Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1012073
sagaftra.org | Summer 2018 | SAG-AFTRA 47 Houston-Austin CELEBRATING FEMALE CREATIVITY S upport Women Artists Now Day — SWAN Day — is an annual observance celebrating women's creativity in all its forms. Started and organized by WomenArts, a nonprofit arts service organization dedicated to helping women artists get the resources they need for their creative work, this year's SWAN Day Houston was sponsored by the SAG-AFTRA National Women's Committee and the Houston-Austin Local. The March 31 event encompassed all forms of creativity, including television, commercials, films, industrials, new media and more. The Talento Bilingüe de Houston Center served as the venue, and a 12-person panel discussed film casting and production, theater, ballet, art, literature and photography. The presentation included screening trailers for four union films made in Texas by women, along with a music video. Artwork was displayed throughout the lobby. SWAN Day Houston is growing each year and will continue to support female artists through educational programming and working to increase opportunities for them to share their creative work. GRIFFIN GARDNER OF SUPERCYBERS ANNUAL MEETING FOCUSES ON COMMERCIALS O n May 21, approximately 60 members gathered for the Ohio-Pittsburgh Local's annual membership meeting and mixer at Olive or Twist in Pittsburgh. The evening's program had a commercials-centric theme and opened with a discussion with local casting director Nancy Mosser, who offered valuable advice for performers. Local staff then spoke about the successful organizing initiative surrounding the new Ohio-Pittsburgh Regional Commercials Code. Other local business included a recap of the year and priorities for the next year. Members enjoyed mingling with their peers as they geared up for a busy production season in the local. Performers and broadcasters alike left energized. Ohio-Pittsburgh A TASTE OF SAG-AFTRA AT THE MIAMI FILM FEST S AG-AFTRA was honored to participate in the Producing in Florida and Beyond panel at the 2018 Miami International Film Festival on March 17. Stefanie Taub, who was then SAG-AFTRA's national director of music, represented the union, joining entertainment attorney David Bercuson; Seth Schachner, managing director of Strat America; and SAG-AFTRA member and three-time Grammy Award winner Jon Secada. It was moderated by Kevin Sharpley, president and CEO KijiK Multimedia Inc. This year's sixth edition of Producing in Florida and Beyond focused on music coordination for productions, including sound design, voiceover, legal issues — such as working with contracts, licenses and securing rights — and scoring music for the production. Taub and Secada gave attendees a taste of the difference it makes to work in this industry under SAG-AFTRA contracts, where your rights as a performer are protected. Taub was recently named CEO of the American Federation of Musicians & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund. Miami Local Executive Director Hertha Suarez, member John Secada and then-SAG-AFTRA National Director of Music Stefanie Taub. GISSELE OSPINA Miami Panelists from across Texas discuss the impact of women in the arts.