Jessica Pantanini, Gisela Girard, Robert Nelson, Victoria Negrete and Yvonne Garcia at “Las Madrinas” (The Godmothers) - The Visionary Women of Hispanic Advertising.”

Outreach to Hispanic Advertising ’Godmothers'

Houston Branch President and National Spanish Language Media Task Force member Robert Carlos Nelson was on hand in San Antonio, Texas on February 4 to honor “Las Madrinas” (The Godmothers) - The Visionary Women of Hispanic Advertising” at a luncheon presented by SAVisión, the Hispanic marketing arm of the American Marketing Association.

Inducted were Yvonne “Bonnie” Garcia, founder and CEO of Market Vision; Gisela Girard, president and co-founder of Creative Civilization; Victoria Varela Negrete, CEO and owner of Impacto; and Jessica Pantanini, chief operating officer for Bromley Communications.

Nelson had an opportunity to chat with “Las Madrinas” about the advantages of using union talent and SAG’s commitment to finding ways to expand the production of Spanish-language commercials under union contracts.   

SAG’s effort to be part of this event was appreciated by the honorees and they all expressed great interest in what we are working to accomplish in the Hispanic advertising market.


The late Jim Huston, former Branch president

The Stars of Texas Shine Less Bright

Sadly, we share the news that Jim Huston, one of our best and brightest has passed away after a long illness. An incredible man with the kindest of hearts, Jim  was a strong supporter of his fellow actors and so very proud of his union.

Jim became vice president of the Houston Council in 2003 and ran unopposed as Branch president in 2004, a position he held until 2009.  While the Branch president, Jim created many opportunities for new leadership to emerge.  He spearheaded the Union Members Developing Work Committee as well as the formation of the Script to Screen program. The continuing growth throughout Texas of Script to Screen is a testament to Jim’s vision for professional performers.

His unselfish service to his brothers and sisters went well beyond his Branch borders. Since 2005, Jim has served on national SAG committees and task forces, including the Low Budget Committee, the Casting Online Task Force, the Right to Work Task Force, the National Agents Relations Committee, the Comedians Committee, Global Rule One Task Force and the Honors and Tributes Committee. In 2008, Jim became the National Board member from the Houston Branch. His influence and quiet strength touched many in the Regional Branch Division and the National Board Room, and he will be sorely missed.

Family, friends and colleagues gathered at the Rice Media Center on February 26 to celebrate Jim's many talents. That evening, Christina Keefe of Rice University announced the formation of a Jim Huston Memorial Acting Award. This award will provide support to a deserving student in the Rice University Department of Visual and Dramatic Arts.

If you would like to contribute to the Jim Huston Memorial Acting Award, please go to www.arts.rice.edu to donate and specify on the Theatre – Notes line that your donation is for “Jim Huston Memorial Acting Award – G82631.”

SAG Presence Growing Among Young Filmmakers

Trish Avery, SAG executive director of the Houston Branch and T.J. Jones, AFTRA Texas executive director, recently spoke to a packed house at the Houston Community College. Student and industry filmmakers were eager to learn all they could about using professional performers in new media, film and commercial work.

A similar session with young filmmakers at the University of Texas resulted in collaboration between SAG and the University of Texas RTF program. The Student Production Resource Center, affectionately known as The Cage, will be using a SAG headshot and resume book to cast their upcoming student projects. Texas members in good standing interested in working in student film will be included in the Casting Book at The Cage. To be included, please mail one copy of your headshot and resume to:

SAG Casting Book at The Cage
c/o Sheila Cooper
15950 Dallas Parkway, Suite 400
Dallas, TX  75248
(800) 724-0767, option 7 or (972) 361-8185

Students will also be using the online casting service iActor to cast their projects. Is your information uploaded and ready for consideration? To upload your headshot and resume on iActor, visit iactor.org.

Deadline to submit your headshot and resume for student film consideration is May 1, 2010.

Chandler Canterbury displays his dramatic skills during a funeral scene in After Life.

Canterbury Nominated for 2010 Young Artist Award

Houston member Chandler Canterbury has been nominated in the Supporting Actor Feature Film category of the 2010 Young Artist Awards for his work in Knowing (Summit Entertainment).

Canterbury is blossoming into one of Hollywood’s most diverse talents and will soon be seen starring in the psychological thriller After Life alongside Liam Neeson, Christina Ricci and Justin Long. Other film credits include the son of Jude Law's character in Repo Men and 8-year-old Benjamin Button in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

The 31st Annual Young Artist Awards will be presented on April 11, 2010, at the Beverly Garland, in Studio City, CA.

New Media Panel at Armadillo Day During SXSW

This year’s Armadillo Day panel during SXSW, moderated by Austin member Tommy Kendrick, was an eye-opening discussion of the changing production landscape and future of entertainment content delivery over the Internet.

Panelists were: Brett Register, new media guru and producer of The Crew and Lost & Found for the Web; Mike Prasad, founder of {M} Consultancy, a branding, marketing, social media, PR, and technology company; Mark Friedlander, SAG national director of new media; and Will Marshall, iActor on-line casting coordinator.

The event was hosted by the Austin Actors Conservatory and 219 West.

Welcome to Our Newest Members

New Members: Madison Burge, Gilbert Gomez, Jennifer Matyear, LaMarcus Tinker

Transfers: Steve Baruch, Jackson Bennett, Bonnie Carrafa, Ara Celi, James Covian, Deker Daily, Michael Dolan, S. Esterhauz, Anthony Faulkner, Dr Toni Grant, Justin Gross, Alex Harder, Bronson Hawk, Meg Hartig, Rachael Huntley, Steven Imes, Judith Krant, David Kinne, Tito Larriva, Patricia Leahy, Judlyne Lilly, David Long, Steve Loughlin, Alicia McCutcheon, Joelle Maryn, Rebecca Mhb, Nadine Mozon, Jeremy Nichols, Jorge Ordonez, Robert Painter, Joe Pedroza, Paul Pender, Brandon Pratt, Dimitrius Pulido, Gary Rodriguez, Tina Rucker-Wissner, Randy Rudy, Korrine Salas, Heidi Schultz, Jody Stelzig, Jennifer Todoroff, Jenni Tooley