Perez Addresses Convention Delegation, Biden Sends Video Greeting
The third day of the SAG-AFTRA National Convention welcomed Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, who thanked the leadership for their work “during this exciting time for the union.”
“As you embark on this remarkable journey together as one, the fact of the matter is people can’t play you off each other anymore. That’s really important,” he said. “I want to thank you for the work that you do. While I go into the court of law, you go into the court that is much bigger. That’s the court of public opinion – winning the minds and hearts of the people.”
Perez went on to recognize the work of the union on behalf of people with disabilities, members of the LGBT community, veterans and the labor movement as a whole. He recalled the Lights! Camera! Access! program, which brought entertainment industry unions together with the U.S. Department of Labor to explore strategies to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Mentioning television series that feature LGBT characters such as Will & Grace and Modern Family, Perez spoke of the viral It Gets Better campaign saying, “As a result of your work, it has, indeed, gotten better.”
Perez discussed all member categories—broadcast, performer, stunt performer, sound recording artists—saying, “The issues that confront SAG-AFTRA are the same that affect all workers. We are one and you have a partner in the United States of America.”
Following Perez was a video greeting from Vice President Joe Biden who said, “You are a vital part of the labor movement in this country.” Discussing intellectual property laws, Biden stated, “As technology changes, we need to make sure these laws mean something for you and protect what you do.” Quoting former SAG President James Cagney, Biden stressed the importance of progress in the digital landscape saying, “Learn your lines, look them in the eyes and tell the truth. That’s all we have to do.”
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As a part of SAG-AFTRA’s historic inaugural convention at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, the union hosted a three-day Information and Resource Expo, Sept. 26-28.
The expo’s first day featured SAG-AFTRA committees, departments, resources and programs available to members in all categories. Days two and three highlighted the union’s numerous ancillary and partner organizations, including the SAG-Producers Pension and Health Plans and the AFTRA Health and Retirement Funds, AFTRA-SAG Federal Credit Union, and the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund. The expo also featured important information and useful giveaways from SAG-AFTRA’s many convention partners, including The Actors Fund, ACTRA, American Income Life Insurance, Audio Publishers Association, COP Communications Inc., Group Benefits Associates, Liberty Mutual Insurance, the Motion Picture & Television Fund, National Labor College, SoundExchange, Ullico and Union Plus. The Information and Resource Expo also served as a place for convention delegates, staff and guests to network as they learned about the benefits and protections of SAG-AFTRA membership.
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An interstitial musical break in Saturday's SAG-AFTRA National Convention session paid tribute to the union's senior members. Members of the National Seniors Committee and National Singers Committee got delegates to their feet for a musical parody, Suddenly Senior, sung to the tune of Suddenly Seymour from Little Shop of Horrors. The song was led by Jackie Joseph, who starred as Audrey in the original 1960 film version, Susan Boyd-Joyce, Dan Navarro, Bobbie Bates, along with National President Ken Howard.
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SAG-AFTRA Convention Presents Digital Media and
LGBT Panels, Honors Founding Co-Presidents
Los Angeles (Sept. 28, 2013) –On Friday, the second day of SAG-AFTRA’s National Convention mixed business with educational opportunities for delegates.
The day’s business started with a video greeting from National President Ken Howard, who apologized for missing today’s sessions but who was working on a project and unable to attend. In Howard’s absence, the gavel was turned over to newly elected Executive Vice President Gabrielle Carteris who thanked the delegates for electing her and welcomed to the dais the seven newly elected vice presidents.
Rep. Judy Chu, who was slated to speak in person but had to stay in Washington, sent a special video message telling delegates that they are making history and are a powerhouse in the industry.
“We have to make sure the entertainment industry thrives because you represent an American product that cannot be duplicated,” Chu said.
Several panels and workshops took place throughout the day. The first panel was a special keynote session Conversation from the Leading Edge, with moderator Keyvan Peymani, head of digital at ICM Partners, and panelists Terry City, VP West Coast BuzzFeed; Greg Siegel, SVP of entertainment development at BreakMedia; D.A. Wallach, artist-in-residence at Spotify; and Thania Guardino, marketing and accounts exec at Somo Mobile Ltd. The panelists discussed trends and tips to navigating the digital world and suggestions for creating digital content.
Peymani, who opened the panel said, “Digital media is a story of connection, an intersection between content and audience. [But], it’s increasingly harder for content to break through the clutter.”
Wallach, a SAG-AFTRA member, echoed Peymani saying, “The challenge for consumers now is there’s so much out there. We need to figure out how to get the people using these products only the things they are interested in.”
The conversation then turned to how digital media spreads information. Said City, “There’s an art and science to why things get spread socially.”
Guardino spoke of the mobile component saying, “Mobile is now the most personalized content. Where else are you reaching people in a more personalized way, bridging the gap between advertisers and audience?”
Siegel agreed, adding, “It’s not mobile. It’s part of you.”
Said City, “Content is key, no matter what the platform is.”
Delegates also started discussing the various constitutional amendments and resolutions being presented for consideration and voting, and will continue the process Saturday.
A total of 14 panels and six workshops were offered in the afternoon, as well as a press conference for a groundbreaking study on workplace opportunities and conditions for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) actors, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Diversity in the Industry: Experiences and Perspectives of SAG-AFTRA Members.
In the evening, Mary Hart (Entertainment Tonight) hosted the Inaugural National Convention Celebration dinner event with a special musical performance led by Dorian Holley (The Tonight Show with Jay Leno). The celebration honored members and employers with awards recognizing commitment to service, diversity and leadership. The American Scene Awards were presented to three categories Actor/Performer Award: ABC Family and Brenda Hampton of Brendavision! Productions for The Secret Life of the American Teenager; Belva Davis Broadcaster Award: Detroit Public Television for Arab American Stories; Recording Artist Award: Universal Music Group for their entire catalog and roster of artists.
The George Heller Memorial Award gold cards were presented to National Board Member David Hartley-Margolin and Washington-Mid Atlantic Local Executive Director, Patricia O’Donnell for their significant contributions to SAG-AFTRA and its members.
Hartley-Margolin, described by presenter Denny Delk as a “belt and suspenders kind of guy,” said “Thank you for this amazing honor. I’m humbled and just blown away.”
Patricia O’Donnell said, “I am speechless. My husband, who is no longer with us, received this award and between the two of us, we have served these unions for nearly 75 years. Thank you so much, I am truly blessed.”
SAG-AFTRA’s founding co-presidents, Roberta Reardon and Ken Howard, were also honored for their leadership through the merger of SAG and AFTRA. Said Reardon, “It has been a long and sometimes difficult road to get to tonight, but I wouldn’t change one minute of it.”
Convention continues with a keynote speech by Secretary of Labor, Thomas Perez and contract reports from Broadcast, Actor Performer and Sound Recordings member categories.
