A Letter from Local President Rebecca Damon

Dear Member,

“Members united will never be divided!”

This basic but heartfelt chant from a recent strike rally at BBH headquarters is a statement that rings true about everything we do to advance the cause of SAG-AFTRA members.
 
Thanks to your efforts and advocacy, New York has extended the Film and Tax Credit Program to 2024! That’s five more years of robust film and TV production in New York, and lots of great union jobs. This excellent news wouldn’t have been possible if you hadn’t answered our call to action. This is a huge victory and a vindication of months of work with lawmakers. I am so grateful and proud to have worked with you all to make this happen.

Using the power of technology, we set up a text program that helped members find out who their elected representatives are and instantly connected members to the appropriate office. We turned out in person at community budget meetings to add our voices. On every trip I made to Albany, I had the force and strength of every New York member standing with me.

If you’re wondering how much of a difference incentives make, consider this: Prior to the incentives, New York was home to Law & Order and a few other productions. Crazy as it may sound, when a movie was made about the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the filmmakers substituted Toronto for the Big Apple. Since then, the incentives have ignited a vibrant production scene, with some 91 shows shooting in 2017.

As a filming location, the New York region has a lot going for it. It offers iconic urban and rural landscapes, small towns, mountains, cliffs, seashores, lakes, rivers and streams. It has a deep talent pool and crew base, ready and willing to work. The tax incentives serve as the final, pivotal element needed to attract production.

Crucial for working actors in the New York area, the incentives make financial sense for the state as well, but it took our deeds to make them a reality.

As part of our expanded education and empowerment initiatives this past year, we have been actively working on new programming for members doing background work. In addition to seminars and meetings, the new background digest is available at the office, and we’ve developed a 411 card so you have ready access in your wallet to the phone numbers you may need. The info is also on the website and our app, which will also be seeing enhancements this year.

Many of you have already signed up for direct deposit of residuals. If you haven’t, please see the article on page 4 for instructions. We’re beta testing a new event check-in process this month with the QR code you can find on your membership card or the app. Special thanks to MOVE’s NextGen Performers subcommittee for the many ideas
that continue to inspire us to push harder.

There are so many exciting things going on in our union, but none of this would have been possible without the support of our engaged, well-informed membership. Thank you for your support.

Onward together,


Rebecca Damon
SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President and New York President 
SAG-AFTRA Foundation Vice President