Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1157135
sagaftra.org | Summer 2019 | SAG-AFTRA 53 NEW ENGLAND BRINGS FOCUS TO ORGANIZING T he New England Local held its annual membership meeting in Boston on April 11. More than 100 members gathered for the meeting, which covered a variety of topics, including the organizing of broadcast station 90.9 WBUR-FM, the New England Regional Commercials Code and the union's Short Project Agreement. Lisa Strout, the director of the Massachusetts Film Office, delivered remarks and additional reports were presented by local leadership and staff. A featured panel discussion covered WBUR's organizing effort to recognize SAG-AFTRA as its union. Panelists included WBUR's education reporter, Max Larkin, and Senior News Writer Sara-Rose Brenner as well as SAG-AFTRA Director of Organizing Maggie Russell-Brown. Panelists spoke about conditions underlying the workers' efforts to unionize, as well as the unit's successful use of social media, particularly Twitter (@wemakewbur), to gain community support and strengthen the effort. New England From left, members Naheem Garcia, David Soloman Clarke, Mugisha Feruzi, Harkeem Springer and Marshall Berenson say "cheers" with their new SAG-AFTRA New England mugs. Chicago EXPLAINING THE SHORT PROJECT AGREEMENT S AG-AFTRA Seattle Local President Rik Deskin was a guest speaker before, and panelist after, the U.S. Shorts block of the Spokane International Film Festival on Feb. 2. He spoke about how easy it is for filmmakers to use the SAG-AFTRA Short Project Agreement when they are producing their short films. Deskin set up an information table with theatrical contracts digests to hand out to the festival audience. He also talked about film production and why it is so important to urge legislators to support state production incentives. Seattle CHASE OGDEN Rik Deskin speaks to film fest attendees. Members gather at the morning session for experienced audiobook narrators. I n Chicago, the Cubs aren't the only ones playing doubleheaders. On April 27, the Chicago Local's Audiobook Committee hosted back-to-back audiobook seminars at the SAG-AFTRA office and the Kaufherr Center. Members who have completed at least three audiobooks were able to be a part of a morning seminar on navigating the Audiobook Creation Exchange, known as the ACX, and building careers beyond ACX. Popular audiobook narrators Jeffrey Kafer and Andi Arndt hosted. The duo also hosted the afternoon session for audiobook beginners, which included interactive readings chosen via a lottery selection, with Arndt providing feedback. The seminar ended with a Q&A, and Arndt and Kafer shared more narrating info, suggestions and advice on how to start a career in audiobook narration. Kafer has narrated more than 500 books in almost every genre for authors such as Clive Barker, Maya Banks and many others. Arndt is a multiple Audie Award winner and has narrated hundreds of titles for all major publishers across many genres. TURNING UP THE VOLUME ON AUDIOBOOKS ON THE MOVE IN MISSISSIPPI T he New Orleans Local encompasses a relatively large geographic area. As a lot of its activities happen in New Orleans, the local has been actively working to reach out to members in Mississippi and other parts of Louisiana. On Feb. 7, the local held a mixer at Rafters Music & Food in Oxford, where members had a great time connecting. On Feb. 8, the local visited the University of Mississippi to give a presentation to student actors on SAG-AFTRA history and contracts, particularly the student contract. More than 30 students from this vibrant film community attended the presentation. The local has held several events to reach out to universities to create awareness of the student contract and to help students understand eligibility requirements and potential benefits of membership. While in Mississippi, the local also sponsored the Oxford Film Festival to connect with filmmakers and promote hiring members though the low budget agreements. New Orleans