SAG-AFTRA, SAGindie & SAG Foundation Head to Austin for SXSW 2014

Groups sponsor official SXSW music showcase, film panel, film reception and trade show booth for festival-goers and a full day of workshops for regional SAG-AFTRA actors, March 9-13

LOS ANGELES (March 6, 2014) – All their bags are packed and they’re ready to go. SAG-AFTRA, SAGindie and the Screen Actors Guild Foundation are headed back to Austin with a full slate of official SXSW film and music events, workshops and receptions for festival-goers.

Sponsored events include the signature SAG-AFTRA, SAG-AFTRA New Media and SAGindie trade show booth; the SAGindie and DGA film reception; SAG Foundation SXSW film workshop for actors; and, for the first time, the SAG-AFTRA Sound Recordings Department will host a SXSW music showcase, taking place at Buffalo Billiards on Tuesday, March 11.

In addition, the SAG Foundation, in partnership with the SAG-AFTRA Houston-Austin local, will host a full day of free casting workshops exclusively for SAG-AFTRA performers on Sunday, March 9 at the University of Texas at Austin.

Festival attendees and SAG-AFTRA members are encouraged to attend the events and get to know the benefits of working union nationwide.

A full schedule of events is included below.

“SXSW has become the premiere music industry event of the year and we’ve enjoyed having a presence each year. This year, we’re excited to host our first-ever music showcase that highlights the essence of SXSW: spotlighting up-and-coming artists and future SAG-AFTRA members,” said Randy Himes, SAG-AFTRA Assistant National Executive Director, Sound Recordings.

“SXSW has become such an unbelievable intersection of talent, it’s now vital to our mission to connect with some of the most exciting and forward-thinking filmmakers and content creators working today. We’re proud to be back again in 2014, not only as a sponsor, but also as a part of this supportive and fun-loving community,” said Darrien Michele Gipson, SAGindie National Director.

“The SAG Foundation is excited to return to Austin with an official SXSW workshop for actors on how to book auditions. We want to arm actors with valuable insights and best practices from some of the best casting directors in the business,” said Rochelle Rose, SAG Foundation National Director of Actors Programs.

“SXSW is a true celebration of the creative spirit and touches on virtually every artistic genre and medium. SAG-AFTRA New Media is proud to return to Austin in 2014 as a SXSW sponsor to support the innovators who are revolutionizing the entertainment industry,” said Bob Jensen, SAG-AFTRA National Director, New Media Department.

 “SAG-AFTRA Texas welcomes a world of media pros to Austin. SXSW is the perfect place to find your creative colleagues and get a glimpse of your media future,” said Trish Avery, Executive Director, SAG-AFTRA Dallas-Fort Worth Local.

Schedule of Events, Workshops and Receptions

SAG-AFTRA New Media and SAGindie Trade Show Booth
WHEN: Sunday, March 9 – Wednesday, March 12, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
WHERE: Austin Convention Center, Trade Show Exhibition Hall, Booths 229 & 231

SXSW Film Workshop: How to Book Your Next Audition presented by the SAG Foundation
WHEN: Saturday, March 8, 2p.m.–3 p.m.
WHERE: Austin Convention Center, 4th Floor, Room 13AB, capacity 152

• Presenter: Sarah Finn, Casting Director (Chef, The Avengers, Crash)
• Presenter: Matt Lessall, Casting Director (Trick ’R Treat, Mean Creek, After.Life)
• Presenter: Beth Sepko, Casting Director (Dallas, Friday Night Lights, Sin City)
• Presenter: Susan Shopmaker, Casting Director (That Awkward Moment, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Hedwig And The Angry Inch)
• Moderator: Rochelle Rose, National Director of Actors Programs, SAG Foundation

SXSW listing: http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_FP22843
A SXSW Film, Gold or Platinum badge is required for entry.

SAG Foundation presents actor workshops with casting directors for SAG-AFTRA members only.

WHEN: Sunday, March 9 – times below
WHERE: University of Texas at Austin, F. Loren Winship Drama Building, Northwest corner of E. 23rd Street and San Jacinto Boulevard

• 9–11 a.m. (Room WIN 2.180) – Casting Access Project with Casting Director Matthew Lessall (Mortal Kombat, Liz & Dick)
• 9:15–11:15 a.m. (Room WIN 1.134) – Casting Access Project with Casting Director Monika Mikkelsen (Indie Cd, Nurse Betty, Halloween, Nixon)
• 11–1 p.m. (Room WIN 2.180) – Casting Access Project with Casting Director Susan Shopmaker (Mean Girls, The Holiday)
• 11:30–1:30 p.m. (Room WIN 1.134) – Casting Access Project with Casting Director Rachel Flanagan (Se7en, The Game)
• 12:30–2:30 p.m. (Room WIN 2.180) – Casting Access Project with Casting Director Susan Shopmaker (Mean Girls, The Holiday)
• 3–5 p.m. (Room WIN 2.180) – Casting Access Project with Casting Director Paul Weber (The Outer Limits, Stargate: Atlantis)

RSVP to Rochelle Rose, SAG Foundation National Director of Actors Programs, rrose@sagfoundation.org.
All of the SAG Foundation’s programs are free for SAG-AFTRA performers. Learn more at sagfoundation.org.

SXSW Film: Happy Hour hosted by SAGindie and the Directors Guild of America
WHEN: Monday, March 10, 5 p.m.–7 p.m.
WHERE: Intercontinental Hotel Austin, Stephen F. Bar, 701 N. Congress Avenue
A SXSW Film, Gold or Platinum badge is required for entry.

SXSW Music: SAG-AFTRA Sound Recordings presents The Show at Buffalo Billiards
WHEN: Tuesday, March 11, 8 p.m.–2 a.m.
WHERE: Buffalo Billiards, 201 E. 6th Street, Austin, Texas
⋆ 8 p.m.: Greylag
⋆ 9 p.m.: Hudson
⋆ 10 p.m.: Wardell
⋆ 11 p.m.: Caught A Ghost
⋆ Midnight: Madi Diaz
⋆ 1 a.m.: Avi Buffalo

A SXSW Music, Film, Interactive, Gold or Platinum badge, Music Festival or Artist wristband is required for entry.