June 18, 2004---Working in conjunction with a coalition vigorously opposed to anti-runaway production, the Florida branch of Screen Actors Guild played a prominent role in the passage of two important initiatives that benefit the Florida film industry. With the support of fellow industry labor unions, Film Florida and the state’s Film and Entertainment Advisory Council, SAG secured $2.4 million for the funding of the film production incentive legislation passed in 2003.
Los Angeles (June 2, 2004) –Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the Joint Policy Committee (JPC) of the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) and the American Association of Advertising Agencies (AAAA) today issued a joint request for proposals (RFP) to several companies involved in the electronic monitoring of television commercials and program content.
Voting Results
Los Angeles (June 1, 2004) – Screen Actors Guild (SAG) today announced that the dues proposal overwhelmingly endorsed by the National Board this past April has failed by a narrow 51.88% to 48.12% margin in a referendum vote, with 36 percent of eligible SAG members casting ballots. The final tally was certified this evening by Washington state-based Integrity Voting Systems.
Ronald Reagan got his start in politics at Screen Actors Guild (SAG), leading the union during a period in which it tackled many of the same issues confronting working actors today – including runaway production, fair compensation, and unity in an increasingly complex industry. In the upcoming issue of SAG’s quarterly Screen Actor magazine, Guild historian Valerie Yaros details Reagan’s legacy, beginning with his Guild involvement in the 1940s through his service as SAG president from 1947-1952 and again from 1959-1960.
Ruling Marks the Third Time in Recent Months the Courts Throw Out Lawsuits Filed Against SAG
Los Angeles (June 3, 2004) – For the third time in recent months, a court has dismissed a meritless lawsuit filed against Screen Actors Guild (SAG).
Now all SAG-AFTRA registered members can enjoy the convenience of paying dues online by credit or debit card (Visa or MasterCard only), or personal bank account. Your current bill and a complete dues history will be available for viewing online, along with important information about your bill.
Generous members who support the SAG-AFTRA Foundation each year (by adding a donation to their billing statement) will still have this option.
Los Angeles (May 27, 2004) – U.S. District Court Federal Judge John F. Walter today threw out all discrimination and retaliation claims brought by former SAG employee Patricia Heisser Metoyer against Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and its current executive John McGuire and former executive Leonard Chassman.
Los Angeles (May 17, 2004) – Citing social and cultural concerns as well as artists’ rights, Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and Australia’s Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance, the two leading organizations representing working actors in the United States and Australia, today jointly called on the U.S. Congress and Australian Parliament to reject the recently negotiated U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
Boost of $6 Million to Pension and Health Plans; Steady Rise in Foreign Theatrical, TV Productions Produced Under SAG Terms and Conditions
Los Angeles, CA (May10, 2004) – Screen Actors Guild (SAG) issued the following statement today
May 5, 2004
Dear SAG Member:
Screen Actors Guild must bargain and enforce contracts from a position of strength. Our power comes from you, as professional performers whose services our employers rely on to produce motion pictures, television programs and commercials. But SAG must also be fiscally strong and positioned to finance anything required to protect members, including organizing new jurisdictions, negotiating and enforcing contracts, and in a worst-case scenario, funding a strike.
To gain access to performer contact information for employment purposes only, you can create an online account on SAG-AFTRA’s iActor system. This no-cost, 24/7 online service is for work opportunities only. (It is not available for fan-based inquiries).
Submission Instructions:
As part of Screen Actors Guild and ABC Entertainment Television Group’s ongoing effort to discover and nurture a new and diverse pool of creative talent, and in keeping with SAG’s efforts to provide access for our members who have historically been underrepresented in the industry, Screen Actors Guild’s Affirmative Action / Diversity Department is pleased to partner with ABC Entertainment Television Group in their Talent Showcase series. The next showcase is scheduled to be held in New York City in October, 2004.
The 11th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be held three weeks earlier next year -- on Saturday, February 5 at the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center.
The show will be televised on Turner Network Television (for the eighth consecutive year) and produced by Jeff Margolis Prods. in association with SAG.
The SAG Awards is the only show where the award recipients are selected solely by actors. The ceremonies will honor performances from 2004 in five film and eight TV categories, including ensemble awards.
Agreement secures better pay and benefits for working actors, as well as historic alignment of unions’ bargaining power; unions now turn attention to fall negotiations
After a concentrated lobbying campaign led by Screen Actors Guild, NY Gov. George Pataki signed the Child Performers Education and Trust Act of 2003. This law will provide safeguards for a child’s wages and ensure education standards for thousands of children working in New York’s entertainment industry.
Join Jane Kaczmarek, Sean Astin, Benicio Del Toro, Jenna Elfman, Elijah Wood, Amanda Bynes, Elliott Gould, Dan Castellaneta, Ed Asner, Barbara Bain, Mimi Kennedy and thousands more by introducing children to the wonderful world of reading and literacy.
Take advantage of the SAG Foundation's expanding library of celebrity interviews from its "Conversations" and "Roll Film" events. Come in and watch the interviews for free. Learn from them, take notes, and improve your craft. The room is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on regular business days.
Here's what you need to do:
First call Bob Nuchow at 323/549-6488 or Lloyd Davidson at 323/549-6649 and set up an appointment.
What you should know about VITA
VITA is a two-hour self-help program. In workshop sessions, members complete their own tax forms assisted by trained volunteers.
Before scheduling an appointment to attend VITA, you need to pick up a VITA Packet. Complete the forms before coming to the appointment. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is offered to qualified members of:
Screen Actors Guild (SAG)
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA)
Actors Equity Association (AEA)
LOS ANGELES (February 20, 2004) – A joint national board of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) today strongly endorsed an agreement reached earlier this week with producers for a one-year extension of the current TV/Theatrical contract set to expire on June 30. By a vote of 79 percent to 21 percent, the joint board approved sending the extension agreement to the full memberships of both unions for ratification, expected during the next 30 days.
LOS ANGELES (February 18, 2004) – Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) have reached agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to extend for one year the current TV/Theatrical contract set to expire on June 30, pending ratification of the deal. The extended deal – which will be considered by the joint SAG-AFTRA National Board this week and is expected to go before the SAG and AFTRA full memberships within the next 30 days – would be effective July 1, 2004 and conclude on June 30, 2005.
Attention SAG members:
The Comedy Central animated TV series South Park is engaged in re-casting. SAG members are instructed—in accordance with previous National Board directives—not to audition or accept employment on this series.
South Park is not covered by any SAG agreement, and its producers are not providing SAG wages, benefits and conditions of employment. Please do not accept any employment or renew any contract unless you have confirmed with SAG that the show’s status has changed.
