Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/129167
EEO COMMITTEE LOOKS TO THE NORTH STAR HOW TO WORK IN AUDIOBOOKS O Philadelphia T he SAG-AFTRA Philadelphia Local Ethnic Employment Opportunities Committee held a Focus on Diversity session with local ilmmaker homas K. Phillips, writer and director of he North Star. Members, as well as cast and crew from the ilm, joined Co-Presidents John Wooten and Catherine Brown in a wide-ranging discussion about diversity in the ilm and TV industry. he North Star, a SAG-signatory feature ilm based on true events, tells the story of Big Ben Jones, a man who in 1848 makes a daring escape from slavery on a Virginia plantation to Buckingham, Penn., where he is aided by local Quakers. S. FLORIDA ANNUAL PRESIDENTS DAY PICNIC Miami n Jan. 28, the SAG-AFTRA Seattle Local presented Narrating for a Living: How to Work in Audiobooks. he presentation, led by audiobooks narrator John Lee, featured Steve Sidawi of the national organizing staf, and was moderated by Rachel Glass, a Seattle Local member who has spent many hours working on organizing audiobooks in the market. Blackstone Audio, a leading audiobooks publisher, has recently signed a new union contract, and SAG-AFTRA Seattle staf was on hand to discuss the beneits of working union in the expanding audiobooks market. he presentation was a big hit, bringing in close to 50 attendees on a Monday evening. he evening also became an impromptu networking event, as staf and narrators stayed for hours to make introductions, discuss resources, answer technical questions and share best practices. Seattle BREAKING BAD BECOMES LAW T Click here for photos he hit AMC series Breaking Bad now shares its name with a New Mexico law. In April, Gov. Susana Martinez signed into efect the Breaking Bad Law to return the state's ilm and television industry to international competitiveness. he series is ilmed at Albuquerque Studios and has attracted attention to ilming in the state. he Breaking Bad Law provides rebates for ilm and television production in the state. It also incorporates numerous technical ixes to make the program more user-friendly. SAG-AFTRA New Mexico Local members proudly supported IATSE Local 480 and the New Mexico Federation of Labor in making this law a reality. New Mexico Feb. 18 was a festive day for Miami Local members as they enjoyed the famous Florida sunshine at the SAG-AFTRA Miami Local Fourth Annual Presidents Day Picnic at Greynolds Park in Miami Beach. Members participated in the local's first outdoor talent show, where music and singing were a fun addition to the well-attended picnic. It was a great way to come together with fellow members and enjoy the great weather away from work. SAGAFTRA.org | Spring 2013 | SAG-AFTRA 45