Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/216003
On Location Y MEETING AND LEARNING IN THE BIG EASY New Orleans M embers of the New Orleans Local held their first SAG-AFTRA membership meeting Oct. 20 and had the chance to participate in outstanding programming presented by the SAG Foundation throughout the weekend. On Saturday, Casting Access Project sessions with casting directors Meagan Lewis and Ryan Glorioso filled up quickly. Members worked scenes and heard feedback from the presenters. Saturday evening, the SAG Foundation presented a Q&A with director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon of American Horror Story, which currently shoots in New Orleans, followed by a conversation with the cast of The CW's Star-Crossed, including Aimee Teegarden, Matt Lanter and Grey Damon. On Sunday, more than 100 performers attended Mark Fincannon's presentation on self-recording. Fincannon also held a CAP session where he personally met with and mentored 20 members. The annual membership meeting included a report from the delegates to the first SAG-AFTRA convention, reports by Local President Diana Boylston and National Board member Charles Ferrara, a production update and a presentation on agency relations by National Director/Senior Counsel of Agency Relations Zino Macaluso. LEADERS LOOK TO FUTURE Philadelphia More than 25 leaders of the SAG-AFTRA Philadelphia Local met Oct. 19 to discuss plans for 2014. Using the momentum of the convention and building on the activities of the past 18 months, members of the local Broadcast Steering Committee, Conservatory Committee, and past and present executive board members discussed member mobilization, new work opportunities, professional development, communications and area partnerships, among other topics. The event was ably facilitated by Eastern Region Organizing Director Jennifer Peat. CELEBRATING LABOR The Ohio-Pittsburgh Local participated in the annual Labor Day Parade in Pittsburgh Sept. 2, one of the nation's largest Labor Day parades. Broadcasters and actors gathered with friends and family to represent the union in the march through downtown. Participants gathered after the parade for some fun in the sun with a picnic and pool party on the rooftop of the local's Pittsburgh office building. It was a great day to celebrate our union and enjoy some fellowship among the local members. Ohio-Pittsburgh Members had an intimate conversation with the cast of The CW's Star-Crossed. MEMBERS BREW UP COFFEE CONNECTION W hen members learned that the Michigan office had closed, one of the first questions they asked was, "How are we going to stay connected with each other?" To answer that question, the local's board members examined how legislators meet with their constituents at scheduled coffee shop meetings. The model seemed so easy, so the Michigan Coffee Connection was created. The first Coffee Connection took place on Oct. 18 in Royal Oak. The members (right) met each other and chatted about the state of the industry in Michigan, about how the industry has been changing, and how each of them are trying to embrace the changes. They also shared personal stories and exchanged contact information. Because the Michigan board members are spread out geographically, it is their intention to periodically host Coffee Connections in each of their neighborhoods — keeping members in touch with each other during challenging times. 80 SAG-AFTRA 72-85_OnLoca_F.indd 80 Michigan | Fall 2013 | SAGAFTRA.org 11/14/13 2:43 PM