Happy Holidays From Your New England President

It’s clear 2022 will begin with a bang!  NHPR is the first New Hampshire-based broadcast station to join SAG-AFTRA. Film and television productions and commercials, both regional and national, are in full swing. We have productions scheduled to arrive in January and last through the spring. Let’s hope we all book gigs we love. Congratulations to our members who have made films using the new Micro-Budget Project Agreement. It’s fantastic to see our members winning awards for projects they created themselves.
 
Thank you to our magnificent New England staff, Jessica Maher, Ellen Stoolmacher, Benjamin Shallop and Tom Higgins for the tremendous job they have all been doing serving our members, particularly during this ever-changing pandemic. They have handled a jump in filming and new broadcast contracts with limited staff. Thank you.

The SAG Awards® are coming. Our industry has seen plenty of changes as it powers through this pandemic to get everyone back to work as safely as possible. We may see a number of films that were made in New England on the various awards lists that include more and more of our local actors. Let’s cheer them all on by watching the SAG Awards®. The nominations will be announced Jan. 12 and the show will air Feb. 27. Click here for more: sagawards.org. 
 
Thank you to all who volunteered to attend W&Ws for the upcoming Commercials Contracts negotiations. Some people attended national webinars and Zooms for various performer categories, attended our New England Local Zoom meetings or sent in their written suggestions through email. It all helps our negotiating team tremendously.
 
I have no magical powers to see the future, so I have no idea where we will be in 2022 regarding health and viruses. I am certain that our union will continue to collaborate with other industry unions, producers and health providers to figure out ways to keep us working safely. Remember whatever decisions our unions make, they must always follow federal and state guidelines as a priority. 
 
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation, PTEOE webinars and SAG-AFTRA YouTube channel continue to be resources for learning skills. They have topics on self-taping tips, how to set up a home voiceover studio and acting techniques, as well as learning about how various actors approach their craft on the road to success. These are all available to members. Please apply for support if you need it through the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and The Actors Fund or donate funds if you are able. Remember to check out the Deals and Discounts page on the SAG-AFTRA website or app; it’s always nice to save money or find a perk to membership. 
 
We hope to return to local online events in 2022. If you have any questions about issues with payments, safety on set or jobs, always contact local staff. Board members do not have the authority to handle these directly. Contact Jessica Maher, Benjamin Shallop or Ellen Stoolmacher at our SAG-AFTRA New England Local office at 617-262-8001, or newengland@sagaftra.org. 
 
I hope your 2021 was successful and that your 2022 will be filled with the joy of goals met and dreams realized. I hope you and your loved ones are well. 
 
Happy New Year!

Andrea Lyman
SAG-AFTRA New England Local President