SAG/AFTRA Merger Documents Available! (Please REPOST)

SAG-AFTRA Merger Documents Now Available

SAG-AFTRA Merger Documents Now Available

January 31, 2012, 8:08pm

Filed in: Member Alert

Dear SAG and AFTRA Members:

As you know, merger referendum ballots are scheduled to be mailed on or about February 27 – but members of both unions now have access to the complete merger documents online. Full printed merger documents will also be mailed to each voter with the referendum ballot, which will be due for return on March 30. This will give each member ample time to make a thoughtful and well-informed decision.  Please click the below links to view the SAG-AFTRA Merger Agreement, SAG-AFTRA Constitution and the Pension & Health / Health & Retirement Feasibility Report.

CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THE SAG-AFTRA MERGER AGREEMENT.

CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THE SAG-AFTRA CONSTITUTION.

CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THE P&H/H&R FEASIBILITY REPORT.

As a reminder, watch for the launch of the new joint website to provide members all the information they’ll want to consider before casting their votes. The website will include complete merger details, FAQs, and a comprehensive calendar of events to alert members nationwide to informational meetings and other opportunities for learning about the plan. Watch your email later this week for details of the website launch.

After more than a year of intensive work, we are extremely proud to bring you this historic opportunity. We also want to acknowledge the ceaseless dedication of the AFTRA and SAG members and staff who came together as the Group for One Union (G1) to produce this remarkable plan. We look forward to sharing all the details and answering any questions you may have. Finally, we are confident that SAG and AFTRA members will embrace this singular chance to harness the true power of unity, and that SAG-AFTRA will protect members and shape the entertainment and media industries for decades to come.

In unity,

Ken Howard, President
Screen Actors Guild

Roberta Reardon, President
AFTRA

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
http://www.sag.org/sag-aftra-merger-documents-now-available

My DIRECTORIAL debut

My DIRECTORIAL debut

I may now add to my list of hyphenations, DIRECTOR (Stage)! 

Earlier this month my good friend Hettie Lynne Hurtes asked if I would be interested in directing, “Acting Of The Clones.”  This is a play that takes a look into future Hollywood written by Tom Misuraca and starring Hettie and her husband Randy Roberts.  I jumped at the opportunity.

Mid month Hettie, Randy and I met to read, block, work with props and get the piece performance ready.   I was very lucky because I was working with two very good actors that are not new to the stage and very open to ideas and change.

As we worked thru the morning I found myself really liking the role of director.  Not because of ego but more vantage point.  As an actor I’ve done drama, comedy and a bunch of musical theatre on stage. I’ve always been directed and now I’m on the flip side.  It was a wonderful afternoon full of personal discoveries and satisfaction knowing that my prior acting experiences equipped me to do the job. 

“ACTING OF THE CLONES” was performed at Drama West Fest at the Edendale Library in Los Angeles on January 28th.  It went splendidly and the playwright, who was present, was pleased…….phew!

I recommend every actor take a stab at directing.  It will open your eyes up to the bigger picture!   

# # #tfl

REDBOX favorite : COLUMBIANA

REDBOX favorite!

COLUMBIANA (2011) staring Zoe Saldana

A young woman, after witnessing her parents’ murder as a child in Bogota, grows up to be a stone-cold assassin.

ZOE SALDANA as Cataleya Restrepo

Amanda Stenberg – Cataleya @10 years old

Zoe Saldana has just made my A-LIST of Female Action movie stars!

Her character and choices are smart, physical, focused and sexy………….

THIS IS A MOVIE TO SEE!

Here’s my FEMALE ACTION STARS “A-LIST” movie stars to date (in no particular order):

Jodie Foster in FLIGHTPLAN (and just about every other movie she stars in)

Angelina Jolie in SALT (and just about every other movie she stars in)

Rachel McAdams in RED EYE

Keira Knightley in PIRATES OF THE CARIBEAN: CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL

Sigourney Weaver in ALIEN (the entire series)

One closing note, I was very impressed with Amanda Stenberg’s performance in Columbiana.  To be such a strong, confident actor at such an early age with such screen presence tells me we have a big STAR in the making.

# # #tfl

And the WINNER of the 2012 SAG trophy is………..

Okay, I’ll admit it.  The Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild and Oscars are my SUPER BOWL, my FASHION WEEK and my OLYMPICS! 

From experience, I believe the whole is greater because of the sum of its parts and that’s why I really enjoy the SAG AWARDS.  This awards show is about Actors recognizing actors with a focus on “OUTSTANDING” (not BEST) and ENSEMBLE performances. 

I give two thumbs up to everyone involved in the creative process and for bringing such great entertainment to screens and stages this past year. 

Here are a few highlights from the 2012 SAG AWARDS:

MOTION PICTURE

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A CAST IN A MOTION PICTURE

“THE HELP”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

JEAN DUJARDIN, “THE ARTIST”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

VIOLA DAVIS, “THE HELP”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER, “BEGINNERS”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

OCTAVIA SPENCER, “THE HELP”

TELEVISION

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES OR MINISERIES

PAUL GIAMATTI, “TOO BIG TO FAIL”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES OR MINISERIES

KATE WINSLET, “MILDRED PIERCE”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

STEVE BUSCEMI, “BOARDWALK EMPIRE”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

JESSICA LANGE, “AMERICAN HORROR STORY”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE IN A COMEDY SERIES

ALEC BALDWIN, “30 ROCK”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE IN A COMEDY SERIES

BETTY WHITE, “HOT IN CLEVELAND”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A DRAMA SERIES

BOARDWALK EMPIRE

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES

MODERN FAMILY

OSCARS NEXT! HOST: Billy Crystal

Sunday, February 26, 2012@4pm PST

# # #tfl 

SAG and AFTRA Merger Referendum Ballots ~ 2/27/12

ARE YOU UNION DUES CURRENT?

If not then it's time to take care of that! If you want to VOTE you must be a Member in Good Standing.............

Please take a moment to read what Mr. Bergen so kindly sent out via Facebook:

Bob Bergen repost:

‎***** A Message for all union actors*************

Dear Member,

This weekend, the SAG and AFTRA National Boards took a decisive step to strengthen our future by overwhelmingly endorsing a plan to merge Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. If members approve the merger, the new union will be called SAG-AFTRA.
...
The vote of the unions’ National Boards came after more than a year of focused effort to hear from members about their needs for stronger union representation and to develop a merger plan to meet those needs. With the enthusiastic approval of our boards, the decision now rests in the hands of AFTrA and SAG members.

Merger referendum ballots are scheduled to be mailed on or about February 27th – but all members of both unions will have access to the complete merger documents within the next couple of days on the SAG and AFTRA websites. Full printed merger documents will also be mailed to each voter with the referendum ballot, which will be due for return on March 30th. This will give each member ample time to make a thoughtful and well-informed decision.

We’re also excited to announce that on Friday, February 3rd, we will launch a new joint website to provide members all the information they’ll want to consider before casting their votes. The website will include complete merger details, FAQs, and a comprehensive calendar of events to alert members nationwide to informational meetings and other opportunities for learning about the plan. Watch your email later this week for details of the website launch.

After more than a year of intensive work, we are extremely proud to bring you this historic opportunity. We also want to acknowledge the ceaseless dedication of the AFTRA and SAG members and staff who came together as the Group for One Union (G1) to produce this remarkable plan. We look forward to sharing all the details and answering any questions you may have. Finally, we are confident that SAG and AFTRA members will embrace this singular chance to harness the true power of unity, and that SAG-AFTRA will protect members and shape the entertainment and media industries for decades to come.

In unity,

Ken Howard
SAG National President

Roberta Reardon
AFTRA National President

SOURCE:Bob Bergen

 # # #tfl

DRAMA WEST FEST @ the Edendale!

DRAMA WEST FEST @ the Edendale!

WANTED: Writers/Editors/Actors and AUDIENCE MEMBERS!

If you have new short films, drama, docs, or TV pilots, 1 act plays or you are an actor submit to Drama West as follows:

          Actors submit resumes and head shots to Hettie Lynne Hurtes, Casting Director

         Short films (drama, docs), or TV pilots up to 30 mins and/or 1 act plays to

         Catherine Stanley, Producer

Casting for March/April 2012 has begun.  It looks to be a VERY busy creative year!

PLAYS/FILM presented 1/28/12

DATE ‘N SWITCH

BY FELIX  RACELIS

Acted and directed by:

            J. Christopher Sloan

            Kate Torri

            Jackson Thompson

NOT JEWISH

BY DALLAS BANCROFT

Directed by Hettie Lynne Hurtes

           

Actors:  Raf Mauro

              Smokey Miles

                       

AFTER THE PROLOGUE

BY CAROL S. LASHOF

Acted and directed by:

            Lisa Glass

            Holger Mancada

                       

ALLERGY SHOT

BY MICHELLE KHOLOS BROOKS

Directed by Susan Stangl

Actors:  Sandy Kinder

              Dana Vigran

              Susan Stangl

TEN WEST

Stephen Simon and John Monastero

BEDTIME STORY

BY DAN BORENGASSER

Acted and directed by:

            Jace Kent

            Bud Sabatino

            Shawn Boyd

            Brian Katz

             

ACTING THE CLONES

BY TOM MISURACA

Directed by: Tom F. Leary

Actors:  Hettie Lynne Hurtes

              Randy Roberts

FILM SCREENING

            “PYRAMIDS OF ATHENS” by Yolanda Markopoulou

            Special Selection of Orlando, ION and Drama International Film Festivals

Introduction by Vera Mijojlic, Founder and Director of the South Eastern European Film Festival


# # #tfl

OSCAR BEST PICTURES 2012 SHOWCASE (AMC Theatres)

See All of Oscar's Favorites

See all the Best Picture nominees on the big screen at this special event just in time for the Academy Awards®. Over the past five years, tens of thousands of movie aficionados have attended the AMC Best Picture Showcase. It's a communal, day-long event for the true movie lover. It's your chance to discuss the nominees with other guests, see some of the year's most honored films and win a few cool prizes during intermissions.

Event Details

With nine Best Picture nominees, we are splitting the event up into two special days:

Saturday, February 18:

11:00AM: War Horse
1:40PM: Moneyball
4:10PM: The Tree of Life
7:30PM: The Descendants

Saturday, February 25:

11:00AM: Hugo 3D*
1:20PM: The Help
4:00PM: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
7:15PM: The Artist
9:05PM: Midnight in Paris

Pricing:

Day One Ticket Pass (February 18 – 4 Films): $30
Day Two Ticket Pass (February 25 – 5 Films): $40
Two-Day Ticket Pass (February 18 & 25 – 9 Films): $60. Available only at the box office of participating locations.
All Best Picture Showcase attendees will receive a $5 AMC Gift Card on each event day upon check-in. Additionally, all AMC Stubs members who purchase an event ticket in advance to the event day(s) will receive $5 AMC Stubs Bonus Bucks, valid on the BPS event days – limit four $5 credits per account. Guests will also receive an event-exclusive AMC Best Picture Showcase poster featuring the artwork of all nine Best Picture nominees, while supplies last. See participating theatres below.

AMC Best Picture Showcase Marathon

Be one of the many who have earned their Marathon stripes! This year, in seven markets, we will host a Best Picture Showcase Marathon, showing nine nominees in sequence:

Saturday, February 25:

11:00AM: Hugo 3D
1:20PM: The Tree of Life
3:55PM: The Help
7:20PM: The Artist
9:20PM: The Descendants
11:30PM: Midnight in Paris
1:20AM: War Horse
4:00AM: Moneyball
6:20AM: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Tickets for this special event are $60 and include a $10 AMC Gift Card. Like the Two-Day Event experience, AMC Stubs members who purchase an event ticket in advance to the event day(s) will receive $5 AMC Stubs Bonus Bucks, valid on the BPS event days – limit four $5 credits per account. See participating theatres below in the right-hand column.
No outside food or beverage will be allowed for this event.

FOR PARTICIPATING THEATRES AND MORE INFORMATION:
http://go.amctheatres.com/bps