Local Executive Director's Remarks

Last year was the best production year since I arrived as your executive director in Nevada in 2009. From six days of work on Burt Wonderstone last January to the six days of work on House of Lies at the end of year, our Nevada Local received paychecks for thousands of work hours. Because of your dedication to your union, now called SAG-AFTRA due to your efforts last year, those paychecks were sizable and were reflective of your professionalism and your talent. If I could have one wish for the new year, it is that your entertainment work continues to come to all of Nevada.

That being said, throughout the year we saw numerous violations of the contracts you worked hard to put in place, as those welcomed productions erred or attempted to short-shrift members time after time. This is one of the reasons I have spoken with President and Conservatory Chair Barbara Grant and suggested the need for extra/background actors training, so all SAG-AFTRA members know how to protect their contractual work and participation. President Grant happily agreed and details are being worked out to put this lecture together. I strongly urge all Nevada Background performers attend this class as National Director of Specialty Performers Terri Becherer talks about everything from vouchers to conduct on the set, and all contractual matters in between.

We are all looking forward to February, when Nevada’s short legislative session begins and we once again attempt to provide sustainable entertainment work by and for Nevada’s working families. Language has been drafted and sponsors secured to help Nevada performers to compete on a more level playing field in the near future, and you will be informed immediately when it is time to urge your Nevada state representatives to stand up for additional entertainment jobs in Nevada.

Commercials contracts negotiations begin in the next couple of months. This is one of our most lucrative contracts and Nevada members contributed to the development of our SAG-AFTRA proposals by participating in the W&W process. Now we must prepare to support our negotiators, in whatever form we are asked, to ensure that these contracts remain in our arsenal.

Finally, we, along with all of the other locals nationwide, will have two benchmarks in 2013: SAG-AFTRA’s first elections since the 2012 merger and the first SAG-AFTRA Convention later this year. The SAG-AFTRA Governance department is working day and night to prepare for these programs, and details will be provided as soon as possible as we continue our journey into the future.

Steve Clinton
Nevada Local Executive Director

Getting festive at the holiday mixer. Photo by Bobbie Wolf

This item was originally featured in the February 2013 local newsletter.