A Message From the New England Local President

Production continues without interruption in New England, and we are expecting the energy to keep going through the fall. It’s always a thrill when I see so many of our New England Local actors thriving in films, TV series, commercials and broadcasting. I also continue to see local members booking voiceover gigs as well as corporate and educational videos. Congratulations to everyone!

It also energizes me to see local members expanding their content creation and making their own films — writing, directing, producing and acting in all kinds of projects. It’s an exciting time and continues to make our region a creative force. 

Be an informed actor: As union members, we are fortunate to have easy access to educational events via livestream and recorded webinars presented by the President’s Task Force on Education, Outreach & Engagement and the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, resources and FAQs on the SAG-AFTRA website, SAG-AFTRA magazine, the podcast, updates via SAG-AFTRA eblasts and direct access to our knowledgeable staff. If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our New England-based staff: Jessica Maher, Tom Higgins, Ellen Stoolmacher and Ben Shallop at newengland@sagaftra.org or at (617) 262-8001. 

We are beginning to increase our New England Local committee meetings via Zoom. This includes virtual meetings of the Communications, Conservatory, MOVE (Members Organizing Volunteer Efforts), Organizing, Reinstatement Obligation Review, Safety and Seniors committees. The Conservatory Committee met, planned and hosted a self-tape virtual conservatory on July 11 led by Anne Mulhall of LDI Pro Casting. See our recap story on that conservatory by clicking here and stay tuned for additional member events this fall. 

And, as always, please be wary of misinformation, myths and rumors. Again, if you have questions, the most reliable sources of information are our local staff members and the union’s official communication sources. It will help you keep on top of your professional game. 

Labor Day is coming up Monday. I am proud to be a SAG-AFTRA member. Let’s all wear our union T-shirts, hats and pins, carry our signs and join other unions in saluting union membership. Thank you for posting and talking to your friends, family and colleagues about the importance of unions. Have a great rest of summer!  
 
Sincerely,
 
Andrea Lyman
SAG-AFTRA New England Local President