Ken Howard, third from lek, s tand~ with members of the SAG President's National Task Force for American Indians: Vice Chair Jaisey Bates, National C hair Delanna Studi and Membership Caucus Subcommittee Chair Brian Wescott . Action & Diversity Department, with a predominantly African-American as well as the union's various inner-city team. While the show was hy does Screen Actors Guild diversity committees comprised of SAG ultimately produced, achieving popularity W advocate for diversity? Because we members. (See the Spotlight below.) and critical acclaim, there were initial are diverse. Not only do members deserve New Screen Actors Guild National concerns that audiences might not a fair opportunity to be employed, but we President Ken Howard made his first respond to a drama featuring so many deserve the opportunity to bring the most public appearance September 28 and non-Caucasian actors in major roles. honest, authentic portrayals of the world kicked off the celebration at a caucus around us to the screen. hosted by the SAG President's National CELEBRATING PERFORMERS WITH As actors, we so infrequently have Task Force for American Indians. DISABILITIES control over other aspects of a production "We all know the media does not The Hollywood Disabilities Forum, such as writing and casting (although accurately reflect the full range of the held October 24 at the UCLA School of that's changing with new media), but we American Scene," Howard said. "And Theater, Film and Television, served as a can use our unique skill set to advance the we all know we have not reached our high-visibility reminder that people with conversation about how we'd like to see goals for diverse portrayals or diverse disabilities are a significant part of our the world portrayed. casting." Howard's remarks demonstrated society- nearly 20 percent of the U.S. SAG National Executive Director David his strong, personal commitment to population according to Census- yet White put it eloquently: "Someone once diversity within the entertainment people with disabilities remain "virtually said the reason we share stories is to feel industry, which also has been an ongoing invisible" in media portrayals on screen less alone. If that's the case, then more historical mission of Screen Actors Guild. and stage. people feel less alone in this world when "By pulling together we can achieve a "It's crucial for all of us - actors, we celebrate and promote diversity in our greater awareness and commitment to writers, directors, producers, casting entertainment." fair employment practices on the part of associates - to come together to examine industry decision-makers and ultimately these problems and create solutions," said PRESIDENT HOWARD KICKS OFF we will see expanded casting and hiring." Robert David Hall, master of ceremonies DIVERSITY AWARENESS MONTH But he noted that making strides and national chair of the tri-union While the Guild has worked for decades is never easy as he related his own Performers with Disabilities Committee. to advance issues of employment diversity, experiences in pitching The White Shadow "I always think of the little kid that needs SAG declared October "Diversity to network television in the 1970s. The to see for him or herself, their own image Awareness Month" and cast a four-week story chronicled the efforts of a white reflected. To be marginalized, to be spotlight on the efforts of its Affirmative high school basketball coach working cut out of mainstream TV, movies and CRHN ACTOR · Fall/Winter 2009 lEFT: SAG members march on Washington. RIGHT: Diana Elizabeth Jordan and Robert David Hall of the tri-union ... I AM PWD campaign . line he walks by featuring and casting are all openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or advertising stinks, and we're trying to performers with disabilities prominently transgender (LGBT). change that." in his irreverent comedies. He said The standing-room-only event explored The day of actor and writer workshops persons with disabilities were a part of the unique challenges and opportunities and panel discussions was a joint effort his world growing up, so it made sense to ofLGBT actors, and was hosted by the of SAG, AFTRA and Actors' Equity's tri­ him to feature them. SAG National LGBT Actors Committee union global civil rights campaign I AM Prominent actors participating in the and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against PWD (Inclusion in the Arts and Media of panel discussion included Linda Bove Defamation to commemorate National People with Disabilities), Writers Guild (Sesame Street), R.J. Mitte (Breaking Bad), Coming Out Day in October. of America, West, and Alliance for the Danny Woodburn (Seinfeld) and Daryl While there continues to be only a Inclusion in the Arts, among many others. "Chill" Mitchell (Brothers). handful of scripted LGBT characters each (Visit SAG.org for a more complete list of year, casting out actors to play those roles sponsors and participants.) CASTING CHALLENGES FOR GAY remains a complex formula, complicated During the morning sessions, I AM ACTORS EXPLORED further by box office economics and the PWD presented an Actors Master "Out in Hollywood III: The Rise of the lack of any out leading actors. Oscar­ Class, featuring actors with disabilities LGBT Actor" on October 7 brought winning producer Dan Jinks cast straight performing seven well-known five-minute together a panel of notable actors, casting actor Sean Penn in the title role of Milk. scenes for critique and direction from directors and producer-directors who "We knew that the only way we were Howard Deutch, Bill Continues on page 49 Duke and Paul Kampf. ·out in Hollywood Ill" brought In the afternoon, together out SAG members (clockwise participants gathered from top left) Bryan Batt (Mad Men). for special remarks Jonathon Slavin (BeNer off Ted), and panel discussion. Wilson Cnuz, Jesse Tyler Ferguson Keynote speaker Peter (AIIoclem Family), jason Stuart, chair Farrelly, producer­ of the SAG National LGBT Actors director-writer of Committee, Candis Coyne, Dalila Ali such films as There's Rajah, Colette Divine, Sirius XM Radio Something About personality Doria Biddle, J. Karen Mary and The Ringer, Thomas, and Emmywinning producer­ director Paris Barclay. talked about the fine CASTING DATA REPORTS Latest Stats Reveal Improvements for Non-Caucasian Actors verall, incremental gains have continue to be cast in twice the number of reprehensible and against the spirit of Obeen made recently toward a more roles. The 2 to 1 ratio has held steady since the terms of our Collective Bargaining diverse and inclusive media landscape, 2006. Roles for both men and women over Agreement." according to the 2007 and 2008 Casting the age of 40, however have increased 2-3 For more on SAG's Affirmative Action Data Reports, which are collected and percent since 2006. & Diversity efforts, visit SAG.org/diversity. analyzed by Screen Actors Guild as part of Information for the Casting Data its ongoing mission to promote diversity Reports is compiled by producers in on-screen entertainment In fact, 2007 signatory to the Guild's Television and was a high-water mark for non-Caucasian Theatrical contracts. Producers must performers, according to the Casting Data submit hiring data of performers on all Reports, although mostly represented in productions, with the purpose to improve supporting roles, while representation of conditions for equal employment access women and senior performers remained and opportunities. Data based on gender, relatively unchanged. age and race/ethnicity of performers is "Our talented diverse membership examined to determine hiring trends of is one of the many strengths that our traditionally underemployed and Screen Actors Guild can offer to disenfranchised membership. the entertainment industry," said SAG National Ethnic Employment DISABILITY NUMBERS REMAIN MISSING Opportunities Committee Chair L. In 2006, the Screen Actors Guild National Scott Caldwell. "Not only is it a moral Board unanimously approved a resolution imperative, but also a business necessity, to obtain the inclusion of performers for roles and portrayals in film, television with disabilities in the Casting Data and new media to reflect its diverse Reports. Since that time, SAG successfully audience. While we've certainly seen bargained for a new TV/Theatrical improvements in diverse, inclusive hiring Contract, but during negotiations was met and casting over the years, we must with fierce opposition to the collection of collectively continue this mandate to this data. Producers still refuse to collect accurately depict the American Scene in hiring statistics on performers with media." disabilities as they do regarding perceived The 2007 numbers show the highest age, gender and ethnicity. ethnic minority representation on record: "I count myself among the lucky few 29.3 percent of all TV and theatrical roles that make a living doing what I am were filled by non-Caucasian actors. In trained for and love to do-working 2008, however, the numbers fell to 27.5 alongside creative professionals on film, percent, slightly below the 2006 number television and commercial sets. So I find of27.7 percent. Asian/Pacific was the only it appalling that I, as a performer with a minority group to gain in percentage of disability, am not counted in the Casting roles from 2007 to 2008, increasing from Data Report," said Steve Gladstone, 3.4 percent of all roles to 3.8 percent of all Florida Branch president and national roles. African-American roles showed the co-chair of the SAG Performers with largest drop in proportion to total roles, Disabilities Committee. "As we prepare falling from 14.8 percent in 2007 to 13.3 to negotiate the next TV/Theatrical percent of total roles in 2008. Contract, any further delay in agreeing Sondra of ABCs The report also shows that men to count performers with disabilities is Oh Greys Anoromy .. SAG Celebrates Diversity, continued from page 47 going to get the movie financed was to Ellen and Samantha Who.