AFTRA Spurs Film and Media Trade Council

Over the past several months John and I have been busy working with the other local unions that service the workers and businesses in our industry. In conjunction with the Allegheny County Labor Council, we have formed The Film and Media Trade Council.

FMTC can already claim one large success. With no small thanks to our allies at Teamster’s Local 249 and IATSE Local 489, we helped to convince Groundswell Productions to shoot “The Mysteries of Pittsburgh” here (instead of Canada), and that led to “Smart People” also choosing Pittsburgh.

We believe FMTC has raised the profile and stature of organized media workers in both producer and political circles.

Our model is the Building Trades Council, where the craft unions cooperate and act as one voice for public economic development projects. We look forward to expanding communications and cooperation among our brothers and sisters in the above mentioned unions and other organizations on behalf of AFTRA members.

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Hollyburgh? Why Not.

Almost a year, ago, AFTRA Board Member Adrienne Wehr, the filmmaker, called Chris and me with a request. Would AFTRA consider becoming a “resource partner” for her new movie, The Loon?

Chris, an actor and producer who actually made a living at it before his union staff job, knew immediately what Adrienne needed. I wasn’t sure, but I learned fast. Adrienne wasn’t looking for money from us. She didn’t need our artistic judgment. She was making the necessary contacts to build support for her new film, and, in the process was seeking allies to grow our local film and media industry.

Ten years after birthing the The Bread My Sweet, an under-the radar, all-union, locally produced critics’ favorite which, amazingly, is likely the most-seen film ever in our region, Adrienne and Melissa Martin were developing a new, much bigger movie. But they faced a too familiar Pittsburgh roadblock: starting over from scratch. We have no sustaining film and movie industry here. So media entrepreneurs need to recreate the wheel to secure necessary advice and support, marketing help, technical and legal assistance, development funding, and investors.

It’s a huge project to make a successful movie, especially if you define success, as one must, to mean a project that generates a return that covers production costs, pays back investors, and provides a living income to its producers, actors, technicians, and crew. It’s the business-development side of things that’s so important, and assistance here is sorely lacking.

Yes, our region has a wide array of film and media capital, especially people and know-how. There’s Pittsburgh Filmmakers, a wonderful school/community of budding media artists. There’s CMU’s Entertainment Technology Center, which generates cutting-edge gaming, animation, and other digital innovations. There’s CMU’s top-notch drama school. There’s Point Park University’s burgeoning film and acting programs. There’s more than a normal share of community and professional theater. There’s Steeltown Entertainment, an ambitious linking of successful ex-Pittsburghers with a will to boost their hometown. Still, local filmmakers are essentially on their own when it comes to making an idea into a real live, marketable product.

The Pittsburgh Film Office is no help here. Their small, insular board limits expenditures of their largely public dollars to wooing outsiders to choose Pittsburgh as a media location. While this focus occasionally lands a big production, it cannot sustain an indigenous film and media business.That’s why basing the director of the Pittsburgh Film Office in Hollywood makes no sense to many of the stakeholders in the local industry.

We discussed with our AFTRA Board and other allies the need to advocate for local film and media economic development. The more we talked, the more we realized just how much the interests of our members are at stake. If our union is to survive and grow, we must help build all opportunities for work and income—union standard income. And we need to assert our voice in public development policy.

That’s why Pittsburgh AFTRA is an integral part of the Pittsburgh Film and Media Alliance and also why we convened a council of local unions whose members work in media and entertainment.

We’re tired of re-creating the wheel.

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Dust Settles, Fur Flies

New Pact at WTOV-TV

AFTRA members at this Cox-owned NBC affiliate in Steubenville unanimously approved a new contract last July. The 3-yr agreement features minimum scale increases of 3% per year, an increase in the schedule change penalty fee, and clarifications on both management and staff responsibilities in the event of call-offs or call-ins. Committee members Dino Orsetti, Julie Grant, Dave Ater, and Barb Anderson represented the newsroom staff and videographers with style and grace.

FAIR WAGE OFFER ON TABLE AT SHERIDAN BROADCASTING

As we go to press, staff announcers at WAMO-FM & AM are considering a management offer of a new 3-yr pact with annual 3% scale increases and also a .5% increase in the Employer’s H&R contribution. Members are lobbying hard for the Company to also consider a pre-tax health premium payroll deduction program. Similar terms are on the table for the news announcers, producers, and audio journalists in the AFTRA unit at Sheridan Broadcasting Network (SBN). Thanks to the hard-working committee members of the two units: Lakiesha (KiKi) Brown, Laurence Gaines, and Brian Cook. And an extra special nod to Anji Corley, whose service to the station and AFTRA will not be forgotten.

TALKS EXTENDED AT WICU-TV IN ERIE

The Station and AFTRA have met at least six times since May, working with a management proposal seeking extensive contract changes. Nearly all issues have been resolved except the wage increase. The parties will meet again the first week in November. The NBC-affiliate is owned by SJL of Pennsylvania, Inc., which also operates cable-station WSEE in Erie. AFTRA Station Rep Mark Soliday helps shepherd an active gang of AFTRA newspersons, including producers.

CBS STALEMATES CONTINUE

Long-extended contract talks at KDKA-TV, KDKA-AM, and WDSY/WZPT/WRKZ remain on hold. The issues differ, but in each unit, members have decided their current agreement is better than the changes management wants in a new contract. Meanwhile, national talks between AFTRA leaders and network heads may help unravel the complex issues raised by new technology, such as voice-tracking, digital multi-streaming, Internet broadcasts, and phone and other electronic platforms to display our work.

GRIEVANCES, ARBITRATION

AFTRA has filed for arbitration seeking severance and notice pay for a terminated announcer.

AFTRA has withdrawn its Unfair Labor Practice charge filed against CBS Broadcasting concerning voice-tracking assignment language in personal contracts. The charge will be re-filed if the Company unilaterally actually implements voice-tracking.

An arbitration hearing concerning AFTRA’s claim for H&R remittances covering certain appearances on KDKA-TV by Steeler players has been postponed,.

TERMINATIONS WITHOUT CAUSE

The annual budget purges at local stations have again descended, leaving good AFTRA members seeking work elsewhere. This year’s notables in transition include WZPT’s John Cline, WWSW’s Cris Winter, WBGG’s Stan Savran, and WAMO’s Anji Corley and Quincy McConnell (“GQ”). Fortunately, their AFTRA agreements provide notice and severance pay and extended health coverage to tide them over to their next AFTRA jobs.

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New Local, National Rates In Place Now

Both AFTRA and SAG Memberships have approved a two-year commercials deal that bumps rates 6% overall and H&R to 14.8%, commissions a study on compensation, and extends jurisdiction into new media. The vote passed with 95% support. The approved agreement covers advertisements on TV, radio, and the Internet and new media through October 29, 2008. Click HERE for new local rates.

The extension agreement:

• Commissions a yet-to-be determined consultant to conduct a study that will examine methods to compensate performers in commercials appearing on television, radio, and the growing array of new media.
• Acknowledges recognition by the advertising industry of jurisdiction by AFTRA and SAG over all commercials – not just television, radio, and the Internet, but also new media platforms that exist now or to be developed in the future.
• Provides advertisers with the option to edit commercials for the Internet and new media bargained freely without a specific minimum payment to performers.
• Forms a New Media Committee, comprised of representatives from both unions and the industry, that will be empowered to make adjustments to the agreement to accommodate changing technologies and shifting paradigms within the commercials industry.
• Grants advertisers a one-year waiver to experiment with a shorter cycle of use in the new media and Internet areas.

Also approved was a waiver that allows the immediate application of the Internet and new media provisions of the extension.

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Don't Just Talk About Yourself: Network

When I started to think about what to include in this installment, I said to John & Nancy: “This is the article that’s going to get me into trouble. I’m sure to offend just about everyone except those with an ego too big to read this.” Here’s why…

Nearly every time I’ve been in a conversation with an artist, with precious few exceptions, most of the talk is about what they’re doing right now, or hope to do, with their craft. And I mean most of the talk..

Let me get all the unpleasantness out of the way. Nobody but your Mom wants to hear only about your craft. It’s fine to mention your accomplishments, to invite someone to your performance or even to notify them what commercials to watch for. But if you want to build your career, you’ve got to start to networking like a salesperson.

‘Sales’ is nothing more than convincing people of your opinion. In this case, you want to convince them to want you to represent their company. Most of the time you will be representing a production company or an ad agency. Those are the people who are putting their company and themselves on the line when they choose you to make them look good to their client.

The good news is, for the most part, people will assume the best about you. Just remember: Never give them a reason to say no. If you want to really expand your network, don’t ignore the old chestnut: You have two ears & one mouth. So, listen twice as much as you speak. Networking in our business is the subtlest version of a soft sell.

You want three things from networking:

1. Information: --from colleagues, producers and business connections about potential opportunities for work. Basically, who’s doing what production that could be right for you.
2. Consideration: --for work if it’s a producer you’re networking. If it’s a business connection (someone who works for a producer or a company that produces any communication pieces) you want them to connect you with the decision-maker regarding casting.
3. Access: You want your contact to allow you access in the future so that you may repeat steps 1 & 2.

Just like any skill set, it takes practice to network properly. Fortunately, as actors, most AFTRAns have a real aptitude for this skill. But these are just the basics. We intend to have one of our conservatory workshops devoted to developing networking skills.

Keep an eye on the website for the conservatory offerings for this season.

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AFTRA's Non-Compete Bill Sails Through House Commerce Committee

To the surprise of many, AFTRA’s bill limiting non-compete covenants for broadcast employees was recently introduced in the Pennsylvania House, and, unlike its Senate counterpart which stalled in committee, HB No. 2905, last October 17, passed the House Commerce Committee with a unanimous vote of approval.

The bill has thus been referred to the House floor for vote. Harrisburg observers say there is little hope for further movement on the bill this legislative session. Still, AFTRA is urging members to lobby legislative leaders for action now.

HB No. 2905 was introduced on September 14 by Speaker John Perzel and co-sponsored by 22 other House members from both political parties. Perzel’s constituents, who include well-known Philadelphia media personalities, apparently persuaded the Speaker to champion the bill.

Another important factor was organized labor. For several years, the political arm of the PA `AFL-CIO has pushed a ban on non-competes as part of its legislative agenda. AFTRA’s bill reportedly gained credence in the House with strong support from Rep. John Evans, a former TV anchor from Erie.

Pittsburgh AFTRA sent a delegation to meet others in Harrisburg to discuss the bill with House members before the committee vote. “Our brave band at the Capitol included a TV newsman from Wilkes-Barre now sitting out a non-compete and also a former AFTRA member who now owns a radio station,” relates Alan Boal, a retired Pittsburgh newsman. “We had all the angles covered.”

The Legislature has only a few sessions scheduled after the election before adjourning. Come January, the bill will again have to be introduced and run its course through committees in both the House and Senate.

“Still”, says Boal, “we have a leg up. With friends in high places, we can win this long overdue reform. Every concerned AFTRA member should get involved in making it happen.”

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AFTRA Stars Shine

A near-capacity crowd jammed the Byham last October 5 and weren’t disappointed. The writers, singers, dancers, and actors from the CWA Writers Guild Post-Gazette and AFTRA delivered another rousing night of fun spoofing Pittsburgh politicians and newsmakers. Good causes benefited – the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Highmark’s Caring Place, and the scholarship funds of the two unions.

Special thanks to the super talented AFTRA members whose donated services made this a first class show:

• Chuck Aber as Ed Rendell
• Michael Fuller as Rick Santorium
• David Early as Lynn Swann
• Tim Hartman as Eeenie
• Lisa Ann Goldsmith as Karen Santorium
• Billy Hartung as Mike Veon
• David Flick as Pat Maguffin

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Position Statement

The following is a position statement from the Pittsburgh Film and Media Alliance that the Pittsburgh AFTRA Board endorsed at their September 13 meeting. For those not following the story in the media, many stakeholders in the entertainment sector of the region are calling for an expansion of the mission and decision-making structure of the Pittsburgh Film Office. Among the many groups joining AFTRA in the PFMA s are IATSE, the Teamsters, Pittsburgh Filmmakers, and Steeltown Entertainment. Any member wishing to become a part of this pro-active movement can call Chris Lacey at the AFTRA office.

At this critical juncture, the Pittsburgh Film and Media Alliance, which represents a broad spectrum of film and media professionals in Southwestern Pennsylvania, demands a new charter, mission, and governance structure for a new and greatly improved Film Commission.

This new Film Commission will:

1. Attract large and medium scale film, television, commercial and other media productions to Western Pennsylvania. Although this is the stated mission of the Pittsburgh Film Office, they do not pursue projects aggressively enough and this mission is in fact often being accomplished by others in the nonprofit, political, or filmmaking community, including members of our Alliance.
2. Nurture and develop a strong regional media community where large and small production can originate for distribution throughout the world. Without such a strong regional media community, it is difficult to sustain a workforce sufficient enough to attract outside production.

   The current Film Office has publicly stated that this is not their mission, and given their director’s move to Los Angeles, it is now impossible for that body to achieve this necessary goal. This goal has been, and will continue to be, accomplished by members of our Alliance and others to advance the entertainment sector of this region’s economy.

We believe that the combined charter, mission, governance structure, and administration of the current Film Office has resulted in the loss of millions of dollars and economic opportunities throughout this region.

In order to achieve these goals, we further demand the following:

1. A Film Commission that will enhance the region’s commercial media potential fairly, equally, and diligently.
2. The withholding of all funding for the current Film Office by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, until a new Board of Directors and administrative staff is in place.
3. We ask for an independent analysis of the entertainment sector in Southwestern Pennsylvania that will consult with key stakeholders as to how a new film commission can most effectively advance this region’s entertainment economy.
4. An open application process to find the most qualified candidates to fill positions within the Film Commission.

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