The Chicago Activator - May 30, 2017

Official E-Newsletter of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local

May 30, 2017

IN THIS ISSUE WEEK/WHOI Needs You Background 101

Background 101

Committee News

Monday, June 12

2017 Membership Meeting July Conservatory

Members Fight for Fair Contract

SAG-AFTRA members at WEEK/WHOI have been working with national and local union staff as well as allies within the Central Illinois AFL-CIO in their fight for a fair contract. For more information about how you can help, please visit sagaftra.org/week and sign our petition.

Background 101 Do you ever wonder what your contract rights are on set? What constitutes an upgrade on a TV/Theatrical project? If something goes wrong on set, who should you tell, and should it be reported immediately or can it wait until tomorrow? There is so much to learn about the contract provisions for background performers. Come learn the ins and outs of doing background and extra work in Chicago.

Panelists include: A representative from the Illinois Film Office A representative from 4 Star Casting When: 6 - 8:30 p.m., Monday, June 12 Where: Kaufherr Members Resource Center (KMRC) 1 E. Erie, Suite 660 Chicago, IL 60611 RSVP: Please RSVP to CommercialsRSVPChicago@sagaftra.org or call Sean Hennessy at (312) 867-2549 to reserve your spot.

If you previously sent an RSVP and received a bounce back, you will need to RSVP again. Seats are still available. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Park for $13 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 $13. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure. Cash only, otherwise add $1 for credit card purchase.

This meeting is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing. Unfortunately, no guests allowed. Parents/guardians of younger performers under 18 years old are welcome. SAGAFTRA members, please bring your membership card (paid through Oct. 31, 2017) for admittance.

Committee News Audiobook Committee Come out and support members of the Audiobook Committee at the Printers Row Lit Fest on June 10-11. Learn more about audiobooks from members who narrate them, and enjoy meeting writers, publishers and other cool people.

DIY Series The SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local will be hosting a DIY series on how to produce a short film in the coming month. We will take you through an intensive four-week series from script to screen and everything in between. We are currently looking for SAG-AFTRA members to be on the planning committee to help plan the content and panels for the four weeks. This will be a working committee with assigned deadlines. The next planning committee meeting will be on Monday, June 19 at 6 p.m. Prior producing experience would be helpful, but not mandatory.

If you are interested in participating on the committee, please RSVP to kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org.

Chicago Local Members Show Their Cards at the 2017 Membership Meeting

SAG-AFTRA Conservatory Presents An Effective Tool for Actors: The Psychological Gesture Dawn Arnold, actor, director and teacher of the Michael Chekhov acting technique will present a session on the psychological gesture, Chekhov's tool for actors.

In the seminar, actors will learn what the psychological gesture is and how to work with it. Actors should bring a short monologue from a script of their choice (film, TV or theater material) that they are preparing and be ready to answer some leading questions about the character and scene as they explore how to utilize this aspect of Chekhov's technique.

When: 6 - 8 p.m., Monday, July 10 Where: Kaufherr Members Resource Center (KMRC) 1 E. Erie, Ste 660 Chicago, IL 60611 RSVP to kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org Park 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 $13 cash, $14 Visa, MasterCard or American Express payment. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure.

This meeting is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing. Unfortunately, no guests allowed. Parents/guardians of younger performers under 18 years old are welcome. SAGAFTRA members, please bring your membership card (paid through Oct. 31, 2017) for admittance.

Dawn Arnold is a certified master teacher of the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique, trained by the Michael Chekhov Association. She is the founder and artistic director of the Moving Dock Theatre Company / Chekhov Studio Chicago and is on the faculty of the Michael Chekhov Association and Michael Chekhov Acting Studio NYC. She teaches Chekhov Acting Technique regularly and coaches actors at Chekhov Studio Chicago.

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