Twin Cities Local Membership Meeting

 
Ken Ujifusa, T.K. Lumley, Jane Hammill, Paul Economon at the November 2015 membership meeting.

A solid turnout of local SAG-AFTRA members gathered for the annual membership meeting on Monday, Nov. 23, at the Jungle Theater in Minneapolis. Local President Bob Davis opened the meeting by welcoming members and introducing local board members present, and National Board member Randal Berger. He welcomed the evening’s special guest, Twin Cities Casting Director Lynn Blumenthal, who joined moderator Peter Moore in a spirited conversation with members.

Local President Davis noted the past year was very positive for Twin Cities Local members, highlighting the local’s new Corporate/Educational Contract waiver and its unique online calculator tool. He reported there have been more than 30 union jobs produced under the Co/Ed waiver, and the calculator is being used by producers for local projects. As a Minnesota FilmTV Board director, Davis knows that film/TV production has been up in our area, thanks in large part to our state Snowbate incentive rebate, coupled with an additional 20-percent rebate for productions filmed in northern Minnesota’s Iron Range area. (See the list below of recent productions shot in our area.) 

Davis told members about the successful SAG-AFTRA Foundation Casting Access workshops — free for members — held at the Guthrie Theater in late October, featuring workshops facilitated by Michael Sanford, an award-winning L.A.-based casting director (who is casting a movie here in the spring!), voiceover talent/teacher Paul Liberti and Chicago talent agent Susan Sherman. Although he was unable to attend, he heard many good things about the workshops. Third Vice President Giannetti reported that there was very positive feedback from attendees at the workshops, and the board hopes to see a return visit from the Foundation with similar events here in the future. Meanwhile, Giannetti mentioned that the Foundation website offers additional benefits to members, including opportunities for one-on-one online casting feedback, webinars and live-streaming events that are free to SAG-AFTRA members.   

 
Phil Bratnober and Edward Villaume at the membership meeting.

Randal Berger, Bob Davis and Lynn Blumenthal at the membership meeting.

Finally, Davis also encouraged members to keep building the success of the local’s monthly informal 2nd Monday Mixers at Coup d’Etat in Uptown Minneapolis — the brainchild of members Sue Scott and Shelli Place. (See Scott’s update on this, below.)

National Board member Berger then gave his report, providing a snapshot of the SAG-AFTRA National Convention. He noted that although we are considered one of the smallest locals, we are well regarded because of our active leadership and successful local projects. Berger also mentioned the fact that audiobook work has been increasing over the past few years and may provide excellent opportunities for members who don’t live on either coast to work more steadily. Local Board member Mark Bradley added that a national organizing campaign among audiobook producers has been very successful, so there are very few non-union producers now.

President Davis then introduced Casting Director Lynn Blumenthal and moderator Peter Moore for their Q&A. 

Moore opened up the dialogue with Blumenthal asking her to be candid with members, and starting with a request that she tell the local members specifics about things they can be doing better. She went into detail on the impact of technology and industry changes. She noted that for commercials in particular, the “real people” trend has diminished the demand for professional actors, and stated that locally, the growth in non-union work has diminished familiarity with union actors. She noted that many young local talent take non-union commercials work because this is what is available to them locally, and because they do not have an understanding that it is an advantage to work union. She also gave members tips on keeping updated electronic photos and resumes and submitting reels to directors. There was a frank and lively exchange between Blumenthal and the members, concluding with warm applause for her longstanding support of professional actors in the community, and a promise from her to return for another member dialogue any time she is asked.

This item was originally featured in the January 2016 local newsletter.