Being ‘ProACTive’ During the Pandemic

"Getting through the pandemic unscathed has been problematic for many of us, and maintaining one’s creativity and skill set has also been difficult. Fortunately, there are many who have used the time to up their game to become versed in new means of expressing themselves and to become adept at utilizing new equipment and software — or older equipment lying around the house, just waiting to be dusted off and put into action and performance.

"Here are a few members who have delved into the intricacy of working with new equipment and the associated tasks of learning new software and applications:

"Tamika Katon-Donegal, a union member for 13 years, has taken numerous classes from the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and has begun writing her first short film. On top of that, she set up a self-tape and voiceover recording space in her apartment. And now, with two audiobooks to her credit so far, audiobook narration is a new addition to her career.

"Brian Lally, a union member since 1994, has also been an acting coach for 30-plus years. Currently, he’s busily preparing performers for upcoming auditions and provides script analysis for their new gigs. Lally has also been engaged in web series productions as both an actor and director.

"Heidi Schooler, a union member since 1984 and accomplished voiceover and on-camera performer, has put her skills to great use by playing roles in livestreaming shows. After learning the intricacies of iMovie, her short script Art Attack was recently workshopped on Zoom through the auspices of the well-known filmmaking community We Make Movies.

"Rob Nagle, a member since 1999, he’s been involved in 57 virtual readings and performances since March 2020. A teacher at both the Theatre of Arts and the Antaeus Academy, he recently recorded a performance of a play under the SAG-AFTRA New Media Agreement.

"Beth Fortenberry, a union member for 51 years, has kept busy by working on a follow-up screenplay to her non-fiction book, SLAM DUNK: The True Story of Basketball’s First Olympic Gold Medal Team. She has also taken three online courses to develop speaking and marketing skills to promote the book, and has found steady work as a background actor.

"Kareem Ferguson, a member since 2000, wrote his first-ever TV pilot based on his short film. Besides creating, co-producing and hosting The Parity Project Podcast, he’s produced and directed a COVID-19-compliant four-episode web series titled iMurder. The series deals with stories of people sentenced to life in prison and their quest to be released. Ferguson has also kept busy acting via Zoom, performing in a short film and participating in table reads.

"Nancy Wilson, a union member for 33 years, has also been full of activity. Very involved with the SAG-AFTRA Radio Players, she and the other performers took part in four shows through Zoom, all of which are going to be part of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s fundraising tools during the pandemic. 

"These are just some of the feel-good stories arising out of these downtimes. The resources for advancing one’s career are out there. And they are right in front of you: on your laptop, iPad or even your cell phone. 

"Two popular online resources are the old standby YouTube and the relatively new but exceedingly popular MasterClass series, which has a cost associated with it. Whereas with YouTube, it only costs you time, but time often well spent.

"Friendly neighbors are a resource for some. Don’t be afraid to ask, as they might have equipment they no longer need and are more than happy to clear out the clutter in their lives.

"Workshops abound at SAG-AFTRA, so put your membership dues to good use. Log into the website or, if you haven’t yet registered, do so. It only takes a minute, but you’ll then have hours of info and added education at your disposal.

"Many performers are getting together with their theatrical companies and partaking in Zoom readings or “zooming in” with others to simply check in, run forth their ideas and to stay connected. We do it with our families; why not with our fellow actors? In a way, we’re a family — okay, a family of approximately 70,000 in L.A., but reaching out to a few can make a difference in developing new ideas and abilities for when the pandemic is over.

"Stay safe and be proactive."

This item appeared in the Los Angeles Local newsletter.

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