AFTRA FLASH

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

March 2006

In this issue

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

PERFORMERS WIN ALMOST $1 MILLION DVD SETTLEMENT
NATIONAL EEO DEPT MOVES TO LOS ANGELES
H&R PREMIUMS DUE MARCH 15
WEBSITE ADDITIONS
EN ESPAÑOL
LA & NY SHOW SHEETS
NEW ONLINE EARNINGS REPORTS
SOUND RECORDINGS NOTES
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
LOCAL BRIEFS
CLEVELAND
LOS ANGELES
NEW YORK
SAN FRANCISCO
SEATTLE
CONGRATULATIONS
WE REMEMBER
UPDATE YOUR RECORDS
PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY

PERFORMERS WIN ALMOST $1 MILLION DVD SETTLEMENT
More than 120 dancers, singers, and actors are sharing in an almost $1-million settlement negotiated by AFTRA for use of their performances in a series of “Best of the Dean Martin Variety Show” DVDs. Performers and their heirs are now receiving checks from the $936,000 settlement – many of them for several thousand dollars – for performances in the 28 DVDs that have been released to date and in two infomercials. Click here to read the full story and see more photos.

“It's not just the money, it's the principle,” explains Kate Kahn (with David Besbris , Director, AFTRA Los Angeles Local Television Department )	“That's what AFTRA is for,” notes Jerry Trent (right with David Besbris)

back to index

NATIONAL EEO DEPT MOVES TO LOS ANGELES
As part of AFTRA’s strategic restructuring plan to better serve you, the National Department of Equal Employment Opportunities relocated from New York to Los Angeles on March 1. “The move to Los Angeles allows us to work more closely with the Industry to monitor, increase, and ensure equal employment opportunities for all AFTRA members, and to strengthen relationships with advocacy organizations joining us on this path,” said Ray Bradford, AFTRA National Director of Equal Employment Opportunities. Click here to read the full story.

back to index

H&R PREMIUMS DUE MARCH 15
Look for your AFTRA H&R premium notices!
Have you received your AFTRA Health Plan Premium invoice? Remember, premiums for the April 1, 2006 quarter are due no later than March 15. If you have not received your premium invoice by now, call the AFTRA Health Fund immediately at 1.800.562.4690. The AFTRA Health Fund has a very strict deadline for receipt of premiums – so make sure that your premium invoice and payment are sent to the AFTRA Health Fund in a timely fashion. For more information, visit the AFTRA H&R website.

back to index

WEBSITE ADDITIONS

• EN ESPAÑOL – expanded to include talent agent and member benefits information!
• SHOW SHEETS – sign in to the “Members Only” section of the AFTRA website to view the Los Angeles and New York Local Television Department Show Sheets!
• NEW ONLINE EARNINGS REPORTS – member earnings reports are very important. If you don’t fill out your earnings, on the form provided by AFTRA, the union continues to bill you at the highest appropriate rate. That costs you money. Now, in addition to the printed form, you can provide this information online by opening the AFTRA homepage and clicking on "Members Only" icon. If you have not already used this section of the site, you will be asked to identify yourself as a new user and select a user id and password. If you provide your 2005 earnings via the website, you can discard the paper income statement. Please email the National Membership Department if you have any questions about the online or paper versions of the income statement.
  

back to index

SOUND RECORDINGS NOTES
AFTRA Artist Assistance Hotline: 1-866-912-3872 (91AFTRA)
The new AFTRA Artist Assistance Hotline is for use only by AFTRA royalty artists and/or their representatives for assistance or direction with any royalty artist-related issues. The hotline will have staff available from 6:00 a.m. PT/9 a.m. ET to 5:30 p.m. PT/8:30 a.m. ET.

Music Notes, Spring 2006
If you’re a recording artist member of AFTRA, look for the spring 2006 issue of Music Notes to arrive in your mailbox soon! Click here to preview the latest issue.

Recording Artists – will you be at SxSW?
Will you be attending South by Southwest? If so, visit the AFTRA booth and meet your AFTRA representatives. Stop by and find out what’s new in your union’s efforts to protect the rights of recording artists!

back to index

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
California: Improved Anti-Piracy Legislation Signed into Law.
New anti-piracy legislation, signed into law on February 22, now makes it a felony to fail to disclose the origin (manufacturer, author, artist, performer, or producer) of a recording when used for financial gain if the offense involves at least 100 audio recordings – the former threshold was 1,000. The new law, co-authored by Assembly member Rebecca Cohn and Senator Kevin Murray, also includes failure to disclose the origins of audiovisual works, but that number had been previously reduced to 100. Senator Murray addressed the AFTRA Convention delegates this past summer in Los Angeles.

Colorado: Right-to-Work Legislation Defeated
February 13 proved to be a good day at the State Capitol for AFTRA and all Colorado union members. Senate Bill 139, the proposed Right-to-Work legislation was defeated 4 to 3. Denver Local President Denis Berkfeldt and Local Board member Sheila Ivy Traister worked to help kill the bill. Fortunately, it never made it out of committee, as the state’s governor is a long-time advocate of RTW and pledged he would sign any bill on this subject that reached his desk.

In other news, Colorado’s new Film Commissioner, Martin Cuff, recently gathered industry leaders together to write new Motion Picture Incentive legislation. Among the key players in drafting House Bill 1362 were Denver Local Board members William McLain and Local President Denis Berkfeldt. The bill is scheduled for its first committee hearing in the House Finance Committee on March 9.

New York: Non-Compete Legislation Introduced
A bill was presented to the New York State legislature that would make non-compete clauses, often found in broadcasters' contracts, unenforceable. The bill, dubbed the Broadcast Employees Freedom to Work Act, is sponsored by Assembly member Susan John. Tom Carpenter, AFTRA National Director of Legislative Affairs, points out that with a non-compete clause, broadcasters "can't negotiate to find out what the market will bear for their services. We've been working hard on the New York bill. Obviously, New York is an important jurisdiction." AFTRA has already succeeded in getting similar legislation passed in Arizona, Illinois, Maine, and Massachusetts.

back to index

LOCAL BRIEFS

Cleveland
Cleveland AFTRA Annual Membership Meeting
Monday, March 27
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Click here for details.
Members should RSVP by Monday, March 20: 216.781.2255 or cnowlin@aftra.com.

back to index

Los Angeles
Casting Showcase
The next general AFTRA Casting Showcase for LA members is scheduled for Tuesday, March 28 and will feature Casting Director Annelise Collins. To sign up for this showcase, please call the showcase RSVP line at 323.634.8123 between March 7-10 between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. only. Click here for more information.

National Council on the Aging and Access to Benefits Coalition
Attention AFTRA seniors! AFTRA LA is pleased to welcome the National Council on the Aging and Access to Benefits Coalition on Tuesday, March 28 between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to offer free, personalized assistance to AFTRA seniors in selecting and enrolling in the best Medicare-Part D prescription coverage based on medications used and possible eligibility for low-income subsidies. Members interested in scheduling an appointment are asked to call Kathleen Winslow at 323.634.8104 for more information.

“When the Best Man for the Job Can Be a Woman”
The AFTRA LA Women's Committee will present “When the Best Man for the Job Can Be a Woman” on Monday, March 20, at 7:00 p.m. in the Frank Maxwell Boardroom. Space is limited so RSVPs are required. Please call 323.634.8103 to reserve your seat. Click here for more information.

Senior Cold Readings Project
Performers 50 and over have the opportunity to audition for guest casting directors and/or franchised agents each month through the Los Angeles Local's Senior Cold Readings Project. Members may submit themselves for this program by completing a registration coupon that may be obtained by contacting Ron Thomas at 323.634.8150. Members are scheduled on a "first come, first served" basis.

Sight-Singing Classes
AFTRA LA will again sponsor sight-singing classes. These classes geared to professional singers will be held on Tuesdays (basic), Wednesdays (intermediate), and Thursdays (advanced) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and will last eight weeks beginning April 4, 5, & 6 and ending the week of May 23. The classes will be held in the Frank Maxwell Board Room. Click here for more information.

AFTRA LA Celebrates Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, AFTRA LA's EEO Committee, led by chair Raza Burgee, hosted "Celebrate the Laughter," a panel discussion featuring long-time AFTRA members Marla Gibbs (The Jeffersons), Anna Maria Horsford (Amen, The Bernie Mac Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), Dawnn Lewis (A Different World), and Kadeem Hardison (A Different World). The standing-room only audience was treated to a wonderful evening of stories of panelists' career experiences, advice on working in the entertainment industry, and presentations to the panelists saluting their dedication to artistic excellence and their commitment to diversity in entertainment.

AFTRA LA President Ron Morgan and AFTRA LA EEO Chair Raza Burgee with AFTRA member Anna Maria Horsford during "Celebrate the Laughter."

back to index

New York
Health Care Today. Where do we go? What do we do now?
Join us on Tuesday, March 14, as our panel of experts answer your questions and discuss ways AFTRA members can access available and alternative health coverage. This event will be held in the Eddie Cantor Boardroom at the AFTRA offices, 260 Madison Avenue, 7th Floor from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Members who wish to attend should RSVP to Michele Caruso at 212.863.4253. Click here for more information.

Legends of Rock ‘n’ Roll Broadcasters Come "Face-To-Face" with AFTRA Members
Join Dan Ingram, Bobby Jay, Don K. Reed, Bob Shannon, and Dan Taylor in our Tuesday series "Face-To-Face With..." on Tuesday, March 21. This seminar series provides the opportunity for members to meet established, well-known AFTRA professionals and learn from their experiences and knowledge of the industry. The March 21 seminar will be held in the Eddie Cantor Boardroom from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Members who wish to attend should RSVP to Michele Caruso at 212.863.4253. Click here for more information.

AFTRA NY Celebrates Black History Month
AFTRA NY’s Local Black History Month 2006 Program presented a panel discussion titled, "Activism & Civil Rights – Then and Now," featuring actress and author Ellen Holly and actress and author Micki Grant. The discussion was moderated by broadcaster Bill Daughtry.

back to index

San Francisco
San Francisco Local Spring General Membership Meeting
Monday, March 20
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Parc 55 Renaissance
55 Cyril Magnin (at 5th and Market Streets)
Self-pay parking is available at the Fifth and Mission Garage and public transportation is available. Current AFTRA membership cards are required for entry. Agenda includes the Local President’s report, a discussion on interactive and new media technologies, introduction of newly elected Local AFTRA officers and board members, broadcast report, executive staff report, and an open forum.

College News Broadcast News Workshop
On Saturday, March 11, AFTRA, the Bay Area Black Journalists Association (BABJA), CBS Radio and Television, and the Center for Integration and Improvement of Journalism (CIIJ) will co-sponsor the third annual College News Broadcast News workshop at San Francisco State University. Click here for more information.

Contract Updates
Contract negotiations are being scheduled for KPIX-TV, KQED-FM (first contract) and KISS (KISQ) FM. Negotiations for the first merged Metro/Shadow agreement in the San Francisco market were completed in January. The contract is in the drafting stage.

The San Francisco Local sent out the first issue of its new quarterly e-newsletter.

back to index

Seattle
Seattle Local General Membership Meeting
Wednesday, March 15
7:00 p.m.
Labor Temple, Hall #6
2800 First Avenue
Talent Agent Topo Swope and Monolith Productions Inc., will be honored with the third annual AFTRA “White Hat” award during the General Membership Meeting. Each are being honored for their contributions to AFTRA and its members. CEO Samantha Ryan of Monolith or one of her top executives will also speak to members about the burgeoning business of computer games and how members can improve their chances of acting and voice over work.

“Libel Law Brush-up” Workshop
The Seattle Local has developed a workshop for news broadcasters called "Libel Law Brush-up." The seminar reminds newsmen and women about the essential elements of defamation and how due care in story preparation can avoid lawsuits and discipline Click here for more information.

back to index

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to AFTRA announcers Mark Wallengren and Kim Amidon who were recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as they celebrated their 20th anniversary on-air as hosts of The Mark and Kim Show on LA's KOST 103.5FM, and to Turner Classic Movies television host and AFTRA member Robert Osborne who was also honored with a star on the Walk of Fame.

AFTRA Los Angeles and San Francisco Locals congratulate veteran broadcaster Steve Edwards on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award later this month from the Associated Press Television and Radio Association of California and Nevada, and offer best wishes to all of the other LA and SF broadcasters and news teams who have been named winners and/or are nominees for APTRA's 2006 Mark Twain Awards. Click here for more information and a complete list of winners and nominees.

Long-time AFTRA members Rita Moreno and Joel Grey were honored February 26 as the Professional Dancers Society's 2006 Gypsy Award winners. AFTRA joins PDS in recognizing their career contributions to dance and the entertainment industry.

back to index

WE REMEMBER

Paul Carr (1934-2006) – an actor who worked extensively on stage, in film and television. His well-known role, Lt. Lee Kelso in the pilot of Star Trek, is one of his most memorable. On television, made hundreds of guest appearances and held recurring roles on television programs as diverse as General Hospital, The Doctors, Quincy, The Rockford Files, Dallas, Murder She Wrote, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and Murphy Brown. Los Angeles Local and National Board Member, Jay Gerber, pays tribute to Paul saying, “Having met Paul some years earlier at the start of our careers in New York, I ran into him from time to time after I moved to L.A. We were very friendly, but it wasn’t until I joined the cast of Rocket to The Moon did I really get to know him – very good actor indeed and as handsome as ever.” Click here to visit Paul’s IMdB page.
Franklin Cover (1928-2006) – an actor who from 1975 to 1985, we knew him as Tom Willis, husband in an interracial marriage in The Jeffersons. He and his wife were neighbors to George Jefferson (Sherman Helmsley) in that "deluxe apartment building on the east side.” There, Cover often played a comic foil to Hemsley's blustering, opinionated black businessman. When loyal fans heard the news of Franklin’s death, they flooded websites with messages of their memories: “You will be greatly missed…I grew up watching the Jefferson’s and realized Cover, Gibbs, and Helmsley carried the show through and though. In all of his movie roles Mr., Cover’s presence lifted many films.” “Rest easy, Mr. Cover. Know that you left behind a body of work that your fans will never forget.” Click here to visit Franklin’s IMdB page.
Curt Gowdy (1919-2006) – famous sportscaster and smooth voice of sports history, Curt brought a warm feel to the broadcast booth, his commentary full of good humor and enthusiasm. "He's certainly the greatest play-by-play person up to this point that NBC sports has ever had," NBC Universal Sports chairman Dick Ebersol said, "He literally carried the sports division at NBC for so many years on his back. ... He was a remarkable talent, and he was an even more remarkable human being." Curt said, "I just tried to pretend that I was sitting in the stands with a buddy watching the game, poking him in the ribs when something exciting happened. I never took myself too seriously. An announcer is only as good as yesterday's performance. Curt was inducted into the broadcast wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984 and into the American Sportscaster's Hall of Fame in 1985. Click here to visit Curt’s page on the National Baseball Hall of Fame website.
Andreas Katsulas (1946-2006) – a talented actor with an extensive resume of film and TV roles but who many know as “the one-armed man” from The Fugitive. Others might recognize his voice as that of G’Kar, the arrogant ambassador from Babylon 5: The Gathering. His ability to bring depth and humanity to his role on Babylon 5, despite extensive prosthetics and makeup, was a testament to his skill as an actor. Babylon 5 makeup artist Rob Sherwood observed, “Andreas was a special actor that never complained, had a great sense-of-humor and an uncanny ability to always make the time fun. Thinking back over that time it is obvious to me that his deep love for his character and the life were visible in all he did. I could never thank Andreas enough for his patience, his advice, his laughter, and his ability to make our job fun. The industry has lost a great actor and I will miss him dearly.” Click here to visit Andreas’ website.
Darren McGavin (1922-2006) – actor best known for playing the title role in the television horror series Kolchak: The Night Stalker. He also appeared as the eponymous detective in the TV series Mike Hammer, but, it was his portrayal in the movie A Christmas Story as the grumpy father given to bursts of profanity that made him a household name. Another such role — the opinionated father of Candice Bergen’s title character on Murphy Brown (CBS, 1988 to 1998) — earned him an Emmy Award in 1990. Former AFTRA LA Local President, Marvin Kaplan, praised Darren McGavin saying, “Darren McGavin was a fine, consummate actor and a tribute to our union and profession.” Click here to visit Darren’s IMdB page.
Gordon Parks (1913-2006) – Longtime filmmaker, televsison producer and host, novelist, composer, poet, and master photographer, dedicated his long active life and great artisitic gifts to exploring the wounds of the soul and heart inflicted on America by its schizophrenic relations with racism and intractable inability -- and unwillingness -- to integrate African Americans fully into national life and community. The rich legacy of Parks' work in all media also unflinchingly probed how those societal wounds played out in the lives of individual Black Americans -- heroically and tragically -- especially among the working poor. Parks' images and his examplary determination to create despite the implacable blockades of racism served to inspire generations of Artists to bravely stake out their territory across the arts, this riskiest of endeavors.
Dana Reeve (1961-2006) – "These Troubles Come Not Singly, But in Battalions." Shakespeare's Scottish Play. In what seems to be a towering example of the impassive cruelties of fate, Singer, Actress, Television Host, and non-smoker, Dana Reeve died of lung cancer, March 6, 2006 at the age of 44. An accomplished and successful Performer, Dana was also widely known as wife to AFTRA star Chris Reeve who passed away in late 2004 due to complictions from his long struggle with paralysis caused by a riding accident in 1995. Many AFTRA Actors knew and worked with Dana and Chris from their Stage and Television work in Drama, Comedy, Commercials, and Cabaret, and many AFTRAns participated and contributed to the extensive charitable work that Dana and Chris led both before and after Chris' accident. Our deepest condolences go to their 13 year old son Will, their families and friends. As Actors, Journalists, or Musical Artists, AFTRA Artists' stock-in-trade in fiction and in news, is sadly often the pointed tragedies of human life. Any of us who are parents cannot help but feel with particular intensity this tragedy doubly struck against our Sister and Brother and their son. We extend our hand in solace to each other and with the greatest sorrow to Will.
Don Knotts (1924-2006) – actor who gained wide exposure in 1956 on Steve Allen's The Tonight Show, appearing in Allen's mock "Man in the Street" interviews, always as a man obviously very nervous about being on camera. The role that earned Don his greatest recognition was as Barney Fife, a bumbling deputy sheriff, on the very popular television sitcom on The Andy Griffith Show. In the 1970s, Don and Tim Conway starred together in a series of slapstick movies, including the 1975 Disney film The Apple Dumpling Gang, and its 1979 sequel, The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again. Don returned to series television in the late 1970s, appearing as landlord Ralph Furley on Three's Company. He remained on the show from 1979 until it ended in 1984. In 2000, Don was recognized for his television work with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His dear friend Andy Griffith recounted during a recent interview, “many times I’ve heard what a funny man Don was and I couldn't agree more. Heaven just got a little funnier.” Click here to visit Don’s IMdB page.
Dennis Weaver (1924-2006) – actor who played sheriff’s deputy Chester Goode in the classic Western television series Gunsmoke, and the crime-solving deputy solving in McCloud. Dennis also was an activist for protecting the environment and combating world hunger. He served as president of Love Is Feeding Everyone (LIFE), which fed 150,000 needy people a week in Los Angeles County. He founded the Institute of Economics, which sought solutions to economic and environmental problems. He spoke at the United Nations and Congress, as well as to college students and school children, about fighting pollution and starvation. Click here to visit Dennis’ IMdB page.

back to index

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.

back to index

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 1.800.562.4690.

back to index