Los Angeles Conservatory 2014 Fall Focus by SAG-AFTRA

Fall 2014

THE

SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory

BEING A PROFESSIONAL By David Westberg Welcome to a new year at the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory. We hope it will be a richly rewarding experience for all of us! The committee is very anxious that you keep us in the loop with your adventure here on the hill. Tell us what you like and want to see more of. Conversely, tell us what’s wrong and needs fixing. And we will return the favor. I am a firm believer in the adage, “An informed actor is an empowered actor.” The better we can prepare you for a successful career, the better Conservatory we will have. That’s why we have designed a program which explores many aspects of the industry, not simply the mastering of your craft. The “business” of show may seem very intimidating, especially if you are a newbie. As you learn more about it and it’s foibles, it will become less so… “informed is empowered.” This is, in the end, a very small company town! Webster lists one of the definitions of “a professional” as “a person who IN THIS ISSUE: earns a living in a sport or other occupation frequently enHow to Register for 3 gaged in by amaClasses teurs.” And while it might take a bit of Workshop time to “earn a living” 4 as an actor, when you Schedule joined SAG-AFTRA, you announced to the Workshop world that you were Descriptions and 5 now a professional, who would deliver a Times professional product to the marketplace, Conservatory Rules and 8 and, in turn, you expect the respect and

Regulations

rewards of a professional. Now you have to step up to the bat and be it! Below is a letter from a commercial casting director to agents in Los Angeles (reprinted with permission). It represents a problem that has plagued the Conservatory for some time now, actors not showing up for classes or casting sessions. The casting director has put it so much more eloquently than I ever could, so I am passing it on to you, as gospel. Read, grasp and digest it. “The last several jobs I've done, the amount of cancels are out of control. Not only that but the amount of people that are confirmed who all of a sudden cancel right before they're due to come here is astronomical. It is so unfair to the actors in this town that want to work. I implore you to send out a mass email to your rosters once again reminding them that this is a job interview, not a hobby. Not only that, I need you to start being honest and not just confirming people when they are not in fact confirmed. I have to look through over a thousand submissions per role on average. I usually select 30 people, max. That takes a lot of time and energy. If you know me at all I'm an equal opportunity casting director that actually goes through every submission. I'd appreciate if the same respect was given to me from you and your talent. Let's have a wake-up call to remind actors that this is a serious business and remind their theatrical reps to communicate with you. Thanks.” Nothing will snuff out your career faster than an air of irresponsibility directed toward others in the industry trying to do their job. Agents will drop you, and casting directors will simply move to the next name on the list. There are too many good, responsible actors who want to get in the room and show the powers that be who they are and what they can do! Before you can recite your monologue, you’ll be wondering what ever happened to that elusive brass ring. Whoops! Awwww…it just passed you by! Be well, enjoy the year on the hill and treasure what you get to do every day!

2021 N. WESTERN AVE., L.A., CA 90027 323.856.7736

CONSERVATORY@SAGAFTRA.ORG

THE BEST SUMMER INTENSIVE EVER! By Lee Garlington This year’s Summer Intensive was the best one ever! I feel that way each and every year. Why? Because they keep getting better and better each year! And why is that happening, you may ask? Two reasons:

who are just getting started. The give-and-take is improving. More members are getting actively involved, volunteering to teach or help out. The caliber of teachers is rising. Our technology team is improving for all the classes offered during the year as well as the Intensive. I don’t think I’m the only one who feels proud of what we offer here in Los Angeles for our members. We all have a lot to take pride in with our Conservatory. What can you to do to help the cream keep rising? Two things: One, tell your union actor friends who aren’t members about what the Conservatory offers and encourage them to join us! The more members we have, the more diverse classes and workshops we can offer. Two, volunteer. The staff and committee members could not possibly take care of all the tasks and duties that must be attended to in order to put on all the classes, events and the Summer Intensive without your help. I’m trying not to say “it takes a village,” but there’s no other idiom that describes it quite as accurately.

One, because of your input. You tell us what you liked, what didn’t work, and the teachers and classes that resonated with you. We need that information so we can make informed decisions about who and what to bring back the following year, what workshops or panels need to be added and which ones should go away. You let us know if a class is too short or too long. Even though filling out an evaluation form after every session may seem tedious, it’s important for us Please, become an active member of this village! (Community? Troupe? Hamlet?) to know what works so we can keep the value levels high for you. Especially if you feel strongly about a class, panel or workshop, positively or negatively, please take a moment to let us know. We can’t give you what you want if you don’t let us know what that is. Two, because the Conservatory itself is growing and evolving, vibrating at a “higher frequency.” As more SAG-AFTRA members join the Conservatory, we are attracting seasoned actors as well as those of us

THANK YOU! We truly could not have had such a successful weekend, or entire year for that matter, without the help of our volunteers. We can’t run the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory without all the amazing people that give their time and energy to this fantastic program. If you would like to get more involved, we are always looking for great people to assist us in the office and at our special events. Please also know that we value your input and love to hear what you like or would like to see different at the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory. We are constantly striving to make this an even better program for you, the working actor! So feel free to call us at 323.856.7736 or email Dawn at conservatory@sagaftra.org. Have a wonderful season!

HOW TO REGISTER

SPECIAL EVENTS

REGISTRATION OPENS AT EXACTLY 10 a.m. ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE INDIVIDUAL WORKSHOP (TWO WEEKS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS)

Tuesday, Sept. 30 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

CALL 323.856.7736 Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - noon and 1 - 4 p.m. Example: if the workshop you would like to attend is on Wednesday, please call the prior Wednesday starting at 10 a.m.

You must have your SAG-AFTRA ID number ready when you call to reserve your space. Reservations ARE NOT accepted via voicemail or email. Only cancellations are accepted via voicemail or email.

LOCATION OF CLASSES All workshops are held in the Mayer Library Building (LIB) at the top of the hill (the building where the office is located) unless otherwise noted. LIB: LIBRARY BUILDING WB: WARNER BUILDING (Example LIB 100 is Library Building, room 100)

F/B: FRANKOVICH BARNES SCREENING ROOM First floor Library Building

MGSR: MARK GOODSON SCREENING ROOM Second floor Library Building

*SEE BACK PAGE FOR MAP OF THE AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE CAMPUS

“An Actors Showcase” Thirty actors will perform scenes and redirects LIVE on the AFI campus. Conservatory members will have a platform to show talent abilities to up and coming filmmakers. All AFI fellows are invited to observe. As space is limited to thirty (30) for this workshop, acceptance will be on a first-call, firstregistered basis. The first 150 Conservatory members to call will be entered into a pool. Then, 30 actors will be randomly selected through a lottery process.

Saturday, Oct. 4 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Join The Right Brain Acting Revolution and Book The Job! with Anthony Meindl

Saturday, Oct 18 11 a.m. -1 p.m. Alexander Technique for Actors with Brett Hershey

Watch for email blast updates about these and other upcoming events. Be sure to put conservatory@sagaftra.org on your safe list. RESERVATIONS FOR ALL EVENTS ARE REQUIRED Special Events are overbooked to compensate for no shows. Please call 323.856.7736 starting up to TWO Mondays prior (special events only) to enroll.

FALL CALENDAR OF WORKSHOPS *PLEASE SEE DESCRIPTIONS FOR TIMES* SEPTEMBER 2014 MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Commercial Audition

Cold Reading LIB 101

SVW: Intermediate LIB 100

Workshop LIB 100

SVW: Beginning LIB 100

FRIDAY 26

SATURDAY 27

Voice Over F/B

OCTOBER 2014 MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

SEPT 29

SEPT 30

Commercial Audition

Cold Reading LIB 101

SVW: Beginning LIB 100

Workshop LIB 100

SVW: Intermediate LIB 100

Theatrical Video LIB 100

FRIDAY 3

SATURDAY 4 SPECIAL EVENT Anthony Meindl 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

ACTORS SHOWCASE (SPECIAL EVENT) 6

Commercial Audition

Cold Reading LIB 101

SVW: Intermediate LIB 100

Workshop LIB 100

Actors Evening F/B

Improv LIB 102

SVW: Beginning LIB 100 13

Commercial Audition

Cold Reading LIB 101

SVW: Beginning LIB 100

Open Camera LIB 101

Workshop LIB 100

SVW: Intermediate LIB 100

Theatrical Video LIB 100

SPECIAL EVENT Brett Hershey 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Voiceover F/B 20

Commercial Audition

Cold Reading LIB 101

SVW: Intermediate LIB 100

Workshop LIB 100

SVW: Beginning LIB 100

SPECIAL OPEN CAMERA LIB 101 (One Wednesday Only)

The Set LIB 102

Commercial Audition

Cold Reading LIB 101

SVW: Beginning LIB 100

Workshop LIB 100

SVW: Intermediate LIB 100

Theatrical Video LIB 100

NOVEMBER 1 HALLOWEEN

Voiceover F/B

NOVEMBER 2014 MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Commercial Audition

Cold Reading LIB 101

SVW: Intermediate LIB 100

Workshop LIB 100

Actors Evening F/B

Theatrical Video LIB 100

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SVW: Beginning LIB 100 10

Commercial Audition

11 VETERANS DAY

Cold Reading LIB 101

SVW: Beginning LIB 100

Workshop LIB 100

NO WORKSHOPS

Improv LIB 102

Commercial Audition

Cold Reading LIB 101

SVW: Intermediate LIB 100

Open Camera LIB 101

Workshop LIB 100

The Set LIB 102

Theatrical Video LIB 100

SVW: Beginning LIB 100 26

Commercial Audition

Voiceover F/B

NO WORKSHOPS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

Workshop LIB 100

NO WORKSHOPS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

29 NO WORKSHOPS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

DECEMBER 2014 MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Commercial Audition

Cold Reading LIB 101

SVW: Beginning LIB 100

Workshop LIB 100

Actors Evening F/B

Theatrical Video LIB 100

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SVW: Intermediate LIB 100 8

Commercial Audition

Cold Reading LIB 101

SVW: Intermediate LIB 100

Workshop LIB 100

Voiceover F/B

Improv LIB 102

SVW: Beginning LIB 100

END OF FALL WORKSHOPS

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS *PLEASE REFER TO CALENDAR FOR EXACT DATES* Actors Evening First Tuesday of each month 7 - 10 p.m. Frankovich Barnes Screening Room (F/B) Limit 88 students Industry professionals appear in a seminar format to discuss their business and answer questions.

Cold Reading Tuesday and Wednesday mornings 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Library Building Room 101 Limit 10 students Learn and develop effective auditioning techniques.

Commercial Audition Monday nights 7 - 10 p.m. Library Building Room 100 Limit 10 students Learn how the commercial audition process works in an on-camera workshop that simulates a real audition. Your work will be videotaped, followed by viewing and comments.

Improv Second Wednesday of each month 7 - 10 p.m. Library Building Room 102 Limit 30 students Learn improvisation skills to help make you a more creative actor.

Open Camera

Scene Video Workshop Tuesday and Thursday nights Beginning and Intermediate rotate days 6 - 10 p.m. Library Building Room 100 Limit 10 students Please assess your level prior to calling to book your class. See page 6.

Upon arrival you will be given a scene, paired with a partner and given instruction. You will have 30-60 minutes to work on the scene. All students then shoot the scene on camera and watch your work followed by comments and direction. WE ARE OFFERING BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE CLASSES ON SOME OF OUR WORKSHOPS TO BETTER MEET THE NEEDS OF THE MEMBERSHIP. PLEASE READ THE SELF-SELECTION PROCESS ON THE NEXT PAGE CAREFULLY. WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES SO THAT YOU AND YOUR FELLOW ACTORS WILL HAVE THE BEST EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE.

The Set Third Tuesday of every month 7 - 10 p.m. Library Building Room 102 Limit 20 students You’ve booked the job and now you are on set. This is the real test of your acting skills working in front of the crew, multiple takes and various distractions. This hands-on workshop creates the production process and provides the actor with a full understanding of how to make the best of the “onset” experience. All attendees will have on-camera time.

Theatrical Video First and Third Wednesdays 7 - 10 p.m. Library Building Room 100. Limit 8 students Simulated theatrical interview and cold reading on video followed by viewing and comments. Bring picture and resume.

Third Friday of each month 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Library Building Room 101 Limit 6 students. Students get a half hour with Director Nick Leland to work on camera. Bring a prepared monologue or scene (with another Conservatory member), or even Voiceover try different “looks.” Please bring a mini DV, VHS tape or flash drive to record your work and take it Generally the second and fourth Tuesday of each home to study. month 7 - 10 p.m. RESERVATIONS BEGIN AT Frankovich Barnes Screening Room (F/B) Limit 15 students 10 a.m. EXACTLY ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE WORKSHOP Learn various V.O. techniques for commercials, animation and narration. CALL 323.856.7736

SVW WORKSHOP SELF-SELECTING CRITERIA We have changed the Scene Video Workshop program to better meet the needs of the membership. In the past, “beginners” and “advanced” only referred to the days on which the classes were scheduled and had nothing to do with the content. Moving forward, the classes will be customized to experience levels. Please select the level that most appropriately describes your experience. We suggest that you meet three of the four criteria to join in the level. If you are unsure which level you are in, please take the beginning class to start. This is not a consecutive program. NOTE: It is requested that you stay in the level until your experience changes to fit the next level. Also, if you are an intermediate level actor, you do not need to take the beginning class. We do not have any advanced classes scheduled at this time. However, a Master Class will be scheduled at a future date.

BEGINNING  SAG-AFTRA ACTING EXPERIENCE: Background work and/or one TV co-star role and/or two TV commercial credits (include Union productions before you were a member)  OTHER ACTING EXPERIENCE: None or limited to community theatre  STUDENT or AFI FILM EXPERIENCE: None or up to three credits  ACTING TRAINING OUTSIDE OF SAG-AFTRA CONSERVATORY: none or limited to one year or less of training

INTERMEDIATE  SAG-AFTRA ACTING EXPERIENCE: TV – Has two or more TV co-star or guest star credits, and/or four or more TV commercial credits (include Union productions before you were a member)  OTHER ACTING EXPERIENCE: One or more professional theatre acting credit (preferably Equity or Equity Waiver)  STUDENT or AFI FILM EXPERIENCE: Four or more credits, or lead role in two or more ACTING TRAINING: Equivalent of two years or more of ongoing classes.  ACTING TRAINING: Equivalent of two or more years of ongoing classes.

HELPFUL HINTS TO HELP MAKE IT A GREAT YEAR!  Workshops fill up very quickly at the beginning of the year, so please be patient. Soon you’ll notice workshops opening up. Our classes are kept small so everyone can get on their feet and work. The first few weeks of the season are always the busiest.

 Be persistent and keep us on your radar.  All classes are self-contained. For example, if you register for a commercial class on Monday the 6, you are only enrolled in that specific class, not an entire series.

 We limit the number of times that you may enroll in each type (i.e. Voiceover, Improv, etc.) of workshop to once each quarter. This ensures that all of our members are given equal opportunity to take advantage of the program.

 Make sure to add the Conservatory email to your safe list so you don't miss out any special events or casting opportunities. When an AFI Director wants to see you for you an audition, you will be notified by email from the Conservatory office at conservatory@sagaftra.org

 Interested in auditioning for an AFI project? Then you must have an iActor account. Make sure those headshots and reels are up to date.

 If you are responding to an audition email, please read through the email before calling and please have the director’s name and role for which you are being called in. Also, please check the shoot dates and make sure you are available before scheduling an audition.

RESERVATIONS BEGIN AT 10 a.m. EXACTLY, ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE WORKSHOP Example: if the workshop you’d like to attend is on Wednesday, please call the prior Wednesday starting at 10 a.m.

SAG-AFTRA LOS ANGELES CONSERVATORY COMMITTEE Ron Morgan- Chair Bob Telfordâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; Vice Chair Bill Applebaum Michael D. Cohen Lee Garlington Nicholas Leland Kevin McCorkle Tim Powell Teddy Vincent Will Wallace Angela Watson Mari Weiss David Westberg Dawn Deibertâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; Staff Liaison

DO YOU WANT TO AUDITION FOR AFI PROJECTS? CREATE OR UPDATE YOUR iACTOR PROFILE TODAY!

For the first time, the Conservatory database for casting will be online! We have joined forces with iActor and all Conservatory members wishing to be considered for AFI projects MUST have an iActor account. Click the link to create or update yours today. www.sagaftra.org/iactor-online-casting

ACTORS WANTED AFI Cinematographers and Directors are often looking for actors to volunteer and assist in various classes and workshops on the AFI Campus. Although no footage is given from these classes, you have the opportunity to work alongside and network with some of the best up-and-coming filmmakers in the industry. Many times, actors are needed for a few hours during the day, but in those hours, great relationships are often formed and it can also be a fantastic learning opportunity for you to gain more insight into the world of filmmaking from the other side of the camera!

If you are interested in being submitted or called upon when these needs arise, please email Dawn at conservatory@sagaftra.org or call the office at 323.856.7736

MISSION STATEMENT The SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory exists as a place for actors to stretch their artistic muscles, practice their craft and sharpen their skills. The Conservatory also provides actors the opportunity to build an artistic community in a safe and relaxed setting. Overseen by dedicated professionals, the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory offers members a means to nurture their talents, mechanics and skills through workshops, seminars and AFI student projects. The goal is to lead to a better understanding of the role of the professional actor, in the business of acting, and to a more successful and productive career.

SAG-AFTRA LOS ANGELES CONSERVATORY Rules and Regulations

Membership subscription is $35 per annual season and is nonrefundable.

You must be a paid up SAG-AFTRA member in good standing. However, only those who reside in the Los Angeles area may participate in the AFI projects. Conservatory membership begins when your application is received and processed, and will continue through July of the following year.

If you are unable to attend a workshop or attend an audition, you must call the office in advance if possible. Cancellations will be honored until 10 a.m. the following day. If you fail to cancel, a “no-show” will appear on your record. After one "no show", you cannot take the missed workshop for three months. If you get three “no shows” you will be prohibited from taking ANY workshops for three months.

Workshops are closed 15 minutes after the scheduled start time. Latecomers may not be allowed into the class and may be recorded as a no show. Please be courteous of others and be on time.

Workshop leaders will announce the applicable rules and regulations of each particular workshop at the start. If a member breaks any rules the Committee reserves the right to remove the member from the workshop and or the Conservatory.

Members who miss an audition for any AFI project without calling to cancel will lose the right to audition for the remainder of the semester. The SAG-AFTRA Conservatory office will notify members that they have two weeks to explain their actions in writing. If a letter is received, the Conservatory Committee or its designees will accept or deny the excuse. Incidences deemed unexcused will result in the member being marked ineligible for any and all casting consideration by AFI fellows for the semester. Members may appeal the decision by requesting an appearance before the committee as detailed in section 7 below. Repeat occurrences may jeopardize membership in the Conservatory.



Members who have broken any of these rules, or who have been cited for conduct unbecoming will be notified in writing of the grounds for dismissal. The member has the right to a hearing before the Conservatory Committee and will be provided a description of the process in advance of their appearance.

By joining the SAG-AFTRA Conservatory you have taken an aggressive and positive step in advancing your career. Congratulations! We hope you’ll make the most out of your experience here by participating in our workshops and special events, volunteering, and contributing your talents to AFI directing and cinematography classes, as well of course, the first and second year films. AFI is a two year Masters program and with our SAG-AFTRA agreement, first year students, called Fellows, are required to use SAG-AFTRA Los Angles Conservatory members.

We are located on the campus of The American Film Institute 2021 N. Western Ave. Hollywood, CA 90027 If you are heading east on Franklin Ave., turn left (north). The AFI campus is halfway up the hill on the left. Turn into the driveway and go up the hill (past Immaculate Heart High School). The first building on your left is the Warner Building where many auditions for student films are held. To get to the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory, continue driving further up the hill. As you veer left, you’ll see a white two-story building, the Mayer Library Building. The SAG-AFTRA Conservatory office is located in LIB 100 on the ground floor. The studio, classroom and the Frankovich/Barnes screening room are also located on the ground floor.

a. If the member elects to have a hearing, it is the member’s responsibility to contact the office at 323.856.7736 within 10 days, or as otherwise instructed, from the receipt of the Committee’s letter. Members who do not appear before the Committee will have their membership canceled. b. Hearings shall be held at SAG-AFTRA offices before no fewer than seven Conservatory Committee members at the next scheduled Committee meeting.

c. The decision of the Conservatory Committee is final. Appeals

may be requested within 10 days of the receipt of the Committee’s decision. Appeals must be sent to the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Executive Committee.

SAG-AFTRA members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner at all times. This includes, but is not limited to, their fellow members, the SAG-AFTRA volunteers and staff, as well as the AFI fellows and staff. We appreciate your co-operation in helping to make the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory a great place for actors to work and learn together.

2021 N WESTERN AVE. LOS ANGELES, CA 90027

PHONE:

323.856.7736

FAX: 323.467.6456

CONSERVATORY@SAGAFTRA.ORG WWW.SAGAFTRA.ORG/LACONSERVATORY