Protecting Young Performers, Conversations with SAG-AFTRA

Ever find yourself concerned about the type of food served on set and whether your child would eat it? Most performers may not, but if you are a parent of a young performer this could be a very important issue. This was one of the many topics discussed by concerned parents at the last Conversations with SAG-AFTRA panel discussion presented by The Actors Fund Looking Ahead Program and its Leadership Council Parents Group, which seeks to create community and support for parents of young performers. Panelists included Elizabeth McLaughlin, co-chair SAG-AFTRA National Young Performers Committee; Zino Macaluso, national director/senior counsel, Agency Relations; Ilyanne Morden Kichaven, executive director, Los Angeles Local; and Ray Rodriguez, assistant national executive director, Contracts. Panelists updated parents on merger and resources and support available to SAG-AFTRA’s young performers, among other topics. Parents expressed concerns they had for their children while on set and asked questions about SAG-AFTRA contracts.

Tina Hookom, The Actors Fund’s director of social services for the Western Region, commented, “It was very useful to hear history and new information, and important to hear the core intentions of the union.”

To learn more about the Looking Ahead Program, click here.

This item was originally featured in the April 2013 local newsletter.