After FIVE LONG YEARS, we are absolutely thrilled to announce that the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory Intensive is happening once again! That’s right, live and in person, we are bringing you our biggest annual (hopefully annual, from now on!) event, Sept. 27–29, 2024, at 5757 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles.
For years we did this weekend event at the AFI campus. For the first time, we are doing it here at the “mothership” of SAG-AFTRA, on the first and second floors. We are hoping this provides a greater ease in parking, less hills and steps to climb, and a more intimate setting to gather with your fellow Conservatory members. Our hope is that, above all, you have fun! And enjoy the exhilaration one gets from being immersed in a weekend of creativity.
Our theme this year is “The New Normal: The Performer’s Landscape”
Because most of you take the time to fill out the evaluation forms we provide for our members after every class, workshop and panel at the previous intensives, our Conservatory Committee had the opportunity to know what did and did not work for you. This year, we invited back only the teachers who received “A’s” from you back in 2019. AND, if that person is already an instructor in the year-round Conservatory curriculum, we asked them to please teach something different from what they normally focus on.
We believe that informed actors are empowered actors. Since being a successful artist often entails some business savvy, we are offering classes on various contracts being taught by the experts who really know what they are talking about: our staff! We also have a number of “how to” classes, workshops and panels that focus on creating content under our new media contract, how to succeed as an indie filmmaker, the nuts and bolts of putting together a podcast, info on what’s going on in the interactive community and a big focus this year on self-taping. There are three panels with just casting directors, two theatrical and one commercial.
The Conservatory Intensive is also a chance to explore areas that may call to you but are not necessarily on your radar as a “serious” pursuit. So go ahead, take that improv class, enjoy the voiceover or interactive panels, learn more about social media and explore stand-up comedy. This is your weekend to just “go for it”! Anything that inspires you to be creative and express yourself will inform your acting and performing, no matter what your medium.
We also strive to have a solid mix of “on your feet” classes and workshops, as well as lecture-style classes. Most of our panels are structured so that you get to participate in the Q&A portion.
Our union is a community of actors, singers, dancers, comedians, stunt performers, background artists, broadcasters, influencers, P-cap artists and, yes, puppeteers. This weekend provides you with some of their invaluable experience and guidance in this ever-changing industry. Remember, this is YOUR union. The Intensive may be your first step in becoming more involved, which benefits all of us.
One last note: This weekend is not possible without all of the efforts from our spectacular staff, who go above and beyond when it comes to their dedication, generosity of time and energy, and their remarkable professional talents. A much-deserved shout-out to our L.A. Local staff: Executive Director Serena Kung, Jacqueline Perez, Tiffany Arriola, Amara West and Alyssa Klein. A special thank you to L.A. Local Program Manager Brenda Cisneros, who led the charge of planning and organizing this extraordinary event. Finally, a thank you to L.A. Local Conservatory Intensive Subcommittee members Bill Ferris, Kevin Gardner, Kim Estes, Nick Leland, Roma Rogers and Wynter Spears, with an added thanks to Wendy Kurtzman for her spectacular assistance in putting together our casting directors panels.
And also, a huge thank you to our volunteers. You’ll know who they are because they’ll be wearing bright red T-shirts! This weekend does not happen without the committed army of volunteers who selflessly donate hours and hours at the weekend Intensive to keep the classrooms monitored, collect those evaluation forms, help with logistics and to make sure all of your questions are answered.
We are grateful you are here. Please have a great time!
Lee Garlington,
Chair of the Conservatory Intensive Subcommittee