SAG-AFTRA

Special Edition 2015

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SAGAFTRA.org | Special Issue 2015 | SAG -AF TR A 48 on the day of the show, to helping order flowers. Her impressive history with many television specials, including the Miss America pageants and the Special Olympics opening ceremonies for ABC, makes her a key player in the success of the show. Perhaps it's Fujita O'Brien's hard work that prompts producer Benn Fleishman's faith in a smooth performance. "During the show, I'm backstage, looking for fires to put out. But honestly, there haven't been any," states the 17-year SAG Awards veteran. Fleishman's job details include the financial, logistical and administrative aspects of the show. Anything from parking to bomb-sweep dogs, the Emmy-nominated producer has it covered. The self-proclaimed "nuts-and-bolts" guy says his tenure at the show conveys his love of the job: "I guess it's a testament to how much I enjoy doing the show, the fact that I've stuck with it this long." Working side by side with Fleishman is Cynthia Kistler. Starting her career with the SAG Awards in 1999, Kistler has returned for every show since, moving up the higher rungs of the ladder from production manager to associate producer to her current role as coordinating producer. "We all work together in a very supportive and cohesive manner," says Kistler. "It doesn't feel like work, it's fun!" Consulting Producer Mick McCullough has been a part of the SAG Awards team since the second show, Among his duties, McCullough supervises all music and clip packages airing during the live telecast. Like Fujita O'Brien and Fleishman, McCullough looks forward returning to the show. "I am very proud to say that this is my 20th year with the SAG Awards. To be with one show for this long is totally unheard of in Hollywood. I watched this show go from the ugly duckling to the swan of the award shows," he said. The hallmarks of elegance and grace attributed to the Above left, from left, SAG Awards Committee member Woody Schultz, SAG Awards Executive Producer Kathy Connell, SAG Awards Committee Vice Chair Daryl Anderson, SAG Awards Committee Chair JoBeth Williams and SAG Awards Committee member Scott Bakula. Above right, the 2014 SAG Awards stage. LEFT, KEVIN MAZUR/WIREIMAGE; RIGHT, RICH POLK/ WIREIMAGE

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