Friday, May 30, 2008
AFTRA and AMPTP Reach Tentative Agreement
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists-the nation's second largest performers' union, representing 70,000 members, including approximately 52,000 working actors-has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on a new three-year primetime television contract (Exhibit A of the AFTRA Network Television Code). The agreement is subject to approval by AFTRA's National Board and ratification by the union's membership(from aftra.org). Hopefully SAG and the AMPTP can do the same and soon.
this posted by David August at 10:28 AM - 0 comments - 
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Conrad Cantzen Shoe Fund
Administered by The Actors Fund, this Memorial Fund reimburses eligible entertainment professionals up to $40.00 towards a pair of shoes costing no more than $80.00.
In 1945, actor Conrad Cantzen bequeathed his estate to The Actors Fund with the stipulation that it should be used to help actors purchase shoes so they did not appear "down at the heels" when auditioning. Mr. Cantzen believed that a good pair of shoes made a great first impression on casting directors.How generous of Conrad Cantzen!
this posted by David August at 4:09 PM - 0 comments -
CBS Choses Shows: Crime and Comedy
Crime and comedy are coming back in full force to CBS' schedule next season as the network re-embraces the genres that have performed best for it in recent years(from The Hollywood Reporter).
Labels: trends
this posted by David August at 3:44 PM - 2 comments -
Sunday, May 11, 2008
To Audition or Not
Any project can compensate you in any of three ways (in no particular order of importance):- money
- artistic experience/growth (e.g., it means working with someone great, it stretches you in a good way, etc.)
- career building (e.g., it is better than everything already on your resume, impresses the public, etc.)
this posted by David August at 3:49 PM - 1 comments -
Monday, May 05, 2008
Register to Vote on Rent Control
May 19th is the deadline to be registered to vote on ending rent control in Los Angeles on June 3rd.
this posted by David August at 5:00 PM - 0 comments -
Timothi Jane Graham post 3: Branding You
Los Angeles Photographer Timothi Jane Graham guest blogs. Read her earlier posts: 1 2Smart actors will very early on recognize and develop their brand. Once they have made their mark, then they can step out of the box and show different sides of themselves. But early on they build on that brand. Actors who come to mind are: Jack Nicholson, the man is a walking brand. He may play different types of roles, but you always see Jack..that's how strong a brand he has... the same with Angelina Jolie. The woman is sexy, edgy, vulnerable. Those are the roles she plays, has always played. From an early age it was clear she understood that about herself and her career and she put it out there loud and clear. A final case in point is George Clooney. What does he play? Credible, smart, charming but a man who wants to make a difference and bucks the system with charm and grace. We can see, with his political activism, that these are views he holds in the real world, he has a strong sense of that and he lets that read. In other words he brings HIMSELF to the table. And isn't that what it's all about, bringing you to the table, you in your many facets and incarnations. But its still you, your brand, and that's where you will find your success!! Next time we will explore how we can bring your special and unique brand into your one of a kind headshot.
Labels: headshots, photographers, Timothi Jane Graham
this posted by David August at 4:57 PM - 0 comments -
Saturday, May 03, 2008
SAG, studios to talk Saturday
Following the first significant breakthrough in SAG's contract talks, the guild and the majors have made enough progress to plan on a return to the bargaining table Saturday.
The SAG talks had been scheduled to conclude Friday after three weeks of no major moves by either side, but the guild's willingness to ditch its DVD proposal led to both sides deciding at mid-morning to continue talks for another three sessions - pushing back AFTRA's negotiations for a second time after AFTRA OK'd the delay.
SAG hasn't yet announced a strike authorization vote for its 120,000 members. The guild's constitution requires that 75% of those voting approve the authorization for SAG to go on strike.
As for the companies, a SAG strike would immediately halt movie production and inject even more uncertainty into the entertainment business. Major studios are no longer greenlighting new features until a SAG agreement's in place; Hollywood still has not fully recovered from the 100-day writers strike; and showbiz is facing both a recession and the migration of TV viewers to the Internet(from Variety).
this posted by David August at 12:26 PM - 0 comments -
