Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1012073
46 SAG-AFTRA | Summer 2018 | sagaftra.org On Location From left, panelists Leanne Ferrer, Kimee Balmilero, Kim Bassford and Margie Jenkins at the May 13 event. THE ROAD TO RECAPTURE C ommercial contracts pave the way for the Colorado Local. So, it was no surprise when more than 50 members and pre-members signed up to attend the March 26 Colorado Regional Commercial Code rollout presented by staff and Local President Sheila Ivy Traister with guest speaker David Hartley-Margolin. The group spoke about the effective use of the One Production Only contract for turning non-union jobs union. The presentation captured the performers' interests and a rich Q&A followed. In attendance and of great support to the event were Colorado Local Board members Nancy Flanagan, Dulcie Camp and T. David Rutherford. Three weeks prior, the presentation was rolled out at a breakfast meeting to top agents and casting directors. It garnered unanimous support for the ease of use and simplified pay structure. Everyone in attendance committed to encouraging ad agencies and producers to use the contracts, a promise that supports a sustainable work environment for the talent they cast and represent in the local. The road to recapturing commercials in Colorado is being paved and success is sure to follow! Colorado Local President Sheila Ivy Traister speaks to performers at the March 26 Colorado Regional Commercial Code rollout. O n Feb. 10, the SAG-AFTRA New Mexico Local and the national SAG-AFTRA Ethnic Employment Opportunities Committee hosted a lively and engaging discussion, moderated by New Mexico Local Board member Monique Candelaria, on creating digital content. Open to members, pre-members and content creators, the event took place at the Jean Cocteau Theatre in Santa Fe and was one of the highlights of NM Film & Media Week. A number of golden nuggets were extracted from a gold mine of panelists that included Hannah McPherson, Elli Legerski, Lauren Poole, Gerry Maravilla and Kiley Cristiano. Key takeaways included: • Be disciplined and create each day. • Be open to change when pitching your project. • Embrace writing, networking and producing skills outside of acting. • New media platforms are in line with social movements and diverse cultural viewpoints. • When assembling your crew, choose individuals who inspire you. • Don't procrastinate when looking to launch a crowdfunding effort. THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF CREATING DIGITAL CONTENT Hawaii TALKING STORY O n May 13, the SAG-AFTRA National Asian Pacific American Media Committee sponsored a Hawaii Local event, Talk Story: Asian Pacific Islander Women in Film and Television. The panelists were Leanne Ferrer, executive director of Pacific Islanders in Communications; Kimee Balmilero, actor and series regular on Hawaii Five-0; Kim Bassford, journalist, documentarian and professor at Windward Community College; and casting director Margie Jenkins. The free panel, Q&A and reception was well attended and included a deep discussion on race and gender in film. Panelists at the Feb. 10 presentation The Nuts & Bolts of Creating Digital Content. New Mexico MICHAEL L. MILLER