Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/555596
SAGAFTRA.org | Summer 2015 | SAG-AFTRA 37 DIVERSITY IN PHILLY P hiladelphia members joined New York-based casting directors Donna McKenna and Liz Ortiz-Mackes on May 30 to discuss diversity in casting, specifically how to increase and promote more diverse characters from ultra low to big budget television and theatrical productions and everything in between. Co-sponsored by the Philadelphia Local and the National Ethnic Employment Opportunities Committee, the event consisted of a conversation with the casting directors moderated by SAG-AFTRA National Director of EEO & Diversity Adam Moore, followed by a Q&A and then a post-event breakout session to discuss next steps. The group was energized and committed to keeping the conversation going in Philadelphia and ultimately contributing to the national conversation taking place at SAG-AFTRA about how to educate and empower members to compete for and create work. From left, SAG-AFTRA National Director of EEO & Diversity Adam Moore and casting directors Donna McKenna and Liz Ortiz-Mackes presented the discussion on diversity in casting. FULL STEAM AHEAD L ate spring was busy in New Mexico. Aside from television and film production booming, the SAG-AFTRA New Mexico Local reached members and pre-members with three great events. In late May, the local held its annual membership meeting, encouraging members to get involved with committees and to run for office. The centerpiece of the meeting was a presentation on the union's outreach and engagement efforts. Several member leaders shared their expertise to help grow the local market and engage members. In early June, SAG-AFTRA hosted two panels/workshops at the Albuquerque Film & Music Experience: one focused on theatrical low budget and new media agreements and the other on the business of acting. The contracts workshop was led by SAG-AFTRA Senior Manager, Theatrical Contracts Fatna Sallak-Williams. The Business of Acting panel and workshop, presented by SAG-AFTRA National Native Americans Committee, provided valuable insights into the casting process, and it followed with hands-on mock casting sessions. SAG-AFTRA New Mexico Local Board member and moderator Mike Miller, second from right, is joined by, from left, panelists Melanie Kirk, Luis Bordonada, Hannah Macpherson and Fatna Sallak- Williams at the June panel on SAG-AFTRA contracts. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! B reaking for lunch on a movie set doesn't always include a breathtaking view, but the Hawaii local knows how to make the most of its surroundings whenever possible — especially when catering is several houses down the beach. And local members have been grateful. The summer releases of Jurassic World and Aloha serve as happy reminders of the many productions shot in the islands in the past several months, including three foreign features, an Oliver Stone film and the ongoing Hawaii Five-0 TV series which just began its sixth season. Over the summer, another movie, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, put many Hawaii members to work. The view during the walk to lunch. New Mexico Philadelphia SAG-AFTRA GOES TO COLLEGE New Orleans board member Lorraine LeBlanc shares information on the SAG-AFTRA Low Budget agreements with actors and filmmakers at the University of New Orleans on April 21. The outreach event is a continuance of the relationship between the local and the university that results in student film agreements covering area members. New Orleans Hawaii