Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/33797
iActor Helps Cast a New York Production in New York, he found SAG member Ali Dizikes to play the role of Rachel. But it wasn’t through a casting director or networking event that Albuliwi found Dizikes — it was on iActor, Screen Actors Guild’s online casting database, comprised exclusively of SAG members. The film, about a Palestinian-American who marries an Israeli woman in need of a green card, was shot in and around Brooklyn in June and July of 2010, and was signed to SAG’s Ultra Low Budget Agreement. iActor is free to members and casting directors of SAG signatory productions. W They have the ability to perform searches with the criteria of what they need for a particular role. For Dizikes, this feature was the key to her casting. “I was called directly by the director,” she said. “He had done a search for what he was looking for and called me based on that.” Initially, Dizikes was surprised by the unsolicited audition. “I will admit when I first got the call I was unsure, but as soon as he said that he had found me on iActor and was casting a SAG film, I felt confident that it was a legitimate audition, and was extremely excited,” she said. Access to iActor is contingent upon a project’s signatory status with the Guild, making it one of the safest online casting websites for performers. With one iActor cast role under her belt, Dizikes plans to continue to use the site as another resource for getting work. “[Before] this experience I hadn’t been very good about updating my profile and adding new information and credits. Ever since this experience, though, I realize that there are people utilizing iActor in the casting process and it is best to keep my profile updated to show me in the best light possible.” With so many actors looking for work, iActor gives SAG members a leg up. “Everyone knows that getting the audition is one of the hardest parts of landing a role,” said Dizikes. “I was delighted and pleased by my experience with iActor.” SAG Honored by the Career Transition for Dancers Program evening was hosted by Angela Lansbury and featured prominent artists from America’s greatest dance companies, along with Broadway superstars Bebe Neuwirth, Ann Reinking and Chita Rivera. This year was especially significant, since it was a celebration of this outstanding organization’s 25th year. As part of the evening’s festivities, Screen Actors Guild, AFTRA, AEA and AGMA were honored for supporting CTFD since its inception. CTFD offers career counseling, scholarships and workshops O n November 8, the Career Transition for Dancers held its annual gala. The Pictured, from left, SAG National Board member Sharon Washington, SAG MPPWF Trustee Kim Sykes, SAG MPPWF Chairman and SAG National Board member Maureen Donnelly, SAG National Board members Rebecca Damon and Liz Zazzi, and former New York Division President and SAG MPPWF Trustee Eileen Henry. in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. It is available to dancers transitioning out of careers as performers, and enables them to define their career possibilities and develop the skills necessary to excel in a variety of disciplines. “It has been truly remarkable to have watched the growth of the Career Transition for Dancers,” said Maureen Donnelly, chair of the SAG Motion Picture Players Welfare Fund. “Early SAG.org on, SAG believed in the importance of CTFD’s mission and knew that it would be able to offer support and guidance unique to the dancer members of SAG. The SAG Motion Picture Player Welfare Fund proudly continues to support CTFD and we applaud its outstanding staff for their tireless efforts on behalf of dancers.” For additional information, please visit careertransition.org. Spring 2011 - SCREEN ACTOR 39 hen the director of the film Peace Aſter Marriage, Ghazi Albuliwi, needed to fill a principal role for scenes shot VITA OFFICE RECEIVES WELCOME UPGRADE N ew York’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance office re-opened on February 4, following a thorough renovation made possible through contributions from the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, Actors’ Equity Foundation and AFTRA Foundation. After more than 30 years in the current space at AEA headquarters, the refreshed and upgraded office now provides a comfortable, safe and confidential environment for the all-volunteer VITA staff and the performing artists they serve with free, year-round, critical assistance in preparing tax returns. The SAG Foundation joined the Actors’ Equity Foundation and AFTRA Foundation in contributing $13,000 each toward renovating the site at 165 West 46th Street, a space which has been continuously provided to VITA free of charge by Actors’ Equity. Additionally, the SAG Foundation will contribute $3,000 yearly toward ongoing operating expenses. A grant from the Edith Meiser Foundation helps to cover additional costs.