The Actor - UNION OF UNITY

As an actor, I consider myself lucky to be a member of both the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and AFTRA (American Federation of Radio and Television Artists) unions and truly appreciate all they do for us, as actors. For those of you who may not know, we are the midst of a possible SAG strike, since our contract expired on June 30, 2008.

This is all happening not far off the heels of the WGA (Writer’s Guild of America) strike that so impacted the industry earlier this year. Currently, SAG is in negotiations; working hard for each and every actor out there, in hopes of reaching an amicable agreement that will be beneficial to the industry, not only now, but in the future as well.

I realize that for those of you who are not actors, this might all be a bit confusing. Basically, SAG is negotiating the new contract in hopes of obtaining, among others, the following:

••••• Union coverage for ALL new media productions.

••••• Residual payments for ALL new media programs.

••••• Reasonable increase in DVD residuals.

••••• Increases in minimums, pension & health contributions, mileage reimbursements and compensation
••••• for background actors, stunt performers, and other middle-income actors.

With the growing popularity of the Internet and amazing wonders of technology in general, these are things that have to be addressed in order for the industry, and those in it, to get what they fairly deserve for their hard work and efforts. That said, being a member of AFTRA as well as SAG, means I am a part of two different unions and, therefore, a part of two different contract negotiations.

AFTRA has come to a contract agreement of their own and its members must vote to either ratify or not ratify the AFTRA Primetime TV Contract by July 8, 2008. This vote will greatly impact the outcome of what lies ahead for us as actors and needs to be taken seriously. At the moment the AFTRA agreement does not address all of the items that SAG wants to achieve. As a member of both unions this is creating one of those many bumps in the road we face in our careers.

It is in these times when many actors find themselves reevaluating their career paths and choices, which was the topic of a conversation I had with a very talented friend of mine this past week. What I have come to discover for myself, as a result of our conversation and all that is happening, is that it hasn’t caused me to have a negative outlook or attitude. All the while receiving happy little “it’s all about baby steps” reminders, from my amazing family and friends, along the way!

In the end, none of us has full control over what happens, which is true in many aspects of life. However, as an actor, as hard as it can be at times, it is clear that both SAG and AFTRA make our lives easier. Therefore, I am hoping that SAG and AFTRA can find common ground in these negotiations so that we actors will be able to give each of them our full support - and maintain our union of unity.

“In simplest terms, the unions are for the benefit of the actor, young and old.” - Cynthia Brian

Side Note: I was recently interviewed for TheMovieWhore.com and the interview is now posted if you want to check it out and read more about me.

Tags: , Movie Bloggers, Film Industry, Filmmaking, Film