Local President’s Message

Aloha Brothers and Sisters:   

Congratulations, we have a new agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

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We continue the strike that started Oct. 21, 2016, against video game employers, including Activision Publishing Inc., Blindlight LLC, Corps of Discovery Films, WB Games Inc., Disney Character Voices Inc., Electronic Arts Productions Inc., Formosa Interactive LLC, VoiceWorks Productions Inc., Insomniac Games Inc. and Interactive Associates Inc. as to all games that went into production after Feb. 17, 2015. For updates on the status, click here, call the strike hotline at (323) 549-6815 or email videogames@sagaftra.org.

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Locally, thanks to the collective efforts by SAG-AFTRA and our sister unions, the IATSE Local 665, Teamsters Local 996 and the AFM Local 677, Hawaii’s film production income tax credit was extended for seven years starting Jan. 1, 2019, with an annual cap of $35 million. The good news is we got the tax credit extended, but unfortunately, the new cap could deter production. The credit can roll over into a following year if unused. We plan to work at next year’s session to adjust the cap part of the statute to keep us competitive. We have enjoyed film and television projects in the past because of our beautiful environment and also due to our very attractive production tax incentive that has become the basis for aggressive competition throughout the country. In 2009, 44 U.S. states, including Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., offered some form of film and television production incentives. In 2016, 37 states continue to maintain film incentive programs. For further information, you can contact the Hawaii Film Office at (808) 586-2570 or incentives@hawaiifilmoffice.com. 

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Our Local continues to flourish and has been very active with recent events described elsewhere in this newsletter, including an extremely stimulating presentation on diversity and union activism by Martha Randolph at our general membership meeting in May and a special presentation during Asian History Month featuring our own Dennis Chun. He shared a fascinating look into film and television history from the perspective of Asian and Asian-American actors’ achievements. Finally, in June, we hosted a very successful weekend of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Casting Access programs featuring in-person presentations, audition practice and Q&As, led by three Hollywood casting directors. I was extremely proud of the quality of professional talent on display for the two days. 

Dennis Chun at the Asian History Month event

Asian History Month event

Participation by members has been encouraging as we continue to embrace the goals of the President’s Task Force on Education, Outreach and Empowerment.

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Congratulations to the following new board and convention delegates who will be installed on Aug. 24: National Board member Scott Rogers; President David C. Farmer; Vice President Charles Uyehara; Secretary Jean Simon; Local Board members Leanne Natsuyo Teves, Rolf Burton, Dennis Ihara, Lisa Romano and Andrea “Andy” Sikkink; and convention delegates Lisa Romano, Becky Maltby, Jean Simon, Rolf Burton and Dennis Ihara.

Local officers, board members and convention delegates, by virtue of their election to these positions, are also elected to serve as alternate National Board members who may be called upon to serve at National Board meetings when the National Board member is unable to attend. The president, by virtue of his or her position, also serves as a convention delegate.

The union is all of us. We welcome ideas and interests you may have to further the ideals of our union. It continues to be an honor and joy to serve as your president.

In solidarity,

David C. Farmer