From the Editor

"Hi everyone! There have been so many exciting things happening in our local since our last newsletter. Here’s a recap:

•    "We kicked off our first-ever SAG-AFTRA San Diego Local Mixer on Sept. 16, 2014, and I’m happy to say it has been well attended each month. We meet at the Studio Diner the third Tuesday of each month, and it has been great networking and making new friends. Some come for dinner, some for drinks and some just come for a quick chat. I think I can speak for some of our regulars that it is fun to see some familiar faces and get to meet some other industry members — actor/performers, stunt workers, musicians, broadcasters — who we may not have met otherwise. If you haven’t already, come join us. I’d love to meet you! And just to help you remember, we’re changing the name to the Third Tuesday Mixer. So no excuses. Hope to see you at the regular monthly 3TM, the third Tuesday of every month, at the Studio Diner back patio at 4701 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123.

•    "For the first time, the SAG-AFTRA San Diego Local became a sponsor of the San Diego Film Festival, which ran from Sept. 24 – 28. This was a relationship that seemed destined to happen, and we are looking forward to becoming more involved with the festival each year. I hope you will put this year’s SDFF on your calendar and take advantage of the opportunity to screen fabulous independent films before they hit the theaters. In addition to the film screenings, there are also filmmaker events, parties, award presentations and much more. The SDFF offers members the chance to network with peers, up-and-coming filmmakers and some well-established heavy-hitters. Come be a part of the SDFF this year, which runs from Sept. 30 – Oct. 4, and you might make some valuable career connections. Click here for the latest information.

From left, Local President Martin Alvillar, San Diego Film Festival Vice President Tonya Mantooth, San Diego Film Festival Chairman Dale Strack and National Board member Don Ahles.

• "We had a fun general membership meeting on Dec. 4. Those in attendance enjoyed a delicious catered meal while listening to information from Local President Martin Alvillar and National Board member Don Ahles, a presentation by special guest Dale Strack, chairman of the San Diego Film Festival board, along with our usual fun holiday door prize giveaways. We’d love to see more members in attendance. With approximately 1,300 members in the San Diego Local, we really could have had quite a party. Please plan to attend the next general membership meeting on June 4, where you will hear updates from your elected leaders, and where nominations will be accepted from the floor for Local Board, National Board and convention delegate positions in the upcoming local elections.
   
• "We hope many of you were able to make the May 9 casting access workshops presented by the SAG Foundation at San Diego State. Your attendance at these events is important; we need to demonstrate that we are as serious about our craft as the members of bigger locals in larger cities are. We may be small, but our desire to work and thrive as industry artists is great. If you haven’t already, make sure to set up a SAG Foundation account at sagfoundation.org to make it easy to RSVP for future events. We hope to see many more events and workshops come our way — watch for emails. 

"So here we are, almost halfway through the year. I hope the year has been going well for you so far. Please be sure to take advantage of all the opportunities that come our way so that we can continue to grow and thrive in beautiful San Diego. Check your email for upcoming events, and I look forward to seeing you at one of them soon."

This item was originally featured in the May 2015 local newsletter.