August 5, 2013 - Chicago Activator

Issue: #16

Aug. 5, 2013

IN THIS ISSUE Election Results Join the KMRC Committee Rita Moreno - 2013 SAG Life Achievement Award Agent or Manager?

'Proud Union Home' Yard Signs SHORTS N.Y. SHOWCASE

Yard Signs Available Now!

Backstage Offer Discount Movie Tickets

Details below.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago Election Results On July 31, 2013, the ballot tabulation of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local election was conducted.

Some candidates ran unopposed and were declared elected without the necessity of a membership vote. Those positions are listed with an asterisk*. All positions are for a two-year term except where indicated.

National Board Members: John Carter Brown and Ilyssa Fradin (four-year term) President: Craig Dellimore* 1st Vice President: Ilyssa Fradin 2nd Vice President: Richard Steele 3rd Vice President: Regan Rohde Local Board Member: Bob Baron, Ashley J. Dearborn, Jay Disney, George Elliot, Martin Halacy, Todd Hissong, Denise Jaeckel*, Razz Jenkins, George Manisco, Greta Pope, Troy Pryor, Gail Rastorfer, Steve Scholz, Richard Shavzin, Jack Shaw*, Richard Steele, Maureen Steindler, Alma Washington, and Cedric Young.

Convention Delegate: Bob Baron, Judy Blue, Jay Disney, Diane Dorsey, Todd Hissong, Razz Jenkins, Dick Kay, Dev Kennedy, Regan Rohde, Nancy Sellers, Richard Shavzin, Richard Steele, Alma Washington, and Cedric Young.

The national board members and president, by virtue of their election to those positions, also serve as convention delegates.

The newly elected leaders will be installed in office on August 15, 2013.

Volunteers Needed, Join the Kaufherr Committee Next Meeting Noon Wednesday, Aug. 21 Would you like to be a part of the ongoing effort for the KMRC? Put your ideas and energy to work. Join the Kaufherr Members Resource Center Committee. Current committee work is primarily in two areas: operations and fundraising. Operations includes day-to-day planning, the scheduling of activities, and teaching of classes. The target of fundraising is financial donations, including grant-writing, special events and other outreach.

There is always much work to do. We need more volunteers in all areas, especially fundraising!

Think about how you can best help. Attend the next KMRC committee meeting at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at the KMRC, 1 East Erie, Suite 660. Please RSVP to Kathy Byrne at kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org or (312) 573-8081 ext. 508.

Park for $10 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 $10. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure. Cash only.

Rita Moreno to be Honored with 2013 SAG Life Achievement Award Groundbreaking actor, singer, dancer, author and educator Rita Moreno has been named the 50th recipient of SAG-AFTRA's highest tribute - the SAG Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment. Given annually to an actor who fosters the "finest ideals of the acting profession," the SAG Life Achievement Award will join Moreno's rare catalog of preeminent industry and public honors, which also includes an Oscar®, two Emmys®, a Tony®, a Grammy®, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of the Arts. Moreno will be presented the performers union's top accolade at the 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®, which will be simulcast live on TNT and TBS on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014, at 7 p.m.(CT).

At 81, Rita Moreno continues to embody the creative diversity that has been the hallmark of her nearly 70-year career. She is one of only 11 artists and the only Hispanic performer to have won the entertainment industry's four top competitive awards. Moreno's autobiography, Rita Moreno: A Memoir, was published in March 2013 and instantly became a New York Times bestseller. An edition in her first language, Spanish, will be published tomorrow, Aug. 6.

Agent or Manager?

SAG-AFTRA regularly receives inquiries from concerned members asking for clarification about the distinctions between franchised talent agents and largely unregulated personal or talent managers.

Throughout the United States, SAG-AFTRA "franchises" talent agents. A franchised agent is someone who has entered into an agreement with the union, setting forth certain terms and conditions of a SAG-AFTRA member's relationship with an agent.

Although agents primarily seek out work opportunities for actors, they often do much more. They also help to ensure performers are working under safe conditions and assist the union in enforcing its contracts. There's a reason so many actors thank their agents in their acceptance speeches at awards shows. The right agent becomes a friend and partner in nurturing a successful career.

Many performers also work with managers. Managers are neither franchised nor regulated by the union. And they are rarely regulated by state law. Here is a basic breakdown of the difference between an agent and a manager: An agent: * Should be franchised under SAG-AFTRA's franchised agency agreement * Generally licensed by the state as employment agencies * Primarily focused on obtaining employment and negotiating contracts. * Is only paid when a performer has earnings * Generally limited to charging a 10 percent commission * May not charge any upfront or administrative fees

A manager: * Not licensed by the state, or franchised by the unions * May counsel, advise and provide general career direction * May assist an agent in securing employment for their clients, but only when under the control of and direction of the agent * Generally charges 10-15 percent You should always have an attorney review a management contract before signing. Since they are not franchised, and often unregulated, it's important to fully understand the terms and conditions of the relationship.

'Proud Union Home' Yard Signs Now Available Have you noticed the 'Proud Union Home' signs popping up across Chicagoland? The red, white and blue displays were created by the Chicago Federation of Labor as a way for households to show solidarity and their pride in being union members. The response has been overwhelming, said Chicago Federation of Labor spokesman Nick Kaleba.

While supplies last, the 18-by-24-inch signs are available for free at the SAG-AFTRA Chicago office and come with an optional stand. Show your pride in America's labor movement and middle class by displaying a sign in your front yard or window. Pick one up today!

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. Orders must be received by Aug. 15. 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) The offer herein is provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and is 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.

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 Shorts N.Y. 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.

Web series 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.

Special Backstage Offer for SAG-AFTRA Chicago Members Backstage is offering SAG-AFTRA Chicago members a free one-year online subscription. You will need to register with a credit card. After the first year the rate is $9.95/month. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Currently, Backstage has a comprehensive list of casting calls and auditions for actors, dancers, singers and more, primarily in Los Angeles and New York. Visit the site at Backstage.com for a preview of the content.

A special subscription page is available for this offer. The password for the discount is SAGAFTRA. The offer herein is provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and is 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.

Discount Movie Tickets At this time, the SAG-AFTRA Chicago office is no longer selling movie tickets.

We'll let you know when they become available again.

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.