Self-described ‘working class actor’ John Cygan offers his take on the deal that AFTRA signed and why SAG should not agree to that same deal. What do you think?

FROM: Drew Mayer-Oakes, TXMPA Legislative Committee We are fast approaching the Texas Motion Picture Alliance Lobby Day for 2009. Thank you for your participation last session – we need your help again. If you are able to volunteer again, the TXMPA needs you! Lobby Day is March 4th, with orientation and training for new team [...]

You probably know the names Scott Wilson and David Clennon, but even if you don’t immediately snap to their name, you’ll surely know their faces. Each of these men has a long and impressive body work as professional actors. Their comments on the importance of residual income are comments that I agree with wholeheartedly. Check [...]

Attention TXMPA Central Region members, potential members and friends. Do you care about the moving image industry in Texas? Our legislative rallying cry/ kickoff mixer & information session will be Monday, January 26 from 6-9 at: Roux Restaurant 214 E. 6th St, Austin 78701 512 479 0474 just a couple of doors down from the [...]

If any more evidence were required to demonstrate the severely dysfunctional nature relationships that define SAG leadership, read on. Now it seems the board can’t agree to withdraw the strike authorization proposal and ask for a vote on the contract. Someday this will end…won’t it? Dear Member, On October 19, your National Board voted by [...]

As 2008 draws to a close with no contract between SAG and the AMPTP, the animosity between factions within SAG has only become more vitriolic. What is the best course of action? Accept a truly lousy contract now and hope to undo the damage in three years? Or reject the contract and take a strike [...]

Here is an excerpt of a recent article from the Austin Business Journal that offers a bit of positive news for the local film industry The full article can be found HERE: Friday, December 5, 2008 New action in local film sector No. 1 ranking in movie magazine lures producers Brady Anderton and Ben Hurst [...]

SAG Announces Plan for Strike Authorization Vote: LOS ANGELES, DECEMBER 10, 2008 — Screen Actors Guild today announced that strike authorization ballots will be mailed to paid-up SAG members on Friday January 2, 2009, and will be tabulated on Friday, January 23. A yes vote by 75% of members voting is required to pass the [...]

Here’s the latest SAG production update that members receive via email. I’m just including Texas and Louisiana here. Note the number of “TH”, that is ‘Theatrical’ contracts in Louisiana vs the number of low budget contracted productions in Texas. This is a reminder of what is at stake unless the Texas legislature improves the tax [...]

Dear Screen Actors Guild Member, In an “open letter” full-page ad published today in the Los Angeles Times, eight entertainment industry CEO’s whose annual salaries and bonuses exceed the amount needed to achieve labor peace for our industry asked why SAG wants a better deal than the other Hollywood guilds. What they conveniently left out [...]