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President Biden Addresses the Issue of AI Today by Matthew Gross  •  last post Jul 21st

I sent a letter to President Biden last week urging new laws to control AI to safeguard our industry. He talked about this issue today at a press conference before meeting with tech companies. Now is the time for you to jump online and send the Biden administration your thoughts on AI and its impact on your career (i.e. the strikes). Please consider doing so. www.whitehouse.gov

Things to Know When Auditioning for a Commercial by Tammy Hunt  •  last post Jul 21st



Looking to break in? Casting directors Ellen Jacoby of Miami and Los Angeles–based Stuart Stone, author of the book “The Keys to Commercial Acting,” can help. They know a thing or two about what works—and what doesn’t—in the commercial casting room.  

- Put the product first. “When you’re casting a commercial, you become a part of the product, so you’re not just selling yourself,” says Jacoby. “The product is No. 1, we have to believe you like the product.” 
- Get comfortable with the fourth wall. “A lot of times, you’re talking right to the camera. You have to be able to create that space.” 
- Practice on products you love. “To be believable in a commercial, actors should take a product they use every day that they know and love and do a commercial for their product. That’s when you’re being real, because you use it! Then transpose that into the product that you’re doing.” 
- Dress appropriately. “You should never wear black or white in front of the camera. It’s not great for your face. No geometric prints. Dress according to what you’re going out for. An upscale dinner guest at an upscale restaurant, we don’t expect you to be in jeans. Directors and producers recognize that. We show them a whole lot of people, and they’re looking first at all the stills, and then they click on the video. If you don’t look right, they won’t even click to see your video.” 
- When you get the job, know your place on set. “You don’t want to go and get behind the [directors, writers and producers] that are there and get in their way and try to chum up to them,” Stone warns. “You become an annoyance. They’ve got work to do. If they’re in their own little area with their monitor watching what’s going on and you’re over there trying to schmooze them, it’s a hindrance. The ideal way is to always stay in camera view of the director, just off to the side, because then they can call you at the last minute. Always make sure that you check with a second A.D. before you leave the set, because he’s responsible for you as an actor. First and foremost, your second A.D. needs to be your contact throughout the whole job.” 

#commercial #audition

Free Groceries for SAG-AFTRA members by Matthew Gross  •  last post Jul 20th

Hey friends,

Want to let you know that the World Harvest Food Bank is offering free groceries for SAG-AFTRA members. This service will last until the strike ends. You only need to flash them your  SAG-AFTRA card and you're good to go. Their hours are 8AM to 4PM M-S, Sundays closed. 3100 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019 You guys rock!
https://www.worldharvestla.org/

Picket Lines by Omari Washington  •  last post Jul 20th

Hey Superstars! Has anyone been on the picket lines supporting SAG-AFTRA or the D.G.A.? If so, what your experience like out there?

Shared on Linkedin by Matt Helderman at Bondit Media Capital and Buffalo 8 by Dalene Stuteville  •  last post Jul 20th

Not sure who the strike is affecting but if anyone needs this connection. Here you go.

"It's true...studio payroll has come to a halt with the current SAG-AFTRA Strike, however independent filmmakers can fill out a 1-page application as long as the productions has zero affiliation with the AMPTP. SAG will vet entire producing team. Request the application from us (sales@abspayroll.net). We've been the independent filmmakers choice for 30+ years, and we know what we're doing! We offer both W2 & 1099 payment processing if you're under a tight budget. Let's connect and still make it a strong Q3/Q4 for you this year! kris@abspayroll.net"

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/matthew-helderman-35155058_its-truestudio-payroll-has-come-to-a-activity-7087235155135762433-ENxA?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Acting by Josiah Bhola Hillaire  •  last post Jul 20th

When was the last time you as an actor thanked the screenwriter, writers, etc. for the project THEY created, because as a writer, I feel like we are under appreciated and not given our Roses as much. When was the last time that the writers got their just due?

Your Most Frantic SAG Strike Questions, Answered by Geoff Hall  •  last post Jul 20th

Those questions are answered by Jonathan Handel, an entertainment lawyer and journalist. So we have a different perspective here, which I think gives us a certain nuanced gaze onto the strike 

He points out that one of the sticking-points is over benefits and health, which apparently hasn’t changed since the 1980 agreement. Yes, 1980!! I had to read that twice before it sank in - 43 years ago! (I was 23 back in 1980!)

“All Hollywood strikes have been about technological change. Changing technologies that, in most cases, resulted in disagreement on what sort of residuals should be paid and how they should be calculated.”

And of course everything is connected and here’s how:

“So the studio execs are looking ahead to that (the IATSE and Teamster’s contracts) as well, and saying, If we give an inch to the writers, we’re gonna have to give at least an inch to the actors, and likewise next year.”

One telling phrase from Jonathan that you could get lost in the article, was this:

“The view is existential by the studios in terms of the reset in labor-management relations that the unions are seeking. It’s also viewed as existential in terms of where the business is at. The box office is down versus 2019 and is never gonna recover. The linear-television broadcast and cable is dying and audiences are shrinking.”

It seems likely that as the pace of technological change increases, then future contract negotiations are going to be very confrontational and visceral. There is a whole landscape shift -  call it the tectonics of technology - in the TV and Film industry and the good old golden age of theatrical being the measure of success, is over. It would seem that the age of romance for theatrical is over. 

As well as talking about these terms and conditions of labour and the paradigm shifts in technology, we should as the labour behind the industry, be discussing (on Stage32!) what we can do to develop the Indie production of content and transform the world by the stories we tell. 

https://www.vulture.com/article/what-is-the-sag-strike-sag-aftra-questions.html

An Olive Branch from Paramount Pictures? by Matthew Gross  •  last post Jul 19th

Paramount just announced it will air "Yellowstone" on CBS. Is this an olive branch? A first step to a return our industry to the tried and true business model?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suobrMPBLlo

Brian Smith will be headlining A.M.A in the Animation Lounge today! by Omari Washington  •  last post Jul 19th

Brian Smith, Animation Production Professional, Script Consultant, and Stage 32 Thought Leader is hosting an AMA in the Animation Lounge today, focused on The Animation Production Process & Storytelling. 


Animation Lounge AMA Link: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/animation/Ask-Me-Anything-AMA-07-19-to-07-20-The-Animation-Production-Process-and-Storytelling


Brian's recent blog post: https://www.stage32.com/blog/breaking-and-entering-how-to-get-a-job-in-animation-3416


What are YOUR Strategies During the SAG Strike? by Karen "Kay" Ross  •  last post Jul 19th

According to Mark Ruffalo, you should jump ship and go indie:


https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/mark-ruffalo-actors-indie-films-strike-1234885106/

What do you think? Share below!

Also, what have been your best indie experiences? What do you think indie filmmakers need to do to make it more appealing to you?

Calling All Performers- What Does Stage 32 Mean To You? by Ashley Renee Smith  •  last post Jul 19th

Hey Actors,


In today's blog, the Stage 32 team is sharing what Stage 32 means to them. You can watch the video at the link below and if you're feeling inspired, we'd love for you to make one of your own! I can't wait to hear your stories.

https://www.stage32.com/blog/what-does-stage-32-mean-to-you-3428

1 Absolutely Crazy Demand SAG-AFTRA is Actually Fighting You Won't Believe This by Aaron Marcus  •  last post Jul 19th

You want to watch this video because there is: 1 Absolutely Crazy Demand SAG-AFTRA is Actually Fighting You Won't Believe This

This Could Affect Both Union and Non-Union Actors
https://youtu.be/iHuCYsgcWXs

Acting by Josiah Bhola Hillaire  •  last post Jul 19th

What projects are you currently working on?

Avengers Star Mark Ruffalo Suggests Alternative to Studio System Amid SAG-AFTRA Strike by Geoff Hall  •  last post Jul 19th

Is this the dawning of a New Indie Age? 

What do you think of Mark Ruffalo’s suggestion? 

Is this a way forward that marks a new chapter in  Indie Production?

However, Ruffalo sees this as a further opportunity to stick it to the studio system. “We just do what we always do — create great content and they can buy it, or we take it out ourselves and WE share in those sales,” he said. “They’ve created an empire of billionaires and believe that we are no longer of value. While they hang out in the billionaire boy summer camps laughing like fat cats, we organize a new world for workers.”


https://www.ign.com/articles/avengers-star-mark-ruffalo-suggests-alternative-to-studio-system-amid-sag-aftra-strike?

Need unnique voices. by Robert Evan Howard  •  last post Jul 18th

Project - https://www.talkingheads.club
Thank you,

Robert Evan Howard

1-801-856-3200

aslodge.com

asl@aslodge.com...

I have a new profile and address! by Vincent J Paterno  •  last post Jul 18th

Many of you may be in my old network (for Vincent Paterno), which I no longer use. Please join my new network (for Vincent J. Paterno), at stage32.com/profile/1060699. I’m a screenwriter specializing in comedy features.

Your Film On Our Channels by Wolfgang Schuler  •  last post Jul 18th

Greetings!, the Ayerswood TV Channel is now on the web, as well as in the Roku Channel Store. Still completely free to watch and there's no ads. I pay for all the streaming, hosting and development. Your short films, feature films, documentaries etc. are all welcome. Check it out on the web at https://ayerswoodfilms.com or at the Roku channel store, it is 'Ayerswood'.

If you want your film included just email AyerswoodFilmFestival@gmail.com and you will receive a DropBox link with instructions.

Is anyone else there experiencing tanking stameter numbers by Sabrina Culver  •  last post Jul 18th

Hi my karmalicity friends...I am becoming a bit discouraged in the last few weeks because despite the fact that I continue with my daily ritual of checking all of your lovely Imdb pages...I am so impressed by the way with the caliber of talent in our community .. Has anyone else experienced worsening numbers? Perhaps there is a connection to the writers and sag strikes ? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated Break a leg everyone..,,let's get these jobs

Cancel Your Subscriptions by Matthew Gross  •  last post Jul 16th

One of the biggest threats to actors is this misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The AMPTP proposes replacing background actors with AI generated characters as well as digital replicas for principal actors. Additionally, there is the substantial issue of residuals. We need to get AMPTP back to the negotiating table sooner than later; therefore, I propose we spread a message via social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), #cancelyoursubscriptions. Cancel your streaming memberships (Paramount Plus, Netflix, Apple TV, etc.). If enough customers #cancelyoursubscriptions, these companies will quickly lose money and will be eager to return to the negotiating table. This strike effects everyone in the industry, and it is time to take a stand for your livelihood. 

Very Emotional Message from SAG President! by Amazing Kacee  •  last post Jul 16th

I enjoyed Fran Drescher's speech filled with attitude and emotion as she spoke of actors and the strike! Well done!

https://www.thewrap.com/fran-drescher-strike-sag-aftra-president-speech-clip/