Branch News

Because of the inherent complexities of agency relations today, Screen Actors Guild has received numerous requests from members in the Las Vegas area to clarify the status of SAG agency franchises, and Union members’ obligations thereunder.

Dear Nevada Branch Members:

On August 04, 2009 Screen Actors Guild announced the election results for the Nevada Branch.

Branch President Steve Dressler, Branch Vice President Barbara Grant, Branch Secretary Adrienne Garcia Mann, Branch Treasurer Kim Renee, along with current Council Members at Large John Powers, Richard Rockne, Leonard Turner and National Director Art Lynch welcome the following newly elected candidates to the Nevada Branch:

Charles Di Pinto - Council Member at Large - two-year term

May 22, 2009

Vote “Yes” on the Theatrical/TV Contracts
And mail your ballot in today!

Dear Nevada Branch Member,

The contract contains vital gains for Nevada and for your union.

Our Background Zone will expand to cover the area within a 15-mile radius of the Clark County Courthouse, a sizable gain.

The number of covered Background Actors in Theatrical productions will increase from 50-55 over the term of the contract.

On Sunday, May 17, 2009, auditions were held in Las Vegas for a South Korean production titled, Swallow the Sun. Several Nevada SAG members reported to Branch Executive Director Steve Clinton that they had been contacted by a local casting director and told that it was okay to do this film because it would not be shown in the United States. Screen Actors Guild would like to take this opportunity to clarify this situation.

I would like to wish everyone a healthy and prosperous new year. As we roll into 2008 I hope all of the following issues within the industry will be resolved:

- The negotiations between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the AMPTP who are at a standstill in negotiations but have begun informal discussions to determine if there is a basis for both parties to return to formal negotiations. WGA has reached interim agreements with some producers. Many SAG members have supported the WGA strike by walking their picket line.