#Unionstrong

On July 13th, after a contract negotiation extension,  SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, armed with an historic 97.91% membership vote to authorize a strike, announced the decision to take to the picket lines to fight for a fair contract which meaningfully recognizes and remunerates the artists and storytellers in the SAG-AFTRA membership for their the collaborations and contributions.

We’ve joined the Writers Guild of America West and East on strike against the Alliance of Film and Television Producers (AMPTP) as we face many of the same issues, with the threat of Artificial Intelligence, poor residuals, increased health care costs, shortened seasons, and a lack of streaming data. The WGA is currently reviewing the counter deal terms proposed by the AMPTP on 8/11/23, and there is hope filtering in our communities that the strikes may be resolved by mid-October.

In adherence to SAG-AFTRA strike requirements, there will be no mention here or elsewhere of my projects affiliated with any member of the AMPTP, or without a signed SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement (which have been granted to many independent projects), unless their contracts are considered “Non-Struck”.

When the SAG-AFTRA membership ratifies a new contract, which I hope will be sometime this Autumn, you’ll hear about those projects once again. Please see below for more information and photos from our Hot Strike Summer.

THE OTHER MIND

 Please support us at

@theothermind_movie, a film based on @andycruz_film struggle with OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)⁣

Director @andycruz_film

Starring @jamalljohnson__

Staring @alexisbsantiago

Staring @iamsharongardner

Cinematographer @shawfisher

Composer @adamschoenbergmusic

Sound Mix @mandalorian_misfit

#Ocd #ocdawareness #shortfilm

Here’s the trailer:

 Andy’s story:

"I was working on a Netflix show when I suddenly developed severe OCD. My condition was so bad, one of the producer’s told me I had a few months to “figure-it-out”or they would fire me. After being misdiagnosed by every doctor, I had no clue what was wrong with me. I hope and thought my Hollywood dreams were over. After careful research, and the right doctor, I realized I had Obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD is a condition that is extremely misunderstood. In fact, even the industry I love hasn’t done the best job of portraying it correctly. So it was important to me, to make a film that showed what living with this hellish-nightmare is truly like. Creating this film gave me the hope I needed to get my life back. I was able to return to my Netflix job and find a way to work on my dream show - HBO’s “Euphoria” With that said, I’d like to thank the entire Euphoria post production team for all their support and understanding.⁣

⁣

The Other Mind is based on my real life struggle with Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD is a chronic disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (“obsessions”) and/or behaviors (“compulsions”) that they feel the urge to repeat over and over.” It’s my hope the this film can provide even an ounce of hope for anyone with this condition.⁣"

THE DISAPPOINTMENTS

Just in time for Pride month, the Season 2 trailer was cut and screened in WeHo, L.A., and it was a hoot, a holler, and a heartache to glimpse our heroes Ray, Gary, and James journey through transformations that upturn their lives.

It has been an absolute delight to join the S.2 cast of the Humanitas Prize-winning black comedy  “The Disappointments”, about 3 gay best friends in their late 50’s reconciling their personal dreams with the realities of their lives in Los Angeles.  I’m on board as Rachel Payne, a TV producer and chic control freak who marches to the beat of her own restless timpani.

Here’s the trailer: wait for it!

Watch Season 1 here:

To receive such a gracious welcome for S.2 with these lovely and brilliant people has been a complete joy:  E.P. Steve Cubine, writer, director, star, and E.P. Rich Burns,  Prod. Trevor LaPaglia, Gedde Watanabe, James Campbell, Luke Grady, Chuck Saculla, Michael Corbett, Debbie Pollack, June Carryl, make-up genius Cheryl Calo, fabulous costume designer Cat Velosa, and the fantastic team of actors and crew.  The world needs these empowering stories more than ever! Thank you for sharing the love.  

#UnionStrong

On May 2nd, the Writers Guild of America began a strike to compel the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers  (AMPTP) to forge a new contract to address a number of critical issues, including the existential threat of Artificial Intelligence (AI) , streaming data transparency, shortened seasons, poor residuals, and the prevalence of shows’ "mini-rooms”.  The WGA is currently reviewing the counter deal terms proposed by the AMPTP on 8/11/23, and there is hope filtering in our communities that the strikes may be resolved by mid-October.

As the WGA states on their website,

which I urge you to visit to understand the stakes involved,"Writers are facing the most comprehensive assault on compensation and working conditions that they have seen in a generation. The studios have taken advantage of the transition to streaming to underpay entertainment industry workers, including writers in every area of work. Like too many working people across our economy, as corporate profits grow, writers are just not keeping up.” 

ABOVE: At the WGA Strong rally with 5,000 strikers and

supporters at the park at the La Brea Tar Pits.  Can you tell this photo was shot by a member of the cinematographers and crew union, IATSE?

I didn’t get his name, but I say “Thank you, kind sir!”.   

I’ve joined in solidarity as a SAG-AFTRA and AEA member by walking the picket lines at, so far, Sony, Netflix, and Paramount, and by using my loud voice to chant in unison with my fellow artists and encourage passers-by to honk in support.  

I’ve enjoyed meeting so many writers and seeing old friends as well: it’s been the strike’s silver lining.

National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator,  Duncan Crabtree-Ireland writes:

"There has been a sea change in the entertainment industry, from the proliferation of streaming platforms to the recent explosion of generative AI, and at stake is the ability of our members to make a living. We must ensure that new developments in the entertainment industry are not used to devalue or disrespect the performers who bring productions to life."

Please visit SAG-AFTRA to stay up-to-date. 

COMING in 2024

B.F.F.R.

OF SILENCE AND SONG

PRO BONO

Summer is precious to me, with time devoted to family, friends, nature, a good book, and a summer blockbuster in the cinema.  We celebrate Independence Day on the East Coast with our extended family, and mine and my twin sister’s birthday shortly thereafter, and it’s an opportunity to connect with joy and remembrance to our history and plant seeds for the new year’s goals and dreams.

REPRESENTATION