Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/605448
work exemplifies the ideal of creators connecting with actors and providing new and unique opportunities for their work. Of all of the honorees, Foundation President JoBeth Williams explained, "We have such an extraordinary group of honorees — and we honor them because they embody what's so wonderful about our industry — people who are highly successful at what they do, and yet who support other artists around them, who support our actors." Presenters at the 30th anniversary celebration included James Corden, Diane Kruger, Diane Ladd, Mark Ruffalo, Gabourey Sidibe, Jussie Smollett, Darby Stanchfield and Patrick Stewart. Musical performers included Darren Criss, Estelle, Cheyenne Jackson, Ledisi, Shelby Lynne, Abigail Spencer and Bellamy Young. The celebration served as a reminder of the nonprofit organization's long history of supporting union members' lives and careers, as envisioned by original board members Clinta Dayton, Maureen Donnelly, Eugene Francis, John McGuire, Mel Pape, Yale Summers, Philip Sterling, Pat Harrington and Dean Santoro. But the evening also offered a look forward at things to come with the announcement that the SAG Foundation will now be known as the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. Under its new moniker, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation will continue the mission of providing vital assistance and educational programming to the professionals of SAG-AFTRA, while maintaining all current programs and continually enhancing and expanding the services and resources that give union members the tools and skills they need to stay ahead of the curve, and on the cutting edge of industry demands. Most recently, the Foundation added the On-Camera Lab at the Actors Center in New York, allowing union members to record high-quality auditions in a quiet space with professional lighting and camera equipment, and a trained technician. Like the voiceover labs, members who utilize the free On-Camera Lab will gain valuable experience in front of a camera — something that enhances every member's career. Also in New York, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation will complete the Actors Center with the opening of its state-of-the-art 158- seat screening room in the summer of 2016 that will serve as a dedicated screening, performance and educational programming space. It will also be available for rental. In Los Angeles, the Foundation upgraded all AV equipment in the Actors Center screening room to enhance audio and visual events and presentations. Next year, the Don LaFontaine From top: SAG-AFTRA Foundation President JoBeth Williams announces the Foundation's name change; SAG-AFTRA Foundation Executive Director Cyd Wilson with actor Bellamy Young, who performed a song at the event; actor Gabourey Sidibe, Patron of the Artists honoree Lee Daniels and actor Jussie Smollett backstage; director David O. Russell after presenting an inaugural Patron of the Artists Award to producer Megan Ellison; honoree Rob Marshall plants one on actor James Corden, who presented him with his award. 42 SAG-AFTRA | Fall 2015 | SAGAFTRA.org "We have such an extraordinary group of honorees — and we honor them because they embody what's so wonderful about our industry — people who are highly successful at what they do, and yet who support other artists around them, who support our actors." — JoBeth Williams, SAG-AFTRA Foundation President MARK DAVIS/GETTY IMAGES ANGELA WEISS/GETTY IMAGES CHRISTOPHER POLK/GETTY IMAGES ANGELA WEISS/GETTY IMAGES CHRISTOPHER POLK/GETTY IMAGES