President’s Message

 

Aloha Brothers and Sisters:

The President’s Task Force on Education, Outreach and Engagement was just one of the many important initiatives led by our late and beloved SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard, not to mention his leadership role in bringing about our merger. We will miss him.

New President Gabrielle Carteris has hit the ground running by reaching out to all 25 locals’ presidents to engage them in meaningful activities and initiatives related to governing our union. We are pleased to have Gabby attend our Hawaii Local annual membership meeting this coming Sept. 26. Please come and give her a warm aloha! 

On June 25, we had our very first Artists in the Park event to advance the goals of the President’s Task Force. It provided us an opportunity to network, share our crafts, socialize and simply have fun. We hope to make this an annual event like the SAG Awards party. Thanks to the Background Actors and Diversity committees’ chairs Leanne Teves and Jean Simon and their committees’ members, Don Pomes, Lisa Romano, Scott Schewe, Andrea Sikkink and Judy Sykes, for their hard work and commitment to creating this memorable event.

Thanks to the leadership of Scott Rogers, chair of the local’s Conservatory Committee, and committee members Mia Adams, Lynne Halevi, Blossom Lam Hoffman, Dennis Ihara and Joyce Maltby, the Conservatory continues to offer invaluable workshops that are well attended. More are planned for the future.

This is your union. We welcome your ideas and support of whatever projects or areas of interest you may have.

Meantime, at our monthly Local Board meetings, we have, among many other things, considered minor housekeeping amendments to our local constitution and adopted rules of procedure.

Future projects under consideration include a possible student film contest in partnership with UHM-ACM and HIFF, a local Commercials Organizing and Recapture Initiative, and fashioning a better method by which our members are exposed to casting directors and producers.

Finally, the seventh season of Hawaii Five-0 is back and already shooting, providing opportunities for members. Amy Schumer’s untitled mother-daughter project with Goldie Hawn is also shooting around Oahu and reportedly seeking as many as 2,000 background actors as well as old cars! The 20th Century Fox comedy Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates shot entirely in Hawaii last summer, showcasing many familiar Hawaii members’ faces and voices.

This Year of the Fire Monkey continues to bring passion, creativity and joy to our film community. It continues to be an honor and joy to serve as your president.

In solidarity,

David C. Farmer

Local President David Farmer with late President Ken Howard