Philadelphia Sessions Spring 2013

Spring 2013

The Official Publication of the SAG-AFTRA Philadelphia Local

Philadelphia Black Journalists Present Broadcast Panel

By Cherri Gregg

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he Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists held its first Broadcasters Panel & Welcome Reception on April 6. About 60 African-American broadcasters, multimedia journalists, writers and members of the public attended. Arthur Fennell of the Comcast Network moderated a panel on branding inside and outside of the newsroom. Panelists included CBS News correspondent Randall Pinkston (SAG-AFTRA), Fox 29 anchor/reporter Joyce Evans, NBC 10 reporter Monique Braxton (SAG-AFTRA), KYW Newsradio Business Editor Vince Hill (SAG-AFTRA), CNN all-platform journalist Sarah Hoye and 6ABC reporter Kenneth Moton. Local Co-President and National Vice President, Broadcast Catherine Brown gave a presentation.

PABJ Vice President, Broadcast Cherri Gregg chaired the event.

Gregg was recently appointed KYW Newsradio’s community affairs reporter. She will be covering community and legal issues of concern to the Delaware Valley and will highlight underserved communities. CBS 3 reporter Jericka Duncan served as co-chair.

Panelists at the PABJ event.

Philadelphia Local BSC Begins Organizing

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he Philadelphia Local Board of Directors recently unanimously approved the creation of a local Broadcast Steering Committee. A meeting of local broadcasters interested in the concept was held during the lunch hour at the recent Philadelphia meeting of the national Broadcast Steering Committee, with 20 active and retired members in attendance. A view of what a local committee would mean to broadcasters was presented with questions and ideas coming from those present.

By Bill Shusta

Several of those members have indicated a willingness to participate in this trailblazing venture, as only the San Francisco local has a committee up and running. This is an effort to assure that broadcasters have a strong voice on issues of concern to them locally and nationally. It’s hoped our committee will have a representative from every broadcast category. Broadcast members will be hearing from their shop stewards about the BSC, and members interested in joining the committee should contact the local office at (215) 732-0507.

Co-Presidents’ Messages Happy One-Year Anniversary, SAG-AFTRA!

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e’ve spent some time over the last 12 months developing our new identity, fine-tuning our operations and seeking common ground about our future as a groundbreaking organization in the U.S. labor movement. Just as a newborn goes through slow and deliberate stages, so has SAG-AFTRA on the national level and in our Philadelphia Local. Your local board and Catherine Brown committees have been busy drafting our local constitution, renewing our conservatory and program focus to reflect the interests of our members in all work categories and exploring expanding work opportunities. There’s more good news with a census report showing our local membership has grown. Your opportunity to get in on the action of directing our next steps is fast approaching with our first local and national union election season opening very soon. Information was mailed to you recently about the election calendar and the requirements and procedures to run for office and serve as a delegate at our historic first SAG-AFTRA National Convention in September. Make plans now to join us at our annual local membership meeting in May. Growing, gaining strength — We’re one!

In solidarity, Catherine Brown

Marking a Milestone

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ellow Members, We’ve come to a milestone in our new union marking our first year. As we continue to develop into a new entity that will stand strong for years to come, we must continue to face the external challenges that stand in the way of progress. Attempts continue nationally and locally to promote so-called “right-to–work” legislation that will hurt if not John Wooten dismantle unions, so please urge your local politicians to support legislation that protects union work.

We all need to be involved in our local’s efforts in Harrisburg, Trenton and Dover to attract and keep work, as well as continuing efforts to organize broadcast shops and film and commercial producers.

Please voice your support for increasing the cap on the Pennsylvania film tax incentive, which exists as a major instrument in attracting work to our area. In the Philadelphia region, we are proud to be part of Academy Award-winning productions such as Silver Linings Playbook, and we can only continue to do so with the tools that allow us to compete in our industry.

We are fast approaching our election season, when members will elect a new board. If you’ve ever considered union service, this election could be your chance. Stay focused and get involved.

In solidarity, John Wooten

SESSIONS

SAG-AFTRA LOCAL STAFF

LOCAL BOARD MEMBERS

Executive Director:

Co-President — Catherine Brown

Harvey Jaffe

CAST & CREW

Co-President — John Wooten

Sylvia Kauders

Editor: Shelley Figures

Associate Executive Director:

1st Vice President — Chuck Varesko

Mark Kochanowicz

2nd Vice President – Dick Sheeran

Michael Kraycik

Secretary — Cyndy Drue

Paul Kurtz

Treasurer — Ed Fischer

Gail Lewis

National Board Member — Helen McNutt

Christopher Mann

National Board Member — Bill Shusta

J. Emerson McGowen

Sara Jane Blazo

Christopher M. McMullin

Rob Charry

Susan Moses

Sam Clover

MJ Myers

Donna Dundon

Christy Springfield

Lisa Ann Goldsmith

Volieda Webb

Meagan Hill

Brian Anthony Wilson

Official publication of SAG-AFTRA Philadelphia www.sagaftra.org/philly

Contributing Editors:

Stephen Leshinski

Frank Traynor

Chuck Varesko

SAG-AFTRA Philadelphia 230 South Broad St., Suite 500 Philadelphia, PA 19102 215.732.0507 Sessions Archive

sagaftraphila.com/issuu.html

Stephen Leshinski

Shelley Figures

Contracts/Signatory Administrator:

Lynn Koenigsberg

Benefits & Membership Administrator:

Michele Dooley

Executive Director’s Report

By Stephen Leshinski, SAG-AFTRA Philadelphia Executive Director

SAG-AFTRA: YEAR ONE

thing that we’ve been doing locally has been taking place 100-fold on the national level: a new IT system, a new HR structure, new membership policies, staff and office inventories, and — oh by the way — national commercials negotiations and, of course, the SAG Awards, among dozens of other local and national projects.

While all of this internal work has taken place, the business of the union, both nationally and locally, has continued as well. In Philadelphia, that means negotiating broadcast contracts (WMMR, KYWAM, PHT, XTU, CBS3), winning arbitrations, legislative lobbying (child labor, film tax credit), processing grievances and claims and, of course, servicing the various union productions that come to our local.

We’ve been so busy, in fact, and grown so much, that as a result of the last internal census, SAG-AFTRA Philadelphia has been moved into the “Mid-Size” local category along with D.C., San Francisco, Miami, Chicago and New England. This new status gives our convention delegates more voting power at our next (first) convention, among other changes.

And now that we have a year under our belt, we begin our firstever set of local, national and convention delegate elections, which will be happening starting in May and running through August. This process will produce the first set of SAG-AFTRA elected leaders whose job will be to sit down and plan the future of this great union, while under the water we all paddle like crazy!

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hat a difference a year makes! Ever watch a duck in water? How they’re calm and collected above the water but underneath they paddle like crazy? Welcome to SAG-AFTRA, year one.

Internally, there has been a tremendous amount of change and reorganization as two long-standing and proud organizations become one. In Philadelphia, we’ve been fortunate that the years of local history between the two organizations, including the work of the tri-union community, has made the transition that much easier. We extended the office lease at 230 S. Broad Street for three years and are in the midst of some renovation now that we know where we will be (physically) over the next few years. We’ve reorganized the staff structure with clearer lines of responsibility when it comes to assignments for Shelley Figures (commercials, TV & theatricals, new media, governance, special projects), Lynn Koeningsberg (Conservatory, SAGIndie, freelance), and Michele Dooley (broadcast, H&R).

We were also the first staff outside of N.Y. and L.A. to participate in the set enforcement staff training. Now everyone in our office will share the assignment of set enforcement for television and movies that shoot in our local, particularly on days with large background populations, significant stunt work or minors.

Your officers have also been hard at work drafting a new constitution, drafting a new budget under a new budgeting system and generally learning how to merge two boards into one. And every-

Journalists & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

By Bill Shusta

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to talk to him because he was an eyewitness. He said he began to whimper, and the military officer told him that was normal considering what he witnessed. But Walters told us that he felt it wasn’t normal for him. He began searching for every 9/11 story. It affected his family and even his boss eventually told him that he thought he needed help.

The Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma provided that assistance. Based at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, it provides journalists around the world with the resources necessary to meet the challenges of covering violence. It provides preventive maintenance for journalists.

Walters believes our industry differs from others when it comes to trauma. There’s still the false bravado that we’re tough, we can take it. It’s easy to see the physical wounds, tough to spot the psychological ones.

The documentary has won numerous awards and has been seen across the nation and in at least eight countries. It is well worth watching.

Visit the Dart Center online. Email: info@dartcenter.org.

s a broadcaster, how strong are you? I’m not asking about physical strength but emotional and psychological strength.

In the days after covering a traumatic event, how many of us have shed a tear or played over the event in our minds? You would be surprised, or maybe not.

For many journalists, it is a problem and it’s made crystal clear in a documentary produced by a former broadcast journalist out of Washington, D.C., Mike Walters. Breaking News, Breaking Down was shown to those in attendance at the recent national Broadcast Steering Committee meeting in Philadelphia. It details how we, as journalists, can be impacted by post-traumatic stress disorder. Walters spoke about how our work causes our dream world as journalists to cross over into the real world. Some gruesome stories can stay with us.

It happened to him on 9/11 as he traveled to work. While driving, he looked out the car window and saw the jetliner crash into the Pentagon. He both covered and became part of that story. After doing numerous interviews for his own reports and being interviewed himself by other journalists, Walters said he clearly remembers a U.S. Air Force public information officer telling him the FBI wanted

The National B.S.C. Meets in Philadelphia

By Bill Shusta

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s SAG-AFTRA approached its first anniversary as a combined union, it was a first for Philadelphia as well. The City of Brotherly Love hosted the national SAG-AFTRA Broadcast Steering Committee meeting in Center City on March 2.

Co-Chair Joe Krebs set the tone for the well-attended gathering by urging broadcasters to get involved in our new union. In the months to come, elections will be held for national officers, national board members, convention delegates, as well as local officers and board members. He said a structure was created whereby broadcasters are assured of being heard but we must get involved and use our voices.

National Co-President Roberta Reardon echoed the comments

by Krebs, saying she’s concerned about the future of all unions. Only 6 percent of private sector employees are unionized and public unions are under attack. She said we are the bright spot in the labor movement because we had the courage to move together. She stressed that we must continue to stand together as we share employers, problems and a voice at work.

Reardon also believes our upcoming first elections as a new union will be crucial. As did Krebs, she urged us to get involved by running for office. She said this election will set the stage for our future. It’s crucial to remember that our union represents all of us, performers, actors, broadcasters and the strength and power of SAG-AFTRA is that we all are in this together.

AFTRA Health & Retirement Funds Board of Trustees Co-chair Shelby Scott reported the retirement fund remains in the green zone, while the health plan continues to retain one year in reserve funds. The trustees of both the SAG and AFTRA plans are still in discussions regarding the possibility of merging the plans and/or reciprocity between the AFTRA health plan and SAG health plan so that performers who have earnings in both plans can qualify for health benefits in one of the plans.

On a related issue, SAG-AFTRA Assistant National Executive Director for News and Broadcast Mary Cavallaro reported that employers continue to make significant changes to close or eliminate their own corporate retirement plans.

There was a lengthy discussion about SAG-AFTRA initiation fees with the co-chairs of the union’s Finance Committee participating.

The ongoing discussion is focused on standardizing those fees across the country to address some of the different structures that existed among locals pre-merger.

Philadelphia Local Executive Director Steve Leshinski led a panel discussion on broadcast leadership development. He was joined by Catherine Brown and Martha Shelton of NBC-10, Neil Rattigan of CBS-3 along with Sam Clover and Randy Chepigan of Total Traffic Network.

One Day, Three Events

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coordinated by the SAG Foundation’s Franz Reynold and Patrick E. Gordon, School of Media & Communication at Temple University.

he Philadelphia SAG-AFTRA Conservatory in par tnership with The SAG Foundation and Temple University presented three events packed into one day on Feb. 2 at Temple’s Annenberg Hall.

Nearly 100 members and Temple drama students joined New York casting directors Liz Ortiz-Mackes and Donna McKenna for Working in Indie World: A Seminar for Actors and Filmmakers.

Members then attended two casting access workshops with the casting directors to learn cold-reading techniques. The event was

The attendees at the Donna McKenna casting workshop.

Liz Ortiz-Mackes (left), Franz Reynold and Donna McKenna.

Broadcast Beat News from our shop stewards

Chip Kelly showed up and gave the crowd a “Yo Philly!” The crowd of course, went wild. It may have been Angelo Cataldi, Al Morganti and Rhea Hughes’ biggest coup — no one can recall ever having a working head coach show up at what has become Philadelphia’s premier winter event.

Before Andy Reid and the Eagles parted ways, Joe Conklin got in his last shots at a coach who has become a staple in his act for the last 14 years. The final shot became a YouTube sensation, starring his daughter Casey Conklin, doing a parody of Taylor Swift’s song We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, which Joe and Casey crafted into We Are Never Ever Going To Win With Andy.That, and other classic Conklin bits can be found at joeconklin.com.

The WIP shop welcomes Matt Battaglia, who took over as our commercial production director this winter.

NBC10

By Martha Shelton BC10 has seen a lot of changes over the last few months.

Comcast now fully owns WCAU, after recently purchasing the remaining shares of NBC from General Electric.

Skyforce10 has taken off, adding the latest technology and high-def cameras to its arsenal.

Content producers are becoming a more important asset, as new tasks are added to their growing skill set. In addition to writing and cutting video, CPs are now in charge of audio levels within video as the audio department is now automated. We would like to welcome meteorologist Brittany Shipp, reporter Daralene Jones, anchor Jacqueline London and reporter and anchor Chris Cato to the NBC10 family.

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Total Traffic Network

WPHT

By Randy Chepigan and Sam Clover t the newly combined Total Traffic Network Philadelphia/Pittsburgh shop, we happily welcome three newly hired shop members as we begin work under a long-awaited new CBA. We’re glad to report that we settled on and ratified the new three-year agreement, effective Jan.1, after more than a year of extensions and intense negotiations.

With several modest improvements over our last contract now settled and continuing for the next few years, we can now concentrate more fully on our ongoing effor ts to work closely with management, ensuring the best use of technology and talent to produce consistently high-quality information and creative performance.

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By Clinton Petty he entire WPHT staff is breathless in anticipation for the debut of The Dick Morris Show. We are also very excited about the return of Phillies baseball for the 2013 season, and the expansion of the Chris Stigall and Dom Giordano shows. We also wish the best of luck to T.C. Scornavacchi, who is moving on to Sirius/XM with The Michael Smerconish Show.

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WIP

By Rob Charry ongrats to Anthony Gargano, WIP afternoon host, and his wife Tam on the birth of their second son, Massimo.

Congrats to WIP’s Morning show for anchoring coverage of Wing Bowl 21, the highlight of which was when new Eagles coach

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Local EEO Committee Presents Program

In Memorium — Shane Radford

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he Philadelphia SAG-AFTRA Ethnic Employment Opportunities Committee held a Focus on Diversity session with local filmmaker Thomas K. Phillips, writer and director of The North Star. Members, as well as cast and crew from the film, joined Co-Presidents John Wooten and Catherine Brown in a wide-ranging discussion about diversity in the film and TV industry.

The North Star, a SAG-signatory feature film based on true events, tells the story of Big Ben Jones, a man who in 1848 makes a daring escape from enslavement on a Virginia plantation to Buckingham, Pennsylvania, where he is aided by local Quakers.

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hane Radford passed away in February. Shane was an actor, a member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors’ Equity, and had appeared in more than 100 movies and television shows since becoming an actor in 1975, including many iconic films like Annie Hall and Saturday Night Fever.

He worked for such legendary directors as Woody Allen, Peter Jackson, Peter Bogdanovich, Ron Howard, Milos Foreman, M. Night Shyamalan and many more.

Shane also helped to raise thousands of dollars for the fight against AIDS, participating in fundraising events in both New York City and Philadelphia. “It was like a war that never ended.

I lost every young person I started out in the business with,” he said.

After living in NYC for more than 20 years, Shane bought a house in Philadelphia in 2002, where he fostered cats for area shelters and found them medical attention and homes. Mostly his own! He was a jovial and edgy character, full of verve and nerve, who made an indelible impression on all who knew him. He ended his life with great bravery, facing a losing battle with cancer during which he never lost his sense of humor or love for his friends.

Be Sure to Vote The deadline for voting on the commercials contracts is Friday, May 31 at 8 p.m. EDT (electronically or by mail).

Child Labor Law and Tax Credits Highlight April PAFIA Meeting

By Meagan Hill

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t was an incredible event on April 14 during the PA Film Industry Association meeting. State Rep. Tom Murt talked about the new child labor law, which the Philadelphia Local was active in promoting, and voiced his support for the tax incentive and SAG-AFTRA. Paul Peterson, former child star, was quite emphatic about protecting actors, especially youngsters. An informative discussion about the tax incentive wrapped up the evening. The Four Seasons served some nice munchies (the veggies were good, but the dark chocolate was divine!).

Former child actor and children’s labor rights advocate Paul Peterson with Local Board member Helen McNutt.

Conservatory presents Auditioning for the Movies for Beginners

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n Monday, April 29, Doug Roberts, a professional actor for 25 years, who has performed in more than 100 AEA plays, done more than 6,000 AFTRA voiceovers and performed many speaking parts in SAG films, brought his expertise to Philadelphia for a SAG-AFTRA Conservatory program. Attendees learned the basics of auditioning for film work.

Ten people attended the workshop, although there are only four pictured here. By the time Frank Traynor got his camera out for a group photo most of the crowd had scampered off.

Attendee Mike Russo said, “Doug is a warm and personable soul, generous with his time and knowledge. Each and every member impressed Doug with their talent and professionalism.”

From left, Bobbie Nicole, Nikki Thomas, Doug Roberts, Mike Russo and Ted Borodaeff.

Conservatory Online Pajama Party!

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ur conservatory broke new ground by offering members who want to become producers an online workshop about how to make their own movies with SAG-AFTRA contracts. Members were encouraged to join this “pajama party” and slip on their comfy slippers and jammies and follow along online with Leslie Krensky, South Region Director, who is an expert in short and ultra-low budget SAG-AFTRA agreements.

Upcoming Conservatory Events Coming in June, Date TBA Agent Access — The SAG Foundation and The Philadelphia SAG-AFTRA/AEA Conservatory will present two Agent Access events in the Philadelphia area for SAG members.

July and August Fun summer mixers to be determined.

For more information contact the SAG-AFTRA Philadelphia office, 215-732-0507.

Philadelphia SAG Awards Party ­— Jan. 27, 2013

Gregg Pronko, Helen Ching and Jeffrey F. Williamson.

Stephen Leshinski

Harvey Jaffe, Sandee Bengel and Sara Jane Blazo

The littlest member, Shayne Coleman.

Photo by Rick Collum

Photo by Rick Collum

Dina Gardner

Laurajean

Sara Jane, Susan, Sandee and Marguerite.

Frank Traynor and fans.

Meanwhile in L.A.

Jennifer Butler and Gregg Pronko make a sandwich.

Tom McNutt, Helen McNutt, Mike Hodge and Catherine Brown.

Sara Marvel & Local Board member Mike Kraycik attended in L.A.

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Working with SAG-AFTRA

Director Dom Frank’s Long Journey to The Church

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s an independent filmmaker, actually making the film can be a long and intimidating process. But it doesn’t have to be. Most indie filmmakers think becoming a SAG-AFTRA signatory is harder than it actually is. I know this for fact, since up until recently, I was one of those ill-informed filmmakers. Gone are the days when piles of paperwork were needed. Everything for the lower budgets that most indies will work under is easily filled out online. Also, when I had questions, I was able to call my local SAG-AFTRA office, notably Frank Traynor, to get help. It made it easier for me knowing that an answer was only a phone call away. The film was being handled by an agent in New York, Kady Kreiger, who was a blessing as well.

After submitting my signatory application, I now needed a location. I approached my family church about filming the movie there.

I was skeptical, since church members can be very particular about their building but, to my surprise, the pastor embraced the idea with open arms. Even though The Church is a horror-thriller-suspense film, it still possesses a good moral story and, according to Pastor Dennis Thomas, that was the driving force in him allowing us to film at First Corinthian Baptist Church in Philadelphia.

Armed with my signatory status and a beautiful location that matched the script perfectly, I set out to assemble an all-star cast of horror stars, past, present and future. I posted casting calls on various casting sites and social media. My inbox began to flood with emails from actors hoping to land a role. One interesting response I

Creating Palace

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By Rolando Vega, Signatory Producer

his film’s journey has been extraordinary.

From the first writing meetings to the editing room, everyone has done an amazing job to help bring this short film to life.

It was a really amazing experience during the casting process, when we saw all the talent SAG-AFTRA actors had to offer. Two out of our three lead actors were SAG-AFTRA, and the whole process was such a breeze. They are extremely talented actors and great people to work with.

As we move closer to the premiere, the whole crew and I can’t help but be overly excited to see all the hard work come together. In the future, I won’t hesitate to go with SAG-AFTRA because Palace’s journey couldn’t have been the same without it.

(Photo courtesy of Palace.)

By Dom Frank, Signatory Producer

received was from an actor named Keith Stallworth. Since I actively read all the credits at the end of movies, I did a double take. This name looks familiar, I thought. So after a quick Google, my hopes were confirmed, it was Keith Stallworth from Step Up 3D! After a quick phone call and a script read by Keith, I received an email that I had just landed my first name actor.

Next actor to come aboard was Matthew Nadu, a local actor who has been an on-air talent for all three of the local news stations and also starred in Nobody Gets Out Alive. Nadu actually worked with one of my original actress choices, Ashley C. Williams from The Human Centipede, so with his help we landed her for the film. After a few script revisions, I was still searching for a lead actor. I held auditions to no avail and then I finally got up the courage to contact the agent of one of my all-time favorites, Bill Moseley from Halloween, Texas Chainsaw 3D, Devil’s Rejects, House of 1000 Corpses and many more. After some easy negotiation, I cast my lead actor. Wow, I thought, I can really do this.

After hiring line producer Paul Irwin, who in turn brought in the majority of the crew, I shot the entire film — stunts and all — in 12 days!

It’s Never Too Late to Follow Your Dreams!

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he is only a little bit over five feet, but her story can make you feel 10 feet tall. Her name is Marie Ryan and she is well into her third career and eighth decade. After raising five children, then running a tax business till she was 65, Ryan got a surprise on her 75th birthday. Her son gave her a gift of acting lessons and career number three took off.

We caught up with Marie at our conservatory casting workshop and asked her a few questions about her third act.

So you got the acting classes as a birthday gift at 75, can you pick up the story from that point for us?

MR: I took classes with Mike Lemon and he saw something in me that he liked and encouraged me to really start working at acting.

How did you get your first acting job?

MR: I auditioned for Diane Heery, who was casting at the time for David Morse’s CBS drama Hack that was shot here in Philadelphia. I was cast to play the role of Barry Bostwick’s mother in four episodes. After that it was roles in films and other TV shows like Law & Order and Boardwalk Empire.

What role has been your favorite so far?

MR: Sarah Jessica Parker’s babysitter in the film I Don’t Know How She Does It. Do you mind if I share your age with our readers?

MR: Not at all, I am 83.

Any advice you want to share?

MR: It’s never too late to follow your dreams!