Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/87061
Detroit DEMYSTIFYING PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS From left, Mary Cavallaro and SAG-AFTRA members Sonja Crosby, Nicole Ramirez, Dan Lang, Jane Bower and Lynne Woodison S to present an educational seminar about personal employment contracts in the media industry for current and prospective on- air and off-air station staff and freelance professionals. "For anyone new to the broadcasting business, this was AG-AFTRA Assistant National Executive Director, News and Broadcast Mary Cavallaro travelled to Detroit in June N. CAROLINA MEMBERS WELCOMED W invaluable information. It was like a master class in personal service contracts," remarked Detroit member Lynne Woodison. With real-life examples from across the country, common legal provisions in these contracts were translated into layperson's terms, followed by a question-and-answer period addressing specific attendee concerns. Pat O'Donnell and Jane Love had the opportunity to personally greet SAG-AFTRA's North Carolina membership. Spearheaded by member Jerry Winsett, O'Donnell and Love met with members in Charlotte and Wilmington in an effort to introduce themselves and understand what SAG-AFTRA can do for its members in this jurisdiction, which was newly acquired by the Washington- Baltimore Local. Additionally, O'Donnell and Love met with casting agent Jackie Burch and casting agents from Fincannon & Associates, as well as North Carolina Film Commissioner Johnny Griffin, to gain further insight into the North Carolina film and television market. The Washington-Baltimore Local hopes to continue to strengthen its relationships in North Carolina and do whatever possible to expand union job opportunities and union membership in the state. ashington-Baltimore Local staff executives SAG-AFTRA LOCAL LEADERS STEVE GLADSTONE SAG-AFTRA Miami Local Co-President Steve Gladstone is a native Floridian. He has been working as a professional actor since 1974, and has been featured on regional stages throughout the Southeastern United States. When he was 17, Gladstone was diagnosed with a rare genetic eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa and gradually went totally blind by the age of 30. "You're either a fighter pilot or a target and I chose pilot. I don't consider myself disabled — I'm just blind." His motion picture credits include Hot Stuff, The Island, The Specialist, and GED. Steve was also featured in Runaway Love, a music video by the band Firefall. The roles played by Gladstone are usually sighted characters, not re-written to accommodate for an actor with blindness, with one notable exception being his portrayal of the Blind Man in New Theatre's production of Blind Date. Gladstone received the Hindman Award and a Carbonell nomination for that role. Gladstone has garnered numerous film and television credits throughout his career, and has performed in more than 60 local and national television commercials. If that isn't enough, Gladstone is also a playwright and lyricist whose collaborative work, South of the North Pole, received the 1999 ASCAP Musical Theatre Award. Gladstone serves as vice-chair of the SAG-AFTRA National Performers with Disabilities Committee and is involved with promoting literacy through audiobooks for the blind and people with disabilities. In each issue, we will profile the president or co-presidents of a SAG-AFTRA Local. SAGAFTRA.org | Fall 2012 | SAG-AFTRA 39 MEMO SAUCEDA SAG-AFTRA Miami Local Co-President Memo Sauceda has had a varied and illustrious career in both English and Spanish-language productions. He has appeared as a television, Web, commercial, theater and voiceover actor, and radio announcer. Sauceda has taken the leading role in more than 25 theatrical productions, including The Elephant Man and Waiting for Godot. In Mexico City, he did voiceover work in Spanish for actors such as Mel Gibson, John Travolta, Kevin Costner and Marco Leonardi. He has also won two Emmys for his writing. Locally, Sauceda serves on the Merger Transition & Constitution Committee, Organizing/Student Outreach Committee, and the Commercials Wages & Working Conditions Committee. At the national level, he serves on the Spanish Language Media Committee. "'Unión' in Spanish has the same meaning as Miami 'union' in English: to join together or being joined together," Sauceda said. "As professional performers, this is the only way to move forward and reach our potential. We already took our first step in uniting SAG and AFTRA, but we can't stand on the sidelines, we need to be active members of our union. Get involved and see how your career changes. Believe me, you'll be surprised." Members Robert S. Mitchell & Tim Parati in Charlotte Washington- Baltimore