AFTRA FLASH

AFTRA - Your Voice in Music, Entertainment and News & Information -
Your Union

January 2006

In this issue

Please click on the following links to take you to the news...

NATIONAL PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE PODCAST
NEW AFTRA NETWORK PRIMETIME DRAMATIC SERIES
LOCAL BRIEFS
CHICAGO
LOS ANGELES
NEW YORK
CONGRATULATIONS
WE REMEMBER
UPDATE YOUR RECORDS
PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY

NATIONAL PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE PODCAST
AFTRA is pleased to announce the debut of a new feature available on the AFTRA website: the first AFTRA National President's Message recorded as an audio file and available for download and podcasting. In his pioneer address, AFTRA National President John P. Connolly states, "This message is much more than a mere convenience for our members; it's an acknowledgment of AFTRA's readiness and resolve to organize the digital markets of the 21st century – proof positive that AFTRA is the future in media." As part of its strategic planning process the union has targeted digital media technologies, including the rapidly expanding market of podcasting, as key areas of organizing new employment opportunities for its membership.

To hear or read the full address, please visit www.aftra.com and click on the "Message from the President" button on the homepage. (Note: you may need to open your default media player -- iTunes, Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, etc. – before opening or downloading the audio file.)

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NEW AFTRA NETWORK PRIMETIME DRAMATIC SERIES
Be sure to tune in to the two new AFTRA network primetime dramatic (Exhibit A) series debuting in January 2006:

• “Emily’s Reason’s Why Not” – half-hour sitcom – ABC – Premiered: Monday, January 9, 2006 – Regular schedule: Mondays at 9:00pm EST & PST / 8:00pm CST.
  
• “Love Monkey”– one-hour “dramedy” – CBS – Premieres: Tuesday, January 17 – 10:00pm EST & PST / 9:00pm CST.
  

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LOCAL BRIEFS
CHICAGO
Chicago Local AFTRA Election Schedule
On Thursday, January 26, ballots will be tallied at the AFTRA office. Please mail your ballot per instructions. Do not hand-deliver to office. If you are not a candidate and would like to volunteer to help count ballots, please call or email Christine at (312) 573-8081 or cczernec@aftra.com.

Conversations with Tim Kazurinsky
You know him, you love him; now hear what he has to say! Actor, writer, producer, Tim Kazurinsky is the special guest for 2006’s first “Conversations.” Tim’s credits include “About Last Night” (which he also wrote), “Neighbors,” the “Police Academy” movies, “According to Jim,” as well as the hit AFTRA programs “Saturday Night Live” (performer and writer), “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Still Standing” – and much more. AFTRA members and a guest are invited but space is limited. Free admission by RSVP only at www.sagfoundation.org or conversations@sag.org.

Monday, January 30
6:30pm Check-in
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Kaufherr Members Resource Center
One East Erie, Suite 660
Chicago (near State and Erie)

AFTRA Annual Chicago Membership Meeting

Monday, February 13
6:00pm Social
7:00pm Business Meeting
Kaufherr Members Resource Center
One East Erie, Suite 660
Chicago (near State and Erie)
Special guests to be announced

WGN Members Ratify New Contract With An Overwhelming 96% “YES” Vote!
After three years of tough negotiations, AFTRA members at WGN-TV have achieved a final deal and ratified it with over 96% of the voters’ approval. The new three-year deal contains some hard-won victories and opens the door to some possible future change. The new contract brings significant gains to the broadcasters:

• Improvement’s in the grievance procedure.
• Improvements in overtime options.
• 47% increase in the severance formula.
• One percent increase to the H&R formula.
• Improvements for per diem newspersons that include the addition of personal days and increased daily rates.
• All employees will see improved buy-out fees that are retroactive for those employed in years past.
• Full time newspersons will see the scale increased by 3% each year and the addition of "flexible spending accounts" to handle certain out-of-pocket health expenses through pre-tax dollars.
• All employees will have the opportunity to participate in the Tribune’s 401K plan.

Congratulations to WGN AFTRAns for a hard fought battle and a well-deserved victory!

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LOS ANGELES
"Cold Readings" Workshop
AFTRA Los Angeles will welcome Patrice Barrie on January 26 to teach a "Cold Readings" Workshop for interested AFTRA members. The class is limited to twenty (20) members in good standing who will be enrolled on a "first come, first served" basis. Call (323) 634-8146 to reserve your seat.

"Improving Your Craft"
On February 21, 28, and March 7, former Los Angeles Local President Marvin Kaplan will teach "Improving Your Craft" for which pictures and resumes for the instructor's consideration are being accepted through February 7.

Submissions should be sent to:

Ron Thomas
Member Services Representative
AFTRA Los Angeles
5757 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Please be sure to include your AFTRA Member ID number. Members registered for the class will be contacted directly.

Special Scene Showcases
AFTRA Los Angeles is also hosting two Special Scene Showcases for AFTRA franchised agents to view three-minute scenes performed by teams of two performers of color (African, Asian, Latino or Native American). All participants must be AFTRA members in good standing:

• Thursday, January 19 – Theatrical agent Sharif Ali of Aimée Entertainment will see scenes by performers of color who play between 18 and 25 years of age. To register (on a "first come, first served" basis); please call (323) 623-8146 between 9:30am, January 12, and 5:30pm, January 17. Please include your telephone number, an e-mail contact (if available), and your scene partner's name in your message. Please remember that all participants must be AFTRA members in good standing.
• Thursday, February 9 – Theatrical agent Kristene Wallis and commercial agent Susana de la Rionda of The Wallis Agency will see scenes by performers of color who can play at 45 years of age and older. For the February 9 showcase, please call (323) 634-8146 beginning at 9:30am, January 18, through 5:30pm, January 27. Please include your telephone number, an e-mail contact (if available), and your scene partner's name in your message. Please remember that all participants must be AFTRA members in good standing and, as noted, reservations will be accepted on a "first come, first served" basis.

AFTRA Casting Showcase
The next general AFTRA Casting Showcase will be on Monday, January 23 with Francine Selkirk-Ackerman and Tracy Mueller from Shooting From The Hip Casting, Inc. They are a full service casting company with a diverse client list, from commercials to film to television to music videos. To sign up for this showcase, please call the Showcase RSVP line at (323) 634-8123 between 9:30am, January 12, and 5:30pm, January 17 only. Members will be signed up on a "first come, first served" basis until the showcase is filled. All participants must be AFTRA members in good standing.

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NEW YORK
New York State AFL-CIO Launches "Working New York" on Regional News Network
The two million-member New York State AFL-CIO and Regional News Network (RNN) have reached an agreement to air "Working New York," a half-hour talk show designed to inform the public of policy, debates, and issues that affect working men and women and their families. The premiere episode of "Working New York" aired Wednesday, October 5 at 10:00pm. The show, produced by the New York State AFL-CIO and hosted by State Federation President Denis Hughes, will air the first and third Wednesday each month at 10:00pm. RNN currently reaches over 5 million households in the New York tri-state area. New York State AFL-CIO President Denis Hughes stated, "This groundbreaking endeavor is an opportunity to address a wide range of social, political, and economic issues from the point of view of everyday working men and women. Until now, working people could only react to the news of the day, without the voice or opportunity to give their side of the argument. 'Working New York' will provide the labor movement and its members with a vehicle to pro-actively promote a message from a working person’s point of view." If you would like to get more information about this show or have any questions, please go to click here or contact workingnewyork@nysaflcio.org.

Creating Timeless Women: Critics, Stars, and Marketers Series
New York Women in Film & Television and Marymount Manhattan College present a distinctive three-part series on women critics, stars, and marketers in all media.

Tuesday, January 17
TAKING THE LEAD
6:30pm
Marymount Manhattan College - Theresa Lang Theater
221 East 71st Street (between Second & Third Aves.)
$5 for NYWIFT, AFTRA, PGAEast & WGA-East members; $10 for Non-members
RSVP

This discussion in the series addresses the part actresses, directors, and producers play when it comes to financing a film or television series. Which of today's female artists and executives have the start power to greenlight a project? Does television bank more on women powerbrokers than film?

Panelists include CHRISTINE CHOY, professor, New York University Film School; REBECCA DREYFUS, director; W. WILDER KNIGHT, Vice President, Counsel, Pryor Cashman Sherman & Flynn; KATIE ROUMEL, partner, Killer Films; JOAN SCOTT, agent; JAE JE SIMMONS, Executive Director, Affirmative Action, Screen Actors Guild, and moderator PAT SWINNEY KAUFMAN, Executive Director, New York State Governor's Office for Motion Picture Television Development and Deputy Commissioner of Empire State Development.

For more info click here.

Monday, January 23
PROMOTING WOMEN
6:30pm
Marymount Manhattan College - Theresa Lang Theater
221 East 71st Street (between Second & Third Aves.)
$5 for NYWIFT, AFTRA, PGAEast & WGA-East members; $10 for Non-members
RSVP

How do agents, managers and publicists support women who work both in front of – and behind – the camera? Panelists discuss their specific roles and reveal the most effective techniques for promoting women in the entertainment industry, in the third event of the series.

Panelists include AMY BROWNSTEIN, President, Brownstein & Associates, MARGARET EMORY, talent agent, Dulcina Eisen Associates, JOHNNIE PLANCO, agent, Parseghian Planco, and JOE TRENTACOSTA, theatrical division head, Springer Associates PR.

For more info click here.

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CONGRATULATIONS
AFTRA congratulates the following AFTRA programs, sound recordings, and members on their 31st Annual People’s Choice Awards wins, and 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards and 12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations.

31st Annual People’s Choice Awards Winners
“These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” (Jessica Simpson, “The Dukes of Hazzard”) – Favorite Song from a Movie
Kelly Clarkson – Favorite Female Performer
Tim McGraw – Favorite Male Performer
Green Day (Michael Pritchard, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Frank Wright) – Favorite Group
“American Idol” (Fox) – Favorite Reality Show Competition
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (ABC) – Favorite Reality Show Other
Jay Leno (“The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” NBC) – Favorite Late-Night Talk Show Host
Ellen DeGeneres (“The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” Syndication) – Favorite Daytime Talk Show Host
Jennifer Garner – Favorite Female TV Star
Ray Romano – Favorite Male TV Star
Ellen DeGeneres – Funny Female Star
Adam Sandler – Funny Male Star

63rd Annual Golden Globe Award Nominee
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO) – Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy

12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Award Nominees
Larry David, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO) – Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
“Arrested Development” (Fox) – Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
CAST:
Will Arnett - Gob Bluth
Jason Bateman - Michael Bluth
Michael Cera - George-Michael Bluth
David Cross - Tobias Fünke
Portia de Rossi - Lindsay Bluth Fünke
Tony Hale - Buster Bluth
Alia Shawkat - Maeby Fünke
Jeffrey Tambor - George Bluth, Sr. /Oscar Bluth
Jessica Walter - Lucille Bluth
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO) – Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
CAST:
Shelley Berman - Nat David
Larry David - Himself
Susie Essman - Susie Greene
Jeff Garlin - Jeff Greene
Cheryl Hines - Cheryl David
Richard Lewis - Himself

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WE REMEMBER
Richard Pryor (1940-2005), comedian, actor, writer, and gifted storyteller whose revolutionary performances, enhanced by his use of body language, captured the personalities of the numerous black characters he created to ridicule and comment on the circumstances in which African Americans, and indeed all Americans, lived. His popularity skyrocketed and his career as a stand-up comedian expanded to that of a television and film star.

“The Richard Pryor Show” premiered on NBC in 1977 and shocked the censors until, only after five shows, the series was canceled. Pryor starred in numerous films, usually in hit comedies such as “Car Wash” (1976), “Greased Lightning” (1977), “Bustin’ Loose” (1981), “The Toy” (1982), and “Brewster’s Millions” (1985), but occasionally he appeared in noteworthy dramatic roles, such as the Piano Man in “Lady Sings the Blues” (1972) and as Zeke Brown in Paul Schrader's 1978 film, “Blue Collar.”

He won an Emmy Award in 1974 for “The Lily Tomlin Special,” and Grammy Awards in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1981, and 1982 for his hugely successful comedy recordings. In 1974, he also won two American Academy of Humor Awards and a Writers Guild of America Award.

Neil Edward Strawser (1927-2005), news correspondent who worked for 34 years as a correspondent for CBS News and anchored its radio coverage of the assassination of President Kennedy.

He appeared on radio and television for CBS News from 1952-1986, including a stint as a Washington-based correspondent for the "CBS News with Douglas Edwards," the network's 15-minute newscast in the 1950s and early 1960s before Walter Cronkite replaced Edwards on the nightly newscast. He spent his entire career at CBS News in the Washington bureau.

Before the Kennedy assassination, Strawser was on the job during the Cuban missile crisis in October 1962 as what the network described as one of the first reporters allowed to travel to the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. As the television pool reporter, he saw Soviet freighters leave Cuban waters with nuclear missiles.

He also anchored hourly radio news broadcasts on the weekend and the Saturday "CBS World News Roundup." He also appeared on "Face the Nation."

After leaving CBS News, he worked as a press officer for the House Budget Committee from 1987 until he retired in 1994.

Lou Rawls (1934-2006), actor and velvet-voiced singer who recorded such classic tunes as “Blues is a Woman” and "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine."

Rawls' introduction to music came in his hometown of Chicago from his grandmother, who loved gospel. His debut effort, "Stormy Monday" (1962), recorded with the Les McCann Trio, was the first of his 52 albums.

In 1967, his song "Dead End Street” earned Rawls his first Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Solo Vocal Performance. He went on to win a total of three Grammys in a career that spanned nearly five decades and included the hits "Your Good Thing (Is About to End)," "Natural Man," "Lady Love,” along with his trademark "You'll Never Find," released in 1976. His most recent album, "Seasons 4 U," was released in 1998 on his own label, Rawls & Brokaw Records.

Rawls also appeared in 18 movies, including "Leaving Las Vegas" (1995) and "Blues Brothers 2000" (1998), and in 16 television series, including "Fantasy Island" and "The Fall Guy."

A longtime community activist, Rawls played a major role in United Negro College Fund telethons in the 1980s that raised more than $200 million.

John Spencer (1946-2005), an actor best known for his roles on NBC’s hit shows "L.A. Law,” as maverick lawyer Tommy Mullaney, and most recently as White House Chief-of-Staff Leo McGarry on “The West Wing,” a role which earned five Emmy nominations and an Emmy win in 2002.

As a boy when, while attending Professional Children's School in New York City, he landed his first television role as Henry Anderson, the boyfriend of the English twin on "The Patty Duke Show."

From 1974-1981 he performed in New York stage works such as David Mamet's “Lakeboat,” John Hopkins' “This Story of Yours,” and as the gentleman caller in “The Glass Menagerie.” Spencer’s performance in “Still Life” earned both him and the play Obie Awards during its off-Broadway run in 1981.

Spencer appeared in many feature films starting with “War Games” in 1983, and including “Sea of Love” (1989), “Presumed Innocent” (1990), “The Rock” (1996), “Albino Alligator” (1996), and “The Negotiator” (1998).

In addition to his starring roles on “L.A. Law” and “The West Wing,” Spencer appeared in NBC's television movie, "The Tangled Web," starred in "A Jury of One," and guest starred on such episodic series as "Miami Vice," "Spenser for Hire," "Law & Order," "Touched By An Angel," "The Outer Limits," "FX," "Early Edition," "Tracey Takes On..." and "Lois & Clark.”

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UPDATE YOUR RECORDS
Please remember to keep your address – including email – current with the Health & Retirement Funds, as well as with your AFTRA Local. Members who want to change their addresses with both the union and H&R can get a multi-use change of address form from their Local office. You can also change your information with the union only
online at www.aftra.com, click on the “Members Only” button.

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PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY!
Protect yourself from the growing problem of identity theft. Avoid using your Social Security number on any public document. Use your AFTRA Performer ID Number (that’s the number on your AFTRA Membership Card, not the number on your AFTRA Health & Retirement Card) whenever you fill out audition sign-in sheets, member reports, or send correspondence to the union. Do not put your Social Security number
on resumes or headshots. If you can’t find your AFTRA Membership Card, call your local AFTRA office.

If you are communicating with the AFTRA H&R Funds, use your participant ID number located on your AFTRA Health Fund card. If you have a question about your participant ID number for AFTRA H&R purposes, contact the Funds office directly at (800) 562- 4690.

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