951 on NBC radio) According to John Dunning, compiler of The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Old Time Radio 1925 - 1976, this program, despite being drenched in star-power, lasted only a relatively brief time on NBC. It was that network's attempt to fight back against CBS for raiding some of NBC's top shows and performers (Jack Benny, Amos 'n' Andy, among others). NBC brought in, as rotating leads, Fred MacMurray, Loretta Young, Rosalind Russell, and Robert Cummings. The shows were well-written and performed. Nevertheless, despite the high production values and sizable budgets, Four Star Playhouse never caught on as a great favorite.

7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013 Claudia Cassidy Theater, 77 E. Randolph (at Michigan Avenue) Admission is free; however seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Union Day with the White Sox Come out to the stadium and watch the Chicago White Sox take on the Texas Rangers. The White Sox are offering all union members, their families and friends specially priced tickets for this game.

Show your union pride and cheer on the Sox. White Sox vs. Rangers 1:10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25 U.S. Cellular Field You may purchase tickets online or by phone. You cannot buy tickets at the ballpark. Prices range from $5 to $35.

WEB: Visit whitesox.com/union (Service fees will apply.)

PHONE: Ticketmaster, (888) 769-4263 and give the "UNION" code. (Service fees will apply.)

SAG FOUNDATION N.Y. SALON SEEKS SCRIPTS Film and TV scriptwriters, the Screen Actors Guild Foundation would like to hear from you!

The Foundation is interested in well-written material that would appeal to a wide audience.

Writers must be members of one of the performing arts (SAG-AFTRA, AEA, etc.) or affiliated unions (DGA, WGA, etc.). If the work is a collaboration, then at least one of the writers must be a union member.

Please submit a brief synopsis of your project to: salon@sagfoundation.org. You will hear directly from the SAG Foundation if there is interest in reading your script.

KMRC Offers Audio and Video Equipment Training Every Wednesday 5 - 9 p.m.

You've probably heard that the KMRC has some great audio and video equipment. Do you want to learn to use it? Audio and video equipment training is offered at no charge every Wednesday evening, 5 - 9 p.m. You can learn the basics of using Audacity, Sound Forge and basic recording techniques. Or, if video is your thing, you can learn how to record and audition, and email it out.

Although training is offered every Wednesday, please register in advance. Call or email Kathy Byrne, (312) 573-8081 ext. 508 or kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org to reserve your spot. Don't forget the KMRC observes all SAG-AFTRA holidays.

You must be a SAG-AFTRA or AEA member in good standing to use the center.

SAG FOUNDATION SHORTS N.Y. SHOWCASE - OCTOBER 2013 - SEEKING SUBMISSIONS Please share this info with all your filmmaker friends!

The Screen Actors Guild Foundation is now accepting submissions from all states east of the Mississippi for its October 2013 N.Y. Shorts Showcase - it'll be the launch of year five!

The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22. All entries received after that date will be placed in contention for our January 2014 event.

Webseries produced under a union contract are also eligible for consideration. There is no entry fee, nor is there a cost to attend the screening, which is held in New York City, three times a year.

All shorts must be produced under a SAG-AFTRA union contract, and not run more than 15 minutes, including credits - no exceptions.

The showcase is open to all types of cinematic expression, and is designed to encourage union members, and others, to create their own projects. In addition to the screening, the evening includes a Q&A with the directors and producers, and an opportunity to network with those in attendance.

Filmmakers may submit a regular DVD copy of their film - no Blu-Ray, please - which should be clearly labeled with a title, the director's name, an email contact address and the project's SAGAFTRA production number to: SAG FOUNDATION SHORTS SHOWCASE SAG-AFTRA 360 Madison Ave. - 12th Flr. New York, NY 10017 Contact shortsny@sagfoundation.org with any questions.

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.