SEPTEMBER “The greatest tragedy in life 2011 is not death; the greatest tragedy takes place when our Volume 96 talents and capabilities are Number 7 underutilized and allowed to rust while we are living.” EQUITYNEWS —Amma A Publication of Actors’ Equity Association • NEWS FOR THE THEATRE PROFESSIONAL • www.actorsequity.org • Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY and Additional Mailing Offices First Membership Meeting of Production Contract Negotiations Update the 2011-2012 Season he negotiations for the a presentation of their proposals. side is listening intently to what Production Contract have The afternoon of the first day the other says and a better will be held on been in full swing since was devoted to the start of understanding about positions is Monday, October 10, 2011 – Western Region (11 am) T the last week of July. The two discussions and signaled that emerging. That open dialogue Monday, October 10, 2011 – Central Region (1 pm) sides have met more than a both sides were ready to do and the examination of the Friday, October 14, 2011 – Eastern Region (2 pm) dozen times and the talks are business. issues are allowing for these The Western Regional Meeting will convene on Monday, progressing slowly through each Negotiations can be a slow negotiations to be productive. October 10, 2011 at 11 am in the Bellamy Board Room in the of the proposals. process, as each side presents Still too early (at press time) to Equity office, 6755 Hollywood Boulevard, The first session set a new their point of view or holds report specifics, it is the intent of 5th Floor, Hollywood, CA. tone and tenor for the talks. In a caucus sessions to dissect what both Equity and the League to The agenda will include the following: departure from tradition, the had just been said at the table. negotiate a contract that is fair • Report of the Western Regional Director. Producers opened the talks by The Equity–League negotiations and equitable by the expiration of presenting their proposals. are no different and the talks are the current contract, which is • Report of the Western Regional Vice President. Equity listened and followed with moving forward gradually. Each September 25th . • Membership Discussion Period in accordance with the By-Laws. The Central Regional Meeting will be convene on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 1 pm in the Member Center at the Equity Building, 557 West Randolph, Chicago, IL. AEA Signs Groundbreaking Agreement The agenda will include the following: • Report of the Central Regional Director. Covering Non-Disney Amusement Parks • Report of the Central Regional Vice President. quity has signed a newly • Membership Discussion Period in accordance with the By-Laws. created, national The Eastern Regional Meeting will convene on Friday, October Eagreement with RWS and 14, 2011 at 2 pm in the Council Room on the 14th Floor of the Associates (Ryan Stana, Equity Building, 165 West 46th Street, New York, NY. Executive Producer), a New The agenda will include the following: York-based firm that produces entertainment for amusement • Report of the Eastern Regional Director. parks. The contract, signed in • Report of the Eastern Regional Vice President. August, 2011, opens up a new • Membership Discussion Period in accordance with the By-Laws. area of contract work for Equity A sign interpreter will be present on request. Equity’s TDD members and is the result of a telephone number – Telecommunication Device for the Deaf – cooperative and focused is (212) 302-4306. Equity/Producer relationship. Future Membership Meetings will be held on Friday, The agreement provides January 6, 2012 in the Eastern Region and Monday, January salaries of a minimum of 9, 2012 in the Central and Western Regions. The Annual $400/week, as well as a full Meeting will be held on Friday, April 13, 2012 in all Regions. benefits package, including health and pension contributions, and appropriate work rules. It also calls for a 50% ratio of entertainment, many of which enter into this partnership with Coming Soon: Equity Actors and an Equity are based on existing properties RWS and Associates allowing Stage Manager for larger casts. such as Rock Band, Survivor, Equity Actors and Stage With the exception of Disney, this Bob The Builder and Thomas & Managers the opportunity to Communications Survey agreement is the only negotiated Friends , to name a few, as well work in their productions under Part II contract that covers work at as traditional theme park this new contract,” says Flora amusement parks. musical entertainment. The firm Stamatiades, Equity’s National ast summer, AEA’s first of a series of surveys RWS and Associates also produces entertainment for Director, Organizing & Special Communications focusing on improving Entertainment, Inc. is an Emmy corporations and retail centers Projects. “This is truly an LDepartment launched the communications between the Award-winning production firm across the country. exciting move forward for both Union and the membership. that produces branded “We are very pleased to Equity and RWS.” These surveys delve into a variety of areas, including Equity News, bulk email, AEA’s website, Jeanna Belkin Steps Down (See the President’s column, social networking and other page 3.) A tribute to Ms. Belkin communications modalities. for her unparalleled service As Pension & HealthTrustee as a Trustee and Equity “Our goal is to make our Jeanna Belkin has stepped Equity-League Pension and Councillor will appear in a communications more down as a Trustee of the Health Plans after 46 years. future issue of Equity News. informative, efficient and eco- friendly,” said National Communications Director David Lotz. “We want to know how members want to get their news ShareYour Story for Equity’s Centennial from Equity and, most importantly, how they want Please be heard, or go to Equity to connect with them in share your www.actorsequity.org for more the future.” personal details. Part II will focus on the stories as an Index website, e-blasts and social AEA member, S behind-the- networking. Groundbreaking Agreement W scenes photos, d Look for your Communi- for Non-Disney E e t quity is creating a personal images and videos, as t s Amusement Parks ................... 1 e e 6 cations survey online at N e u e 3 personal and lasting g r well as personal memorabilia to q 0 Y t a e t 0 www.actorsequity.org in the N From the President: S Y s R 1 , multimedia history of the include in The Narrative o k h e r P t Y T E c coming weeks. If you don’t have A tribute to Jeanna Belkin .......... 3 i o 6 s Union through the eyes of v N Y Project. I r s 4 , e a w t computer access, contact the l k e Unclaimed funds at AFCU .......... 4 S r s Equity members across the C Visit the AEA Centennial U N e s o d s Communications Department at Y n n i W e country as an integral part of the r National News ....................... 5 o page at www.facebook.com/ w d Q 5 d c i e (212) 869-8530 x 330 and a d e 6 a 2012-2013 Centennial 1 A S P N E AEA100 to share your survey will be mailed to you. Letters ................................. 8 celebration. memories and let your voice 2 / EQUITY news SEPTEMBER 2011 Area Liaison Actors Unite to End President Nick Wyman Hotline system Alzheimer’s Honored At National Call 877-AEA-1913 ancy Daly, former Care of Our Own,” in each city. Labor College Gala Equity has a National toll-free Equity Councillor, has There is no cost to register and founded a National no minimum donation is hotline system for members who N resident Nick Wyman honorees were Ray Hair, Team—“We Take Care of Our required. Other cities might be live in Area Liaison and office was among the enter - President, American Federation Own – Actors added, so check the cities. The number is 877-AEA- tainment industry na - of Musicians; Ken Howard, United to End Equity website, P 1913 (honoring the year of Eq - tional presidents honored at the President, Screen Actors Guild; Alzheimer’s”— www.actorsequity.org uity’s founding). Each Area National Labor College Gala in Matthew D. Loeb, President, to join in the for updates. Liaison city has its own exten - Silver Spring, Maryland on Au - International Alliance of National Walk Everyone is sion, where members can ac - gust 2, 2011. Mr. Wyman was Theatrical Stage Employees, to End welcome—actors, cess news and information in Alzheimer’s sponsored by the directors, writers, stagehands, their region. Alzheimer’s Association. musicians, friends and family. So (1) Dial 877-AEA-1913 Teams are registered for the join as we show support for our (2) Dial your city extension: walks in Los Angeles on members and their families who Sunday, October 9, a 5K Walk in are living with this heartbreaking 811 Atlanta Century City; in New York on disease. We do, indeed, take 812 Austin/San Antonio Sunday, October 23, a one to care of our own. Nancy wrote an 813 Boston two mile Walk in Riverside Park; article, “Living in Twilight – An 814 Buffalo/Rochester in Washington, DC on Saturday, Alzheimer’s Story,” that was 815 Chicago November 5, a one to two mile published in the October/ 816 Cincinnati/Louisville Walk on the National Mall; and in November 2010 issue of Equity 817 Cleveland Hollywood, FL on Saturday, News. Out of respect for her 818 Dallas/Fort Worth November 5, a 5K Walk at the parents’ privacy, she did not sign 819 Denver Hollywood North Beach Park.