Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1157135
52 SAG-AFTRA | Summer 2019 | sagaftra.org On Location N ew Mexico Senate Bill 2 was signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on March 29 at a ceremony held at Albuquerque Studios. This legislation gives New Mexico's already-impressive incentives a real boost and puts it on the map with all the other big markets. The new legislation is dynamic and provides stabilized growth. Senate Bill 2 highlights include: l Annual cap is raised to $110 million. l Production companies that lease or purchase a facility with a 10-year commitment are exempt from the annual cap. This should allow companies to budget over the long term. Netflix is the first beneficiary of this bill. l Commitment to pay off the backlog of previously owed incentive returns. l Additional 5% in rebates to productions that shoot outside of the Albuquerque- Santa Fe corridor. This will spread the work around the state by making it more cost-friendly for production. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, fourth from right, front row, is joined by industry stakeholders at the signing of SB 2 into law. DON GRAY VETERAN BROADCASTER REMINISCES AT ANNUAL MEETING T he Ohio-Pittsburgh Local held its annual membership meeting and mixer on the night of May 20 at Olive or Twist in Pittsburgh. Important local business was discussed and members enjoyed socializing. The highlight of the evening was hearing from longtime member Sean McDowell of WDVE-FM about his years of experience on the radio in Pittsburgh. Ohio-Pittsburgh Local President Paul Martino recognizes local member Sean McDowell from WDVE-FM. New Mexico T he San Diego Local hosted a master acting class workshop with casting director and acting coach Chris Game. Held on April 15 at the Musicians' Club of San Diego, Game began the evening with a lesson on the most important tool a performer utilizes when auditioning: networking. Members began by introducing themselves. When they were done, Game went around the room and repeated each individual's name and information perfectly. The purpose was to show how essential it is for actors to remember the names of the casting directors, readers and receptionists they meet, as it can lead to future auditions and jobs. Next, members were shown a series of recorded auditions, and they examined each recording. Game highlighted the elements that resulted in certain performers being booked and the mistakes others made that cost them the job or callback. Afterwards, performers practiced what they learned in a mock audition. Each attendee was filmed, and their performance was played back for analysis and feedback. All agreed it was a fun and informative evening. MASTER ACTING CLASS WITH CHRIS GAME San Diego LOCAL MEMBERS TO BENEFIT FROM TAX INCENTIVES