The union brings voiceover performers and game developers together at the 2024 Game Developers Conference.

As part of its presence at the 2024 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, SAG-AFTRA hosted the IRL Mixer on March 21. The mixer was held at local party venue SPIN and emceed by SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland; actor, director and SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee Chair Sarah Elmaleh; and The Last of Us Part II voiceover performer Shannon Woodward. 

Among those in attendance were creatives and professionals from the gaming community and members of the SAG-AFTRA San Francisco-Northern California Local. 

SAG-AFTRA members and staff were also featured speakers at two GDC panels, with Crabtree-Ireland as a participant on the What Game Companies Need to Know About Deepfakes panel on March 20, and Elmaleh and IMA Negotiating Committee Member Linsay Rousseau as well as participants on Voices of Authenticity: Best Practices for Casting & Representing Queerness on March 22. 

The Game Developers Conference is the game industry’s premier professional event, championing game developers and the advancement of their craft. In addition to exhibitions, panels and two award ceremonies — the Game Developers Choice Awards and Independent Games Festival — the GDC’s programming brings the game development community together to exchange ideas, solve problems and shape the future of the industry. This year’s conference took place from March 18–22. 

All photos by Stuart Locklear.

Photo: SAG-AFTRA “levels up” at the 2024 GDC ‘IRL Mixer’ on March 21.

‘The Last of Us Part II’ voiceover performer Shannon Woodward gets into the competitive spirit!

The party is underway at the ‘IRL Mixer.’

SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee Chair Sarah Elmaleh talks with party attendees.

SAG-AFTRA San Francisco-Northern California Local Assistant Executive Director Dee Dee Escobedo, left, and Local Executive Director Sean Taylor, center, chat with local member Erik Braa.

Mixer attendees got into the competitive spirit with fun board and card games.

An attendee prepares a winning shot in ping-pong.

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland chats with mixer attendees.

From left, SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee Chair Sarah Elmaleh, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and music composer Jimmy “Big Giant Circles” Hinson.

An attendee strategizes during a game of Uno.

From left, SAG-AFTRA SF-NC Local Assistant Executive Director Dee Escobedo, local president Kathryn Howell and Queer Vox Treasurer Linsay Rousseau.

From left, SAG-AFTRA SF-NC Local Assistant Executive Director Dee Escobedo, local president Kathryn Howell and Queer Vox Treasurer Linsay Rousseau.

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