Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/821178
54 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2017 | SAGAFTRA.org On Location JESSE GRANT/GETTY IMAGES SAG-AFTRA HONORS WORLD AIDS DAY I n honor of annual World AIDS Day on Nov. 30, SAG-AFTRA collaborated with The Elizabeth Taylor Foundation to convene a panel to discuss the scourge of AIDS in the United States and the efforts to fight the disease. Panelists included SAG-AFTRA members David Arquette and Jaime Pressly; Moonlight writer Tarell Alvin McCraney; producer and writer Neal Baer and Dr. Michael Gottlieb; transgender advocate and Foundation Ambassador Chandi Moore; and entertainment journalist Jim Halterman, who moderated. Foundation Ambassador Naomi deLuce Wilding, granddaughter of Elizabeth Taylor, began the evening with an opening address, and was introduced by National LGBT Committee Co-Chair Jason Stuart. SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, front, and Secretary-Treasurer and L.A. Local President Jane Austin, third from right, with panelists and medical professionals at the Our Role in the Fight panel, held to spread awareness on the eve of World AIDS Day 2016. SCHOOLING MEMBERS ON EAST LOS HIGH O n Oct. 11, SAG-AFTRA's New Media Department presented a Q&A with producer Troy Combs of Hulu's critically acclaimed series East Los High at SAG-AFTRA Plaza. The show is the first and only Hulu series with exclusively Latino cast members, creators and writers. It incorporates PSA-style entertainment-education subtly infused into the plot, utilizing a team of social scientists and health workers partnering with screenwriters and studio executives. Combs discussed how demographic and social research was used to reflect the experiences of teen students at East L.A. inner-city high schools. The research contributes to the show's authenticity and helped to get it initially funded. Combs discussed why experienced telenovela writers were brought in, how their team approached distribution and the use of social media in their marketing campaign. RILEY JAMISON Los Angeles East Los High producer Troy Combs discusses the making of his show with SAG-AFTRA Director, TV Contracts Dan Bowser. STUDENTS GET A LOOK FROM THE INSIDE C alifornia State University students from across the state gathered on Jan. 10 at SAG-AFTRA Plaza for an educational day with SAG-AFTRA elected leaders and notable guests. SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris kicked off the day with opening remarks about her experiences in the industry, and National Executive Director David White discussed how the push for greater diversity can present opportunities to young people eager to break into the business. Los Angeles Local Executive Director Ilyanne Morden Kichaven, who organized the event with CSU Entertainment Alliance Executive Director Dina Ibrahim, delivered a comprehensive presentation covering all facets of the union. Secretary-Treasurer and Los Angeles Local President Jane Austin, Los Angeles Local Board member Aubrey Mozino and staff members spoke about their roles in the union. Los Angeles Local Second Vice President Ellen Crawford also attended. Finally, students participated in a Q&A with prominent union members, including Kate Flannery from The Office, Jason George from Grey's Anatomy and National Board member Jon Huertas of Castle and This Is Us.