Message From Your National Board Rep

By now, I’m sure most have you have heard the health plans of both SAG and AFTRA are merging and ending the problem of split earnings. It goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2017, with lots of changes. It was a painstaking process, but due to the dedication of the trustees and members, a new plan has been created.

Besides the presentation given on July 6 by webinar, you can access a new website — sagaftrahealth.org — to get more details and answers to any questions you may have.

We welcomed the new Local Board member from Utah, Billy Holden, to fill an open position on our board. He brings with him great enthusiasm, ideas and a willingness to help communicate both Utah and Arizona initiatives. Welcome, Billy! Please remember we have an open board position for southern Arizona as well — so if you can help or know someone who can, let us know at azut@sagaftra.org. The more ideas we have from the far-reaching areas of our membership, the more relevant benefits, education and camaraderie we can provide for Arizona-Utah members.

Our conservatory hosted another workshop for members, Successful Self-Taping and Submission, taught by Amanda Melby of Verve Studios. We offered this education to our members because it has become commonplace to audition for parts throughout the country by self-taping from camera or phone. It was a full house, with facts, figures and a live demo, and everyone left with useful tools and information.

If you have any other specific workshops you would like to see, please let me know as well.

With the successful negotiations of the Commercials Contracts completed, we are now working to secure our regional Commercials Contracts for work produced and shown in the region. More news on that at a later date as preliminary planning is just beginning. The goal is to have them completed by year's end.

Remember, summer is the perfect time to hone skills, update pics and market in other regions. 

Wishing you a great summer, 

Margie Ghigo
Arizona-Utah National Board Representative

This item was originally featured in the July 2016 local newsletter.