Welcome ABQ Marriott Pyramid North to the New Mexico FIlm Directory on crewnewmexico.com!

We'd like to welcome the newest member of the New Mexico Movie crew on crewnewmexico.com! The Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North has joined the Production Lodging section of our site. Check back for more details soon!

Welcome New Member Club House Inn and Suites to crewnewmexico.com

We'd like to give a warm welcome to our newest Lodging Member - Club House Inn and Suites in Albuquerque! Their profile page is under construction, but here's a link to their main website. Check these guys out, and let them know you saw them on crewnewmexico.com.

Welcome New Member - The Historic Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas New Mexico!

We'd like to extend a warm welcome to the newest members of the New Mexico Film Directory on crewnewmexico.com -- The Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas!

Watch for more details about this amazing destination - for production lodging, dining, and, now, with a 300-seat ballroom for casting, filming, and special events.

NM Media Mix Conference This Weekend - Special Savings for crewnewmexico.com

The NM Media Mix Conference is offering a great deal to all members of crewnewmexico.com! Knock $25 off your registration (from $50 to $25) just by telling them you're a member of crewnewmexico.com (and telling them your crewnewmexico.com web address). What a deal! Even more reasons to join crewnewmexico.com!

To register click here

NM Media Industries MIX Conference This Weekend!

The fifth annual NM Media Industries Conference "MIX" is coming up Saturday, January 17th at UNM with a pretty wide range of sessions and topics in animation, business, education, film, games, web/software and more. We're also particularly pleased to have Ian Bogost for our lead-off talk that day. After growing up in New Mexico, Ian's gone on to become one of the world's leading game educator/writer/producers, with a great ability to describe not only how interactive media is changing, but also how it can be used to better understand our world.

I think we're all concerned about the effects we'll see from the current economic situation, including decreased funding for many programs. However, the film and media industry is still a bright spot in New Mexico's economic landscape -- positioned to consolidate some of our gains and harness our talents for continued success.

We hope you can join us!

More conference info, with schedule and links to registration is at http://www.nm-mix.org / http://nm-mix.ning.com

WHAT: NM Media Industries MIX
WHEN: Saturday, January 17th 9AM - 5PM
WHERE: UNM Student Union Building Ballroom B, UNM Main Campus
COST: $50 Regular / $25 Students and members of supporting organizations* (includes buffet lunch and snacks, etc.)
HOW: Register at http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaID=171155&CFID=13610872&CFTOKEN=30747945

The Indie Fest - Call for Entries

The Indie Fest: Call for Entries

Deadline: January 30, 2009

Download the entry form at: www.TheIndieFest.com

The Indie Fest is an independent, top-tier international film awards competition.

Our goal: The Indie is about helping independent filmmakers gain publicity and secure distribution, the Holy Grail of filmmaking. We have relationship with distributors friendly to independent filmmakers. Indie Fest winners can use our Screener Distribution Service to reach even more distributors. Details are on the Indie website. http://www.TheIndieFest.com/Dist.aspx

How you will benefit: If you win an Indie Fest award you will benefit from our dedicated focus and from our relationships with indie-friendly distributors. The Indie Fest is a virtual festival. It does not have physical screeners. Rather, winners receive publicity as we broadcast the list of winners via press releases and to our email database of more than 28,000 filmmakers and industry insiders. Winning an Indie will help you get noticed.

Entries are judged against high standards of excellence and against each other. The Indie Fest provides an equal chance of winning for all entrants, regardless of size and budget. Entries are judged on quality of craft and creativity. The Indie Fest is a showcase for cinematic gems and unique voices.

There are three levels of awards: Best of Show, Award of Excellence and Award of Merit. No more than 15% of entries will be granted Awards of Excellence. Best of Show will only be granted if unique films are discovered. In fact, there is no requirement that any Best of Show awards be given. Notable artistic and technical productions that exceed industry standards are recognized at the Award of Merit level.

Judging is a three phase process. Like most traditional festivals, the first round of judging takes place internally and is a screening to find those productions that have outstanding craft, i.e., cinematography/videography, sound, editing, etc. Many films wash-out during phase. Those productions that survive are evaluated to find the films that excel at storytelling, entertainment and communication. Entries judged to be potential Best of Show winners may be sent to outside judges for additional review. Judging standards are high and selective.

Please take a look at the Indie Fest website, www.TheIndieFest.com, so you'll better understand the Competition. On the website you'll find lots of original content of interest to independent filmmakers including articles about indie-friendly distributors.

Go to www.TheIndieFest.com for rules and entry form.

Thomas Baker, Ph.D.
Competition Chairperson
The Indie Fest
7946 Ivanhoe Avenue, Suite 201
La Jolla, California 92037 USA
Email: info@theindiefest.com
Telephone: 858-454-9787
Fax: 858-454-6287
Website: www.TheIndieFest.com

It's the Return of the Santa Fe Film Biz Happy Hour!

The Film Biz Happy Hour Returns!

Join a cadre of film professionals and film lovers for light snacks,
drinks, and mingling at the ever-famous Cowgirl BBQ in Santa Fe.

Tuesday Jan 13
Cowgirl BBQ Bar & Western Grill
319 S. Guadalupe St.
Santa Fe

5:30pm - 7:30pm

Howdy!

Welcome Luna Luz Properties to crewnewmexico.com!

crewnewmexico.com wants our blog readers to check out the Luna Luz Properties on our New Mexico Film Directory website!

Luna Luz has 1-3 bedroom furnished rentals for those seeking acommodations for their film crew while shooting in Santa Fe, or anywhere else in Northern New Mexico. Casita Martin is one of their featured rentals. This wonderful 1 bedroom has all the charm and amenities one needs to enjoy your Santa Fe experience, including high speed internet, cable tv, full washer and dryer, private patio, and off street parking. The casita is located in downtown Santa Fe, and is within walking distance of the Historic Plaza, the Railyard, and DeVargas Mall.

The Luna Luz Properties have housed film crews from blockbuster films like Wild Hogs, No Country for Old Men, and 3:10 to Yuma. You could be their next big-name resident! Check out their full profile at www.crewnewmexico.com/lunaluz, or visit their website at http://www.lunaluz.com/.

316 Garfield St.
Santa Fe, NM 87505

505-820-6977

New Mexico Residency - Required to Work in NM Film?

One of the most frequent questions we receive is whether New Mexico residency is required for two things: 1. To work on productions in New Mexico, 2. To list on crewnewmexico.com. This post should answer both.

Firstly, residency for productions. She short answer is No, you do not need to be a NM resident to work on productions in New Mexico. The New Mexico film incentive program does require a certain percentage (60%) of below-the-line crew be NM residents if the production is receiving financial assistance from the state. However, that leaves 40% of the crew spots open to non-residents, and, for example, LA and Austin-based crew are frequent members of our production. So, while productions first seek NM crew, there's often a lot of gaps to be filled. In addition, there is frequent reciprocity between local NM unions, and out-of-state unions when crew members are coming from out of state.

Secondly, for crewnewmexico.com. While the majority of the people and businesses listed on our site are New Mexico based, being a NM resident or NM registered business is not requirement to be on our site - in fact we welcome qualified members from any area. There are hundreds of crew and vendors who provide specialized services we need that are based out of state, and want to make sure that our productions have access to their information at any time. So, if you're based in Austin, LA, Phoenix, Denver, etc, and want to get involved in the NM Film industry, you're welcome to be a part of crewnewmexico.com.

Drop us a line if you have any questions membership@crewnewmexico.com

Nick Tarabay on "Crash"

The TV show Crash was filmed in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico last fall. Here's an interview with lead actor Nick Tarabay.

In the Starz original television series Crash, Nick E. Tarabay plays hot-blooded police lieutenant Axel Finet, who uses his good looks to manipulate and bend the rules. Best remembered for his recurring role as the sexy drug dealer Matush on the hit HBO show The Sopranos, Tarabay made his television debut on Sex and the City, and appeared on such series as CSI: Miami, The Unit and Moonlight, among others.

Born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, Tarabay began exploring various creative outlets, at a very early age. After a detour playing semi-pro soccer for leagues in Lebanon and Kuwait, and a brief stint in the restaurant business in New York City, he decided to follow his calling and set his sights on becoming a professional actor.

From the producers of the Academy Award-winning Best Motion Picture, the provocative 13-episode drama Crash looks at the way different lives intersect and collide in the melting pot of L.A. Tarabay recently spoke to MediaBlvd Magazine about being involved with such a complicated and complex show.

To read the full article/interview, click here

Reelz Channel Coming to New Mexico

By Paul J. Gough

Jan 7, 2009, 03:43 PM ET

NEW YORK -- Movie-focused digital cable ReelzChannel is pulling the bulk of its operations out of Los Angeles and Minneapolis and moving to Albuquerque, N.M.

It is uncertain how many of the 2-year-old channel's roughly 200 full- and part-time employees will make the move, though most if not all will get the opportunity to apply for about 100 jobs at the new facility. An affiliate-relations unit will remain in Minneapolis for now.

Three top executives -- president and COO Gary Thorne, executive vp and GM Terry O'Reilly and executive vp finance and administration Bernie Weiss -- already have said they won't move. Other executives have committed, including chairman and CEO Stan Hubbard, who will oversee all aspects of the operation.

To read the full article, click here

Santa Fe Community College Film and Media Classes - Enroll Now!

Getting appropriate training is one of the foremost things you can do to get started in the film industry. Santa Fe Community College offers an excellent variety of classes, and they're enrolling for the upcoming semester now. Hurry up!

FILM CREW TRAINING I CRN 30613 MART 251 is the first in a series of classes to help train and support students as they explore career opportunities in the New Mexico film industry. In this class students will help to produce a short film and work weekly with union film professionals learning the basics about how a movie set works and what skills are need to obtain jobs in set design, make-up, wardrobe, camera, electric, grip, and more.

New Certificate program at SFCC!
Santa Fe Community College’s new Film Crew Certificate program
offers classes, internships and entrepreneurial opportunities to
help you get there! This one year certificate program allows students to get hands-on training in the film industry. Students will work with industry professionals to make short films. All students will learn the fundamental skills needed to begin their careers in the film and media industry.

For more information, see their page here: crewnewmexico.com/santafecommunitycollege
or contact them at filminfo@sfccnm.edu

TAOS SHORTZ FILM FEST - THIS WEEKEND!

Taos Shortz - this weekend - with a meet and greet on the 9th and awards ceremony on January 11th:

The Taos Shortz Film Fest will be held January 10th, 2009
at the Kachina Lodge, 413 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos N.M.

We will feature 30 + juried short films from around the world. Films from India, Netherlands, England and Canada will be highlighted, as well as films from around the U.S. Categories include documentary, fiction, animation and experimental.

3 programs with unique films in each program.
SHOWTIMES:
2PM (all ages)
5PM (mature audiences)
8PM ( mature audiences)

There will be a Q & A with visiting filmmakers after each program

$10.00 per show
$25.00 pass to all shows.
$5:00 children under 12
ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT TAOSOUND

A meet and greet social is planned for Friday evening , Jan 9th, 5pm to 7pm at Ogelvies , where filmmakers can join the public to network before the event. (Drink specials for passholders)

A Sunday Brunch Awards Ceremony will be held Jan 11th, at the Kachina Lodge

The Taos Shortz Film Fest is a program of Open Hearth, a 501 (c)

www.taosshortz.com for film details and festival events…

A Case for Film Incentives - Look What Happened in Florida

Luring Filmmakers - Florida Erred in Cutting Incentives

From the Editorial Pages of the Brandenton (Fl) Herald.

While Florida lawmakers look everywhere in the state budget for savings, at least one cut is backfiring on our economy.

The Sunshine State’s natural beauty and other charms have long drawn Hollywood moviemakers for location shooting. But Florida’s incentive program to help attract even more got whacked from $25 million last year to $5 million this fiscal year.

While that looks like a tidy savings, the bottom line is the significant loss that Florida communities will no doubt suffer as studios take their business to states with generous paybacks.

Filming of the dog flick “Marley & Me,” the Owen Wilson-Jennifer Aniston hit now in theaters, pumped $10 million into the South Florida economy. Some 1,400 local movie industry workers earned wages and area hotels, restaurants and other businesses raked in money.

Click here to read the entire article

The incentives are the nut and bolt of the New Mexico Film Industry, and don't think for a moment that you'd be working in New Mexico Film without them. Watch for increasing updates from crewnewmexico.com about the NM FIlm Incentives, and what you can do to help preserve and strengthen them.

Welcome Michael Buster to crewnewmexico.com!

Dialect Coach Michael Buster is another one of our new members on the New Mexico Film Directory, crewnewmexico.com!

Michael Buster has extensive experience with on set coaching. The bulk of his work is helping actors from the UK, Aussies or Kiwis do some sort of American, be it plain old General American or regional accents. Michael also assists Americans doing regional or foreign accents. And actors who speak English as a second language who need accent reduction in order to express themselves clearly and fully.

Check out his crew profile at www.crewnewmexico.com/dialectcoach, or view his full resume here on imbd.com.

Michael Buster
213-280-6418
michaeljbuster@mac.com

Check Out The Roxbury Suites on crewnewmexico.com!

The Roxbury Suites in Albuquerque is one of our newest members on crewnewmexico.com! Whether here on vacation for a week, or working on a film set for months at a time, the Roxbury Suites offers custom short-term leases to fit your requirements.

The Roxbury offers 22 fully furnished, 1 bedroom/1 bath suites for short term rental while you're filming in the Duke City. The suites feature modern furnishings with full kitchen and bath ammenities, along with wireless internet and satellite TV. With close proximity to the Univeristy and Nob Hill Areas, the Roxbury Suites are in a prime location near to some of the most popular areas to shoot around Albuquerque.

You can learn more about the Roxbury Suites by checking out their full profile at www.crewnewmexico.com/roxburysuites, or visit their website at roxburysuites.com.

Phone: 1-888-210-8549
Fax: 888-615-9513
info@roxburysuites.com

Welcome Dan Strakal to crewnewmexico.com!

We are pleased to introduce our readers to Dan Strakal, one of our newest members on crewnewmexico.com! Dan is a skilled local Albuquerque actor who has appeared in numerous feature films, short films, television programs, and commercials.

Dan Strakal specializes in action-oriented roles and has skills in motion picture fighting/stunts, horseback riding, operation of firearms & other weapons, plus much more! You can learn more about Dan Starkal by checking out his full profile at www.crewnewmexico.com/danstrakal. You can also visit his personal website and view his full resume at www.dantalent.com.

New Member Update for January 2, 2009

We'd like to welcome the following New Members to the New Mexico Film Directory on crewnewmexico.com. Watch over the next days for a detailed introduction for all of our newest members! If you're thinking of joining - now is a great time!

• Ram Goradia- Set Dresser, Key Set Dresser, IATSE Local 480 Member!
• Jeremy Pollaro of New Mexico Fleet Design! Printer, Graphics, Digital Printing, Business Cards, and more.
• Linda Carfagno - Photographer Extraordinairre! Set stills, head shots, commercial, documentary, frequent contributor to New Mexico publications!
• The Crew team at Production Outiftters!
• The Film Center - Home of the Santa Fe Film Festival - Screening room for the New Mexico Film Industry.
• Evan Wright - Award Wining Editor and AVID expert.
• Dr. Kurt Kastendieck and Unity Medical Center in Santa Fe - medical care for film pros.
• The Santa Fe Screening Room
• Southwest Gift Baskets and Coffee Shop in ABQ!
• Route 66 Dry Cleaners in ABQ - Dry Cleaning for the props and wardrobe department
  

crewnewmexico.com New Member Update for 12.31!

We'd like to give a quick shout out and welcome to today's newest members of the New Mexico Film Directory on crewnewmexico.com. Watch for more throughout the day!

• Lisa Chase Realty!
  
• David Auguston - Weapons Master, Armorer!
• Nick Nadjowski - Sound Mixer
• Christena Bouajila - Art Department Assistant and Storyboard Artist!
• Karen Novotny Photography - Headshots, Set Stills, and more!
• Holly Roach - Assistant Locations Manager, Location Scout.
  

crewnewmexico.com New Member Update for 12.29 pm

We'd like to welcome the following members to the New Mexico Film Directory on crewnewmexico.com. They've joined in the wee hours of the night, and we're thrilled that they're part of the Crew of New Mexico people and businesses who make up the New Mexico Film Industry!

• Production Outfitters - Production Powerhouse in ABQ
• Roxbury Suites - Short and Long Term Furnished Production Rentals in ABQ (awesome place)
• Tracy LaValle and TL Productions - Fashion and Advertising and Print Producer in ABQ

Watch for detailed introductions on these great businesses in the next few days. And, be sure to tell them you heard about them on crewnewmexico.com.

New Member Update for 12.29

We'd like to welcome the following new members to the New Mexico Film Directory on crewnewmexico.com. Watch for detailed introductions of each member in the coming days.

• Jane Galli - Special Makeup FX
• Sara Scarritt - Coordinator
• Erin Frye - Massage Therapy, Spa Services,
  
• Larry Krauss - D'Clutter Cutters - Professional Organizer and Personal Assistant
• Santa Fe Craftsman - Film Location - by Susan Harris Realty
  

Thinking of getting listed on crewnewmexico.com but have some questions? Drop us a line at membership@crewnewmexico.com, or (505) 930-0443

Welcome "My Concierge" and Michael Burns to crewnewmexico.com

We'd like to welcome Michael Burns and My Concierge to the New Mexico Film Directory on crewnewmexico.com.

We're especially thrilled to introduce these guys, and here's why. They're not only focused on high-end clients and things you might normally consider the realm of the "concierge" -- they provide amazing services for people in all levels of the industry.

Working 18 days and don't have time to shop? Need your dog walked, your house sat, your appointments booked, your party planned, your plants watered, gifts purchased? How about help finding an apartment before you arrive in New Mexico, having the cable installed, the internet ready, the fridge stocked, your belongings unpacked and organized. Maybe you need help finding a massage therapist, yoga teacher, private chef, doctor, or vet. . .

My Concierge will work with you in any capacity, large or small, to make sure that all of your needs are tended to before you arrive, while you're here, and after you go. Or, for permanent residents, too. A great local resource. Based in ABQ, but working statewide.

My Concierge
www.crewnewmexico.com/myconcierge
(505) 818-4348
Tell them you heard about them on crewnewmexico.com

Welcome B&B Production Rentals to crewnewmexico.com

We're thrilled to welcome Harold Woods and B&B Production Rentals to the New Mexico Film Directory on crewnewmexico.com. If you've spent any time on a set in New Mexico, you've been powered, lit, warmed, "wardrobed" or had your gear moved by one of their production rentals. They're one of the leading production rental companies in New Mexico and have worked on nearly every major feature made in state.

Their roster of equipment includes: Single and double plant trucks; stakebed trucks, tractors and wardrobe trailers. They have 3 trucks with twin generators, 7 tractors with single plant generators. Their equipment is meticulously maintained and professionally managed. We've seen these guys on set dozens of times, and the eqipment is always spit-shine clean and shiny.

B&B Production Services
www.crewnewmexico.com/bnbproductionservices
(818) 266-8143
Tell them you saw them on crewnewmexico.com. Say hi to Harold for us.

Welcome RiffRaff Entertainment to crewnewmexico.com!

We would like to give a quick shout out to RiffRaff Entertainment, one of our newest members on the New Mexico Film Directory on crewnewmexico.com! RiffRaff Entertainment is a new media production companiey here in New Mexico, and they are ready to provide to you their award-winning creative content production and input.

RiffRaff Ent. is owned and operated by Producer/Director Mat Page, who collaborates with a talented creative team to that have worked to create commercials, promotional and instructional videos, animation, and award winning short films. Matt and his company team also specialize in screenwriting and development, web compression, and offer the flexibility of standard definition, high definition, and film formats.

Check out their full profile at www.crewnewmexico.com/riffraffentertainment for more details, or send an email to info@riffraffentertainment.com

Questions About Registration on crewnewmexico.com?

We occasionally hear from our members, and some potential members, that they've run into some issues during sign up, or found some things a little unlcear. We're friendly folk, so if you have any questions about how to register, simply drop us a line and we'll walk you through the process. Even better, we'll sign you up manually and answer any questions you may have at the same time.

Remember, we're built to be your film industry resource, so take advantage of us. Well, that didn't sound right, but you know what we mean.

membership@crewnewmexico.com

Article on the New Mexico Economy, and the Impact of Film

Economic Activity Sees Both Highs and Lows
New Mexico Business Weekly
By Megan Kamerick, NMBW Staff

New Mexico has often been isolated from wild economic swings in the national economy. But it, too, began to feel the downturn in the last quarter of 2008.

The state’s unemployment stood at 4.4 percent in October (the latest data available), up from 3.3 percent a year ago, according the Department of Workforce Solutions. The national unemployment rate was 6.5 percent.

The rate of over-the-year job growth, from October 2007 to October 2008, was 0.1 percent — the lowest since 1991.

The construction industry was hammered this year and mining also saw downsizing.

Manufacturing has been a loss leader overall, according to Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) at the University of New Mexico. The sector is still smarting from Intel’s layoffs of 1,500 last winter.

The major sectors contributing to job growth were health care and social assistance, government and retail trade. Local government saw significant growth, driven by Native enterprises such as casinos and hotels.

Several firms announced plans to enter the market with significant employment, and existing companies expanded here as well. The film industry continued its rapid growth.

To read the full article, click here!

New Mexico Filmmakers Instensive Closes Its Doors

We'd like to pass on the information that the New Mexico Filmmakers Intensive is
closing its doors. Here's a letter from Diane Perrin, Director of the Intensive. . .

As you may know, the CSF Board of Trustees has committed to funding the
college through the Spring semester 2009. However, in light of the fact
that the NMFI runs from January through August, we are unable to provide our
students with the assurance that they will be able to complete this year’s
program. It is, therefore, with great sadness that we must announce the
Board has decided to cancel the NMFI 2009.

The NMFI was launched in 2007 by the Moving Image Arts department at the
College of Santa with a $1 million grant from the State of New Mexico and a
mission to support the state’s film industry initiatives by cultivating
above-the-line talent in New Mexico. The NMFI offers an immersion in four
key creative areas of filmmaking: Screenwriting, Directing, Producing and
Editing through hands-on experience and a comprehensive curriculum designed
to foster the development of an artist’s unique vision and the means to
deliver it.

In its two years of operation, the New Mexico Filmmakers Intensive has
provided opportunities for specialized above-the-line training to 58
students. NMFI students completed over 40 short and feature length
screenplays and produced 13 short films with cast & crew that included the
participation of over 300 individuals and close to 200 local New Mexican
businesses and organizations.

NMFI shorts have collectively been selected to participate in over 40
regional, national and international festivals and been awarded the
Humanitarian Award at the Sedona International Film Festival, Best Short
Film at the Sonoma Film Festival and Best Short Script at the Rhode Island
International Film Festival.

In addition, since completing the program, NMFI graduates have:

· Written, Directed, Produced and/or Edited 10 additional short films;

· Received a 2008 New Visions/New Mexico Contract Award of $10,000 from the
State and the Panavision Award ($10,000 of in-kind Panavision equipment);

· Collectively worked in various capacities on over 50 professional
independent and Hollywood feature films in New Mexico and elsewhere.

The success of the New Mexico Filmmakers Intensive has been a community
effort. For me, the program has brought both professional and personal
reward. My heartfelt thanks to everyone for their support of the program and
in particular to MOV Chair, Jonathan Wacks, whose vision for the future of
New Mexico’s film industry including a growing contingent of “homegrown”
filmmakers, is vivid, inspiring and real.

Diane Schneier Perrin
Director
NEW MEXICO FILMMAKERS INTENSIVE
College of Santa Fe
505/473-6417
dsp@csf.edu

Florida's Star is Dimming as More States Lure Movie Studios

Hollywood studios are finding better incentives elsewhere
By Sarah Talalay - South Florida Sun-Sentines
December 24,2008

When Marley & Me, starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, opens in theaters across the country on Christmas Day, South Florida moviegoers can enjoy picking out local landmarks from Las Olas Boulevard to Dolphin Stadium.

South Florida is as much a character in the film as Marley, the story's unruly Labrador. The two months spent shooting the film in the region this spring pumped more than $10 million into area businesses and paid wages for nearly 1,400 local film industry workers.

But Florida is beginning to fall off studios' radar. A fund the state provides to attract big film productions was slashed from $25 million last year to $5 million as the state struggled with its fiscal crisis.

Now in its fifth year, Florida's budget for incentives is being dwarfed by other states, such as Louisiana, New Mexico and Michigan.

Read the full article here

SAG Ready to Call it Off?

Emergency Meeting Called for January 12-13
By Dave McNary

SAG's postponement of its strike authorization vote may signal that its leaders are tilting in a more moderate direction -- so much so that the divisive vote may be called off.

It's still unclear what direction the national board will take at its emergency meeting on Jan. 12-13, scheduled ostensibly by national exec director Doug Allen and president Alan Rosenberg to persuade the fractured 71-member panel to present a united front and convince members to vote up a strike authorization.

But the timing of the Monday night announcement was telling. It came a few hours after Allen and Rosenberg met with leaders of the Unite for Strength faction, a group of Hollywood moderates who gained five board seats in the fall after campaigning on a platform that asserted that Rosenberg and his allies had bungled the contract negotiations strategy.

Unite for Strength spokesman Ned Vaughn told Daily Variety that he and his colleagues expressed concerns about going ahead with the vote, given the growing numbers of SAG members - particularly high-profile stars such as George Clooney and Tom Hanks - coming on the "no" side.

More than one option

• (Co) Daily Variety
  Filmography, Year, Role
• (Co) Daily Variety

"We felt that in light of what's been happening that it would have been reckless for the national board to proceed without having the chance to reconsider," Vaughn said. "We appreciate that they've taken our concerns seriously."

Read the full article here

Analysis: SAG Should Face the Facts

Guild Needs to Find Exit Strategy
By Cynthia Littleton

As the prima facie evidence mounts that SAG's 122,000-plus members are in no mood to approve a strike authorization vote, the guild's two top bosses -- prexy Alan Rosenberg and national exec director Doug Allen -- seem to be twisting in the chilly December wind, looking for reinforcement on their ill-advised decisions on their contract negotiations strategy with Hollywood's majors.

The latest gyration came late Monday night when Allen advised members via email that the strike authorization vote, originally skedded to commence Jan. 2, would be delayed until after SAG holds an emergency national board meeting on Jan. 12-13.

According to Allen, the powwow is needed to "address the unfortunate division and restore consensus" among SAG leaders for the strike authorization vote. Rosenberg said it would also give the guild more time for "member education and outreach" on why SAG leaders need to have the club of a strike threat in their back pocket.

The move to delay is a reaction to the rising chorus of SAG members saying "What are you, nuts?" in response to the guild's call for a strike authorization vote. That list includes the bulk of the guild's New York board, which requested the emergency meeting; the Chicago board; and more than 1,500 members, many of them marquee names, who have vowed to vote against the authorization.

SAG toppers emphasize that a vote to authorize a strike does not automatically mean they'd be hitting the picket lines, but guild members can be forgiven for not wanting to hand a loaded gun to the leaders who have waged such a quixotic contract negotiation campaign for nearly a year.

Read the entire article here