Detroit 2012:03
Branch President's Message
Hello My Union Friends,
If you have been living under a rock for several weeks then you probably don’t know that SAG and AFTRA are trying to merge into one union. Remember, all ballots are due back by March 30.
As your president, I stand in favor of this merger and I want to urge you to vote yes for one union. So many SAG members have volunteered their time to help us get the word out to vote yes for merger. I am so proud of our members, and would like to thank you all for working the phone banks, posting correct and truthful information on Facebook and other social media sites, and giving your time to help us at the SAG-AFTRA informational meeting (a big thank-you to Ele Bardha, for hosting the meeting at his new TV studio in Troy). Also, to our members and agents who helped spread the word about merger to other members, thank you so much for your support. However, the work is not done yet. Please continue to help get the word out. Remember, merger needs a 60-percent majority to pass.
We are on the verge of making history by establishing one union for all performers. I am not saying there won’t be some adjustments, but I do believe this merger needs to happen to secure a future for us all. When we stand as one, all are heard.
See you on the set!
Peter Tocco
Detroit Branch President
A full house learns about SAG-AFTRA merger.
Merger Informational Meetings
On February 25, the SAG Detroit Branch and AFTRA Detroit Local held the first of three informational meetings for members in Michigan. Special guests were SAG 2nd National Vice President/New York President Mike Hodge, AFTRA National Vice President/Philadelphia President Catherine Brown, and AFTRA Assistant National Executive Director Mathis L. Dunn Jr. SAG National Board Representative Ed Kelly and AFTRA Detroit President Jayne Bower also joined the panel, with SAG Detroit President Peter Tocco as the moderator. With the assistance of a PowerPoint presentation, the panel aptly explained the compelling reasons for a SAG-AFTRA merger, along with the process toward the creation of the merger agreement and the agreement itself. Nearly 60 SAG, AFTRA and dual members attended the meeting, which also included a successful question-and-answer period.
On the following Monday, February 27, another informational meeting was held in Grand Rapids with special guest Tom Carpenter, general counsel for AFTRA. Again, a PowerPoint presentation was shown and members had a chance for a Q&A. Special thanks goes to Compass College of Cinematic Arts for hosting the meeting.
There was also a meeting on Monday, March 19, at the AFTRA Board Room in Southfield. Special guests included SAG New York Vice President Rebecca Damon and AFTRA Assistant National Executive Director for News & Broadcast Mary E. Cavallaro.
Special thanks to all of the special guests who travelled to Michigan. It was truly an honor to have them here.
A Word from Your
National Board Representative
At the risk of sounding like a movie trailer, may I implore you, my fellow members, that “now, more than ever” it is important to fill in those ballots and get them in.
The merger missed passing by a supermajority by only 2 percent the last time out. Dual card holders’ ballots are particularly important. Now is not the time for lethargy. Don’t let it get lost with the Val Pack. Get ’er done!
Ed Kelly
Latest Michigan News of Interest
Dear Members,
Before I update you on recent and relevant activities in Michigan, I want to add a word about the process toward the potential merger. I was honored to have been a part of the successor union task force. During the meetings at New York, Los Angeles and Silver Springs, Md. I witnessed a group of dedicated volunteers like I have never seen before. For hours, days, weeks and months, the SAG and AFTRA members toiled over the proper merger agreement — always considering the welfare of the membership on the whole. Their diligence and fortitude should be commended. Now — what’s up in Michigan?
From left, Peter Nelson, Carrie Jones, state Sen. Randy Richardville, Steve Lemberg and Patty Kahn
INCENTIVES
On Saturday, March 10, I attended the Uptown Film Festival in Birmingham. The festival hosted an excellent panel called Filming in Michigan: Trends and Updates with panelists Carrie Jones, director of the Michigan Film Office, Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, Raleigh Studio CFO Steve Lemberg, CPA Patty Kahn of Kahn & Company, and filmmaker Peter Nelson (most recently, Sparkle). Public Act 291 of 2011 became law on December 21, 2011 (formerly Senate Bill 569 with Senator Richardville as the primary sponsor). Now known as the Film and Digital Media Assistance Program, this is an incentive with some very competitive terms, provided enough money is appropriated to the fund. Senator Richardville reported that the program’s present amount of $25 million is not sufficient in his opinion, and that he is doing whatever he can to see an increase. Others from the panel discussed Hollywood producers’ perceptions of Michigan, and the procedures for film applicants.
WEST MICHIGAN ACTIVITIES
The film community in the west side of Michigan continues to host a variety of activities, and I recently attended two of my favorites. On January 27, I went to Grand Rapids for the annual meeting of the West Michigan Film and Video Alliance. This is an organization where members successfully network with each other regarding all sorts of matters, including job openings, needs for equipment and assistance with individual projects. The annual meeting always promises important information and fun with food and raffles. And on February 26, I returned for the Oscar Night America Party, which benefited the Waterfront Film Festival. With a long red carpet, the party’s own paparazzi and evening gown attire, the event boasted a true Hollywood atmosphere.
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES
Many of you have been following legislative activities from Michigan and our neighboring Midwest states. It was a sad time when Indiana’s so-called “right-to-work” law was enacted on the evening of February 1, 2012. In Michigan, there are nearly 100 bills that attack collective bargaining, including one with “right-to-work” zones. We will continue to monitor activities and activate a call to action if needed, especially if it deals with “right-to-work” in Michigan. Remember, the definition of a “right-to-work” state is incorrectly understood by so many. While touted merely as a state statute that prohibits making membership or payment of union dues a condition of employment, “right-to-work” is really a “freeloader” system. Non-members work under union contracts, enjoy all of the benefits of those union contracts and by law do not have to pay a dime for the union’s services. “Right-to-work” is wrong for Michigan and SAG members across the country.
My best to all of you and a good merger outcome,
Marcia Fishman
Detroit/Philadelphia Branch Executive Director
Than McClure and CADET
CADETs Learn Acting for Video Games
SAG CADETs recently experienced a special workshop that taught specialized acting techniques for video games. The workshop was led by Nathanial “Than” McClure, CEO of Scientifically Proven Entertainment, a video game development company that has worked on or produced such games as Man vs. Wild the Game (360, PS3, Wii) (2011) Crave/Scientifically Proven/F84 Games; Real Heroes: Firefighter (Wii)(2009) Conspiracy Entertainment/Epicenter Studios; Call of Duty 1, 2, 3 and 4 (360, PS3, Wii) (2002-2007) Activision. One of Than’s favorite exercises is to ask the students to reveal an emotion through exaggerated body movement while wearing a mask. Assisting with the workshop was SAG member Dan Lemieux, an experienced stunt coordinator and performance capture artist (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, as well as many video games). Dan demonstrated the various stances and movements that are basic to performance capture work for video games. The highlight of the workshop was the opportunity for the students to name their favorite video games and learn how the games’ movements and special effects were created. Special thanks to Detroit SAG councilor Ele Bardha for loaning the auditorium that is connected to his Bardha Productions studio.
The CADET — Cultivating Actors with Direction, Experience and Training — program is a program that offers middle and high school students the opportunity to participate in workshops and other events that will set them apart from their fellow acting and filmmaking classmates. CADET membership is a membership to a Screen Actors Guild Conservatory and does not constitute membership in Screen Actors Guild.
From left, SAG members Tina Gloss, Judy Dery, Tom Force, David Herbst, Eric Wydra and Pat Allison
SAG Awards Viewing Party
Detroit SAG members and friends enjoyed a crowded SAG Awards Viewing party at Rosie O’Grady’s in Ferndale, January 29, 2012. Partygoers had wall-to-wall screens so not a moment of the show was missed. In between awards, members ate great food and won door prizes. Kudos go to SAG member Tina Gloss, who won a special prize for predicting the most SAG Award winners. A good time was had by all.
From left, Jan Stano, director student Matt Sisco, Janet Pound and Ed Kelly
Tabletop Readings
SAG members Jan Stano and Ed Kelly did tabletop readings at Wayne State University’s Directors Class on February 6, 2012. Assisting with the reading was casting director and actor Janet Pound.
Because the students were so impressed at the professional interpretations of their scripts, Professor Juanita Anderson projected the SAG website on a large screen and pointed out the online signatory application. Following that evening, SAG Student Agreements were signed. Kudos to the performers for their wonderful work.
QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS NEWSLETTER?
Contact Marcia Fishman, Detroit Branch executive director at (248) 351-2678, (800) 724-0767, ext. 7 or mfishman@sag.org
