10 20

October 20, 2014 Official E-Newsletter of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local

IN THIS ISSUE TODAY - Blood Drive, Flu Shots

Agent Speed Dating Nov. 10

SAG Awards Voting Privileges Agent Speed Dating Nov. 10 WIF Focus Awards Holiday Schedule

Details below.

TODAY - Tenth Annual Blood Drive with Free Flu Shots Today, Monday, Oct. 20, the Kaufherr Members Resource Center will host the 10th annual SAG-AFTRA Chicago Blood Drive. The drive is open to SAG-AFTRA and AEA members, family and friends, agents and other industry pros, our labor brothers and sisters, and our neighbors in the building. It's a fun day with lots of surprises, treats and more.

Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. Those of us blessed with good health can share it through donating blood -- to enable a premature baby to live, a burn victim to recover, a cancer patient to be treated, an accident victim to survive or a transplant candidate to have a lifesaving surgery.

If you have avoided donating blood because you don't like needles, try this: With your thumb and forefinger, pinch the skin on the inside of your elbow joint. Regular blood donors say that's a pretty good simulation of what it feels like when you give blood. Won't you just give it a try -- and then if you think somebody's life is worth putting up with a little pinch, we'd love to sign you up for the SAG-AFTRA Blood Drive.

The need is constant and your contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply. And you'll feel good knowing you've helped change a life.

You must be 17 years old or older and weigh at least 110 pounds to donate blood. There is no upper age limit and most medications do not disqualify you from donating. Other restrictions may apply. If you have questions, please call the LifeSource Medical Help Desk at (877) 543-3768 or check out its website.

Noon to 6 p.m., Monday, Oct. 20 KMRC, 1 East Erie Suite 660 Chicago, IL 60611 Please contact Kathy Byrne at (312) 867-5508 or email kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org to register.

Free Flu Shots Again this year, thanks to The Actors Fund, the event also includes free seasonal flu shots. Shots will be available from 9:30 a.m. - noon on a first come, first shot basis.

KMRC will be closed to other uses on Monday, Oct. 20.

Park for $11 at 10 East Ontario. Enter on the north side of Ontario between Wabash and State, and then take a ticket. When you sign in, you may purchase a four-hour ticket for $11. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure. Cash only.

Note: The FDA imposes a number of donor registration restrictions. These restrictions, followed by LifeSource, are solely the responsibility of the FDA and are not endorsed by SAG-AFTRA. The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement by the union nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

SAG Awards Voting Privileges Only active, paid-up union members are given the opportunity to vote for the recipients of the Screen Actors Guild Awards' coveted bronze Actor statuette. Also, For Your Consideration and nomination screenings are only available to active, paid-up SAG-AFTRA members. November 2014 dues must be paid by Dec. 1 in order for members to be eligible to vote for the SAG Awards and receive screeners.

Visit the SAG Awards at sagawards.org for more information. You can also follow the SAG Awards on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

SAG-AFTRA Conservatory Presents: Agent Speed Dating 6 - 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10 Kaufherr Members Resource Center (KMRC) 1 E. Erie, Suite 660 Chicago, IL 60611 Here's your opportunity to get one-on-one advice from some of the top agents in town! Each member will spend five minutes one-on-one with an agent for on-camera work, five minutes oneon-one with an agent for voiceover work and 10 minutes with an agent discussing print work. You cannot opt out of one of the sessions. It's all or nothing!

Agents scheduled to participate are: O/C: Marisa Paonssa - Paoness Talent Agency, Peggy Johnson - Johnson McKay Talent V/O: Vanessa Lanier - Grossman Jack, Susie Desantis - Desantis Talent Headshots: Laurie Hamilton - Shirley Hamilton Talent Don't forget: You must be a SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local member in good standing to participate.

Make sure you are current with your Oct. 31, 2014, dues.

This is going to be a fast-paced, closely timed conservatory, so we need to do some preproduction to make sure it all goes smoothly. Here's what you'll need to do:

1. RSVP to Kathy Byrne at kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org. Space is limited. While priority will be given to those who did not participate last year, we will have a waiting list. Last year, almost everyone on that list got a spot.

2. Send Kathy a PDF of your headshot and resume. This will be shared with the on-camera agents so they know what type of copy to bring for you.

3. For the voiceover agent, you will need to send Kathy an MP3 of no more than 30 seconds of whatever voiceover work you think you're best at (i.e., commercial, narration, etc.).

4. Don't have an MP3? No problem, just schedule a time to come to the KMRC before Nov. 3 and you'll get assistance to make one.

5. The day of the event, please bring additional hard copy headshots and resumes for all five agents. You must be on time. We are scheduling members in half-hour increments. If you miss your time slot, there's no way to make it up. Just come early and you'll have no worries.

As these events are free, reservations fill up fast. If you can't make it, please cancel your reservation with as much notice as possible -- minimum 24 hours -- so another member may benefit by attending this event.

Park for $11 at 10 East Ontario. Enter on the north side of Ontario between Wabash and State, and then take a ticket. When you sign in, you may purchase a four-hour ticket for $11. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure. Cash only.

WIF Chicago Focus Awards Nov. 5 Women in Film Chicago is the proud host of the Focus Awards, its signature fundraising event.

Everyone is invited to attend and show support for this year's honorees, amazing women who, through their remarkable work in the film, television and advertising industries, continue to make Chicago proud.

National Honoree, Shira Piven, director Susan Credle, COO, Leo Burnett Erin Sarofsky, owner and creative director, Sarofsky Christina Varotsis, independent film producer 6 - 10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014 Museum of Broadcast Communications 360 N State St. Chicago, IL 60654 The mission of the Focus Awards is twofold: to raise the necessary capital to provide quality programming, networking and mentorship opportunities for women in the advertising, film and television industries and to honor the accomplishments of the noted "superwomen" who continually put Chicago on the map.

Single-ticket price for WIFC members is $150. The price for non-WIFC members is $200.

Tickets are available online.

Holiday Schedule for Office and KMRC SAG-AFTRA Chicago and KMRC will be closed all day Tuesday, Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day. In response to members' requests to stay informed, The Activator may include notice of rallies, pickets and other actions by unions and the labor movement that have not been sanctioned by the National or Chicago Board of Directors of SAG-AFTRA. This information is provided as a convenience.

The information contained herein regarding workshops, vendors, special offers and the like is provided for informational purposes and is not intended to imply endorsement by SAG-AFTRA of them or the information, material, products or services provided. SAG-AFTRA makes no warranties or representations regarding the use of the material or the quality of the services or service providers.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago: (312) 573-8081 Email: chicago@sagaftra.org Website: SAGAFTRA.org