Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/754215
SAGAFTRA.org | Fall 2016 | SAG-AFTRA 57 PERFORMERS PERFORMERS Ray Rodriguez, SAG-AFTRA's chief contracts officer, said. "I would expect to see more and more content created with a global audience in mind." Producers are also struggling with the entertainment industry's pace of change, particularly when it comes to technology. "I believe there is growing evidence that film and television are heading toward a tipping point of major change that is being fueled by emerging consumer distribution technologies," producer Michael Cioni wrote in the summer edition of Produced By magazine. "Because much of the power associated with content creation is linked to distribution platforms, changes in these platforms open avenues for new content creators. "Unlike traditional broadcast or theatrical distribution, these technologies can be adopted by consumers more rapidly and enable content of higher quality," he said. Still, new technologies like inexpensive 4K video cameras can also be used by members to further their careers with self- produced content. "It's an awesome time for independent musicians, independent filmmakers [and] independent directors to show what they can do," Malcolm- Jamal Warner said on the red carpet of SAG-AFTRA's Dynamic & Diverse Emmy Celebration Aug. 24. "The technology is there." Despite the changes in the industry, Warner added, some rules remain constant. "This is also the kind of industry where you're as hot as your last gig," he said. "As long as you're in this business, the hustle continues." When negotiating a contract with employers, SAG-AFTRA's elected leaders and staff need to know which elements of the agreement are most important to the members who work the contract. The information gathered through the wages and working conditions process, known as W&Ws, helps them secure the best deal possible. With TV and theatrical negotiations approaching, W&W meetings have been taking place at locals around the country and will continue through Dec. 2. Members who haven't already attended one of the sessions, which began Oct. 24, are encouraged to participate in the final meetings. Nationally, the process is being led by President Gabrielle Carteris, who was appointed by the National Board to chair the TV/Theatrical Wages & Working Conditions and Negotiations Committee in July. The meetings take place in New York on Tuesdays and Thursdays and in Los Angeles on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Check the locals' websites or email updates for more details. The meetings are open to all paid-up members in good standing. Members who are actively producing, whether a web series or a major motion picture, cannot attend the W&W Committee meetings due to conflict of interest. Members who aren't able to attend any of the sessions can still participate by emailing their suggestions to the W&W Committee: wandw2017@sagaftra.org before Nov. 18. W&Ws RUN THROUGH EARLY DECEMBER