Utah 2009:12
YOU BETTER WATCH OUT!
By Don Livesay
Recently I got a call from a Utah agent. She was responding to a casting director who needed extras for a national commercial and wasn’t sure she’d get any support from members of SAG. In her opinion, the rate was so low she was sure no one would be interested in participating. There would be no audition, just an online submission with pictures and résumés.
National commercials have been a rarity in Utah, and upon asking what her understanding was about extras, she admitted she really had no idea what extras make under a SAG contract for national commercials. When I told her that scale was $323 a day and was actually higher than what principals were getting in a movie currently shooting under the Modified Low Budget agreement, she was floored. And when I went on to tell her that overtime at time-and-a-half and double time was common and that commission was paid at plus-10 percent on top of salary, she paused. I think I could actually hear a “ca-ching ca-ching” as the wheels started turning. Before hanging up in a rush, she managed to squeak out that she was sure she could book a dozen, maybe more of the 45 extra parts available.
Seeing people catch on to the value of SAG work is one of my secret joys. Have you caught on yet? Yes, principal work is great, but not all SAG work is principal and not all background work is the same. SAG does not cover background work in movies or television in Utah, but extras are covered with wages and working conditions protected by union contract for commercials. For a complete list of minimum rates and a digest of the contract, click here.
“You better watch out. You better not cry. Better not pout. I'm telling you why.” SAG commercials are coming to town! And the rumor is, as the economy improves and as producers catch on to the real plusses in choosing Utah for their shoots, we’ll be seeing even more coming our way in 2010.
2010 UTAH BRANCH GOALS/
STRATEGIC PLAN
At its meeting on November 16, the Utah Branch Council approved a strategic plan that includes the following action items:
• Promote union work and create greater job opportunities under SAG contracts.
• Strengthen and increase union membership.
• Create professional seminars and training that will further member skills as well as knowledge of SAG contracts and the business of acting.
• Enhance visibility and positive relationships in the Utah film industry community.
• Participate actively in promoting Utah’s film incentives at the Utah Legislature.
• Partner with RBD Branches on common issues and take part in Right to Work, Financial Core, Organizing and other national committees whose work impacts Utah members.
To work toward these ends, the council established the following local committees:
Conservatory Committee (committee appoints chair): Creates an educational component covering all aspects of the performance and business aspects of acting, and the importance of knowing the contracts under which our members work; uses seminars and forums as tools for organizing.
Legislative Committee (National Board member chairs)Builds relationships in the community; seeks information; promotes lobbying efforts supporting legislation that impacts professional performers, particularly state film incentives.
Membership/Organizing Committee (Branch president chairs) Develops an ongoing process for recruiting new members and strengthening the current base of our membership. The work of this committee includes communications and public relations, outreach to SAG-eligible performers, new membership orientation and development of tools for members to use that will help turn non-union work into union jobs.
2010 NEGOTIATIONS:
YOUR INPUT IS CRUCIAL
Every new year is filled with possibilities, and although SAG doesn’t have a crystal ball that can foretell the future, it does have the next best thing, and that’s information.
Specifically, SAG will have three unique tools to add to its current body of research to inform next year’s TV/Theatrical negotiations: the Wages and Working Conditions process, member survey results and industry financial reports.
Early TV/Theatrical negotiations are scheduled to begin October 1, 2010, and run through November 15, 2010. If no agreement is reached in 2010, the June 30, 2011, expiration date will remain in effect.
Wages and Working Conditions
According to SAG contracts staff, Wages and Working Conditions committee meetings (the process where member committees around the country formulate proposals for possible inclusion in the final proposal package) should take place across the country beginning in either May or June of next year. The National Board will set dates for the Wages and Working Conditions process, likely in April of next year.
“We are eager to hear from you. Share your experiences and make your concerns heard,” says David White, the Guild’s national executive director and chief negotiator. “Such feedback is essential to our negotiations process.” Information from meetings will include the individual needs of performer groups.
New Media Work Experience Survey
Additional feedback will be gleaned through methods like the Guild’s New Media Work Experience Survey, currently available here for members to take. You can do it today!
Industry Financial Reports
Finally, hard numbers from producers will be available to SAG negotiators for the first time. The terms regarding initial compensation and residuals for work produced specifically for new media were of specific interest in the last round of negotiations. As a result of the 2009 ratified contract, SAG negotiators will have access to industry deals relating to the use of covered pictures in new media.
“Information is crucial, so the more we learn, the better we can advocate for members,” says Ray Rodriguez, SAG’s deputy national executive director for contracts.”
Sward Rises to National Board,
Mulder new Branch President
At its meeting on November 16, the Utah Branch Council elected Anne Sward to replace Molly Ballard as the National Board director. According to the Utah Rules of Procedure, Sward will fill the seat throughout the remainder of Ballard’s term of office, which ends on September 25, 2010. This action created a vacancy in the office of Utah Branch president, which was filed by Paul Mulder. Other changes were made, resulting in additional permanent replacements to fill unexpired terms. They were Kathy Jarvis as vice president, Cheryl Gaysunas as secretary and DonRe’ Sampson as council member at large. With the exception of the National Board director, each will serve until September 25, 2011. Those members elected as officers and council members at large also were elected as alternate national directors who may be called upon to serve at National Board meetings when the National Board member from the Utah Branch is unavailable to attend.
Congratulations to all.
A Message from the Utah Branch President
By Paul Mulder
I'm pleased to be elected as president of Utah Branch of Screen Actors Guild. I never would have guessed back in the ‘80s as a young actor in New York City that I would end up living in Utah!
Well, since living in Utah, I've had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to work on a variety of productions ranging in genre from “Disney” to “National Lampoon.” Clearly, the joy of being an actor is the ability to play any type of character in any type of film. I must admit I'm intrigued and pleasantly delighted with the film climate in Utah and not surprised with the longevity of Screen Actors Guild in the state. Let’s be honest. Very few states in the Union can offer a better and more diverse background for film production than Utah.
So why am I here and what can I do for our membership? First and foremost, I think we as members need to be more diligent with our local fellow artists and encourage them to join SAG. I think SAG membership sends a clear and succinct statement to the producers and directors of future productions in our state that there is a wonderfully talented pool of professionals available to hire here.
The challenge ahead of us in our local Branch is to bring in as many paid-up members to our meetings as we can. After all, we represent the Utah Branch of SAG actors. If you don't show up, how can we accurately voice your concerns and comments? Believe me, New York and Los Angeles need to hear from all the Branches. Please know how valuable your ideas, support and presence are at our meetings. I looked around the room at the last meeting and I didn't see hardly any of the folks that I regularly see at auditions. We all work hard to call ourselves SAG actors. Let’s not let this “right to work” state take advantage of our profession.
Our next meeting is the Utah Actors/Producer Forum, which our Branch will sponsor with SAGIndie during Sundance on Saturday, January 23. More details about this event will be sent to you soon. I would be thrilled if you would plan on attending this event so that we can show the national SAGIndie folks that the Utah Branch is a vibrant and pioneering breed of actors concerned with the state of film in Utah.
Full Stream Ahead
With SAG and the SAG Foundation's
LIFERAFT LIVE STREAM PROGRAM
Screen Actors Guild Foundation President JoBeth Williams along with SAG National President Ken Howard and Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino recently announced the upcoming LifeRaft Live Stream Program of career-focused seminars. Available live and streamed online, the SAG Foundation’s LifeRaft “business of acting” seminars share significant industry knowledge with Guild members everywhere.
Matching industry-leading moderators and panel guest experts with a variety of relevant “business of acting” topics is LifeRaft’s winning formula. To participate, Guild members should visit this link at the scheduled time and follow instructions.
Tuesday, January 19, 6-8 p.m. (PDT)
"An Evening with Commercial Casting Directors"
Join some of the commercial industry’s best casting directors as they share the inside track on what it takes to be effective in the audition room. After you leave an audition, do you ever wonder how you did? Curious about what your odds were? Wonder what it takes to book the job? What, if any, bargaining power do you or your agent have with a commercial contract? Learn from this stellar panel of commercial casting directors what it takes to book the job and earn a living in commercials!
Tuesday, January 26, 6-8 p.m. (PDT)
"SAG Contracts Corner: Commercials 101 for Principals"
Do you want to empower yourself and learn how you should be paid for working under the Commercials Contract as a principal performer? Do you want to learn when overtime kicks in? What your working condition rights are and when meal breaks should be called? What about learning an easy way to understand how residuals are paid to ensure you’re getting paid properly? Do you know how the SAG rules can help you during an audition? In this comprehensive seminar, presented by the Screen Actors Guild Commercials Department, you will gain valuable knowledge about the basic provisions in the SAG Commercials Contract. You will learn what to expect on set and how to file a claim if you run into problems. As of April 1, 2009, there are new terms and conditions in the Commercials Contract of which all members should be aware. Join us and get valuable tools and information needed for your career as a professional actor in commercials. Knowledge is power! (This event is pre-recorded and will follow with a live Q and A with presenters for online audiences ONLY.)
Tuesday, February 2, 6-8 p.m. (PDT)
"Actor Taxes and Essential Money Management"
Learn what expenses you can deduct on your taxes, what to do if you get audited, what records you should be saving and how to make the tax filing process easier. Learn effective budgeting techniques for sporadic income and essential investment options.
Tuesday, February 9 6-8 p.m. (PDT)
"Journey of the Working Actor"
Join accomplished Los Angeles actor and author of Your Face Looks Familiar, Michael Bofshever, as he discusses a variety of topics pertaining to what it takes to succeed and live the life of a working actor. Topics that will be addressed include the Foundation, Having a Career, Audition Know How, Life on Set, Agents and Managers and much more.
Tuesday, February 16, 6-8 p.m. (PDT)
"Making Your Own Movie with SAG Indie"
Why wait for your big break? Make it happen now. Modern technology and SAG's Low Budget Agreements allow almost anyone to make a movie, regardless of how much money one can raise. Learn the ins and outs of making your own movie from indie producers that have done it before.
Tuesday, February 23, 6-8 p.m. (PDT)
"SAG Contracts Corner: Low Budget and Theatrical 101"
Do you want to empower yourself and know how you should be paid for working under the Theatrical and/or Low Budget Contracts? Do you want to learn about when overtime kicks in? What your working condition rights are and when meal breaks should be called? What about learning an easy way to understand your residual schedule so you can make sure you’re getting paid properly? Do you know how the SAG rules can help you during an audition? Are you a “hybrid” actor who also produces? And do you want to know how easy it is to make your indie project signatory?
In this two-hour seminar, presented by Screen Actors Guild Contracts Department, you will learn about the basic provisions and signatory requirements in the SAG Theatrical and Low Budget Contracts. You will learn how to file a claim as an actor if your contract is violated and what the consequences are if you’re a producer. You’ll hear the truth about the “Top Ten Myths You Hear on Set” and get valuable tips and tools needed for your career as a professional actor. (This event is pre-recorded and will follow with a live Q and A with presenters for online audiences ONLY.)
A Message from the National Board Director
By Anne Sward
It was a pleasure to see more members out for our Utah annual membership meeting. It is important to assemble and collectively talk. That is what a union is for. I thank the council for electing me at our council meeting to be the replacement for Molly Ballard as the Utah National Board member.
With that said, the Utah Branch would like to acknowledge and thank Molly for the years of dedication and commitment during her tenure. She experienced some of the hardest and most challenging times in our history and spent untold hours with the Negotiating Committee on our last contract. This is not easy work, but Molly stuck it out, even through personal sacrifice and challenges. It was a pleasure for me to have worked with her at the national plenary meetings for eight years. Molly also sat on various SAG committees that also took time and commitment. At the last October plenary in Los Angeles, Molly was honored with a standing ovation from the Regional Branch Division and a cake at the end of the National Board meeting in appreciation for her work. The RBD is a close-knit group and Molly made numerous friends. I would say she will be missed, but I know that she will remain close to the body and continue in her committee work. Thank you, Molly, for the good times and for your good heart and mind. It was once said, “There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.”
It is important as a National Board director to hear the true voice of your Branch and film community and then represent that voice to the National Board. That is why your attendance at local meetings is so vitally important. It will be my challenge to meet, speak and communicate with our membership to get a read on your concerns and issues. Is the union serving you well and how could we serve you better? Remember, this is a volunteer organization. If your leadership does not know who you are or what your concerns are, we cannot represent you effectively. Also, I will be directly working the following national committees: Right to Work, Low Budget and SAGIndie. Other issues will affect us as well, such as merger with AFTRA, new media and distribution of new media product, contracts, waivers, and our Utah Limited Letter for Commercials. I will be reporting to you and will expect you to respond. We have 278 members now in Utah and Idaho. I need you to step up and communicate with me and help us organize new members.
At our meeting, we discussed our Branch mission statement, goals and a strategic plan. Within the plan, we are adopting our own local committees. (See article in this issue.). If you wish to work on any of these committees, please let Utah Branch Executive Director Don Livesay know at (800) 724-0767 or dlivesay@sag.org.
Our Annual Actors/Producers Forum, which we sponsor with SAGIndie, is coming up on January 23. It will serve as our first meeting of the Utah SAG Conservatory. We will send you a special announcement about that. It always has been successful, but we can make it even more so. Please feel free to invite any producers, directors and professional actors you think should be there.
I will be going to Los Angeles January 30 for the National Board meeting and will keep you informed. If you have concerns, please let me know, or come to our Actors/Producer Forum and I will speak to you in person.
Thank you for staying union.
Dales Scholarship Apps Available
Soon to celebrate its 25th anniversary of service, the Screen Actors Guild Foundation is once again happy to announce availability of applications for the John L. Dales Scholarship.
Just one of the non-profit foundation’s many free programs offered to assist, educate and inspire Guild members in their careers, lives and communities, the John L. Dales Scholarship Fund has helped qualified Guild members and their children reach their educational potential by providing more than $6 million in scholarships for study at accredited institutions of higher learning.
Two types of scholarships are available. Standard scholarships benefit eligible members and children of eligible members for college education. Transitional scholarships are designed to assist SAG members seeking further education to change careers.
Dales Scholarships are awarded specifically toward education at accredited and licensed universities, colleges, junior colleges, adult specialty schools or trade/vocational schools. Printable applications, as well as further details including eligibility guidelines, are currently available by clicking here. Submissions must be postmarked no later than March 15, 2010, to qualify.
