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In Remembrance ERNEST BORGNINE, a prolific actor and the 2010 Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award® recipient, died on July 8 at age 95. Borgnine, who served from April to November 1962 and again from November 1974 to November 1977, was a star of television, movies and stage, perhaps best known as Lt. Com. Quinton McHale in McHale's Navy. He appeared in dozens of television shows and films, notably taking home an Academy Award in 1955 for the title role in Marty. The younger generation knew him as the voice of Mermaid Man in SpongeBob SquarePants. A veteran, Borgnine served 10 years in the U.S. Navy, and earned several medals for his service during World War II. on the Screen Actors Guild Board of Directors AFTRA on Dec. 5, 1937, and was the fiſth member of the SAG Chicago Branch when she joined on August 31, 1953. She was elected to the Chicago Branch Council in 1962 and served for 44 years until 2006, when she stepped down only because she could no longer drive. She also served more than 30 years on the AFTRA Chicago Local Board. Persons was elected to the SAG National Board in 1976, and served on that body until 1998. During that time, from 1977-81, she was elected SAG 5th national vice president. She served as a SAG Regional Branch Division representative on TV/Theatrical and Commercials negotiating committees throughout the 1980s and intermittently through the 1990s. Finally, as co-chair of the Chicago AFTRA/SAG FERN PERSONS, past AFTRA Founders Award and SAG Howard Keel Award recipient, and former SAG National Board member, died July 27 at the age of 101. A working actor all of her life, Persons joined Continued from page 33 these blocky black squares on posters or product packaging, and by scanning them with a smartphone, users can instantly be directed to samples of your work. Lawson recommends creating money in the long run. Being a "hyphenate" can only benefit your career, sometimes leading to unexpected opportunities. The important thing to remember is that if you choose to make your own demo, be sure you master the necessary skills and that the final version represents your best work. When you are ready, approach the your own demo. By learning the skills of a filmmaker, you will gain insight into what the people on the other side of the camera are looking for, are better able to critique your own work and have the ability to update your reel yourself when you have new material, saving 7 the first time, ask a lot of questions. Lawson suggests you Seniors Committee from 1984 to 2003, Persons spearheaded many projects designed to increase employment opportunities for senior members. In 1996, she was the force behind the creation of what is known today in Chicago as the SAG-AFTRA Senior Radio Players. nurture the relationship. Send the agent new material that exhibits new skills you have acquired, and that they can use to market you. Remember, the agent- client relationship is a two-way street. Your agent may offer a lot of important input, but the final decisions about your career need to be made by you; you're responsible ask how oſten they talk to their top client, and what qualities that actor possesses that makes them the best. Above all, whether you are meeting an agent or a casting director, be professional. If you're unprepared, it will show, and that could make you memorable for all the wrong reasons and sabotage future chances for work. Once you secure an agent, 8 9 agent at the right time. If you call them in December or January, they are likely to be swamped during pilot season, and have little time to give. And don't give up. If they turn you down, find out why; a rejection can be an opportunity to improve. When you meet the agent for air of confidence. Know your goals and draw out a step-by-step strategy for achieving them. Success isn't just going to happen; it's a state of mind that you bring to each new project and every facet of your career. Making a living as an actor isn't easy and it's not for everyone, but for those who have the drive and the passion — and are willing to embrace the business side, even if it takes them out of their comfort zone from time to time — there is nothing that compares. "An agency relationship is for your own career. Throughout everything you do, you need to bring charisma and an 10 among the most intimate business interactions that an actor will ever engage in," said SAG-AFTRA National Director and Senior Counsel, Agency Relations, Zino Macaluso. "Making the right choice for your career today, as well as the trajectory you want it to take in the future, is fundamentally important. Hollywood, despite its perceived size, nonetheless remains a small town where everyone knows everybody else's business — be careful in the relationships that you cultivate and how you interact with people." Macaluso adds that the SAG-AFTRA office should be seen by union performers as an excellent resource when you have questions about your relationship with your agent. "We see our jobs as facilitators in the agent-performer relationship, in all aspects. If you need us, give your union a call." "The Agency Department at SAG-AFTRA is staffed with knowledgeable professionals who are willing to help performers through the processes of signing with an agent," said SAG-AFTRA Associate National Director, Agency Relations Megan Capuano. "Read everything before signing it, ask questions and be truthful. A relationship based on honesty and trust is one that will prosper for both you and the agent." SAGAFTRA.org | Fall 2012 | SAG-AFTRA 43