Scene Around Town: Spring 2019

AFI Mingles with Members: SAG-AFTRA L.A. Conservatory members and American Film Institute directing and production students discussed upcoming projects during an evening mixer organized by the SAG-AFTRA L.A. Conservatory Committee at the AFI Campus on Feb. 9. Attendees enjoyed refreshments, raffles, good company and a scenic sunset. From left, conservatory instructor Ransford Doherty poses with conservatory member Eliza Gerontakis and SAG-AFTRA L.A. Conservatory Committee Co-Chair Kevin McCorkle.

Class In Session: More than 100 California State University film and television students got a crash course on the entertainment industry and SAG-AFTRA’s role in it at SAG-AFTRA Plaza on March 28. Speakers included SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles 1st Vice President Patricia Richardson, L.A. Local Board member and "Better Call Saul" star Patrick Fabian, "Glee" star Iqbal Theba, Emmy-nominated actor Lee Garlington and SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local Executive Director Ilyanne Morden Kichaven.

#GrammyWeek: SAG-AFTRA Chief Communications & Marketing Officer Pamela Greenwalt, left, joined SAG-AFTRA members, including the band Pentatonix, in saluting the accomplishments of the most influential SAG-AFTRA recording artists at the 2019 Billboard Power 100 party. The celebration took place at Avra Beverly Hills on Feb. 7.

Green Means Giving: At the weSPARK poker tournament fundraiser on March 17, SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer and L.A. Local President Jane Austin, left, joined event hosts and SAG-AFTRA members Jason Alexander and Nancy Allen along with former SAG-AFTRA L.A.Local Board member Kurt Lott in supporting the community on St. Patrick’s Day at Pickwick Gardens in Burbank, California.

Hollywood Natives: Standing on the steps of City Hall, representatives from productions "Ralph Breaks the Internet," "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," "Incredibles 2," "A Star Is Born" and "VICE" display the certificates of recognition they received for filming in Los Angeles. Organized by Los Angeles Council member Mitch O’Farrell, SAG-AFTRA and other organizations, the eighth annual Made in Hollywood Honors on Feb. 15 celebrated local filmmaking.

Inside the Industry with Neal Baer: TV showrunner, physician, author and social activist Neal Baer explains what it takes to make it on screen in the 21st century during a conversation with bestselling author and journalist Merle Ginsberg at SAG-AFTRA Plaza on March 25. "Let’s Talk About It: Inside the Industry" is a panel series organized by the SAG-AFTRA Industry Relations Department.

On the Front Lines: After learning of a non-union commercial shoot in L.A., a congregation of SAG-AFTRA members and leadership staged a rally in Brentwood, California, on Feb. 28 to demonstrate the union’s dedication to signatory work. The team was led by, from left, SAG-AFTRA National and L.A. Local Board member Ellen Crawford; SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Los Angeles Clyde Kusatsu; SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon; and SAG-AFTRA SecretaryTreasurer and L.A. Local President Jane Austin.

SAG-AFTRA Seal Team: SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris and Secretary-Treasurer and L.A. Local President Jane Austin brought the Los Angeles Military Committee together with CBS’ "Seal Team" cast on a site visit to the show’s set March 21.

Todo En Español: The SAG-AFTRA National Spanish Language Media Committee hosted an informational panel about the Spanish audiobook industry at SAG-AFTRA Plaza on Feb. 13. Committee member Yareli Arizmendi introduced the guest speaker, Jorge Reyes from Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial, who shared experiences working in Spanish narration. Select attendees had the opportunity to narrate, and Reyes offered feedback on their performances.

Publicists Honor SAG Awards: Screen Actors Guild Executive Producer Kathy Connell thanks publicists for their strong partnership with the SAG Awards over the last quarter century. The 25th anniversary of the SAG Awards this January was recognized at the 56th Annual ICG Publicists Awards in Beverly Hills on Feb. 22. (Photo by: Mathew Imaging)