Dallas-Fort Worth

Join us for a remote Zoom conversation with Casting Directors Douglas Aibel and Stephanie Holbrook from the series Servant.

A new psychological thriller from M. Night Shyamalan that follows a Philadelphia couple in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy creates a rift in their marriage and opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home.

Click here to RSVP.

RSVP-ed members will receive the Zoom link by email one hour prior to the start of the program, and will be able to ask questions through Zoom's chat function.

When: Wednesday June 17, 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. PT

Doug Aibel - Douglas Aibel has cast over 90 films, for such directors as Wes Anderson, James Gray, M. Night Shyamalan, Noah Baumbach, Kenneth Lonergan, Gillian Robespierre, Tim Robbins,  James Gray, Paul Weitz, Ramin Bahrani and others.  Notable film credits include the Academy Award winning  MARRIAGE STORY, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, SPLIT, DEAD MAN WALKING, FRANCES HA, LIMITLESS, GRANDMA,  99 HOMES and TWO LOVERS.  Upcoming: THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK, THE FRENCH DISPATCH, THE DEVIL ALL THE TIME and MAYDAY.  Television credits include the Golden Globe Award winning MOZART IN THE JUNGLE (Amazon), SUCCESSION (HBO),  SERVANT (Apple), FAHRENHEIT 451 (HBO) and the upcoming CLICKBAIT (Netflix). He is also Artistic Director of the acclaimed non-profit Vineyard Theatre.

Stephanie Holbrook -  Stephanie Holbrook is a Casting Director with extensive credits in both Film and TV/Streaming. She has numerous film credits that have premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, recently The Wolf Hour and Abe. Stephanie also recently cast Human Capital, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Prior, Stephanie cast The Kindergarten Teacher and Madeline’s Madeline, both Sundance 2018 and for which Stephanie earned Artios Awards, given to her by her peers. Past film credits include The Grudge (2020), My Friend Dahmer (Tribeca 2017), Equity, The Eyes of My Mother (the latter of which premiered at Sundance 2016), Life Of Crime, The Lifeguard, Applesauce, Ghost Team, Ratter, Ava’s Possessions, The Abandoned, Jane Wants a Boyfriend, Book of Love, Catfight (Toronto International Film Festival). Christine, The Happening, Ordinary World, Three Generations and Landline Stephanie co-cast with Douglas Aibel. Earlier in her career, Stephanie was on Aibel’s casting team for Glass, Isle of Dogs, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, We Own The Night, The Squid and The Whale, Margot at the Wedding, Margaret, Failure to Launch, The Village and Lady In the Water, among others. Currently, Stephanie is Casting Director for The Sinner, now streaming its third season. A member of the Casting Society of America, Stephanie is a multiple-nominee and multiple-winner for Excellence in Casting.

Moderated by Rochelle Rose, National Director of Performers Programs, SAG-AFTRA Foundation.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

This class is aimed at actors who have little to no experience in working with audio and are just getting their VO careers started.  Audio engineer Matt Cruz and Lab Administrator Nithya Rajendran will go over basic audio recording terminology, give an overview of the key components of DAW’s (Digital Audio Workstations) and will emphasize the things you will need to know in your daily VO life including industry standards that should be adhered to.

When: Wednesday, May 27, 6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. PT

This class will also act as a prerequisite to more advanced classes.

Click here to RSVP.

REQUIREMENTS

• Basic computer skills and comprehension required.
• This class will require screen/camera access as visual materials will be presented.

If you see a Waitlist button, add your name to the Waitlist.  You will be contacted if seated or if seats become available.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

Once you have completed the required Voiceover Lab Application (online), you must complete the Voiceover Lab Orientation (VOLO) in order to begin using the Lab. The 2-hour VOLO covers Lab policies, aspects of sound, file formats, sample rates/bit depths, audio interfaces, microphones, voiceover recording and editing.

When: Thursday, May 28, 6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. PT

REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to log into program by computer equipped with a camera or by cell phone equipped with a camera.  Program will take place using Zoom (conferencing application) .  Camera is needed in order for participants to view presentation materials
• Attendees must be present for the entire program, which is from 6:00pm-8:00pm EST.
• Completed VO Lab Application.
• Note taking materials (laptop, pens, pencils, paper) recommended.

Click here to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

With  
 MPTF Chief Innovation Officer Scott A. Kaiser, MD, 
MPTF Director of Campus and Community Based Social Services Jessica Caughey, LCSW, 
MPTF Employee Wellness Program Manager Debi Conocenti, MA, CWWPM

 

When: Thursday, May 28, 10 a.m. PT/Noon CT/1 p.m. ET

WATCH HERE

Join SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, the President’s Taskforce on Education, Outreach & Engagement and an esteemed panel of Motion Picture & Television Fund experts for a discussion on health and wellness in the age of COVID-19. 

MPTF’s expert practitioners will provide practical guidance for managing the stress, anxiety and isolation that many people are experiencing as a result of work stoppages, stay-at-home orders and health concerns.  

A valued and frequent partner to SAG-AFTRA, MPTF supports the entertainment community in living and aging well.  

Email your questions or comments for MPTF’s experts to PTEOE@sagaftra.org. Please note that, unless otherwise requested, your name may be read aloud during the program if your question is selected.  Due to time limitations, not all questions will be addressed during or after the program.  

This program will be recorded and may be later shared in whole or in part on SAG-AFTRA’s website and social media channels. 

This workshop is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual or company by SAG-AFTRA. The information provided through the workshop is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for the advice of other industry professionals. You should always use good judgment in these matters and should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided through the workshop.

When: 1:45 p.m. ET / 12:45 p.m. PT / 10:45 a.m. PT

To participate, you must confirm the following:

1. You can participate using a desktop computer (Mac or PC). No smartphones or tablets. 

2. You have a reliable Internet connection (Wifi at home).

3. You can successfully run this Zoom/audio test - https://zoom.us/test

The purpose of this workshop is to instruct SAG-AFTRA members on building a professional resume using a free word processor, Google Docs.  In this two hour session, members will setup an account to use the free software, learn how the site works as well as the basic functions provided, and build their resume during the workshop. While some members may finish their resume in the workshop, most members will have about 50-80% of their resume completed. NOTE: This is not a class to update your existing resume. We will be building a new resume in this workshop.

This class is not an introduction on how to use a computer, so basic computer skills are needed.  No exceptions.

All members are expected to have a functioning website by the end of the workshop.

Members must have the following organized on their desktop for this class:

At least 1 DIGITAL headshot 

Relevant information for your resume on paper. This can be an older resume.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

Have you ever come across the word "hygge" in an audition or audiobook narration? How about all the weird slang these days? There are no pronunciations for some words in any online dictionary, so what do you do? This class will go over the best sources to use for audiobooks and auditions as well as a few tips and tricks for searching the internet a bit deeper. (Spoiler alert: no robot voices welcome.)

When: 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT / 12 p.m. PT

Please note: this class is strictly informational.  No reads will take place.

REQUIREMENTS

This class will be over Zoom video conferencing.

Attendees must be present for the entire program.

A computer, tablet or  phone with video capabilities and a microphone (USB, analog or computer mic).

A stable Internet connection, as this program will be help on an online group/meet platform.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

This event is open to all eligible VO Lab Eligible performers. 

When: 6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. PT

Learn the foundation of great audiobook narration according to industry pro Jayme Mattler. With a focus on Comprehension and Authenticity, the class will work on POV, character voices, and everything in between, while aiming for honest choices with emotional connection. This class is open to all experience levels. You will need to email us 2-3 pages of a fiction book written in the last 10 years (no children's books or poetry) and a second copy for Jayme to read along.

You must be able to attend the entire program.

Click here to RSVP.

Jayme has spent 10 years working in voiceover. She started as an engineer and then began directing, casting, producing, and narrating. In this time, she has over 1000 audiobooks recorded, over 80 narrated and has 2 Grammy nominations.  Her work in the industry led her to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation where she was one of the founding engineers at the EIF Voiceover Lab in NYC, coaching and directing actors on the art of voiceover. 

Some audiobooks she has recorded include American Grown written and narrated by Michelle Obama (Grammy nominated), Astrophysics for People in a Hurry written and narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson (Grammy nominated), The Handmaid's Tale narrated by Claire Danes (Audies Award Winning), A Rage in Harlem narrated by Samuel L. Jackson (Audies Award nominated), and many more. She has worked with authors, celebrities, and all of New York's top talent. 

Over the years she has worked on audiobooks for Audible, Harlequin, Penguin Random House, Hachette, Simon and Schuster, Recorded Books, Harper, etc. At present she is a Producer/Director for Blackstone Publishing.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

When: Thursday, May 21, 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m CT / 6 p.m. PT

Once you have completed the required Voiceover Lab Application (online), you must complete the Voiceover Lab Orientation (VOLO) in order to begin using the Lab. The 2-hour VOLO covers Lab policies, aspects of sound, file formats, sample rates/bit depths, audio interfaces, microphones, voiceover recording and editing demonstration using Twisted Wave software.

REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to log into program by computer equipped with a camera or by cell phone equipped with a camera.  Program will take place using Zoom (conferencing application) .  Camera is needed in order for participants to view presentation materials
• Attendees must be present for the entire program, which is from 6:00pm - 8:00pm.
• Completed VO Lab Application.
• Valid/Current SAG-AFTRA or AEA membership card.
• Note taking materials (laptop, pens, pencils, paper) recommended.

Click here to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

Are you just getting started in voice over?  Don't know where to start?  Well, commercials are the way to get going!  This class will ease you into doing commercial reads, provide the basic building blocks and industry info needed to thrive in this lucrative and abundant area of voiceover.  Come spend a couple of hours revving up your VO career in this safe and encouraging space!

When: Tuesday, May 19, 6:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. CT / 3:30 p.m. PT

Come ready with a piece of copy or choose from materials that will be provided to you before the class.  Either way, come prepared to read!

Click here to RSVP.

The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.
 

Headshots are an actors' calling card, but is it a professional picture that matches with how the buyers see you? Does your picture accurately communicate the product that is being sold? In this session we will discuss what your headshot is communicating and if that matches with what is coming into the audition room.

Please email copies of the headshots (MAX 2) that are submitted the most to thebusiness@sagaftra.foundation, by 7pm the evening prior to the class. The class may not get through all headshots. 

If you have taken The Branding Workshop, please bring a typed copy of your branding sentence. It is not required that you take The Branding Workshop before you take this session.

When: Thursday, May 21, 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. PT

Click here to RSVP

This class will meet REMOTELY. All RSVP'D Members will receive a GOOGLE HANGOUTS Link inviting them to join the class at the time of Check-in. 

Small Group Sessions are facilitated discussions with the goal of digging deeper into some of the information and advice shared within the panels. These sessions provide a time to break down concepts into practical action items by which an actor can individually apply to their professional pursuits. This session will last for 2 - 3 hours. Participants must stay for the whole time.

Before attending, it is recommended you watch the panel discussion here.

This event is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members — no guests are allowed. Parents/guardians of performers under 18 years old are welcome. SAG-AFTRA members, please bring your membership card or digital card from the app (paid through April 30, 2020) for admittance. This workshop is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual or company by SAG-AFTRA. The information provided through the workshop is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for the advice of other industry professionals. You should always use good judgment in these matters and should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided through the works