A Message from Interim Local Executive Director Maureen O'Brien

Hello Members!

I hope everyone has had a relaxing and enjoyable summer so far.

As you know, many changes have occurred in the Missouri Valley Local office these last few months and I am happy to report that everything has been running smoothly during the transition.

I am excited to announce that the Local Board of Directors has appointed me as interim local executive director. I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to represent our great local. I will continue to handle all performer matters under the commercials, industrial, new media and film agreements, but will also be responsible for any issues under our broadcast contracts. If you have any questions or need assistance with performer or broadcast concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks to former Local Executive Director JD Miller’s diligence, four station contracts were ratified before his departure. Members at KTVI and KMOV in St. Louis, WDAF in Kansas City, and KETV in Omaha all received wage increases and an increase to their health and retirement funds. Negotiations for KCTV in Kansas City begin in September and will be facilitated by National Director, News & Broadcast Tom Higgins.

It’s been an exciting time for film production in Missouri. Four independent films and one studio production were filmed under our SAG-AFTRA film agreements, including American Honey, starring Shia LaBeouf; The Layover, directed by William H. Macy; Grandmother’s Murder Club, which shot in St. Louis; and The Matchbreaker, which shot in Kansas City, Missouri.

SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Contracts Director Kathy Byrne and I will be hosting a series of film workshops in Missouri Sept. 8-10. The focus is to educate local filmmakers on the SAG-AFTRA film agreements and answer any questions or concerns the directors and producers might have. There are a lot of misconceptions about the paperwork process and our intention is to make the process as easy as possible for everyone. If you are interested in attending, please contact me at (314) 231-0942 for schedule and location information. I encourage your attendance. It will be a great opportunity to network with local filmmakers.

The Missouri Valley Local elected leaders were installed Aug. 20. Candidates ran unopposed and were declared elected without the necessity of a membership vote. The election results were announced June 16. Click here for details.

It's always great to see our members highlighted. The Ladue News recently ran an article about local member Ron Elz, better known as Johnny Rabbitt, host of Route 66 on KMOX. Elz has been a fixture on local radio for more than six decades. Click here to read the story.

I look forward to serving all of you as your executive director.

This item was originally featured in the August 2015 local newsletter.