SAG-AFTRA Miami - Fall 2016

Fall 2016

IN THIS ISSUE • Mixers Season Is On – Page 2

UNITY BALL SUPPORTS SPANISH-LANGUAGE ORGANIZING

• From the Miami Local President – Page 3 • From the Miami Local Executive Director – Page 4 - 5 • Important Membership Rules – Page 5 - 6 • SAG-AFTRA in Puerto Rico – Page 6 • 2016 SAG Awards Viewing Party – Page 7 • Film Florida Lobbying in Tallahassee – Page 8

More than 300 dancers and attendees gathered at the Ball & Chain in Miami on Feb. 21 for a night of music and dance and to support performers who work in Spanish-language television and want SAGAFTRA to be the union to represent them. The Unity Ball was hosted

by Dancers’ Alliance Miami in partnership with SAG-AFTRA. The amazing group dance performances included iPhlow, Art Formaz, Mosaic Dance Project, ShowStoppers, Sean’s Dance Factory, J Rand and the Miami Heat Dancers, and the Florida Marlins Energy Team.

• SAG-AFTRA President – Page 8 - 9 • Miami Local Celebrates Presidents Day – Page 10 • Miami Local Education and Outreach – Page 11 • Member Information – Page 12 - 13

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Photos by Mitchell Zachs / MagicalPhotos.com

MIXERS SEASON IS ON!

MIAMI SAG-AFTRA Miami held a well-attended mixer at Soyka Restaurant & Bar in Miami on Wednesday, April 13. Members, agents and guests enjoyed a festive evening, mingling and reconnecting with old colleagues and meeting new ones.

ORLANDO On June 3, the Miami Local held a mixer at Ember in downtown Orlando that was attended by more than 40 members and industry guests. The attendees enjoyed an evening of fun, socializing and networking at this beautiful venue. It was a very hot and humid evening but great happy hour specials kept everyone inside and well hydrated.

BOCA RATON The rainy weather could have done more damage to our Mixer at Max CafĂŠ in Boca Raton, but a nice crowd of members and guests gathered on June 8 and mingled and exchanged the latest news about the industry in a happy-hour atmosphere.

FUTURE MIXERS COMING ‌ Mixer events are organized to gather members and other industry representatives in an informal setting to socialize and network. We will be scheduling more mixers and other events, so always read your SAG-AFTRA emails.

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From the Miami Local President

STEVE GLADSTONE It’s summertime. Bloodline is on hiatus, production slows down, our state legislature remains unfriendly to our industry and we feel the pinch. And on top of it all, we itch to be working, doing what we love to do.

When there’s not a lot of activity, we also feel the annoyance of non-union production more deeply.

Non-union production has existed since the early 1930s, at the very moment our unions formed, and there will always be producers trying to put more money in their pockets by paying actors less than they’re worth.

A local stunt actor was recently offered $500 per day for several weeks of work on a non-union film. In response to the offer, he said it best: “No.” He was abundantly aware that the daily rate should be double that, notwithstanding a 17.3-percent pension and health contribution, and residuals in perpetuity. And most importantly, there are no safety standards required on the set for non-union stunt performers.

I recall our late President Howard saying, “The fight to protect performers is never over.”

This goes for our successor contracts as well as getting non-union producers to sign our current deals.

A lull in production is never a good time to undermine what we have fought for over the past 83 years. And, of course, production will pick up shortly and the summer lull will fade in the rear-view mirror.

This is an especially good time to update your headshots, resume and demo clips and reels. Take advantage of the SAG-AFTRA online casting workshops and those offered by our local conservatory.

For all of you with a day job or blessed to be in a dual-income family, stay the course.

Opportunities are just around the corner. They always are.

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From the Miami Local Executive Director

HERTA SUAREZ National Executive Director David White frequently reminds members and staff about the core functions of SAG-AFTRA: Organizing, Timely Payments, Negotiations and Contract Enforcement. The core functions help keep everyone focused to better represent our members.

The Miami Local is at the front and center of the national campaign to organize one of the key and fastest-growing markets of our industry in the United States: Spanishlanguage television. This is a segment of our industry with many disparities compared to the employment of performers on English-language television.

Non-union work is everywhere, and we are concerned that the Florida production incentives program is no longer attractive to producers. For that reason, we have recently taken a more aggressive approach at non-union productions that we become aware of. In some recent cases, when our calls are not returned by the producer, we show up at the production office or the casting session and wait until the employer meets with us. We want to provide producers with all the options available to cover the production under a SAG-AFTRA contract. So, when you are aware of non-union jobs, please contact our office right away with as much information as you can gather so we can do everything possible to get the producer to sign one of our contracts. We want producers to experience that we are “easy to work with.”

In the commercials area, we now have in place the new national commercials contracts. These contracts are very important for the Miami Local since our local members’ earnings under the commercials contracts rank No. 4 in the country behind Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. Miami continues to be a center of production for commercials — with or without the Florida production incentives. Similar to almost all locals around the country other than L.A. and N.Y., the Miami Local has an adjunct to the commercials contracts (generally known as a Local Code) that provides for special rates for commercials that are made and used within the state of Florida. We will be approaching local advertising agencies, producers and advertisers to engage them in negotiations for rates for these type of commercials in an effort to generate more signatories and union jobs for all our Miami Local members. This local effort will be part of plans for the Miami Local to organize more commercial work under the national Commercials Organizing and Recapture Initiative.

Continues on page 5

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Timely payments of residuals continue to be delivered within 30 days to performers around the country — a much-desired accomplishment by SAG-AFTRA for the benefit of our members.

When it comes to contract enforcement, our business reps are dedicated to ensuring that signatory producers comply with our contracts and that they are properly administered. Our Miami staff now visits castings and production sets covered by our contracts on a regular basis, so you can be assured that SAG-AFTRA has your back.

In the legislative front in Florida, we will continue working with the industry to generate state and county incentive programs to attract more production projects to the state.

Alabama and Puerto Rico have production incentives in place and it should be noted that they have experienced a slight increase of union-covered production.

SAG-AFTRA Miami’s commitment is clear: Miami staff will continue working to maintain and improve the standards of employment of our industry and to increase our efforts to expand work opportunities for our members.

Important Membership Rule to Remember SAG-AFTRA’s Global Rule One This rule is among the founding principles and strengths of our union. It does not matter where you work; you cannot work without a union contract or signatory in place prior to the first day of work. Just look on the back of your SAG-AFTRA membership card: As a member of SAG-AFTRA, you are obligated to uphold all SAG-AFTRA rules, including, but not limited to, the following: You must comply with SAG-AFTRA’s Global Rule One. You need to verify signatory status of the employer/producer before agreeing to work, and you can call SAG-AFTRA Miami Local for that verification. When calling the office, you’ll need the name of the signatory, location/city of the signatory and the type of work you’re being asked to do. Casting agents, talent agents, advertising agencies, recording studios, production companies — anyone that contacts you for work — is obligated to tell you the signatory and explain the type of work you’ll be performing. If that information isn’t offered, then ask. Because the only way you can confirm that you’re working under a union agreement is to contact the union.

If a company wishes to use union performers, the appropriate union agreement must be signed or union performers cannot do the work. Keep your union strong. If producers can hire professional actors off the card, why would they ever sign a union agreement?

It is your responsibility to help maintain the union’s ability to organize and enforce wages and working conditions requirements. When SAG-AFTRA members choose to ignore SAG-AFTRA’s Global Rule One, they are putting their membership in jeopardy, weakening the union and putting their fellow performers’ careers and financial security at risk.

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SAG-AFTRA takes Rule One very seriously. Violations can result in disciplinary action ranging from reprimands to fines to expulsion. It is each member’s responsibility to ensure that a producer is a SAG-AFTRA signatory and to get a SAG-AFTRA contract wherever they work, even if it is outside the United States.

Please contact Herta Suarez at the SAG-AFTRA Miami Local at (305) 663-7089 for clarification about working on Spanish-language television entertainment programs produced in Miami.

SAG and AFTRA Franchised Agents Representation SAG-AFTRA members in Florida are required to be represented by agents that are franchised under either the legacy SAG or legacy AFTRA agency regulations, or both. A link to a list of our agents is at the bottom of this notice for your convenience.

Agreeing to be represented by a non-franchised agent in Florida does not satisfy SAG-AFTRA rules and regulations, unless specific exceptions apply. These rules are necessary in order to ensure that our members’ rights are fully protected in their agency relationships and that SAG-AFTRA can step in, if it is needed, to assist members.

Franchised agents (as well as the SAG-AFTRA members that they represent) are protected by, and bound to, the legacy SAG Agency Regulations [16(g)] and/or the legacy AFTRA Agency Regulations [12-C]. Agents in Florida that are not franchised by the union are outside SAG-AFTRA’s jurisdiction, and our members should be careful not to place themselves in violation of SAG-AFTRA rules by deciding to work with such agencies, potentially opening themselves up to disciplinary review.

Should you have any agency-related questions, please do not hesitate to contact SAG-AFTRA’s Professional Representatives Department in L.A. at (323) 549-6745, in Florida by calling David Fazekas at (407) 788-3020, or by emailing agency@sagaftra.org. The Professional Representatives Department section of the website is also located here for your convenience. Thank you.

SAG-AFTRA-franchised agents in Florida, searchable by local, can be found here: SAG: http://www.sagaftra.org/professionalrepresentatives/sag-franchised-agents

AFTRA: http://www.sagaftra.org/professionalrepresentatives/aftra-franchised-agents

SAG-AFTRA IN PUERTO RICO

Miami Local Board member from Puerto Rico Brian Tester, left, and Miami Local Contracts Manager David Fazekas

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The SAG-AFTRA Miami Local continues with its efforts to visit production sets on a regular basis to better administer our contracts. These efforts took South Region Manager of Contracts David Fazekas to Puerto Rico to the sets of the TV series Wrecked and the movie Start Up.

MIAMI LOCAL SAG AWARDS VIEWING PARTIES Celebrating the SAG Awards: A Look Back The Miami Local partied the night away at the 22nd SAG Awards MIAMI viewing party on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016, at Dave & Buster’s in Hollywood, Florida. Members were joined by personal guests and invited industry guests. Everyone enjoyed drinks and the full-course dinner — including the now-traditional SAG Awards dessert cake. Mingling with colleagues while watching the show on the big screen was almost like being there! And, then there’s always all the giveaways from the SAG Awards and SAG-AFTRA. Have you attended one of these viewing parties yet? Well, join us in Sunday, Jan. 29! It’s a great opportunity to celebrate, see colleagues that you haven’t seen for a while and enjoy the show together.

ORLANDO

The Miami Local also held a SAG Awards viewing party in Orlando at the An Tobar Irish Pub in Maitland. A crowd of almost 50 attendees comprised of members and their guests attended this event. They enjoyed the awards show on several television screens while taking advantage of the discounted food and beverage prices and a beautifully decorated SAG Awards cake.

SAVE THE DATE! The Miami Local will be holding its annual membership meeting in November 2016. More details to follow.

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Legislative Recap

FILM FLORIDA LOBBIES FOR INCENTIVES

From left, Jacksonville Office of Film & TV Manager Todd Roobin; Film Florida President and Palm Beach County Film & TV Deputy Film Commissioner Michelle Hillery; Speaker of the Florida House Steven Crissafulli; Space Coast Film Commission Bonnie King; SAG-AFTRA Miami Local Executive Director Herta Suarez; IDEAS Chief Operating Officer John Lux; Emerald Coast Film Commissioner Gail Morgan; Palm Beach County Film & TV Commission Production Director Christy Andreoni

SAG-AFTRA Miami Local Executive Director Herta Suarez and members of Film Florida’s executive board traveled to Tallahassee on Jan. 20, 2016, to be part of Florida’s Tourism Day. Film Florida’s trip to Tallahassee was part of lobbying efforts, asking legislators to support a program to attract production to the state. Given the economic impact Florida productions generate by promoting the state’s tourism, a production program would be a boost for Florida’s economy. It was disappointing that this year’s efforts were not successful in delivering the necessary support from the Legislature. Regardless, Florida’s amazing location sites and weather will continue to bring commercials and other productions to the state.

With the lack of support from the state Legislature, many Film Commissions have taken matters into their own hands and are developing county incentives.

As you all may know, SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard died March 23 in his home near Los Angeles. He was elected president of SAG in 2009 and re-elected in 2011 on his pledge to unite SAG and AFTRA. He became the first elected president of SAGAFTRA and was serving his second term when he passed. Ken, our beloved union leader, actor and friend, you will be missed. Click here to read more.

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Gabrielle Carteris Elected SAG-AFTRA National President

Subsequent to Ken Howard’s death, Gabrielle Carteris was elected president of SAG-AFTRA by the National Board on April 9 to fill out the remaining 15 months of Howard’s term. Rebecca Damon was elected to serve as executive vice president.

Click here for more information.

Miami Staff Service Recognition Our local executive director, Herta Suarez, was officially recognized this year at the annual staff gathering, held via video conference, for her 30 years of service (31 when she received the award) to legacy AFTRA and SAG-AFTRA. We appreciate all her years of service and dedication to our union and its members.

Casting Workshop Sponsored by Local Conservatory

Talent Booking Director for Walt Disney Parks Pamela Frazier, fourth from left, and SAG-AFTRA members at the workshop.

The Miami Local Conservatory Committee held a casting workshop on Saturday, June 18, at Just The Funny Theater at Miami from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. The presenter was Pamela Frazier, talent booking director for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts/Creative Entertainment. Frazier’s career path includes positions as talent executive, talent producer, coordinating producer, associate producer and casting director. This was a very successful workshop where everyone who participated learned from Frazier’s expertise and enjoyed her fun approach to sharing her knowledge.

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ANNUAL PRESIDENTS DAY PICNIC IN MIAMI

The annual Presidents Day picnic was held on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. It was held at Greynolds Park in North Miami Beach, Florida. Members enjoyed lunch, refreshments, music, networking and prizes in the great outdoor atmosphere. The weather cooperated, providing a sunny day and comfortable temperatures. This year, attendees enjoyed an enhanced picnic lunch with grilled hamburgers, hot dogs and salads cooked on site and served buffet style. Don’t miss next year’s event for more informal fun under the sun!

CENTRAL FLORIDA INFORMATIONAL MEETING Last Dec. 10, the Miami Local held an informational meeting for members at the Mad Cow Theatre in downtown Orlando. The meeting followed the annual membership meeting, held every year in Miami. The meeting was conducted by Miami Local Board Secretary Patrick Mickler. South Region Manager, Contracts David Fazekas was in attendance to answer questions. A mixer was held prior to the meeting and a trivia contest concluded the event. Winners of the contest were awarded great prizes with the SAG-AFTRA logo. Special thanks to Audrey McGowen, operations manager at Mad Cow Theatre and her staff for helping us make this a successful event.

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Miami Local Education and Outreach SAG-AFTRA Miami Reaching Into Our Future MIAMI DADE COLLEGE On April 20, Business Representative Linda Isrel met with Miami Dade College North Campus Professor Rachelle Salnave and students from her class from the School of Entertainment and Design Technology. The students, who are learning the ropes of filmmaking, heard from Isrel about the benefits of using SAG-AFTRA members in their productions. She was invited to return to speak with film students who are making their thesis films. Many MDC North students have already filmed their projects with our members and, by getting the word out, we hope to show them how easy it is to work with SAG-AFTRA and our members.

FORT MYERS BEACH FILM FEST From left, SAG-AFTRA Senior Business Representative Ruth Paul, Rolando Hernandez and Kyle Thompson of Red Flight Pictures, filmmaker Katherine Muise, and literary agent and film producer Stanley Isaacs.

The Fort Myers Beach Film Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. SAGAFTRA Senior Business Representative Ruth Paul participated in several panels at the five-day festival, which took place from April 20 – 24.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN IN CINEMA

From left, Liz Martin, Ruth Paul and Dhima Martin.

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SAG-AFTRA Senior Business Representative Ruth Paul joined a panel discussion on the art of making low budget films at the Old Dillard Museum in Fort Lauderdale on March 4. Following the presentation, there was a museum tour, reception and a special screening of Lynne Forde’s newest film, Grinding. African-American Women in Cinema is an emerging group headquartered in New York, with offices in Miami, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Chicago. The women in this organization work together to spotlight the works of unknown professional filmmakers and artists.

Member Information ACTORS WANTED! An Audience Needs You Help the children of Florida learn to love to read! The SAG-AFTRA Foundation is seeking SAG-AFTRA and Actors’ Equity members to read aloud to children in Title 1 public schools for the coming school year.

Volunteer to read for the Foundation’s signature children’s literacy program, BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools), and hone your craft in front of the most appreciative audience ever!

BookPALS is also a wonderful opportunity to give back to your community. As actors and entertainers, we are uniquely qualified to help bring the magic of books to life for children who are just learning to read and reading to learn. Using all of our creative talents — voice, body and imagination — we can create new worlds for children to experience.

Research proves that reading aloud to a child improves listening comprehension skills, builds a capacity for critical thinking, increases vocabulary and context knowledge, and sparks a positive association with reading. Children must be exposed to the magic of books to develop a love of reading. And who better to make that magic come alive than a professional performer who is gifted in the art of storytelling?

To learn more and get involved, contact Natalie Rogers: nrogers@sagfoundation.org, (321) 229-0638 or visit sagaftra.foundation/bookpals BookPALS is a program of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, which provides vital assistance and educational programming to the professionals of SAG-AFTRA while serving the public at large through its signature children’s literacy programs. Support the SAG-AFTRA Foundation at sagaftra.foundation.

Important Websites: SAG-AFTRA SAG-AFTRA Foundation SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union Actors Federal Credit Union

SAG-AFTRA New Health Plan in Effect Jan. 1, 2017 The trustees of the Screen Actors Guild – Producers Health Plan and the AFTRA Health Fund have approved the merger of the two plans. The new SAG-AFTRA Health Plan will provide comprehensive medical, hospital, mental health, prescription drug, dental, vision and other benefits to eligible members worldwide. Read all about it here.

SAG-AFTRA Health Plan AFTRA Health & Retirement Funds SAG-Producers Pension & Health Union Privilege/Union Plus Benefits

SAG-AFTRA Unidos 12

Union Plus Scholarship Available The Union Plus Scholarship program, now in its 24th year, has awarded more than $3.7 million in educational funding to more than 2,500 union family members. Apply online for the 2017 Union Plus Scholarship. Deadline is Jan. 31, 2017.

Click here.

SAG-AFTRA Miami Local MAIN Telephone ……… (305) 670-7677 Toll Free …………(855) 724-2387

STAFF

Thomas-Corey Members’ Studio Lab Training Sessions The SAG-AFTRA Miami Local is offering training sessions for members on how to film and edit auditions, and send the finished product to agents and casting directors. We are scheduling these training sessions twice a month so you can choose the day that works best for you. For details click here or go to sagaftra.org/locals/miami/events

Herta Suarez………….…….….Ext. 7089 Miami Local Executive Director/ New Orleans Local Broadcast Director Leslie Krensky…………….……Ext. 7077 South Region Director/Contracts and Operations Productions in Puerto Rico David Fazekas……..….. (407) 788-3020 South Region Manager of Contracts Productions in Central Florida Carlina Rodriguez……......…..Ext. 7076 Director, Spanish Language Industry Relations Eileen Neel……………….…….Ext. 7079 Supervisor Membership Ruth Paul…………………..…...Ext. 7087 Senior Business Representative Email: ruth.paul@sagaftra.org Productions in South Florida Associate Business Rep ……….…….Ext. 708 South Region Student & Short Film Productions Jessica Vazquez………….…..Ext. 7083 Business Representative Email: jessica.vazquez@sagaftra.org Commercials, corporate-educational (industrial), infomercials Linda Isrel…………………..…..Ext. 7088 Business Representative Email: linda.isrel@sagaftra.org Productions in Alabama Susana Carrillo……………….Ext. 7092 Executive Administrative Assistant Litana Somoano………………Ext. 7086 Administrative Assistant

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REMINDERS! Visit SAG-AFTRA’s website at SAGAFTRA.org or Click here to …

• Pay your dues • Update your contact information • Get the latest union news

ARE YOU GETTING SAG-AFTRA FOUNDATION NOTICES? It is necessary that you register with the SAG-AFTRA Foundation at sagaftra.foundation in order to receive event notices.

Contributors Susana Carrillo David Fazekas Steve Gladstone Ruth Paul Herta Suarez

SAG-AFTRA 3470 N.W. 82nd Ave. Suite 780 Doral, FL 33122 Phone: (305) 670-7677 Fax: (305) 670-1813 Website: sagaftra.org/miami