Dallas/Ft. Worth 2011:11
Brent Anderson
DFW Branch President
President’s Message
I enjoyed seeing everyone at our recent fall membership meeting at MediaTech on October 3, where SAG and AFTRA presented a panel featuring representatives of union-franchised agencies in DFW. We had a great discussion about our business with the agents, and I think several members made some connections in terms of new agency representation. The relationships we have with our agents are an important part of our success as performers, and we always appreciate the opportunity to engage them in candid discussions that benefit us all.
The highlight of the evening for me was catching up with a local member who I met a few years ago over the phone, when he was struggling with a casting dilemma. I mentioned this in an article back then, and maybe some of you remember. He was being offered a large role in a local low-budget film — basically as the main bad guy — but the producers were asking him to drop out of SAG, since it was not going to be a union film. He wound up convincing the producers to sign the project to a SAG contract, and kept the role without having to jeopardize his union status.
I finally got to meet him in person on October 3, and it turns out that he’s been involved with several projects created by this production team since — all of them under contract. He mentioned that our talk helped him realize that putting his union membership at risk should never be an option, since any project can be signed to a SAG or AFTRA contract — if the producers are shown how easy it can be.
He’s now a very vocal proponent of our contracts, and works hard to turn every job he can. He also knows that our local SAG and AFTRA offices here in DFW have his back when it comes to working out the details for each job.
Lesson learned? It’s YOUR union and YOUR career, and any job can be covered by YOUR contracts — if YOU work to make it happen. And remember, your DFW SAG and AFTRA staff and leadership are here to help.
Until next time, have a wonderful October!
Suzanne Burkhead
SAG National Board, G1 Alternate
National Board Report
The G1 is continuing its work to facilitate the creation of one union to represent all members of the Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA. The Group for One Union met in New York in August, when members and staff of both unions held meetings by video and teleconference between New York and Los Angeles. Originally scheduled as face-to-face meetings in New York, members and staff were cautioned not to travel due to the impending landfall of Hurricane Irene in New York and elsewhere along the East Coast. The G1 received a presentation from its Member Education and Outreach Workgroup, and reviewed and discussed findings and recommendations of its Governance and Structure Workgroup. Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations Professor Susan J. Schurman and noted labor consultant Peter S. DiCicco facilitated the weekend meetings.
In October, the G1 met in Los Angeles, where it received status reports from Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino, National Executive Director David White and the six workgroups. The workgroups (Governance and Structure; Finance and Dues; Collective Bargaining; Pension, Health, and Retirement; Operations and Staff; and Member Education Outreach) are continuing to discuss issues of concern to members. I am a member of two groups: Governance and Structure, and Operations and Staff. I can tell you that the interests and concerns of members from all markets, large and small, across the country, have been heard. Options that address those interests and concerns are being formulated.
The plan is still to present a merger agreement, national constitution and dues structure to each union’s national board in January. Our goal is to create a plan for a successor union that wins support and positions our members for a stronger future.
Please share with me any and all questions, concerns or ideas you may have about how I can best advocate for your concerns and ideas on the G1 and workgroups. It’s critically important that we create one union that works for all of us.
Dallas/Ft. Worth Branch Welcomes Agents Panel at Membership Meeting
Members from both SAG and AFTRA met at MediaTech on October 3 to hear the latest on local and national news, followed by a panel discussion with DFW franchised agents. Members were able to hear firsthand the competitive and technological changes that are facing our industry. Agents expressed the need for legitmacy in the industry now that the Texas Talent Agents Act has been dissolved and they stated that the agency franchise has now become the most important factor in locating knowledgable and legitimate talent agents in Texas.
Members were encouraged to be proactive in their careers and work to keep their skill levels up and current, find new ways to create their own work, network with potential employers and become knowledgable about the various SAG contracts to facilitate that work.
Sharon Garrison
SAG DFW Branch Secretary/Treasurer
ProACT Chair
ProACT Sets a New Course for 2012
Our DFW conservatory program, ProACT, is already at work lining up relevant workshops for 2012. New industry challenges require renewed preparation and the ProACT committee is working to provide significant information and training at little or no cost to members. Some of our winter and new year workshops will include:
• Master Class with casting director Beth Sepko
• Think Outside the Box – Working in other markets
• Be Your Own Producer – Create your own work
• Mini Business Sessions – Connecting and using available resources
• Getting to Know Your Contracts – Mini contract sessions
• Script to Screen – Live reads of never-produced films before industry peers
Interested in finding out more? Contact Sheila Cooper at Sheila.Cooper@sag.org and ask to be put on the ProACT mailing list.
Check Out the Production Center
The online SAG Production Center — your 24/7 resource for rates, contracts, forms and more! Click below:
From left, actor LaTeace Towns, makeup artist Victoria Callaway and actor Mykle McCoslin. Photo by Michelle Robinson.
What Every Actor Should Know and Use — HD Makeup Class 101
by Mykle McCoslin
Houston Conservatory Chair
In August, the Houston SAG Conservatory presented an HD Makeup Workshop with national makeup artist Victoria Callaway at South Coast Film and Video in Houston. Victoria shared her HD makeup expertise and tips, and gave an HD makeup demonstration from start to finish on a very brave, non-makeup-wearing actor in attendance: yours truly. After working with Victoria last year on a commercial, I was introduced to airbrushing and HD makeup for the first time. I was amazed how beautiful my skin and makeup looked after it was airbrushed. It was as if she had painted on my face without feeling all that cakey, sticky base makeup that I was used to before. I was so excited to have learned this new information that I knew would help me as an actor that I wanted to share this information with my fellow actors, and Victoria generously offered to help make it happen.
Photo by Michelle Robinson.
Holding the workshop in a studio environment with an HD camera, monitor and a 50-inch flat screen HDTV allowed all of those in attendance to see live what it looks like to be in front of an HD camera and filmed in HD with and without HD makeup. Thanks to Robert Reese, a local videographer and owner of ITH Productions, for filming the event with a Sony HD camera.
Another actor in attendance, LaTeace Towns, was pulled from the audience and had half of her makeup taken off from one side of her face and reapplied with HD makeup by one of Victoria’s assistants. It allowed us to view the difference onscreen of wearing street makeup vs. HD makeup on the same actor’s face. You could definitely see the difference.
Photo by Paul Carrizales.
Victoria informed us how “The HD camera picks up what your eye sees, and will highlight any crease, dark circle or blemish if not properly airbrushed away. A traditional application of foundation and heavy powder will look very unnatural and be very obvious through an HD lens. High-definition cameras caused a major change in the world of TV and makeup artistry. Entire product lines were launched in response to meet the demand of makeup artists working with the new technology of HD cameras. The main difference in the new HD products involves light-scattering ingredients. Light-diffusing products create an illusion of an even finish, so you can’t detect the flaws beneath. Cosmetics with an HD label will contain one of the following: mica, silicone or crystals, which help scatter light in subtle ways. HD powders are milled to a very fine consistency to help avoid detection by the camera. You want to capture a fresh and natural look and still be able to see the skin through the makeup.”
Victoria also informed us of how the industry is changing. “Since budgets are smaller these days, you will be asked to do your own makeup more often, so be prepared to be HD-ready. Remember to travel with a makeup and hair kit for men and women and be prepared for a full application or just a light touch-up. Airbrush is always the first choice because of the durability and sheerness of the product and a lightweight HD powder. All other products should be blended, blended and blended. That is the key.”
Photo by Paul Carrizales.
Many auditions here in Texas are being filmed with HD cameras by local casting directors and sent off to directors and producers in Los Angeles and New York. Actors must come camera-ready, and now that means high-definition makeup-ready. My agent, Cindi Davis-Andress at Pastorini-Bosby Talent Agency had this to share: “HD is mainstream and HD doesn’t lie. Often, I receive feedback on an actor’s makeup that is not positive. The actor’s look didn’t change, but the technology did. The same makeup and technique that worked two years ago, may not work today. The key is to adjust to the current rules that govern how you look in HD. It is to every actor’s advantage to learn the makeup tips and tricks that will help them look better, feel better and hopefully book the job.”
Actress Allison Victoria, who also attended the workshop, said that the class taught her so much. “I liked how Victoria recommended makeup that even people on a tight budget can afford, and she knows what products work. I was just made a bridesmaid for one of my friend’s weddings. I can’t flip through a bridal magazine without reading about the wonders of airbrushing. If brides are doing it, why aren’t we as actors doing it too?”
Photo by Paul Carrizales
Before airbrushing After airbrushing
I strongly believe that every actor today should be educated on this new form of makeup, own their own airbrush kit with HD makeup and learn how to apply it on themselves. Our agents, acting coaches and casting directors are not going to be the ones to do it. We have to take the reins here and educate ourselves. My agents will say to me, “You need to go to the audition or job camera-ready.” Now that I have the knowledge, confidence and tools that I learned from Victoria, for me that means HD makeup camera-ready. Are you HD ready too?
From left, actor LaTeace Towns, SAG Houston Branch President Robert Nelson, makeup artist Victoria Callaway, actor Mykle McCoslin, videographer Robert Reece and AFTRA Houston Branch President Michelle Robinson. Photo by Michelle Robinson.
This HD makeup class was hosted by the Houston Conservatory at no cost to members — a true member benefit.
