Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/716514
38 SAG-AFTRA | Summer 2016 | SAGAFTRA.org On Location BREAKING BARRIERS G ender parity, diversity and unconscious bias were the hot-button issues discussed at SAG-AFTRA's panel Social Change and the Box Office: The Potential of Gender Parity, Diversity and STEM. Held at Sony Pictures Studios on June 4 and sponsored by SAG-AFTRA's National and Los Angeles Local Ethnic Employment Opportunities & Diversity committees, panelists focused the discussion on film and television projects themed in science, technology, engineering and math. The event was moderated by documentary filmmaker Lesley Chilcott and panelists included actors Octavia Spencer and Yara Shahidi, director Paul Feig, USC researcher Stacy Smith, producer Lydia Pilcher, Dropbox head of diversity Judith Williams and Associate Director for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Jo Handelsman. "I thought it was fiction," Spencer said in reference to her upcoming film, Hidden Figures, about African-American female mathematicians working at NASA in the 1960s. "When I found out it was true, it hurt me to the core that they were left out of the retelling of history and they made contributions to history." CELEBRATING BROADWAY'S BIGGEST NIGHT S AG-AFTRA National and L.A. Local Board members joined the festivities as The Actors Fund kicked off its 20th Annual Tony Awards Viewing Party on June 12 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning ABC-7 broadcast journalist George Pennacchio, the gala celebrated Broadway's biggest night and featured a special performance by Broadway performer Sheryl Lee Ralph in celebration of the 35th anniversary of Dreamgirls. Broadway and television star Florence Henderson received the Julie Harris Award for Artistic Achievement. During the live telecast of the Tony Awards, guests enjoyed cocktails, dinner and a silent auction that raised more than $200,000 for The Actors Fund. BACKGROUND ACTORS TAKE CENTER STAGE B ackground actors were in the spotlight at a May 16 informational event at SAG-AFTRA headquarters in Los Angeles. Hosted by the Background Actors Education and Outreach Committee, Background 101 gave members the opportunity to learn valuable career tips from pros and union staff in the know. Panelists, committee members and seasoned background actors Rick Markman, Linda Harcharic, Samantha Hartson and Vincent Amaya provided insight on concerns background actors face on set. SAG-AFTRA National Director of Specialty Performers Terri Becherer and Director of Background Actors Fatna Sallak- Williams presented extensive on-set etiquette tips, navigational tools on how best to utilize the SAG-AFTRA website, and details about contractual rights under SAG-AFTRA television and theatrical contracts. The evening concluded with a Q&A session, allowing members the chance to ask questions about the contracts and discuss specific concerns. For info on upcoming Background 101 seminars, visit sagaftra.org/la. SAG-AFTRA elected leaders, board members and staff with Tony Awards Viewing Party host George Pennacchio (fourth from right) at the June 12 celebration. From left, Background 101 panelists Rick Markman, Linda Harcharic, Samantha Hartson and Vincent Amaya at SAG-AFTRA Plaza on May 16. Los Angeles SAG-AFTRA elected leaders, board members, EEO & Diversity Committee members, panelists and industry leaders gather at the Produced By conference on June 4.