Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/904648
90 SAG-AFTRA | Fall/Winter 2017 | SAGAFTRA.org On Location MAYOR PRIORITIZES PRODUCTION AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR CITY OF DORAL C ity of Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermudez is committed to turning the city into a center of production and entertainment. His focus on tax incentives follows in the wake of a major victory, Miami-Dade County's production incentives that were passed by the County Commission in July. The Miami Local, its Legislative Committee which is chaired by John McKarthy, and members have been actively involved supporting the expansion of local and regional incentives. Several other regions in the state also have incentives. On Sept. 5, at a reception to kick-off the city's efforts, Bermudez recognized SAG-AFTRA and the Miami-Dade Film Commission for encouraging him to take the necessary steps to push the city in this direction. Doral's City Hall also opened its beautiful facilities on Sept. 23 Miami From left, Miami Local President John McKarthy, SAG-AFTRA member Roberto Escobar, organizer Azalea Esquerre, Miami Local Executive Director Herta Suarez, Doral Mayor Juan Carlos Bermúdez, and SAG-AFTRA members Samuel Sadovnik, Carlos Garín, Raul Arrieta and Eloisa Maestre. and 24 to host the most recent SAG-AFTRA Foundation Casting Access workshops in South Florida. The SAG-AFTRA Miami Local looks forward to a continued partnership with Doral to achieve these production and entertainment goals for the benefit of all. UNION IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT FILM & MEDIA CONFERENCE A t the New Mexico Film & Media Conference on Aug. 25–26, SAG-AFTRA members Anne Heche and Sofia Pernas (both starring in NBCUniversal's The Brave, filmed in Albuquerque) stopped by to chat after guesting in the opening session, Why the Best Choose New Mexico. Marc Comstock, the New Mexico Local's newly elected president, and other New Mexico leaders participated in panels such as Unions – All You Need to Know and New Mexico's Top Casting Directors and Agents. Organized by the New Mexico Film Office and sponsored by industry leaders, the conference is one of the state's premiere industry events. Aside from the breakout sessions and panel discussions, union members and pre-members used this opportunity to network with companies that can help them to develop their skills. A big draw, of course, was the SAG-AFTRA table, where people had the opportunity to learn more about the union, what it does, how to become a member and why SAG-AFTRA is important for their careers. New Mexico From left, Cliff Gravel, Paul Blott, Sofia Pernas, Ann Heche and Mel MacKaron BARBARA KERFORD LOCAL SUPPORTS ACTORS' DAY T he Washington-Mid Atlantic Local supported Actors' Day, a daylong workshop, on Sept. 16. Presented by DC Shorts in Partnership with DC Casting and the Asian Pacific American Film Festival, the workshop took place at the Congress Heights Art and Culture Center in Washington, D.C. The event featured a full day of education and tips, including how to start and maintain an acting career and how to connect with filmmakers. WMA Local staff gave a presentation titled Everything You Wanted to Know about SAG-AFTRA that covered the history of SAG-AFTRA, the benefits of membership and how to find employment on upcoming local productions. Additional speakers at Actors' Day included Emily Morrison of the Actors Center, who spoke about resources for actors, and Kimberly Skyrme of Kimberly Skyrme Casting. Left, SAG-AFTRA member and DC APA Film Director of Operations Judy Go Wong with, from left, members of the Actors' Panel Lamont Easter, Barbara Zablocky, Sharrie Mccain and Kevin Tan. JUDY WONG Washington-Mid Atlantic