Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1251534
85 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2020 | sagaftra.org Members Do Voiceover 'Speed Dating' O n Dec. 7, the Atlanta Local Voiceover Committee dedicated more than four hours of free education to its membership at Decatur CoWorks in Decatur, Georgia. Seventeen voiceover and demo reel production experts mentored a full house of participants on animation, live arena announcing, voiceover representation and teaching, casting, producing and sound engineering. The event, similar to those hosted by the Society of Voiceover Arts and Sciences program in New York, was styled as a "speed dating" session, with members getting five minutes of one-on-one time with each expert. It was so successful that people wrote letters to the local office about how it changed their lives. More importantly, it has inspired the creation of a grassroots initiative to educate producers on how they may expand their post-production work and have more confidence in local production and union talent in the region. ● Voiceover experts with Atlanta Local members on Dec. 7. Atlanta Local 47, IATSE, LIUNA Local 724, Teamsters, UNITE HERE and Writers Guild of America West. "No individual union stands alone in a fight in Los Angeles," said Herrera. "Eight hundred thousand union members reside in Los Angeles, and we're going to bring the strength to SAG-AFTRA and their fight with SBS. We're all going to stand united." White said that securing a first contract in Spanish-language radio could encourage a wave of unionization in the industry. "A first contract here would be huge," he said. "We had the first contract in [Spanish-language] television, we want this first contract in radio. We would see this as a platform to then spread, so that workers in radio across the country would be getting paid fairly." Directing himself at Alarcón, White added, "His company, which is doing well, should be supporting our effort and should see this as something that elevates the whole Latino community. He ought to be on our side. He should hear our voice. He should hear our roar. We aren't going anywhere." Meanwhile, La Raza on-air talent Castillo put the effort into a historical context. "My brothers and sisters, the Spanish-language radio industry has decades of history in Los Angeles, a history that includes millions of dollars in ad revenue. However, a myth persists that Spanish-language radio is a risky investment, that it is a modest industry with a bright future. I propose that it is time we recognize what is obvious to Angelenos: that Spanish-language radio is already a robust industry in this city," said Castillo. "The workers and listeners have built this industry. SBS employees come from all around the city," he added. "We're earning minimum wage or we started working for free in this business just so that we can get our foot in the door. We are honest, hardworking people and we are tired of waiting for change." Mobile Action The SBS campaign is on the move with mobile billboards in New York and Chicago. Messages appear in English on one side and Spanish on the reverse. Above left, National Board member Jeff Spurgeon, Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon, and National Board members Nick Fondulis and Joseph Melendez with the holiday-themed billboard in New York. Right, members pose with the Chicago billboard. SBS continues from page 31