Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/555596
For Members 14 SAG-AFTRA | Summer 2015 | SAGAFTRA.org SAGAFTRA.org Goes Mobile! SAGAFTRA.org is now mobile responsive for optimum viewing on smartphones and other mobile devices. This means you can access your member account, search the residuals tracker, see the latest news and videos, and check out upcoming member events and discounts no matter where you are. TRANSFORMING MEDIA H ollywood seems abuzz with transgender representation, with trans themes and performers in projects as far- ranging as daytime dramas to award-winning films and reality TV. The SAG-AFTRA Transgender Hollywood panel on July 18 was an instant audience favorite at the 2015 Outfest Los Angeles film festival, and was produced by the union's National LGBT Committee and Outfest to discuss the transformation of mainstream media and whether this is a cultural movement that's here to stay. Moderated by writer/producer Shadi Petosky of PUNY Entertainment, the panel featured actors Alexandra Billings (Transparent), D'Lo (Sense8), Scott Turner Schofield (The Bold and The Beautiful), Mya Taylor (Tangerine) and GLAAD's Director of Transgender Media Nick Adams. In front of a capacity audience, the panel discussed the current state of trans media representations, the challenges faced by transgender actors, and the importance of trans people creating their own projects in order to tell their stories. The panelists spoke about being trans actors in Hollywood, and how the landscape has and hasn't changed for the portrayal of transgender people in the media over the past few years. Following the event, the National LGBT Committee and SAGindie hosted Schmoozefest, a networking event for members and filmmakers. SPEAK OUT AGAINST DIGITAL THEFT S AG-AFTRA believes that all artists deserve to be fairly compensated for their work. Digital theft undermines artists' ability to make a living and threatens our industry. Every year, digital theft inflicts incalculable losses on the entertainment community, particularly in post-theatrical markets, or "downstream" revenues. That directly impacts SAG-AFTRA members, since pensions and health benefits are largely funded through downstream sources. SAG-AFTRA has partnered with CreativeFuture, a coalition of more than 400 companies and organizations that is speaking up about the value of creativity and speaking out against the harm caused by digital theft. We need to be a part of the conversation and make our voices heard. If you believe that creativity has value, please join us at CreativeFuture.org/join. SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard, right, with President Michael Higgins of the Republic of Ireland. SAG-AFTRA ATTENDS FIA CONFERENCE I n early June, the International Federation of Actors, known as FIA, held its annual executive committee meeting in conjunction with the second FIA World Live Performance Conference in Dublin, Ireland. The meetings were hosted jointly by Irish Equity and Equity UK. Among the approximately 180 attendees were SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard, National Executive Director David White, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, and Senior Advisor John McGuire. Among the important topics addressed at the Executive Committee were: • The WIPO Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances, as well as several trade treaties that are currently being negotiated and may have impacts on performers; • Adoption of a FIA Declaration on Copyright for Performers in the Digital Age; • Copyright reform in the European Union; • FIA's diversity promotion efforts; and • Plans for the upcoming 2016 FIA Congress. In addition, the Live Performance Conference, while focused on issues related to live performance, also addressed many issues of common concern for unions representing performers in recorded media, including diversity and organizing fair wages and working conditions. SAG-AFTRA joins with 90 other performer organizations from more than 60 countries as affiliates of FIA to speak with a unified voice on behalf of performers at the international level. CLICK HERE for more on the FIA Declaration.