PTEOE Livestreams Educate, Engage Members

SAG-AFTRA’s educational opportunities further a member’s craft, strengthen solidarity and help navigate the unique challenges of life as a performer or broadcaster. While in-person events are temporarily suspended across the country in compliance with local and state safety ordinances, the President’s Task Force on Education, Outreach & Engagement is keeping members connected, engaged and informed online.

With input from member leaders across the country, the PTEOE, chaired by President Gabrielle Carteris, is producing a series of livestream events addressing a number of issues our members are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“During a time when so many are isolated, it’s more important than ever that SAG-AFTRA members remain connected to each other,” said Carteris. “With these livestream PTEOE events, we are able to come together to share critical information about your career and dealing with COVID-19 challenges.”

On April 7, Carteris hosted the PTEOE’s Unemployment Assistance livestream, which was moderated by SAG-AFTRA Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. Over 4,000 people tuned in for advice from the featured unemployment insurance experts.

Following on this successful program, on May 5 the PTEOE livestreamed Taxes for the Performing Artist with Sandra Karas, tax attorney, SAG-AFTRA member and secretary-treasurer of Actors’ Equity Association. Additionally, Karas is thesite coordinator for the popular Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program in New York. With the income tax filing date extended to July 15, Karas led more than 1,200 members through filing their taxes, with many more viewing the archived livestream.

More than 5,300 SAG-AFTRA and IATSE members tuned in concurrently May 12 for a joint virtual town hall with U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, Hollywood’s representative in Congress, to discuss the impact of COVID-19, future government relief efforts, and the process of getting the entertainment and media industry back to work.

“[We’re] all taking the need to make sure worker safety is covered in our legislative work product if we’re going to be serious about reopening,” said Schiff. On May 19, the PTEOE presented Self-Tape Like a Pro, featuring leading commercials casting director Arlene Schuster, CCDA. Schuster not only covered the basics of lighting, sound and framing shots, she shared insider tips from her nearly 30 years as a casting director. Demonstrating the demand for this type of content, Schuster’s workshop was viewed concurrently by 4,600 members.

Watch your email, sagaftra.org and your member app for details on upcoming PTEOE livestreams. And check out youtube.com/sagaftra for recordings of past events.

This item originally featured in the SAG-AFTRA magazine spring 2020 issue.