Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1012073
sagaftra.org | Summer 2018 | SAG-AFTRA 45 Atlanta Twin Cities LOCAL LEADER CONNECTS WITH FUTURE MEMBERS T win Cities Local Board member Barry ZeVan was invited to serve as guest speaker at a Feb. 22 career day event held at Jefferson High School in Bloomington, Minnesota. ZeVan shared stories and gave students practical career advice he learned throughout his seven decades in both acting and broadcast. ZeVan is a legendary broadcaster who was known as "The Peek- a-Boo Weatherman" during the height of his popularity in the 1960s and 70s. ERIC ROESLER ATLANTA LOCAL HEATS UP T wo awesome events took place in Atlanta this spring. As part of a series of events focusing on empowering the membership, the EEO & Diversity Committee hosted Thirsty Thursday on the Third, a pre-Cinco de Mayo mixer giving members an opportunity to mingle with one another and connect with some of Atlanta's top agents and casting directors. While socializing, members also got the chance to play games such as pool and super-sized versions of Jenga and Connect Four. On May 7, the Muriel Moore/Danny Nelson SAG-AFTRA Conservatory celebrated its sixth anniversary with a panel titled Union or Non-Union in a Right-to-Work State. The panel, moderated by Conservatory Chair Clayton Landey, included casting director Shay Bentley-Griffin; Atlanta Local President Ric Reitz; Rona Burns, owner and agent of the Burns Agency; Sarah Carpenter, owner and agent of Atlanta Models and Talent; and members Selena Anduze and E. Roger Mitchell. More than 300 people attended and contributed more than 600 pounds of food to the BCM Food Pantry. CASTING DIRECTORS OFFER TIPS TO BECOMING YOUR OWN BEST ADVOCATE A t the May 14 New England Local Conservatory in Boston, casting directors Carolyn Pickman and Kyle Crand of CP Casting and Anne Mulhall of LDI Pro discussed how members should advocate for themselves at auditions, before signing a contract and on set. Panelists advised members to keep on top of the industry, which includes being their own agent at times, marketing themselves, training, networking and building relationships. When members audition, they should come prepared and learn the script, the characters and their relationships. If they don't have this information, they should take context clues and do research — or simply ask the casting director. When on set, members should identify key personnel like the assistant directors and, if they think they should get a bump or don't feel safe, tell the AD in the moment. Lastly, members were encouraged to stay in touch with the casting directors. While they may not always get a reply, they should continue to stay in contact. From left, SAG-AFTRA New England Director of Contracts and Member Services Jessica Maher with casting directors Kyle Crand, Carolyn Pickman and Anne Mulhall. New England Members mingle at the diversity mixer. ANGELA RAY CONTACTS AND CONTRACTS M ore than 50 SAG-AFTRA members, producers, agents, casting directors and performers gathered at the Naked City Brewery & Taphouse screening room on June 22 for an industry mixer and a Contracts Happy Hour event hosted by the Seattle Local Conservatory. In addition to networking with industry peers, Seattle Local staff presented information and answered questions relating to the union's theatrical, regional commercials, and corporate/educational agreements. Seattle