AFTRA flash

July 2007

AFTRA PREPARES FOR 70TH ANNIVERSARY NATIONAL CONVENTION
COMMERCIALS CONTRACTS UPDATE
AFTRA FOUNDATION CELEBRATES 10 YEARS 
DIVERSITY IN ACTION 
BROADCAST NEWS 
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
AFTRA H&R UPDATE   
LOCAL BRIEFS
ATLANTA
DALLAS/FORT WORTH
HOUSTON
LOS ANGELES
NEW ORLEANS
NEW YORK
PHOENIX
SAN FRANCISCO
UNION PLUS BENEFITS
DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
AUTO INSURANCE
TRAVEL CENTER
PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY
UPDATE YOUR RECORDS

AFTRA PREPARES FOR 70TH ANNIVERSARY NATIONAL CONVENTION
Preparations are underway for the 70th Anniversary AFTRA National Convention July 19-21 hosted by the AFTRA Philadephia Local. Where better to celebrate the birth of our union than in the birthplace of our nation? Stay tuned for a post-Convention report, including news and photos, on AFTRA.com, in the August edition of "AFTRA Flash!," and in the Fall issue of "AFTRA Magazine".

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COMMERCIALS CONTRACTS UPDATE
Performers' Unions and Advertising Industry Select Booz Allen Hamilton to Conduct Commericals Study
AFTRA, SAG, and the advertising industry's ANA/AAAA Joint Policy Committee on Broadcast Talent Union Relations announced that Booz Allen Hamilton has been selected as the independent study consultant to examine alternative methods of performer compensation. Click here to read more>>

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AFTRA FOUNDATION
AFTRA Foundation Celebrates 10 Years
The AFTRA Foundation—which supports special programs and initiatives benefiting the professions of actors, broadcasters, and recording artists and the industries in which these professionals work—is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. During its first ten years, the Foundation has funded programs that are typically outside the scope of normal activities of AFTRA, including charitable endeavors, special conferences, studies, seminars, and other events. Find out more about the AFTRA Foundation and Planned Giving here>>

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DIVERSITY IN ACTION 

AFTRA, SAG, and Black Hollywood Confront AIDS: Celebrities Get Public HIV Tests at Press Conference
Black celebrities and their allies recognized the 10th anniversary of National HIV Testing Day by getting HIV screenings at a news conference to raise awareness of the urgent need to stop the spread of HIV in Black communities. Click here to read the story>> 

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BROADCAST NEWS

'Oprah & Friends' and AFTRA Enter into New Contract
Members of AFTRA, who are heard as program hosts and announcers on the 'Oprah & Friends' Program on XM Satellite Radio, have entered into their first collective bargaining agreement with producers of the program. Click here to read the press release>>

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LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
AFTRA Helps Build New Advocacy Group to Strengthen Copyright System
AFTRA has joined more than two dozen national organizations representing artists, producers, and distributors as a member of the Copyright Alliance, a new comprehensive education and advocacy group dedicated to a robust copyright system. Click here to read more>>

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AFTRA H&R UPDATE 
David Crosby Talks about AFTRA H&R
Legendary recording artist David Crosby talks about the AFTRA H&R Funds in the Spring 2007 issue of "AFTRA Magazine." Click here to read his comments>>

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AFTRA Health & Retirement Funds Names Chief Executive Officer
Christine H. Dubois has been named Chief Executive Officer of the AFTRA Health & Retirement Funds. Click here to read the story>>

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LOCAL BRIEFS
Atlanta 
Members Turn Out to “Get Your ACT Together” in Georgia 
The Organizing Committee and staff of the AFTRA Atlanta Local sponsored a career day for members aimed at education, information, and building the tools necessary to get work in today’s market. A huge success, “Get Your ACT Together” was held on Saturday, June 23. Click here to read the story and see pictures>>

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Dallas/Fort Worth
Third Thursdays ProACT Mixer - July 19 
"The "ORGANIZER" (our specialty drink) has become a sensation! TxMPA applications will be available! Click here for details>>

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Houston
Houston Actors Create the Script to Screen Team
AFTRA Houston members are breaking new ground and networking with the television, industrial, and film production community before the project shoots! Using professionals to give a voice to a script can save a writer countless hours of rewrites. Now, AFTRA Houston members are joining screenwriters in exploring a project's vision through voluntary table reads of scripts while still in the development stage. The Script to Screen Team will break ground in September with script readings offered to local screenwriters. This is also a great way to keep your cold reading skills sharp. If you are interested in becoming part of the professional pool of actors for Script to Screen, send an email to Jim Huston at the AFTRA Houston Local houston@aftra.com by August 1, 2007, and get ready to strut your stuff!

Stag's Head Welcomes AFTRA Members - July 25  
No "MEETING," just "GREETING!"  Make plans to join the "in" crowd and mark your calendar for this AFTRA social gathering. Get to know your fellow actors and talk biz over a glass of wine, beer or iced tea at the Stag’s Head Pub (Inner Loop), 2128 Portsmouth (Richmond & Shepherd – Houston, TX 77098) on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Light hors d’oeuvres. Cash bar. If you fail to schmooze – you lose.

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Los Angeles
Making a Role Your Own During Auditions - July 10 
7:00pm - Frank Maxwell Boardroom, AFTRA Los Angeles
Members are invited to a one-night seminar led by television, film, and stage actor Millie Slavin focusing on how to create a successful marriage between you and your character and bringing out the best in your auditions. Open to all AFTRA members in good standing. RSVPs required. Call 323.634.8123 to reserve your seat. 

Scene Study Sanity - July 23 
7:00pm - Frank Maxwell Boardroom, AFTRA Los Angeles 
AFTRA Los Angeles is pleased to welcome Scott Mosenson to again lead his very popular “Scene Study Sanity” class discussing career vision, audition preparation, assuring a constant state of readiness, letting go, and audition mistakes that even veteran “working” actors make. Open to all AFTRA members in good standing.  RSVPs required. Call 323.634.8151 to confirm your attendance. 

SAVE THE DATE!  Tri-Union (AFTRA/SAG/Equity) Diversity “Ivy” Awards - August 20 
7:00pm - East West Players Theatre, Downtown 
2007 honorees include: Belva Davis for AFTRA, Esai Morales for SAG, and the Cornerstone Theater for Equity. Actor Robert Guillame will be recognized for his work as a member of all three unions. RSVP information will be available later this month at the AFTRA Los Angeles website. 

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New Orleans
Bienvenue to the new AFTRA New Orleans Website!

Take a virtual trip to the Big Easy and visit the new and improved AFTRA New Orleans website. Click here to check out all the new content and resources now available to AFTRA New Orleans members>>

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New York 
AFTRA@Work Thanks You
On behalf of the AFTRA New York Local, AFTRA@Work would like to thank all of our presenters and participants for a wonderful productive  season. We wish everyone a terrific summer! Watch for us in the Fall...

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Phoenix
AFTRA Phoenix Membership Meeting - July 7
10:30am - Illuma Studios
Come to the meeting to hear reports from your President and National Board Representative, participate in Nominating Committee selection for fall elections, and join in an Open Forum to discuss issues important to you. Click here for details>>

AFTRA Phoenix presents a Fundraiser: How to Be Prepared for Stunts on Any Set - July 7
12:00pm - Illuma Studios
This workshop is for everyone who expects to work on a set, especially where action sequences are going to be filmed. Learn all aspects of stunt safety. These seasoned stunt performers will demonstrate how to do stunts for the camera. Learn the ins and outs of hand-to-hand combat, falls, and rolls. They will also cover gun safety and special effects. Click here for details>>

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San Francisco
Screening of “AFTRA: Commitment to Action” - July 12
7:00pm - Mission Cultural Center
Come enjoy this exciting new documentary about AFTRA members and our history screened for the first time in San Fransisco as part of LaborFest. No charge to AFTRA members, $3.00 admission for the general public. Click here for details>>

Congratulations to Belva Davis!
On May 24, Ms. Davis was sworn in at San Francisco City Hall as one of the new trustees to sit on the Board of Trustees of the San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center. Click here to see the photo gallery>> She joins other Board members including Wilkes Bashford, Charlotte Mailliard Shultz, and Paul Pelosi. Ms. Davis has also been named as one of the recipients of this year’s the Ivy Award. Click here for details>>

AFTRA/SAG San Francisco Conservatory News
The Conservatory is on hiatus for the month of July, but stay tuned for upcoming events.

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UNION PLUS BENEFITS
Union Leaders of the Future Scholarship
Embracing its mission to enhance the value of union membership and support a stronger labor movement, Union Privilege has developed a scholarship program to help more women and people of color become union leaders. The program provides annual awards up to $3,000 to help future leaders with the cost of continuing their education or training in order to pursue their union career goals and leadership skills. Click here to find out more including how to apply, eligibility requirements, and award usage>>

Drive Away with Auto Insurance Savings
The Union Plus Auto Insurance Program, which saves members $398 a year on average, now comes with more benefits - at no extra cost! Money-saving refunds of up to $250 are now available to union members and their families who complete driver education courses. Defensive driving courses, and 55 Alive classes for older drivers, are also covered. Click here for more information>>

Save on Summer Travel with Union Plus Travel Center
The Union Plus Travel Center saves AFTRA members money by offering competitive discounts on airlines, hotels, cruises, entertainment, and even condo vacations! Plus, all services and companies are union-friendly! Click here to see all deals the Union Plus Travel Center has to offer>>

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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 RECORDS
Please 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 www.aftra.com, click on the "Members Only" button, fill out your information, and check a box to automatically forward your address change to AFTRA H&R!