SAG-AFTRA SF-NorCal Local newsletter - Spring 2014

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Executive Director Report

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National Board Report

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Broadcast Notes

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Contract Corner

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Film Incentive

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Committee Reports

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Photo Gallery

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In Memorium

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New Members

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SAG-AFTRA SAN FRANCISCONORTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCAL

350 SANSOME STREET,SUITE 900 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104

P:(415)391-7510 F:(415)391-1108

SPRING 2014

President’s Report Kathryn Howell I want to reach out to every member across the wide expanse of the San FranciscoNorthern California Local: everyone from Fresno to Humboldt County, Placerville to Monterey. Your elected leaders are always striving to improve work opportunities for all. Currently, the Communications Committee is doing an outreach to film commissions in each area of our local, calling attention to our talent base and offering support to the commissions in its efforts to bring more production to Northern California. As always, we appreciate your input, ideas and inspiration.

SAG-AFTRA SPRING MEMBERSHIP MEETING Many thanks to everyone who has been proactive for your union recently: broadcast MONDAY, April 14 units who have stood strong in negotiations, 7-9 p.m. everyone who came out for the TV/ Theatrical Wages and Working Conditions Marriott Hotel Union Square meetings, the tireless volunteers who serve 480 Sutter Street on our local committees, and all who San Francisco, CA participate in BookPALS. Thank you! You are what makes the union strong.

Agenda: 

Production update: HBO's Looking is scheduled to return for a second season with filming beginning in August. Also, there are signs production will be picking up with several indie and network projects looking to shoot here, as well as parts of three blockbuster films.

sf@sagaftra.org SAGAFTRA.ORG/SF Facebook

EDITOR: Len Egert DESIGN: Vicki Balich

Elsewhere in this newsletter, please read all the information about the proposed extension of the California film incentive. We will need all hands on deck to help pass the legislation.

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California film incentive member mobilization with Susannah Greason Robbins of the San Francisco Film Commission office and guest speakers.

Kat Landsberg Producer of Looking Report of the President Executive Staff Reports Committee Reports Q&A Surprise Giveaways

The membership meeting is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing.

Unfortunately, no guests allowed. Parents/ guardians of younger performers under 18 years old are welcome. No RSVP necessary. SAG-AFTRA MEMBERS, PLEASE BRING YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD (paid thru April 30, 2014) .

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Be Aware of Global Rule One and No Contract/No Work Len Egert, Executive Director Please be aware that Global Rule We Stand Together One and No Contract/No Work are alive and well, post-merger. No Contract/No Work and Global Rule One are among the founding principles and strengths of our Working off the card jeopardizes union: We stand together as members and do not a professional performer’s ability work without a union contract where there are to earn hard-fought contractual multiemployer industry wide contracts in place. minimums and may result in the inability to get contractually guaranteed benefits and on-set The best way to encourage producers to sign protections. There are also real and substantial SAG-AFTRA contracts is for every union member to potential penalties involved for violation of Global refuse to accept non-union work. Stand firm with the Rule One and/or No Contract/No Work. knowledge that non-union work holds no guaranteed provisions for overtime pay, residuals, liquidated What are Global Rule One and No Contract/No damages for late payments, assistance from staff in Work? collecting monies owed or contributions to pension and health coverage. Sacrifices made by more than Global Rule One for all SAG-AFTRA members states seven decades of loyal union members have achieved that “No member shall work as a performer or make these benefits and much more. Without No Contract/ an agreement to work as a performer for any No Work and Global Rule One there are no producer who has not executed a basic minimum protections or benefits. Without No Contract/No agreement with the [union] which is in full force and Work and Global Rule One, we performers stand effect." This provision is worldwide. alone.

The SAG-AFTRA Merger Agreement (Section VI.C, Initial Rules, Regulations and Policies) specifically provides that legacy AFTRA’s No Contract/ No Work Rule and legacy SAG’s Global Rule One continue to apply after merger just as they always have. The merger agreement also provides that the rules and regulations of both legacy entities shall remain in effect post-merger (Section VI.A) until or at such time the national board adopts different rules, regulations or policies.

Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, Global Rule One and the No Contract/No Work Rule are substantially the same. The fact that No Contract/No Work rule applies differently in single-employer situations will not change the way Global Rule One is enforced and No Contract/No Work applies in areas such as commercials, scripted TV, interactive, etc.

Background on Global Rule One Protections Up until May 1, 2002, Global Rule One was enforced on productions shot in the United States. Now Global Rule One applies to members working outside the U.S. for foreign producers.

Beginning on May 1, 2002, legacy SAG expanded its protections globally to better serve the needs of members in this rapidly changing, global entertainment economy and to ensure that the protections of the union followed members wherever they worked.

Similarly, legacy AFTRA’s No Contract/No Work Rule applied to all AFTRA members, regardless of category, in jurisdictions where there were multiemployer, industry wide agreements. For example, in Cont’d on page 3

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Cont’d from page 2

the areas of commercials, non-broadcast, scripted television, and interactive, the No Contract/No Work Rule applies — just like Global Rule One. Members who violate Global Rule One or No Contract/No Work are subject to disciplinary proceedings and may be reprimanded, censured, fined, suspended or expelled from the union (Article XIV, Discipline of Members, SAG-AFTRA Constitution). The union will continue to discipline those found guilty of violating its rules.

Further Information If you know of members who are violating Global Rule One or a No Contract/No Work order in any local, or if you have any doubt whether a particular project is covered by a union contract or any other related questions, please report the facts to Len Egert, our local executive director at leonard.egert@sagaftra.org or (415) 391-7510, or Sally Tich, senior manager, compliance, at (323) 549-6019. Your report will be totally confidential — your name will not be revealed to the alleged violator without your consent.

National Board Report San Francisco National Board member and AFTRA Health and Retirement trustee Denny Delk has just been appointed to the Investment Management Committee of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

The IFEBP is an organization that provides educational opportunities and legislative leverage for pension and health plans in the United States and Canada. He is also being appointed to a yet-tobe-named resource group for that organization. His charge is to work with fellow committee members to provide training and educational resources for trustees from many Employee Retirement Income

Security Acts and multiemployer pension and health plans. Delk has served as a trustee for more than 20 years on the AFTRA H&R Board, where he is co-chair of the investment committee. He is a graduate of the Wharton School’s trustee education program (in conjunction with the IFEBP) and a graduate of the foundation’s first Master Trustee program.

Meanwhile, the AFTRA Health Fund and the SAGProducers Health Fund continue their talks as they seek to provide health coverage for members whose earnings are divided between the two legacy unions’ contracts.

Member Alert: Tax Time - Tracking Down W2s SAG-AFTRA does not issue W2 tax forms. Instead, members receive them from the companies for which they have worked. If members need to contact a studio or payroll house directly to change their listed address or ask questions about W2 tax forms, here is the contact info for some of the major studios and payroll houses (including union contacts):

BROADCAST NOTES

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By Broadcast Team: Jessica Bowker, Lauren Renaud, Barry Schimmel Congratulations to KDTV members who ratified a strong, new agreement. This CBA covers nine reporters, anchors and hosts at the Univision-owned and operated station. The new contract includes 3 percent annual increases for three years, and a 20 percent premium when performing multimedia journalist duties, among other improvements. The unit’s frequent and unified presence in negotiations, along with strategy meetings outside of work, greatly contributed to our success in these negotiations.

Contract talks continue at KSEE and KGPE, our Nexstar duopoly in Fresno, where we currently represent about 20 reporters/anchors, and 10 directors and producers. Most of the smaller issues have been tentatively agreed upon, and we’re getting closer to discussing economics.

Following on the heels of the newly ratified contract for KRON newspersons, SAG-AFTRA SF-NorCal is returning to the bargaining table to negotiate a successor agreement for KRON announcers, directors and writers.

Media General recently announced plans to lease space from KGO-TV at their Front St. location, and move KRON4’s operation. The move is expected to take six to eight months. No plans for KRON’s Van Ness property have yet been announced.

On a related note, negotiations are continuing at KGO-TV. The parties met on February 25-26 and again on March 6. Several issues remain to be resolved, among them, wages, H&R contribution rates and some quality-of-life issues.

We are heading back to the bargaining table to negotiate a successor agreement to the recently expired KQED-TV Contract. In related news, KQED Inc. recently notified employees of plans to explore convergence of their newsgathering abilities for all three platforms: radio, TV and Internet. We will update everyone with additional information as it becomes available.

Difficult contract negotiations continue at KOIT and KBLX. Both sides have agreed to federal mediation in April. The company continues to insist on zero percent wage and H&R increases, and will not move on greatly reduced part-time provisions, severance and job protections.

We recently conducted our second round of negotiations at KPIX, where the major issues are wages, overtime and crediting, multimedia journalist protections, and part-time provisions. There are several upcoming unit meetings scheduled to provide feedback for the bargaining team.

KCBS and METRO/TTN both have upcoming quarterly meetings aimed at promoting discussion and collaboration between employees, management and the union on a variety of issues.

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CONTRACT CORNER

Basic Tips for Actors

By Janice Goto and Lori Shockley Remember: There is a reason they call it ‘show business’ and not ‘show fun’ Following the basic requirements below brands you as a professional. Increase the chances that casting directors and producers will call you back.

Interviews/Auditions Be prepared for anything at the interview. Don’t let anything throw you off your game. You are an actor after all.

Study the script if possible.

Bring your glasses.

Bring a current headshot that reflects your current age, weight and hair.

Smile and be friendly.

On the Set Leave enough time to park the car and walk to the holding area.

Carry a pen, business card or headshot.

Get a copy of your voucher or take a picture of it with your phone.

Let production know if you need to go anywhere other than the holding area.

Turn your phone off on set.

PAYMENT DUE DATES This information is posted on our website: SAGAFTRA.org Commercials: Payments must be made no later than 12 working days (this excludes weekends and holidays) after the date of employment. Example: If you worked on Wednesday, January 8, your paycheck must be written by Monday January 27. The 12 working days are: January 9, 10, 13-17, 21-24 (January 20 is a holiday). This does not mean you should receive the check by Monday, January 27, but that the payroll service must have issued the check by that date.

Corporate/Educational: Payment must be mailed no later than 30 calendar days from date of employment.

Example: If you worked on Wednesday, January 8, your paycheck must be mailed by February 7.

Theatrical/TV: Actors will be paid by check to be postmarked by the Thursday following the week of employment.

In order to properly process a claim for you, please obtain a copy of your SAG-AFTRA agreement or background voucher before you call or email your local representative. If you do not have one, please make sure you give us the following: your name, the name of the project, the dates worked and any additional info you may have, such as your SAG-AFTRA ID number.

Contact information for claims and questions: SAG-AFTRA (415) 391-7510 Janice Goto, Commercial Business Rep. janice.goto@sagaftra.org Lori Shockley, Theatrical/TV Rep. lori.shockley@sagaftra.org

Thank you and break a leg!

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California Film & Television Production Alliance Statement on Introduction of AB 1839 On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on a healthy California film and television industry, SAG-AFTRA encourages members to support AB 1839, the Expanded Film and Television Job Creation Act. For the past 15 years, our industry has been increasingly threatened by film and television productions fleeing the state in search of better financial conditions. As other states have ramped up their incentive programs, California has lost nearly all big budget feature film production and most television production to other locations. In 2012, only one big budget feature film was shot entirely in California, and in 2013, just 39 out of 137 one-hour television series were filmed here – shocking declines for a state that has been the heart of the entertainment industry for almost 100 years. Without the current limited California production credit, which has made filming in California a viable scenario for only 50 projects a year, these figures would be even worse.

When production goes elsewhere, so do the jobs, tax revenue, and spending that are critical to the strength of our state's economy. In order to once again be competitive, California must put in place a meaningful, expanded credit that will bring back jobs, increase revenue, and support small businesses and vendors all across the state.

OF NOTE:

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE to members in good-standing: John L. Dales Scholarship Fund - SAG Foundation George Heller Memorial Scholarship Fund - AFTRA Foundation Union Plus Scholarships - AFL-CIO When responding to any type of e-blast generated from the national office for local events, please do not reply to the message. This will delay a response by being misdirected to the national office instead the appropriate contact person in San Francisco.

Get a Copy of Your Contract - It has come to our attention that many of you working on commercials are not receiving a copy of your employment contract. You have a right to a copy of your contract and should INSIST on getting a copy. If you don’t receive it during the shoot, contact our office and we will contact the signatory agency.

20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® Click here for the complete list of winners For health plan updates refer to AFTRA Health & Retirement and SAG Pension & Health.

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COMMITTEE REPORTS

SAG Foundation BookPALS and SAG-AFTRA San Francisco-Northern California Local brings Rita Moreno to Rosa Parks Elementary to Spread the Joy of Reading What better way to celebrate a SAG Life Achievement Award and a brand new feature on Storyline Online than to become a BookPAL for a day?

Rita Moreno, on the heels of her triumph at the SAG Awards in January, made time to visit with the children of Rosa Parks Elementary in West Berkeley to read to them and speak with them about her life and work. Moreno had just wrapped up filming Amanda Noll’s I Need My Monster for BookPALS Storyline Online, a literacy program supported by the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, which records well-known actors reading children’s books and creates dynamic videos that lift the illustrations right off the page.

Second- and third-graders at Rosa Parks were delighted to hear Moreno read the story live and, of course, loved all the different voices, but they also engaged her on a wide range of topics, asking her questions about her early childhood and her most recent creative projects, as well as sharing their surprisingly broad knowledge of her rich career. Moreno was warm, listened attentively to each and every child and made each one feel special and important.

SAG-AFTRA’s First-Ever Personal Manager Code of Ethics and Conduct Ready for Signing SAG-AFTRA has finalized its Personal Manager Code of Ethics and Conduct, a voluntary agreement that is designed to promote honest and ethical relationships between the union’s members and the managers they choose to represent them.

As a sign of commitment to its burgeoning relationship with the personal management community, SAG-AFTRA’s Agency Relations Department is now known as the SAG-AFTRA Professional Representatives Department.

To learn more and view a copy of the Personal Manager Code of Ethics and Conduct go to www.sagaftra.org/managers.

Conservatory Photo Gallery

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Understanding the Language Your Face Speaks: John Sudol

Inside Game of Success & Creative Well Being: Robert & Michelle Colt

A Voiceover Workshop: Elaine Clark

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BookPALS Photo Gallery

Wrap Party - December 2013

Rita Moreno Reads at Rosa Parks Elementary in West Berkeley

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IN MEMORIAM Shirley Temple Black Shirley Temple Black, the curly-haired child star who sang and danced her way into the hearts of moviegoers worldwide died at the age of 85 in her Woodside home on February 10. The most famous child star of her time, Black began her film career at age 3 and became the symbol of upbeat family entertainment during the Great Depression. By age 6, she had received a miniature Academy Award and left her hand and footprints in cement at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

Dolls, clothes, dishes, cutout books and numerous other items appear in Black’s likeness. There was even a nonalcoholic drink named after her: the Shirley Temple, made with ginger ale, orange juice and grenadine, topped with a maraschino cherry.

Black retired from films at the age of 22 in 1950, but returned to show business in 1958, for Shirley Temple’s Storybook.

Politics beckoned next, and Black, a Republican, ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1967.

She considered her background in entertainment an asset to her political career.

After serving as U.S. representative to the United Nations in 1969, Temple was appointed U.S. ambassador to the African nation of Ghana in 1974, chief of protocol of the U.S. in 1976 and U.S. ambassador to Czechoslovakia in 1989.

Black was the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2005.

She is survived by three children, a granddaughter and two great-granddaughters.

**** Bill Beckwith Bill Beckwith was co-host of the HGTV series Curb Appeal. A native of Maine, where he grew up on a vegetable farm, Beckwith studied English and martial arts at the University of Montana. During summer breaks, he restored cabins at a fly-fishing retreat in Wyoming.

After college he moved to Northern California, where he became a licensed contractor and established his own construction business, BB Design Build. His expertise as a builder and outgoing nature made him an ideal fit for Curb Appeal, the popular home-renovation program that debuted in 2002.

Beckwith was a motorcycle enthusiast who loved touring and biking in exotic locations. Beckwith died after a motorcycle accident in San Francisco on December 2, 2013. He was 38 years old.

Friends and family are deeply saddened by Beckwith’s tragic death and will miss his creativity, adventurous spirit and general love of life.

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San Francisco-Northern California Local Welcomes New Members & Transfers November 1, 2013 to February 28, 2014 Bailey, Missy Bolt, Kendra Brandt, David Chiang, John Crump-Shears, Marjorie DeBenedet, Millie Denkhaus, Kim Diamond, Leah Elise Diep, Leslie Dutton, Timy Flinker, Jonathan Galleron, Paula Galloway, Noni Hall, Joe Harvey, James Ted Holden, Marjean

Koponen, Andrew Leland, Travis Leu, Kenny C. Liu, Joyce F Low, Steven Mariette, Vejouhn Olson McManus, Renee Mesa, Cat Nassar, Mark Palmer, Nic Perez, Mia R. Ransome, Jeanne Rendon, Christina Roberts, Alexia Ross, Tory Roth, Stan

Sanchez, Marlene Schmidt, Eric Schoenthal, Juliet Slama, Mark Sprinkle, Charles Takeo, Ryan Teeter, Patricia Tringali, Anthony Vallejo, Phil Ward, Clint Whatley, Saroya Williams, Anquenitta Yee, Shawn Ziegler, Zio Zimet, Eyal

The SAG-AFTRA San Francisco-Northern California Local will be closed in observance of the following holidays: Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Winter Holiday New Year’s Eve

half day early closure May 23 May 26 July 4 half day early closure August 29 September 1 November 11 half day early closure November 26 November 27-28 December 24-25 December 31