Members Turn Out to “Get Your ACT Together” in Georgia

The Organizing Committee and staff of the AFTRA Atlanta Local and SAG Georgia Branch sponsored a career day for members aimed at education, information, and building the tools necessary to get work in today’s market. A huge success, “Get Your ACT Together” was held on Saturday, June 23.
 
Georgia is a “right-to-work-for-less” state so the committee did not miss the opportunity to showcase the benefits of membership to the substantial pool of non-union talent in the area as we promoted “Get Your ACT Together.” Getting the word out started with a series of e-blasts followed by a postcard mailing to members, as well as strategically placed announcements at agents and casting directors’ offices. The numerous inquiries about the event from non-members proved the event to be an effective organizing tool. 

Atlanta Local VP Mike Pniewski (right) and new Atlanta Local AFTRA Board member Wayne Steadman (left) talk with Pixel Pusher reproduction services.

Many members arrived before the doors officially opened and lined up at the booth to have their voiceover demo critiqued by Susan Blaine of Captive Sound Studios. Then it was off to get their headshot evaluated by Kathy Hardegree, owner of Georgia’s oldest talent agency, Atlanta Models & Talent. Some members chose a one-on one-make up consultation with the highly sought-after industrial, film, and commercial make up artist, Jaye Pniewski.   Two phenomenal Q&A sessions were packed with members eager to hear about everything from the impact of new media, to contracts, to what it takes to turn a non-union job into a union job from our panel of experts:

▪ “Voices of The 21st Century” Q&A session included Susan Blaine of Captive Sound, voiceover artists Dick Klinger and Susan Bennett, and voiceover agent Richard Hutchison of RSH Management. The session covered many issues important to members whether they provide their voice for industrial narration, commercials, phone messaging, videogames, or animation. ▪ Executive Director Melissa Goodman joined Industrial Producer Lee Davis of Paul French & Partners, Indie Producer, Linda Burns and Producer/Director George Watkins of Synergy Films for the Q&A session entitled “Get Me In Front Of The Camera.” Members learned what tools they need to sharpen to get more industrial, commercial, and television work.

Members listen intensely to experts on the Voices of the 21st Century panel.

Voiceover panelists (left to right): Susan Blaine, Richard Hutchinson, AFTRA voiceover artist Susan Bennet, and AFTRA National Board member and voiceover artist Dick Klinger.

The benefits of membership didn’t end there. A few lucky members walked away with door prizes that included voice coaching, two hours of voiceover recording and editing studio time, a headshot photo session, one hundred headshot reproductions, and more! Plus there were some nice giveaways like AFTRA notepads, buttons, and lanyards.

So where do we go from here? The Organizing Committee (Co-Chaired by Mike Pniewski and Debra Nelson, and including Marianne Fraulo, Karen Beyer, Mark Gray, and Robin Bittman) is already hard at work on the next event aimed at bringing producers, casting directors, and other decision makers together to promote the benefits of using union talent.

Participants, panelists, organizers, staff at the 2007 "Get Your ACT Together" career day in Atlanta

Here’s what a few members had to say...

“I want to thank you and all who helped set up and run the Career Day last Saturday—this was a memorable and informative event. The panels were excellent and the individual consultations were very helpful.”
—William Colquitt

“Words can not express the gratitude that I feel towards all who helped to plan, organize, set-up, or even clean-up after this major event. Thank you for having the fortitude and moxie to see it through to fruition.
—Doris Woodruff

”Lots of practical information was dispensed. Wonderful Panel Discussions with leaders in various fields, fun networking, etc... I posted about the great day in My Blog.” 
—Lisa Nanette Allender

“Thank you all. Well worth my time.”  
—Clarence Cagle

Reported by Debra Nelson and Mike Pniewski, Organizing Committee Co-Chairs.