Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1433871
120 SAG-AFTRA | Fall/Winter 2021 | sagaftra.org Three Locals Join Seattle Film Summit T hree locals, Colorado, Portland and Seattle, were well represented on the Seattle Film Summit panel Being a SAG-AFTRA Member. The Seattle Film Summit describes itself as an annual event "to help shape a dynamic and socially responsible film economy in the Northwest by linking to A-list industry professionals and empowering regional artists with the information and tools necessary to hone their craft and bring their stories to light." This year, the summit ran from Sept. 3–11. The panel, which was held on Sept. 5, featured SAG-AFTRA Colorado Local Board member and actor Sheila Ivy Traister and SAG-AFTRA Seattle Local President and actor Rik Deskin. The discussion was moderated by SAG-AFTRA Portland Local President and actor-stunt performer Michelle Damis. The virtual audience numbered around 75. Traister and Deskin discussed their first SAG-AFTRA jobs, casting, the SAG-AFTRA Health and SAG-Producers Pension plans, the benefits of SAG-AFTRA Foundation programs, the ease of utilizing SAG-AFTRA agreements, ethics and producers' responsibilities. ● Seattle RIK DESKIN Rik Deskin Colorado's Creative Community Receives a Boost O n June 14, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed into law HB21-1285, which allocates $18 million for the arts community and $6 million toward film incentives — the most money the state has ever put toward the film industry. Given her long-standing involvement with the entertainment and labor communities, former SAG-AFTRA Colorado Local President and National Board member Sheila Ivy Traister was tapped to testify before several committees in support of the bill. Colorado Local leadership and members have fought for decades to help secure a meaningful incentive program. This new law is a major boost and will help attract more television, film and commercial productions to Colorado, paving the way for more jobs for SAG-AFTRA members as well as increased economic development for the state. They are grateful to prime sponsors Reps. Adrienne Benavidez and Leslie Herod and Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis; The Colorado Office of Film, Television & Media; Colorado Innovators of New Entertainment Media & Arts; and the entire entertainment community for its undying support in getting this bill passed. ● Colorado Great News for Twin Cities Members O n July 15, SAG-AFTRA Twin Cities Local members joined with their brothers and sisters in organized labor, state elected leaders and industry professionals to celebrate the passage of Minnesota's film tax incentive earlier in the month. Political leaders from the Minnesota Senate and House praised the work of the state's unions and singled out SAG-AFTRA members for their strong leadership. With the film production tax credit now in place, Twin Cities members are looking forward to more opportunities for work. ● ● Minnesota state Rep. Dave Lislegard, the author of the tax credit bill, and state House Speaker Melissa Hortman, center, celebrate with SAG-AFTRA Twin Cities Local Board members Casey Lewis, Secretary Mary Em Burns and First VP Mark Bradley, along with other labor leaders from around the state. Twin Cities