The Chicago Activator - May 13, 2013

Issue: #10 IN THIS ISSUE

May 13, 2013

Second Annual

Improvisation on Scripted Material Election Time Commercials Contracts CAFM Actors Showcase Audiobook event June 15 Agent Speed Dating Sidney Hillman Health Centre Clarification of Commission Franchise Inactivation

SAG-AFTRA Chicago Membership Meeting When: Monday, June 10, 2013 6 p.m. social hour 7 p.m. meeting Where: Film Row Cinema at Columbia College 1104 S. Wabash, 8th Floor, Chicago, IL 60605 Special guests and more details to be announced soon.

OCC Extras Casting Union Plus Benefits Holiday Schedule

This 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. SAGAFTRA MEMBERS, PLEASE BRING YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD (paid thru April 30, 2013) FOR ADMITTANCE.

KMRC and SAG-AFTRA Conservatory Present: Improvisation on Scripted Material - How, Where and When to Improvise in a Commercial Audition Special Guest: David Murphy, freelance casting director and improv teacher David Murphy is the co-founder of The Green Room: An Actor's Studio. David brings multiple areas of expertise to his teaching. He worked for years as a full-time casting director before joining the staff at O'Connor Casting Company in early 2001. He still occasionally does freelance work for O'Connor Casting and at various advertising agencies, and also teaches in Chicago-area colleges.

Murphy has conducted more than 30,000 auditions.

As these events are free, reservations fill up fast. A waiting list will be used. If you can't make it, please cancel your reservation with as much notice as possible - minimum 24 hours - so another member may benefit by attending this event. Failure to do so may result in your being denied a reservation slot in upcoming events.

6 - 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 13 Kaufherr Members Resource Center (KMRC), 1 E. Erie, Suite 660, Chicago, IL 60611 Work the perk! Improvisation on Scripted Material - like all SAG-AFTRA Conservatory and KMRC programming - is a benefit of your union membership and offered to all SAG-AFTRA members in good standing. Please bring your paid-up membership card.

It's Election Time!

We encourage all members of SAG-AFTRA to vote, especially in this, the very first election as a new union. It is your chance to make your voice heard. But have you considered serving your union as an elected representative? Elected representatives make policy and guide the union forward. There are many elected positions that carry various levels of commitment and responsibility. The upcoming elections will determine national and local presidents, vice presidents, board members and convention delegates for the new union.

Some positions are designated for specific work categories and some are open to any member in good standing who meets the appropriate eligibility requirements. Be sure to check out the spring issue of the national SAG-AFTRA magazine for the official notice of nomination and election, which includes complete election eligibility and schedule information for the 2013 national and Chicago Local elections. Remember - it's your union!

Convention 2013 is Coming Looking to get more involved with SAG-AFTRA? Want to represent others and have your voice heard? Consider running for convention delegate!

The inaugural convention will be held Sept. 26-29, 2013 in Los Angeles.

This is the first SAG-AFTRA convention, and delegates will be making union history.

Delegates will vote for the executive vice president and the vice president positions that represent geographic areas and membership categories.

Important amendments to the SAG-AFTRA Constitution may be presented and voted on, as well as important resolutions.

Highlights of the convention include keynote speeches, presentations and workshops.

Delegates get a chance to meet members from across the country to discuss union business and have some fun.

SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contracts Informational Meetings Presented by: Ray Rodriguez, Assistant National Executive Director, ContractsSAG-AFTRA Commercials Contracts informational meetings are being held to provide members the opportunity to hear a summary report on the terms and conditions regarding the recently concluded Commercials Contracts negotiation. On April 21, the SAG-AFTRA National Board approved the deal reached with the ad industry on April 7 regarding the new television and radio commercials contracts. We look forward to your participation.

When: 6 p.m., Thursday, May 16 (This meeting presents same information as May 9 meetings.)

Where: Kaufherr Members Resource Center 1 E. Erie, Suite 660 (adjacent to the union office), Chicago, IL 60611 RSVP: Chicago@sagaftra.org All eligible members should have received a postcard with instructions explaining how to vote online or how to request a paper ballot for the SAG-AFTRA 2013 Commercials Contracts Referendum. Ballots - whether submitted online or by mail - must be received by 5 p.m. PDT on Friday, May 31, 2013. â—? Members who wish to vote online will log in to the URL provided and use their SAG-AFTRA member ID number and the PIN number assigned to them, which can be found on the front of the postcard they receive in the mail. â—? Members who wish to receive a paper ballot instead may request a paper ballot package by calling Integrity Voting Systems toll-free at (800) 961-8287 before noon p.m. PDT on May 24, 2013.

All paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing are urged to attend these important informational meetings. These meetings are only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing, no guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome.

SAG-AFTRA MEMBERS, PLEASE BRING YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD (paid thru April 30, 2013 or October 31, 2013) for ADMITTANCE.

SAG-AFTRA Members Celebrated For Film Acting at CAFM Actors Showcase May 20 at Howells & Hood Restaurant Four local SAG-AFTRA members are among the actors being honored Monday, May 20, when The Chicago Acting in Film Meetup NFP (CAFM) presents its first-ever Actors Showcase. The evening of short films includes performances by Marco Garcia, (Kaplan's Equation), Jay Disney (The Last Hug, Coming & Going), Grace McPhillips (Fitting) and Steve Scholz (Foreclosure Soldier). The event runs 7-10 p.m. at Howells & Hood and tickets are $5.

The showcase is designed to recognize local film actors in the medium where they perform.

CAFM's board of directors selected the top actor performances from 40 different member submissions. This event is also a networking opportunity, as members of Chicago's production and casting community are invited to attend.

WHAT: CAFM Actors Showcase WHEN: 7-10 p.m. May 20, 2013 WHERE: Howells & Hood Restaurant, 435 N. Michigan Avenue (at the base of the Tribune Tower) COST: Tickets are $5. The group is also collecting canned good donations for Care For Real Food Pantry.

Order your tickets in advance at cafmshowcase.eventbrite.com where you can also check out the full lineup of films and actors.

SAVE THE DATE! Come learn about the newest audiobooks contracts. Have you recorded audiobooks, or is this an area of the business you have been interested in exploring? This is an event for you!

8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, June 15 Watch The Activator for more details and RSVP information.

SAG-AFTRA Conservatory Presents: Agent Speed Dating 6 - 8 p.m. Monday, June 24 Kaufherr Members Resource Center (KMRC) 1 E. Erie, Suite 660 Chicago, IL 60611 Here's your opportunity to get one-on-one advice from some of the top agents in town! Each member will spend five minutes one-on-one with an agent for on-camera auditioning, five minutes one-on-one with an agent for voiceover critiques and 10 minutes with an agent discussing headshots and self-marketing material.

Agents scheduled to participate are: O/C: Dawn Gray - Gray Talent Group, Stephanie Potakis - Lily's Talent Agency V/O: Brett Sechrist - Naked Voices, Ed Cox - Ambassador Talent Headshots: Wade Childress - Stewart Talent This is going to be a fast-paced, closely timed conservatory, so we need to do some preproduction to make sure it all goes smoothly. Here's what you'll need to do.

1. RSVP to Kathy Byrne at kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org. Space is limited.

2. Send Kathy a pdf of your headshot and resume. This will be shared with the on-camera agents so they know what type of copy to bring for you.

3. For the voiceover agent, you will need to send an mp3 of no more than 30 seconds of whatever voiceover work you think you're best at (i.e. commercial, narration, etc).

4. Don't have an mp3? No problem, just schedule a time to come to the KMRC by June 5 and you'll get assistance in making one.

5. The day of the event, please bring additional hard copy headshots and resumes for the agents. YOU MUST BE ON TIME. We are scheduling members in half-hour increments. If you miss your time slot, there's no way to make it up. Just come early and you'll have no worries.

As these events are free, reservations fill up fast. A waiting list will be used. If you can't make it, please cancel your reservation with as much notice as possible - minimum 24 hours - so another member may benefit by attending this event.

Open Enrollment during June, SIGN UP NOW! Health Care at Sidney Hillman Health Centre for SAG-AFTRA Chicago Members!

Did you miss signing up for the Sidney Hillman Health Centre last year? The enrollment window is open for the month of June. Applications are being accepted now.

While this is not major medical insurance - no hospitalization is included - SHHC offers SAGAFTRA members and their spouses/partners and dependent children high-quality complete outpatient health care for $63 per month. There is no additional charge or co-pay for office visits, lab work and most other services. This includes primary care visits for children and adults, OBGYN, cardiology, physical therapy, counseling, basic X-ray, labs, podiatry and much more. A 24/7 emergency answering service with an on-call doctor is also available.

Participation is Limited!

There are a limited number of spots available now. To sign up during the June enrollment window, call the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local office for more information, (312) 573-8081, or email Kathy Nelsen at kathy.nelsen@sagaftra.org.

Services are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Questions must be handled by the providers. SAG-AFTRA does not endorse any of these services.

Clarification of the Commission Rule for Network Prime Time Reruns.

Re-runs of Chicago Fire are in full force. Your agent is entitled to commission any and all re-runs or residual payments of Network Television Prime Time shows (i.e. Chicago Fire) that rerun on Network Prime Time Television. Your residual payment for shows originally made for Network Television Prime Time is based on your original session fee. As longs the original session fee is paid over scale, the residual payment will be calculated at an over scale rate and is therefore commissionable.

Please contact SAG-AFTRA Chicago Director of TV/Theatrical Kathy Byrne at kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org or (312) 573-8081 if you have any questions.

Franchise Inactivation Encore Talent Agency Inc. SAG-AFTRA has inactivated the legacy SAG and legacy AFTRA franchises for Encore Talent Agency Inc., effective immediately.

The effect of the inactivation 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.

If you have any outstanding questions please do not hesitate to contact Kathy Byrne, SAG-AFTRA Chicago director of TV/TH contracts at (312) 573-8081 or the National SAG-AFTRA Agency department at (323) 549-6745 or (212) 863-4305.

OCC Extras Casting OCC Extras Casting, a division of O'Connor Casting Company, is now registering union performers who are interested in working as background performers for upcoming union commercials and industrials in the Chicagoland area. If you are a member of SAG-AFTRA and would like to be considered for these projects, please go to www.occextras.com and follow the instructions for registering.

Union Plus Benefits for SAG-AFTRA Members!

The AFL-CIO created Union Privilege in 1986 to provide union members and their families with valuable consumer benefits. With Union Plus benefits, your union membership "pays" at work and at home.

By using the collective buying power of unions, Union Plus is able to offer valuable, discounted products and services exclusively to working families.

SAG-AFTRA members are automatically eligible for many Union Plus benefits and discounts. Visit unionplus.org and start using them today!

Some of the most popular benefits include: AT&T Wireless Discount Union Plus Credit Card Consumer Reports Online Car Rental Discounts Take all of your Union Plus benefits with you!

Visit unionplus.org to create and print a customized benefits brochure so that you always have the benefits information at your fingertips.

Services are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Questions must be handled by the providers. SAG-AFTRA does not endorse any of these services.

Holiday Schedule for Office and KMRC SAG-AFTRA Chicago and the KMRC will close at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 24 and be closed all day Monday, May 27 in celebration of Memorial Day. 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.