SAG-AFTRA

Fall 2013

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A Letter from the President K E N H OWA RD "We must bring that same dedication and purpose to the TV/THeatrical W&W process beginning in January." Dear Member, I t was my pleasure to preside over SAG-AFTRA's first national convention in September. What I witnessed at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE was testament to the dedication of our member leaders and to the talents and hard work of our wonderful staff led by David White. I want to particularly thank Los Angeles Local President Clyde Kusatsu. Clyde and the L.A. Local Board members and staff hosted our first national convention reception, welcoming the delegates with an inspiring and enjoyable reception. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, actor Jon Tenney and CBS2 anchor Pat Harvey helped make the evening a warm welcome to the city. The first official business of the convention was the elections of the vice presidents. I hope you will join me in congratulating Gabrielle Carteris, executive vice president; Clyde Kusatsu, national vice president, Los Angeles; Mike Hodge, national vice president, New York; Ilyssa Fradin, national vice president, mid-sized locals; David Hartley-Margolin, national vice president, small locals; Robert Newman, national vice president, actors/performers; Catherine Brown, national vice president, broadcasters; and Dan Navarro, national vice president, recording artists. Two committees helped facilitate the work of the convention, and I'm grateful for their work. The Constitutional Amendments and Resolutions Committee, chaired by National Board member Rebecca Damon, 10 SAG-AFTRA 10-11_preslttr_F.indd 10 did nearly around-the-clock work reviewing resolutions and amendments, making substantive recommendations to the convention and procedural recommendations to the presiding officer, and the Credentials Committee, chaired by Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino, for setting credentialing deadlines for delegate voting. The convention itself was a snapshot of the membership. Delegates considered many amendments and resolutions and accomplished the business over the course of 3½ days. Hundreds of delegates from across the country came together in earnest discussion to plan the union's course as we move forward in this new era. The Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award is SAG-AFTRA's highest honor and the list of past recipients represents an elite circle of performers, including James Stewart, Frank Sinatra, Robert Redford, Mary Tyler Moore and many others. This is a milestone year for the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, not only because it is the 50th Life Achievement Award to be given, but because this year's recipient is the incomparable Rita Moreno. Rita is a versatile performer who is one of very few to have won an Academy Award, Emmy, Grammy and Tony. I hope you will read all about Rita in this issue and check out our actor-to-actor interview on page 42. The last several months have been a time of great achievement. It has also been a time of great loss. The world became a much less brilliant place in October when we lost the great Hal Needham. Hal was without peer as a stunt professional and stunt coordinator. His vision and innovation improved the profession and set a standard for the future of stunt work. Hal helped the careers of so many new stunt performers, including my wife Linda as she began her career in Hollywood. His commitment to safety and training was extraordinary. Then, just days later, our own beloved Marcia Wallace passed away. Marcia was a strong, courageous and vibrant force whose passion for acting was exceeded only by her passion for merger. Marcia was warm and funny and will be missed so much by all of her family and friends — both within the union and without. As you know, I first ran for the Screen Actors Guild presidency on a platform of creating a powerful merged union. I believe that working together, we have done that. Now, we must bring that same dedication and purpose to the work ahead of us, particularly the TV/THeatrical Wages and Working (W&W) Conditions process beginning in January. Watch your email box for information on W&W events in your area and plan to participate in these important pre-bargaining member discussions about the contracts we work. We need to hear your input as we move ahead together. Enjoy your holidays in good health and good cheer. In unity, Ken Howard | Fall 2013 | SAGAFTRA.org 11/14/13 2:54 PM

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