Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1114369
For Members 18 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2019 | sagaftra.org STUNT COORDINATOR ELIGIBILITY LAUNCHES A s we all know from experience, when you're set on fire, thrown off a building or drive over a cliff, it's a team effort. OK, maybe that is not your experience, but if you were a stunt performer, it could be, and the person leading the team effort would be the stunt coordinator. What do stunt coordinators do? Typically, they budget, design and choreograph stunt sequences to fulfill the requirements of the script, and then cast the stunts with appropriately skilled stunt performers. Stunt coordinators must deliver dazzling and thrilling moments for the audience while at the same time ensuring a safe and secure environment for everyone involved in creating those moments. Guidelines for qualified stunt coordinators are something the stunt community at large has desired for decades. Last year, the SAG-AFTRA National Board approved the creation of the Stunt Coordinator Minimum General Standards Eligibility Process Guidelines. These guidelines are the result of months of work by the National Stunt & Safety Committee under the leadership of Chair Cort Hessler. Launched in April, the program permits prospective stunt coordinators to apply for inclusion in the SAG-AFTRA Stunt Coordinator Roster after demonstrating that they have completed 500 working days as a stunt performer or stunt coordinator. The program also includes a volunteer mentoring program and an apprentice coordinator program. The first roster will be released in early 2020 and made available to employers. Veteran stunt performer, New York Board member and Stunt & Safety Committee member Nitasha Bhambree said, "Establishing a minimum standard will help to provide safer sets. Coordinators who achieve this minimum will have gained a certain level of experience that will better protect everyone working on set, including stunt performers, actors, background and crewmembers. The mentorship program will provide more opportunities for learning the craft and help establish a foundation for future stunt coordinators." Find out more at sagaftra.org/stunt-safety. A delegation of SAG-AFTRA elected leadership and executives connected with film enthusiasts and industry professionals at the Havana Film Festival in December, discussing challenges that are common to us all, regardless of nationality. The union's participation, at the invitation of festival organizers, marked the third time since 2016 that SAG-AFTRA has represented the United States at the Cuban venue. SAG-AFTRA's delegation led three panels, which were on the topics of sexual harassment in the entertainment industry, the future of media and the impact of emerging technologies, and royalties and residuals. The union also co-hosted a reception in Old Havana in celebration of the Latin American film industry and performers. "It was a powerful and moving experience to be able to lead and be a part of conversations with performers and filmmakers from Cuba and all over Latin America regarding the industry, technology and performer safety, particularly around our work to fight sexual harassment. With the increasing globalization of our industry, it is imperative that we continue to strengthen our international relationships," said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris. "SAG-AFTRA recognizes the marked growth of Spanish-language production and U.S.-Latin American co-productions, making it more important than ever for us to maintain strong relationships with performers throughout Latin America, including Cuba. Whether talking about new technology or residuals and royalties, these dialogues yield meaningful advances in understanding and collaboration in the interests of our members," said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White. "It means a lot to us in Cuba, and also to our Latin American colleagues, to be able to count on the support and the experience of the American union for television and film performers. For too long our two countries were divided by what seemed to be an unsolvable conflict, but now we must work together for the benefit of both our people, and it's been proven that it is essential we do so," said Ivan Giroud, president of the Havana Film Festival. The 40th International Festival of New Latin American Cinema was held in Havana, Cuba, from Dec. 6–16, 2018. The festival includes a showcase of contemporary world cinema, industry sector initiatives, and meetings and seminars on issues of cultural interest, especially cinema. SAG-AFTRA ATTENDS HAVANA FILM FESTIVAL SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, right, discusses how to combat sexual harassment in the entertainment industry. She was joined on a panel about the topic by Susan Davis, national outside counsel for SAG-AFTRA, left, and National Executive Director David White.