The Chicago Activator, Sept. 23, 2013

Issue: #19 IN THIS ISSUE

Sept. 23, 2013

Ninth Annual

SAG-AFTRA Inaugural Convention Ninth Annual Blood Drive Walk to End Alzheimer's

SAG-AFTRA Chicago Blood Drive

Herb Graham Surrender of Baker & Rowley Talent Agency's Union Franchises

Noon to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21 KMRC, 1 East Erie Suite 660

Freelance Tidbit Radio Players Oct. 9 Researching and Preparing a Dialect Oct. 28

Headshots, Free Flu Shots and More!

Please contact Kathy Byrne (312) 573-8081 ext. 508 or email kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org to register.

More details below.

SAG-AFTRA to Hold Inaugural Convention SAG-AFTRA's first national convention is about to begin. The convention, to be held in the heart of downtown Los Angeles Sept. 26-29, will cover important union governance and strategic planning matters.

Delegates at the convention will also discuss, debate and decide important questions pertaining to the future of SAG-AFTRA. In addition to handling business matters, attendees will partake in an exciting kick-off reception hosted by the Los Angeles Local. On Sept. 27, the American Scene Awards will honor producers whose work reflects the diverse American Scene.

Stay up to date on convention details: Join the conversation #sagaftraunited on Twitter, visit SAGAFTRA's Facebook page and check the convention website.

Ninth Annual Blood Drive and Free Flu Shots On Monday, Oct. 21, the Kaufherr Members Resource Center will host the ninth annual SAGAFTRA Chicago Blood Drive. The drive is open to SAG-AFTRA, AEA, family and friends. Sixty percent of the population is medically eligible to give blood, yet only 5 percent of the national population donates blood. Become - or continue to be - a part of this elite group. You don't need a special reason to give blood. You just need your own reason. Maybe you were asked by a friend, or you or a family member received blood when needed, or you simply believe it's the right thing to do.

Whatever your reason, the need is constant and your contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply. And you'll feel good knowing you've helped change a life.

You must be 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds to donate blood. There is no upper age limit and most medications do not disqualify you from donating. If you have questions, please call the LifeSource Medical Help Desk at (877) 543-3768.

Noon to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21 KMRC 1 East Erie Suite 660 Chicago, IL 60611 Headshots Donors will receive a voucher for a free half-hour headshot session (one look) with a local photographer, to be redeemed by Dec. 15, 2013.

Free Flu Shots Again this year, thanks to The Actors Fund, the event also includes free seasonal flu shots. Shots will be available from 3-5 p.m. on a first come, first shot basis.

Please contact Kathy Byrne (312) 573-8081 ext. 508 or email kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org to register.

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

KMRC will be closed to other uses on Monday, Oct. 21.

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.

Walk to End Alzheimer's: Actors and Artists Unite in Chicago to End Alzheimer's Join your fellow SAG-AFTRA and AEA union members and the Chicago community for the first year of the Actors and Artists Unite to End Alzheimer's Chicago team. You do not need to be a SAG-AFTRA member to participate. Everyone is welcome.

When: Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013 8 a.m. - Check in and festivities 10 a.m. - Walk kick-off Where: Montrose Harbor Montrose Avenue and Simonds Drive, Chicago, IL 60613 Founded in 2011 by AEA National Councilor and SAG-AFTRA member Nancy Daly, Actors and Artists Unite is for anyone who has had a loved one with Alzheimer's. Everyone is welcome: actors, artists, friends and family. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk kicks off at 10 a.m.

Registration: Click here to register on the Actors and Artists Unite Chicago team page. The National team page can be found at alz.org/ActorsUnite.

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.

Herb Graham It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local member Herb Graham on Aug. 19, 2013.

Joining AFTRA in 1952 and Screen Actors Guild in 1958, Herb combined his impressive career with his equally admirable commitment to the union, the industry and especially to his fellow performers. His loss is greatly felt and his love of, and dedication to, this union and the membership will never be forgotten by those who knew him.

Graham's long career included everything from being the voice of Booby Beaver in a Jewishthemed Chicago area children's TV show, The Magic Door, to hosting Hour in the Middle of the Evening on FM 100 for more than 25 years. He was a longtime cast member of Unshackled!, the radio drama produced by Chicago's Pacific Garden Mission. Graham voiced many political ads, including Barack Obama's 2004 Senate campaign. David Axelrod described Herb as his "go-to guy," hiring him for hundreds of ads over the years.

A memorial celebration is scheduled for 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6 at the Hilton DoubleTree, 9599 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, IL. Surrender of Baker & Rowley Talent Agency's Union Franchises The Baker & Rowley Talent Agency surrendered its union franchise on Sept. 16, 2013.

The effect of the surrender is as follows: • • •

No member of SAG-AFTRA may hereafter engage, use or deal through this agency.

All contracts in force between this agency and the members of SAG-AFTRA are ipso facto and without further notice terminated except that the agency may retain and collect any commissions earned under said contracts prior to the surrender of franchise.

Members shall not be under any obligation to pay commissions to the agent on any moneys earned by members after the termination of the agency contracts, even though such moneys are earned by members on employment contracts in existence at the date of termination of the agency contracts.

Please do not hesitate to contact Kathy Byrne at the Chicago Local, (312) 573-8081 ext. 408 or the national SAG-AFTRA Agency Departments at either (323) 549-6745 or (212) 863-4305 if you have any outstanding questions Freelance Tidbit If you ever find yourself at a session and your contract doesn't look quite right - special provisions, platform/usage is different than what your agent told you - take a moment to ask the producer to send the contract to your agent to "proofread" before you sign.

Don't Miss SAG-AFTRA Chicago Radio Players Oct. 9 The Egg and I Directed by Pat Vern-Harris The story is not really a chicken joke, but it comes close. Bob picks a peculiar time - his and Betty's wedding night - to inform his bride that he has purchased a poultry farm. Betty, a New York City native who knows nothing about making a life off the land, finds that being a good sport wears thin when she sets foot on the old, badly abused property and learns how much muscle it will take to make it a home and take a profit. Their neighbors, Maw and Paw Kettle and their 15(!) children, add to the mixture of anxiety and hilarity.

7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013 Claudia Cassidy Theater, 77 E. Randolph (at Michigan Avenue) Admission is free, however seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Conservatory Event Oct. 28 Researching and Preparing a Dialect with Tanera Marsall Ever wonder about the best way to learn to do dialects? How do you get the most out of a dialect coach? Is there a way to assess good samples of dialects, how to listen, what to listen for, how to rehearse, etc.?

Tanera Marsall is a well-respected dialect coach. She is an associate professor (voice and speech) at the UIC Department of Theatre and Music. She is currently working with Jesse Spencer and Eamonn Walker on Chicago Fire. What? They are not from Chicago? That is how good she is.

Those in attendance will have an opportunity for an interactive coaching session in front of the rest of the group.

Researching and Preparing a Dialect 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28 KMRC 1 East Erie Suite 660 Chicago, IL 60611 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.