Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1054784
For Members 22 SAG-AFTRA | Fall 2018 | sagaftra.org Board OKs Stunt Coordinator Guidelines B ig changes are bursting onto the scene in the stunt community, and it's a big step for safety. For the first time in the union's history, there's going to be an eligibility process for stunt coordinators. At its meeting in Los Angeles on the weekend of Oct. 20, the SAG-AFTRA National Board overwhelmingly approved the creation of a Stunt Coordinator Minimum General Standards Eligibility Process Guideline. The program, set to launch in 2020, will permit prospective stunt coordinators to apply for inclusion on SAG-AFTRA's online registry after demonstrating that they have completed 500 working days on a SAG-AFTRA signatory production as a stunt coordinator or stunt performer. The program also includes a volunteer mentoring program and an apprentice coordinator program. Although not required to hire from the registry, the safety registry will serve as a reference for the industry's casting directors, producers and insurance companies. Moreover, the eligibility guidelines will set the precedent for industry safety standards and serve as a union-approved reference point for insurance companies in case of an on-set injury or death. National Stunt Committee Chair Cort Hessler, who was instrumental in developing the new protocol, supports the new guidelines. "For SAG-AFTRA and its stunt community members, safety is always our highest priority. These new guidelines are another important step in that direction. This is a foundation for us to build on," he said. In addition, SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris and National Executive Director David White are scheduling meetings with both stunt coordinators and film studios to discuss on-set safety issues. "The development of the Stunt Coordinator Minimum General Standards Eligibility Process Guideline is a landmark achievement that will enhance skills training and ultimately help employers ensure set safety," Carteris said. Training Mandatory for Stunt Coordinators Working on AMPTP Productions D uring the 2017 TV/Theatrical Contract negotiations, SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers agreed to safety training for stunt coordinators, including harassment prevention training. The safety awareness training consists of online modules with content based on requirements from regulatory agencies such as OSHA. The courses include general safety and injury and illness prevention, environmental safety, hazard communication and harassment prevention. It is imperative that all stunt coordinators currently working on an AMPTP production comply as soon as possible because their employment could be affected. If you are currently a stunt coordinator working on an AMPTP production, send only your name, the AMPTP production you are currently employed on and your email address to safety.training@sagaftra.org to register for this mandatory safety training. Send no additional information in the email. Read the Stunt Coordinators Mandatory Safety Training FAQ at sagaftra.org/StuntSafetyFAQ T he Music Modernization Act has been signed into law at an Oct. 11 ceremony attended by Kid Rock and other recording artists. Backed by SAG-AFTRA and music industry organizations, the act streamlines the music licensing process and ensures songwriters are paid fairly and accurately when their work is played on digital streaming services. Another part of the bill, known as the CLASSICS ACT, ensures that artists will be paid performance royalties for pre-1972 recordings, and requires satellite and cable radio to pay fair market based rates for sound recordings. "The Music Modernization Act ensures that our singers and sound recording artists will at last be justly compensated," said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris. The victory was the end of a multiyear lobbying effort by SAG-AFTRA, our fellow unions, and the entire music industry. At SAG-AFTRA, the successful campaign was led by the Government Affairs and Public Policy Committee and Chief Deputy General Counsel Jeff Bennett. CHANGES AHEAD TO IMPROVE STUNT SAFETY ROYALTIES LAW MUSIC TO MEMBERS' EARS