LEGISLATIVE VICTORY

VIDEOGAMES TAKE AFTRA MEMBERS TO THE NEXT LEVEL

DIVERSITY IN ACTION

H&R PREMIUMS DUE JUNE 15

LOCAL BRIEFS

CHICAGO

DENVER

HOUSTON/DALLAS/FT. WORTH

LOS ANGELES

WASHINGTON/BALTIMORE

WE REMEMBER

PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY

UPDATE YOUR RECORDS

UNION EXTRAS

  

LEGISLATIVE VICTORY

AFTRA Members Help Derail Bill to Impose Indecency Fines on Individual Americans

Members of AFTRA successfully derailed legislation that would impose fines on individual Americans for broadcast decency violations as the U.S. House of Representatives agreed on June 7 with a Senate version of the bill that limits fines for decency violations to only broadcast stations. Visit the AFTRA Press Center to read the full story.  

 

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VIDEOGAMES TAKE AFTRA MEMBERS TO THE NEXT LEVEL

AFTRA is proud to be an official sponsor of the inaugural Hollywood and Games Summit taking place in Los Angeles on June 27 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. AFTRA is hosting a “BREAKFAST MEET AND GREET” that kicks off the conference, which is expected over 500 game developers, publishers, directors, writers, and Hollywood studio executives.  AFTRA members who wish to attend the one-day conference are eligible for a 20% discount off the listed registration pass. Visit the AFTRA website for more information and to submit a discount request. Click on the icon below to visit the Hollywood and Games Summit website:

 

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DIVERSITY IN ACTION

“Ask a Working Woman” Survey Provides a Voice for AFTRA Women

Now more than ever, working women in broadcast, sound recording, and entertainment industries need a voice with elected and community leaders about workplace and economic priorities. By completing the “Ask a Working Woman” Survey, you can make sure your voice is heard. Responses to the “Ask a Working Woman” Survey will be used to create policy recommendations and points for discussion with legislators and candidates for office, as well as creating a strategy on mobilizing women around economic issues of importance to them. Survey results will be revealed at a news conference in August.   For the first time since the survey's inception, AFTRA is partnering with the AFL-CIO Civil, Human and Women's Rights Department and their community affiliate Working America, to conduct the 2006 survey. The online survey generated more than 15,000 responses in 2004 from union and non-union working women across the country—and the 2006 survey is anticipated to generate even more response.   To complete the survey, click on this icon:             

                                

 

For more information, visit the AFTRA website or contact Ray Bradford, National Director, Equal Employment Opportunities, at 323.634.8298. 

 

AFTRA Sponsors Contract Workshops at Minority Conventions

AFTRA will be conducting workshops during this month's two minority journalism conventions: National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), and the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA). At both conventions, members and staff will present a panel discussion: "Ahead of the Curve: Negotiating Your Broadcast Personal Services Contract." Members attending these conventions are encouraged to attend these sessions and to join us at your NAHJ AFTRA booth.  For more information, including a list of member and staff panelists, visit the AFTRA website or contact Ray Bradford, AFTRA National EEO Director, at 323.634.8298.   

 

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H&R PREMIUMS DUE JUNE 15

Have you received your AFTRA Health Plan Premium invoice? Remember, premiums for the July 1, 2006 quarter are due no later than June 15. If you have not received your premium invoice by now, call the AFTRA Health Fund immediately at 1.800.562.4690 or visit the AFTRA H&R website.   

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LOCAL BRIEFS

Chicago

Chicago's 11th Annual AFTRA-SAG Membership Meeting Welcomes Governor Rod R. Blagojevich

This spring, Gov. Blagojevich helped ensure that the revitalization of movie and television production in Illinois continues. He championed and signed into law an Expanded Film Tax Credit that further enhances the successful film and television production incentives first passed in 2003. Visit the AFTRA Chicago homepage for more information including meeting time and location.  

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Denver

AFTRA Denver Local Members Needed to Participate in 2006 Cherry Creek Arts Festival

This July 4th Holiday weekend will be the Denver Local’s fifth year as a vending partner in the annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival (CCAF). The Denver Local is responsible for staffing its booth with members from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each day—that’s two shifts each of the four days. We need at least 4 people for each shift. Visit the AFTRA Denver homepage for more information including how to participate in this fun event.  

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Houston/Dallas/Ft. Worth

Act Now to Get Involved with Texas Film and Television Production Incentive Legislation!

AFTRA members’ involvement in Texas' legislative push intensifies as we prepare for a new legislative session in January 2007. A new organization, tentatively called the Texas Motion Picture Alliance (TMPA), is forming to "speak with one voice" at the Texas Legislature in matters pertaining to production of films, commercials, industrials, animation, audio, and digital. The aim is to increase and expand incentives in Texas to keep Texans working. Regional meetings are being held around the state to inform the industry and to elect representatives to the board. The first meeting of TMPA is scheduled for June 16, 2006, in Austin. Visit the AFTRA website for more information and to locate a Film Commission near you.   

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Los Angeles

Honoring Our Trailblazers – June 12

On June 12, the Los Angeles EEO committees of AFTRA, Actors Equity, and SAG will host the fourth annual presentation of the unions’ joint Ivy Bethune Diversity Awards recognizing individuals who have worked to encourage diversity. This year’s program, “Honoring Our Trailblazers,” will celebrate four industry veterans who exemplify a commitment to creating a more realistic landscape throughout our industry and within the community-at-large and who have done so with grace and respect. AEA's award recipient is Margo Albert, one of the founders of LA’s Plaza de la Raza Cultural Arts Center; AFTRA’s honoree is KNBC broadcaster Beverly White; and SAG will honor actor Robert David Hall, also a staunch advocate for the disabled community. The three unions will jointly honor actor and humanitarian Edward James Olmos. The awards were renamed last year in honor of AFTRA Local and National Board member Ivy Bethune in recognition of Ivy’s service to her unions and her life-long dedication to civil rights and equal opportunity.  

 

East/West Players to Receive AFTRA Angel Award – June 12

On June 12, during the “Honoring Our Trailblazers” event, in recognition for their role in advancing the cause of equality, equal access to employment opportunities, and community outreach, East West Players — one of the nation’s pre-eminent Asian American theater troupes—will receive the AFTRA Angel Award, which honors individuals or organizations for service and friendship to AFTRA, and its ideals of equality, justice, and respect for workers’ rights.

AFTRA/SAG/WGA Seasoned Readings Project “Traveling North in a Cadillac” –

June 12

The AFTRA/SAG/WGA Seasoned Readings Projects will offer a reading of Shirl Hendryx’s “Traveling North in a Cadillac,” on Monday, June 12. Academy Award nominee Robert Forster will lead a cast that includes union members Dena Dietrich, Steven Shaw, Rigo Sanchez, and Craig Patton. Members are welcome to attend. The readings are held the second Monday of each month in the WGAw Multi-Purpose Room, 7000 West Third Street. RSVPs are required and may be made by calling 323.782.4536.  

 

To learn more about other upcoming classes and programs offered by AFTRA Los Angeles, click here.

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Washington/Baltimore

AFTRA-SAG General Membership Meeting – June 12

Special Guest Speaker: Casting Director, Tracy Kilpatrick. Meet Tracy, get to know how she works, and how best to get an audition. Feel free to bring a headshot and resume! Visit the AFTRA Washington/Baltimore homepage for more information including meeting time and location.

2006 Audio Publishers Association Convention Held in Washington on May 18 and AFTRA Was There!

AFTRA Washington-Baltimore was the exclusive sponsor of the networking cocktail reception at the APA Convention, held on Thursday, May 18 at the DC Convention Center. A group of AFTRA professional narrators really made our presence known by producing a compilation CD of audio book demos that were distributed to conference attendees. Staff and members gave out more than 150 “goody bags” that included information for producers and publishers about AFTRA’s audio book contracts as well as the demos of 28 of the area’s finest audio book member professionals. Congratulations to the motivated AFTRA members who worked hard to make this a successful event! 

 

From left to right: Washington-Baltimore members  Don Hagen, Laura Giannarelli,
Pete Papageorge, Bill Sherard, Gale Nemec, Craig Sechler, and AFTRA staffer Craig Cipollini

 

Washington-Baltimore at Streaming Media East

In Washington-Baltimore’s effort to keep up with the ever-emerging world of media technologies and its effects on members, staffer, Anee P. Raulerson, attended the two-day Streaming Media East conference in New York City, May 23-24. Among the many presentations, she heard keynote speakers from Comedy Central and ABC News explain the current move of more content online and the anticipated trends of online media. Visit the AFTRA Washington/Baltimore homepage to read the full story.  

 

 

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WE REMEMBER

 

Frankie Thomas (1921—2006) After working on Broadway and in several films, Thomas beat out scores of other actors, some a great deal more famous, for the lead role of Space Academy cadet Tom Corbett on the science fiction show “Space Academy” which ran on CBS, ABC, and NBC from 1950-55. After the series ended, Thomas retired from acting and worked as a TV and radio writer and novelist.
Lew Anderson (1922—2006) Beloved by children across America, Anderson is most famous for being the third and final actor to portray Clarabell the Clown on “Howdy Doody” between 1954 and 1960. He famously gave Clarabell's one and only line on the program on the show's final episode in 1960, with a tear visible in his eye, "Goodbye, kids.”
Larry Attebery (1933—2006) A journalist who covered the city of Los Angeles for more than three decades, Larry Attebery became a familiar face anchoring and reporting for TV stations KTTV and KCOP. Attebery won numerous awards, including three Emmys, seven Golden Mikes and the 1999 Edward R. Murrow Award for his series of reports on the troubled Belmont Learning Center, a $270 million campus built atop explosive pockets of methane gas and an earthquake fault. "Larry was a gentleman," said television reporter Hal Eisner, who worked with Attebery for nearly 20 years. "He was a good newsman. He broke a lot of stories. Simply, he was the consummate professional."

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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 AFTRA Local.  

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UPDATE YOUR RECORDSPlease remember to keep your contact information—including email—current with your AFTRA Local and AFTRA H&R. You can update your information by requesting a multi-use change of address form from your Local office. You can also update your information online at the AFTRA website, click on the "Members Only" button, fill out your information, and check a box to automatically forward your address change to AFTRA H&R! 

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UNION EXTRAS Union Plus Benefits for Union Members Just as unions provide strength in the workplace, Union Privilege provides strength in the marketplace. Union Privilege delivers the best benefits through the collective buying power of over 13 million AFL-CIO union members and designs programs that help union members enjoy life at a great price. By using the collective buying power of unions, Union Privilege is able to offer a variety of high quality, discounted products and services exclusively to working families.

AFTRA members enjoy discounts on credit services, legal services, pet services, travel, computers and more. Visit the Union Plus website to see all the discounts available to you.