Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/754215
70 SAG-AFTRA | Fall 2016 | SAGAFTRA.org On Location ATLANTA HEATS UP T he summer has been a busy one for production in Atlanta, and Georgia was officially named the third-largest entertainment production center in the world. To step up educational efforts to meet the growing challenges of the market, Local President Ric Reitz and the Atlanta Stunt & Safety Committee hosted a special seminar in August regarding contracts, enforcement and claims. It was led by staff experts. Also in August, Atlanta held its annual member meeting with President Gabrielle Carteris as its special guest. Carteris spoke on subjects ranging from the health plan merger to the TV/Theatrical wages and working conditions schedule. Atlanta FOCUS ON ORGANIZING B read and Roses Missouri, an organization merging the arts and social justice, partnered with SAG-AFTRA to offer three free film screenings on Sept. 2 and 3, the weekend just prior to Labor Day. Radio host Ron Elz (pictured), aka Johnny Rabbitt, of KMOX joined SAG-AFTRA Missouri Valley Local Executive Director Maureen O'Brien to introduce the films and speak to the importance of organizing for the industry. Missouri Valley SARAH CONRAD/LADUE NEWS HOLLYWOOD ASCENDS TO THE ROCKIES S ome of the industry's biggest decision-makers made the ascent from sea level to the Mile-High City for SeriesFest: Season Two June 22–26. SeriesFest is an independent television pilot festival competition — think Sundance, only for television. The festival received pilot submissions from across the United States and around the globe. In addition to pilot entrees, attendees enjoyed a host of terrific panels, which were populated by high-profile network, cable and independent producers, directors, casting directors, actors and more. SAG-AFTRA, a second-year sponsor, kicked off the five-day event with The Business of Acting panel in partnership with the Denver Film Society's Filmmaker Focus program. The panelists, SAG-AFTRA National Board member Lisa Vidal (Being Mary Jane, Rosewood); casting director Jami Rudofsky (Gilmore Girls, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life), who was born and raised in Colorado; and local agent Kathleen Ham of the Donna Baldwin Agency shared valuable anecdotes and pertinent industry information. SAG-AFTRA Colorado Local actor Michael Haskins moderated. SAG-AFTRA National Board member Lisa Vidal and moderator Michael Haskins with members and leaders of the Colorado Local Colorado EVP WINS IRISH ECHO AWARD Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon is presented the Irish Echo Connecting America Award by National Board member and former award recipient Maureen Donnelly at a ceremony on Sept. 16 in New York City. New York Members show their cards at the Aug. 22 membership meeting with President Gabrielle Carteris. CLICK HERE for photo gallery.