Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/508104
52 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2015 | SAGAFTRA.org On Location JESS W. SPEAKER III CASTING PROS IN NORTH CAROLINA Washington- Mid Atlantic MIAMI LOCAL EDUCATES STUDENTS S AG-AFTRA Miami Local Business Representative Ruth Paul was part of a Feb. 9 panel presentation at Florida Memorial University. Theater professor Keith C. Wade said his students responded well to the seminar. "My students here at Florida Memorial gained an invaluable look at the real-life benefits of being a professional in the acting industry," Wade said. "Before Ms. Paul, their dreams of actually sustaining themselves and making a living in this industry were just that, dreams. But thanks to Ms. Paul's down-to-earth, realistic and grounded presentation, for the first time it became real for them. This can be more than just a passion, it can be a paycheck — with a union to protect them." Miami Ruth Paul, second from left, with Florida Memorial University students TWO FOR ONE! N o, it's not a BOGO sale — it was two national committees, the Asian Pacific American Media and the Native American committees that pooled resources in support of the Colorado Local. Together with support of local and national staff, they produced a panel and workshop titled The Business of Acting: The Inside Scoop on Casting during the Starz Denver Film Festival. The discussion covered a variety of topics of interest to actors in every stage of their careers: auditioning, headshots, resumes, reels, self-taping, social media and more. CBS Senior Vice President of Casting Fern Orenstein led the workshop. Local actors were asked to submit headshots and resumes in order to be selected to participate in an audition exercise on camera. Also on the panel were indie film director Sara Colangelo (Little Accidents), local talent agent Kathleen Ham and SAG-AFTRA Colorado Local President and National Board member Sheila Ivy Traister. Ren Hanami, SAG-AFTRA National Asian Pacific American Media Committee Chair, and Brian Wescott, SAG-AFTRA National Native Americans Committee member, moderated to a packed house. Colorado CHICAGO LOCAL RECOMMITS TO WHAT'S YOUR 1? U rging members to learn, get involved and give back, the Chicago Local launched the What's Your 1? campaign. At the Screen Actors Guild Awards viewing party, a journal was circulated and members recorded their "one" for 2015. The program reminds members that it's their union, and asks each member to do one new thing in the next year, such as learning about the contracts, utilizing staff as a resource or developing the skills to flip a job. It encourages members to get involved, suggesting they attend conservatory events or serve on the local board. Participating in the annual blood drive, supporting the Kaufherr Members Resource Center and joining fellow SAG-AFTRA members to volunteer at the Greater Chicago Food Depository are great ways to give back. The goal of the campaign is for members to benefit by increased involvement, advancing their career and strengthening the union. LaRoyce Hawkins (Chicago P.D.); SAG-AFTRA National Vice President, Mid-Sized Locals Ilyssa Fradin; Chicago Local President Craig Dellimore; and Don "Rio" McNichols of IATSE local 476 at the Chicago Local's annual membership meeting. Chicago T he SAG Foundation teamed with the Washington-Mid Atlantic Local to bring The Business and Casting Access Projects to members in Wilmington, North Carolina. During the Cucalorus Film Festival, casting giants Christian Kaplan, senior vice president of casting for 20th Century Fox; Paul Schnee of Barden/Schnee Casting; Brad Gilmore of Brad Gilmore Casting; and Lisa Mae Fincannon of Fincannon & Associates presented a special SAG Foundation-sponsored workshop on casting for festival attendees. Also while in town, Schnee, Gilmore and Kaplan graciously conducted separate workshops and Q&A sessions exclusively for SAG-AFTRA members. Paul Schnee of Barden/ Schnee Casting and Melissa Zahri of the SAG Foundation