Kurt Kelly

Kurt Kelly

Kurt Kelly | Voices.com

Source: www.voices.com

Kurt Kelly is a professional voice over talent and voice actor featured at Voices.com. View Kurt's profile, listen to audio recordings and read ratings and reviews

http://www.voices.com/people/kurtkelly

“What You Need to Know About Your Agency Contract Before Signing It”

Hollywood Guild Members: Don't Miss this SAG General Services Agreement Seminar December 2

Don’t Miss this SAG General Services Agreement Seminar on

“What You Need to Know About Your Agency Contract Before Signing It”
Wednesday, December 2, 2009

What: Screen Actors Guild National Agency staff will hold a bi-coastal educational seminar on general service agreements, or GSAs (i.e. the contracts that ATA/NATR agents have been using to represent our members instead of the standard SAG agency contract). These GSA contracts are signed outside of SAG’s protection, and it is imperative that members have a working knowledge of what these contracts say before signing them—your professional future and your income may depend on it. This educational seminar will be especially helpful to any member who is having trouble making sense of the complicated legal language contained in the contracts that their agents have provided them. We urge all SAG members to attend. This event will not be taped.

When: 12-2:30 p.m. (PST) and 3-5:30 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, December 2, 2009

(RSVP required*)

Where:

Los Angeles: James Cagney Board Room (first floor), 5757 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA  90036. Parking will be validated.

New York: NY Boardroom, 360 Madison Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY  10017

Who: The seminar will be conducted by the National Director and Senior Counsel of Agency Relations, Zino Macaluso, and the Senior Agency Manager, Xochitl Cerda, in Los Angeles. Members in New York will participate live via videoconference. We strongly encourage all members who attend to bring a notepad and pen with them to these meetings. 

*RSVP: Performers interested in attending should immediately email the Guild’s agency mailbox at agentquestion@sag.org. Please write SAG GSA Seminar—Reservation in the subject line. YOU MUST ALSO INDICATE IF YOU ARE PARTICIPATING FROM HOLLYWOOD OR NEW YORK. Only those members who have received confirmation emails from SAG may attend, so please act quickly as seating is limited.

Questions about upcoming events should be directed to the SAG Agency Department at (323) 549-6745 (Hollywood) or (212) 827-1445. (Any performer who has to cancel a reservation is asked to notify SAG immediately so that members on the waiting list may be contacted). Thank you. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, December 2, 2009.

All paid-up SAG members in good standing will be able to attend. Unfortunately, no guests allowed. Parents/guardians of young performers under 18 years-old are welcome. PLEASE BRING YOUR SAG MEMBERSHIP CARD FOR ADMITTANCE (paid thru October 31, 2009).

World AIDS Day Fundraiser

World AIDS Day Fundraiser to support AFTRA Members in Need – Dec. 1

Flash!

Los Angeles

November 2009

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The Board of Trustees of the Frank Nelson Memorial Sick & Benefit Fund
of AFTRA invite you to support their first

Annual World AIDS Day Fundraiser and Silent Auction
Dec. 1, 2009

This year marks the 21st anniversary of World AIDS Day urging a spirit of social tolerance and a greater awareness of HIV/AIDS on an international scale.

Marie Callender’s Grill
5773 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90036
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Auction and Bidding: 6 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.

Among the items to be auctioned are:
A special edition of Save the Children S. Bulgari silver ring, a T-Mobile Smartphone,
a gentleman’s Toy Watch, a Nintendo Lite DS, a Jawbone Bluetooth, MAC Make-up Box,
Ellen’s game and movie basket, Dr. Phil’s book basket, a Sarah Silverman basket,
“Jimmy Kimmel Live” VIP tickets & Green Room passes and swag from many AFTRA shows & much more!

$35.00 per person includes food and drink
All proceeds benefit the Fund's programs for AFTRA members in need.

To purchase tickets, please call:
Caroline Coderoni, 323.634.8240
or
Consuelo Flores, 323.634.8181

The Frank Nelson Memorial Sick & Benefit Fund's mission is to help qualified AFTRA members who face a crisis caused by illness, injury or other emergency with temporary financial assistance for basic livings needs. It is a separate agency from AFTRA, the labor union, is not supported by member dues but relies on grants and donations to continue its important work. Donations to The Frank Nelson Memorial Sick & Benefit Fund (FNF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Federal I.D.#95-4195212) may be considered as a charitable contribution for tax purposes.

SAG Awards® Online Auctions

SAG Awards® Online Auctions to benefit the SAG Foundation to be managed by Clothes Off Our Back

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carrie White
cwhite@sagawards.org
(323) 549-6612

Annual SAG Awards® Online Auctions to benefit the SAG Foundation
 to be managed by Clothes Off Our Back
www.sagawards.org/auction

Los Angeles, California (November 16, 2009) – For the first time, the annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® Online Auctions to benefit the Screen Actors Guild Foundation will be managed by Clothes Off Our Back. The auctions feature one of kind memorabilia, experiences and vacation packages.

The annual online SAG Awards Auctions benefits the SAG Foundation, currently celebrating its 25th year, to help make possible the Foundation's nationwide children's literacy programs now reaching 100,000 children per week through BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools) and Storyline Online, the Foundation’s Actors Center and Foundation programs providing emergency relief to members in economic distress, emergency funds for members with catastrophic illnesses, video and audio preservation of the creative legacy of SAG members and scholarships for performers and their children.

The Clothes Off Our Back Foundation is a 501c3 organization that hosts charity auctions showcasing today's hottest celebrity attire. Items are put up for bid to the public with proceeds going to benefit children's charities. Clothes Off Our Back was founded by actors and philanthropists Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm In The Middle," "Raising the Bar") and Bradley Whitford ("The West Wing," "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip"), whose efforts, along with their celebrity and designer friends have helped improve the lives of children across the globe.

The SAG Awards Holiday Auction, which kicks off Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009 and runs through Friday, Dec. 18, will feature one-of-a-kind holiday gift inspirations including a VIP SAG Awards ticket package, autographed movie posters, red carpet bleacher seats, gift baskets and vacation packages. The Red Carpet Bleacher Seat auction is from Monday, Jan. 4 to Monday, Jan. 11, 2010 offering fans the opportunity to cheer SAG Awards nominees and presenters as they make their way down the red carpet. The Ceremony Auction runs from January 21 to Jan 29 with SAG Awards memorabilia, collectibles and one-of-a kind experiences donated by studios, presenters and nominees and their films and television programs.

“The 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards” will be produced by Jeff Margolis Productions in association with Screen Actors Guild Awards®, LLC. Jeff Margolis is the executive producer and director. Kathy Connell is the producer. JoBeth Williams, Daryl Anderson, Scott Bakula, Shelley Fabares and Paul Napier are producers for SAG. Gloria Fujita O’Brien and Mick McCullough are supervising producers. Benn Fleishman is executive in charge of production.  More information is available online at www.sagawards.org.

Screen Actors Guild is the nation’s largest labor union representing working actors. Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts in the 1940s to fighting for artists’ rights amid the digital revolution sweeping the entertainment industry in the 21st century. With 20 branches nationwide, SAG represents more than 120,000 actors who work in film and digital theatrical motion pictures and television programs, commercials, video games, industrials, Internet and all new media formats.  The Guild exists to enhance actors’ working conditions, compensation and benefits and to be a powerful, unified voice on behalf of artists’ rights. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SAG is a proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO. More information is available online at www.sag.org.

TBS, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is television's top-rated comedy network.  It serves as home to such original comedy series as "My Boys," Tyler Perry's “House of Payne" and “Meet the Browns,” as well as the upcoming “Neighbors from Hell”; late-night series like “Lopez Tonight,” starring George Lopez, and “The Very Funny Show,” hosted by Tim Meadows; hot contemporary comedies like "The Office," "My Name is Earl," "Family Guy” and "Seinfeld"; specials like "Funniest Commercials of the Year"; special events, including star-studded comedy festivals in Chicago and Las Vegas; blockbuster movies; and hosted movie showcases.

Turner Network Television (TNT), one of cable's top-rated networks, is television's destination for drama and home to such original series as the acclaimed and highly popular detective drama "The Closer," starring Kyra Sedgwick; "Saving Grace," starring Holly Hunter; "Raising the Bar," with Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gloria Reuben and Jane Kaczmarek; "Leverage," starring Timothy Hutton; “HawthoRNe,” with Jada Pinkett Smith; and “Dark Blue” starring Dylan McDermott, as well as the newly acquired "Southland."  TNT also presents such powerful dramas, such as "Bones," "CSI: NY" and "Numb3rs"; broadcast premiere movies; compelling primetime specials, such as the “Screen Actors Guild Awards®”; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA.  TNT is available in high-definition.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

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Performance Capture Work

Hollywood Guild Members:  Attend a Meeting to Discuss  Performance Capture Work December 3

Attend a Meeting to Discuss Performance Capture Work
Thursday, December 3, 2009

All Members and Non-Members who have been engaged to do Performance Capture work (also known as Motion Capture and Mo-Cap) for motion picture, television, commercial and new media productions, covered by SAG contracts, and those not produced under union agreements, are invited to attend a meeting to discuss with the Contract Department Staff and members of the TV/Theatrical Standing Committee, Performance Capture and its impact and application to our contracts.

Please inform your fellow union members and any non-members who perform this work about this important meeting. Participation is limited only by fire department regulations.

When: 7-8:30 p.m., Thursday December 3, 2009

Where: James Cagney Board Room, ground floor

5757 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA  90036

Parking will be validated.

                               

Performers who do Performance Capture work and who are not from Los Angeles, yet happen to find themselves in Los Angeles on the day of the discussion, are invited to attend.

Parents/guardians of young performers under 18 years-old are welcome.

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For address changes, removals, and misdeliveries, please follow the procedures at: 
http://www.sag.org/Content/Public/Email_OptOut.htm

Jeff Wald as its New Director of Broadcast

AFTRA Los Angeles Appoints Jeff Wald as its New Director of Broadcast

AFTRA Los Angeles is pleased to announce the appointment of Los Angeles news veteran Jeff Wald as its new Director of Broadcast.  A copy of the news release about Jeff’s appointment is provided below.

Jeff and the entire AFTRA Los Angeles Broadcast Department team are ready to assist you with any questions you have related to your contract, your AFTRA benefits, or any other issues which may arise.

Please feel free to contact them:

Jeff Wald, Director, Broadcast
323.634.8117 (Direct), jwald@aftra.com (Email)

Ed Barnes, Business Representative/Organizer, Health & Retirement Ombudsman
323.634.8105 (Direct), ebarnes@aftra.com (Email)     

Josh Kruskol, Business Representative/Organizer 
323.634.8108 (Direct), jkruskol@aftra.com (Email)     

Patricia Morgan, Business Representative/Organizer 
323.634.8112 (Direct), pmorgan@aftra.com (Email)    

Bill Thomas, Executive Director, AFTRA Los Angeles 
323.634.8132 (Direct), bthomas@aftra.com (Email)     

Broadcast Department Assistants 
Dawn Leonard 323.634.8129 (Direct), dleonard@aftra.com 
(Email) Connie Ross 323.634.8119 (Direct), cross@aftra.com (Email) 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Meredith Snow, L.A. Director of Communications 323.634.8131, msnow@aftra.com AFTRA LOS ANGELES APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF BROADCAST LOS ANGELES (November 16, 2009)—The Los Angeles Local of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) announced today the hiring of Jeff Wald as Los Angeles Director of Broadcast. Jeff will manage the daily operations of the Los Angeles Broadcast Department including contract negotiations and contract enforcement for all AFTRA television and radio stations in the Southern California market. He will report to Bill Thomas, Executive Director of AFTRA Los Angeles.  “We’re pleased to welcome Jeff to AFTRA Los Angeles,” said Bill Thomas. “Jeff’s wealth of experience and his intimate knowledge of the broadcast business, both here in Los Angeles and across the country, position him as a strong advocate for AFTRA broadcast journalists in the evolving news media industry.” Jeff previously served News Director for both KTLA Los Angeles and KCOP-TV. He also worked with Frank N. Magid as a consultant and eventually opened his own consulting agency where he advised all Clear Channel television stations nationwide and owned a news talent agency, Media People. As Executive Producer at KTLA and at KCOP, Jeff received 13 Emmys for news programming. He was also named Journalist of the Year by the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ-LA) and has been honored with 23 Golden Mike Awards. Jeff has served as President of the Radio and Television News Association of Southern California and has served on the boards of SPJ-LA and of APTRA (Associated Press Television and Radio Association). Jeff has also taught journalism at UCLA and Broadcast Journalism at USC, his alma mater. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Telecommunications. About AFTRA The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO, are the people who entertain and inform America. In 32 Locals across the country, AFTRA members work as actors, journalists, singers, dancers, announcers, hosts, comedians, disc jockeys, and other performers across the media industries including television, radio, cable, sound recordings, music videos, commercials, audiobooks, non-broadcast industrials, interactive games, the Internet and other digital media. The 70,000 professional performers, broadcasters, and recording artists of AFTRA are working together to protect and improve their jobs, lives, and communities in the 21st century. From new art forms to new technology, AFTRA members embrace change in their work and craft to enhance American culture and society. Visit AFTRA online at www.aftra.com.

BIG SUNDAY

Mid-November

Dear Friends:
Two quick things:

• Thanks so much to everyone that has already looked at the 7th (or 8th) Annual Big Sunday Holiday Volunteering and Giving Opportunities List and made a donation.
  
  Here’s part of an e-mail from a recipients to someone who was nice enough to respond to an emergency request for food by donating 16 bags full of food (!) to a needy family:
  

  "Oh my goodness! Your generosity is overwhelming! I delivered the bags and bags of food on Friday. It will keep this family going for months! They were moved to tears.
  
  I can’t tell you how touched I am that you choose to help us off of the long “wish list” that Big Sunday published."

  Many people still need your help. Check out the full list at www.bigsunday.org. (And check out the daily featured special holiday need on Big Sunday’s nifty Facebook page, too.)
  

• Due to popular demand, we’ll be having our 2nd Big Sunday info meeting of the year on Sunday, December 6, from 3 – 5 in the afternoon at our office (still 7319 Beverly Blvd., still across from El Coyote). Everyone is welcome – those looking to help, those needing help, Big Sunday vets, and Big Sunday newbies, too. If you can come, please rsvp here http://tinyurl.com/dec6meet or you can reply at our nifty Facebook page for that, too. (It’s very casual – we just need to know how many of our great snacks to get.)

Thanks as always,

David T. Levinson
Founder and Executive Director

Welcome the Beach House Artist in Residence, Majid Naficy

 

 

Welcome the Beach House Artist in Residence, Majid Naficy - November 23rd at 6:30 pm   Why do I speak in poetry? Because in this heavy mist I cannot be a lighthouse For drifting boats. - Majid Naficy   The Annenberg Community Beach House welcomes its first Artist in Residence, poet Majid Naficy. His work is intensely lyrical yet gritty, as it moves between his past in Iran and his present in L.A. An accomplished poet, Majid fled Iran in 1983 after the execution of his wife, Ezzat, in Tehran. He has been a resident of Venice Beach and Santa Monica since 1984. His experience leads to work that makes startling connections between human nature post-revolution and on the streets that surround us. Majid will work on a new collection of poetry while in residence through January.   November 23, 6:30 pm: Poetry Reading with Najid Naficy Please join us for his first reading, focusing on the theme of Santa Monica. (Addtional reading to follow in December.) Events are free - Reserve your seat today.  Parking is $3/hr. The Marion Davies Guest House opens for tours at 5:15 pm. Please note: Back on the Beach Cafe is not open Monday evenings   Enjoy our view deck, gardens and splash pad daily 8:30 am - 5:30 pm. The Event House Gallery and Marion Davies Guest House are open Mondays 11 am - 3 pm. Docent tours given on Mondays at 11 am or 1 pm.    Located at 415 Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica, the Annenberg Community Beach House is a new community destination open to all, no membership required. It's even available to rent for meetings & events! Visit us online at http://www.annenbergbeachhouse.com for more information.

AFTRA Members Get a Discount at the 2010 ASCAP Expo

Flash!

Los Angeles

November 2009

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The ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO

April 22-24, 2010 in Los Angeles

AFTRA Members Receive Incredible Early Bird Registration Discounts

Register Early for a One-on-One Session Before They Sell Out!

WHEN MUSIC IS YOUR LIFE

Registration for the 2010 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO is now open! The earliest registrants get the deepest discounts, and if you register now the Early Bird registration price for AFTRA members is just $260, or $235 if you are also a member of ASCAP. To take advantage of this special rate, select AFTRA from the Partner menu towards the end of the registration process.

Find out more about the EXPO at http://www.ascap.com/expo

Early Bird Registration also gives you first chance at One-on-One Sessions and Song Feedback Submissions.

Now in its 5th successful year, the ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO puts you face to face with some of the world’s most successful songwriters, composers and producers, all who willingly share their knowledge and expertise and give you the know-how to take your music to the next level.

One-on-One Sessions

ASCAP’s tremendously popular One-on-One Sessions with a songwriter/composer or music industry executive will once again be available to the earliest registrants, for a $25 processing fee. One-on-One sessions have been extremely valuable opportunities for participants in the past three EXPOs, so register early to guarantee yours!

Register Now at http://www.ascap.com/expo for the Lowest Rates and the Biggest Opportunities!

The 2010 EXPO Will Feature Everything You Love About EXPO Plus Even More:

• Celebrity Q & A’s
• Master Classes
• Songwriting & Composing Workshops
• Attendee Song Feedback Panels
• Networking Opportunities
• State-of-the-Art Tech Demos
• Leading Music Industry Exhibitors
• Publisher & Business Panels
• One-On-One Sessions
• DIY Career Building Workshops
• Showcases and Performances

ASCAP’s fifth annual “I Create Music” EXPO will take place at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, April 22-24, 2010.

Register Now at http://www.ascap.com/expo

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Follow us:

Click here to visit the new AFTRA.com.

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Special Holiday Event with MAC Cosmetics

Face the Holidays - Beautifully!

The Screen Actors Guild Foundation invites you to a

Special Holiday Event with MAC Cosmetics

 

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

MAC PRO Senior Artist John Stapleton will guide you through basic beauty and beyond, including makeup for auditions and looking your best for the camera.

Beauty Benefit: Your $5 suggested donation helps support the Foundation educate, assist and inspire... as you take home your own bag of MAC cosmetics valued at $75!

Further donation opportunities offer the chance to win terrific prizes including a MAC goodie bag (retail value $200), an evening of glamour with a MAC makeup artist and more!

For your convenience, two sessions are being held in the

SAG Foundation Actors Center

Los Angeles, CA

Click on the appropriate link below to sign up for either session 

3pm - 5pm

or

7pm - 9pm

… and get your head start on a great-looking New Year!



Kurt Kelly's Backstage Pass All Access

The Senate Bill Has Landed

Dear Kurt,

Progress toward real health care reform took another huge step this week when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid released the Senate’s health care reform bill. Now it’s time for debate on the bill, but shockingly enough, some senators don’t even want to debate the bill on the floor, much less pass it.
We expect the Senate to vote this Saturday night on whether to allow debate on the health care reform bill. No matter how your senators feel about the bill itself, tell them they must vote to allow the debate to begin.
Tell Senators: Stop obstructing reform and vote this Saturday to let the Senate debate begin for real health care reform.
We are further along in the process for real health care reform than we have ever been. The House has already passed a historic bill that will end insurance company abuses, require employers to pay a fair share and establish a strong public option to lower costs and make insurance companies compete. And it won’t tax the benefits of hard-working middle class families.
The Senate bill put forward by Sen. Reid moves us closer to the historic goal of real health care reform in America, but it's not perfect and some of it needs to be fixed. To keep the reform process moving and to fix the bill, it's critical that the Senate start to publicly debate its health care reform bill.
Sign our petition to the Senate today.
The Senate needs to proceed with the debate now. The petition also reminds senators that as they debate their bill, the House got it right by passing a reform bill that works for America’s working families and does NOT tax our health care plans.
The health care reform debate must continue. Sign our petition today.
In solidarity,
Marc Laitin
AFL-CIO Online Mobilization Coordinator
P.S. We can’t let a minority of senators stop the debate for real health care reform. Sign our petition today.

Tregor Film Fest Call for Entries Earlybird Deadline: Nov 20 - Submit Today!

Tregor Film Fest Call for Entries Earlybird Deadline: Nov 20 - Submit Today!

Tregor Film Fest
Call for Entries

Earlybird Deadline: Nov 20, 2009
Festival Dates: July 2-4, 2010

The Tregor Film Fest is now open for submissions.

There are only a couple days left to submit at these super low entry fee prices specifically designed to accommodate young filmmakers, indie filmmakers and starving artists. Submit now! We do not need to receive it by Sept 20th rather the submission needs to be postmarked by this date.

A little about us... What we look for? Solid indie films in all genres and lengths. Our Goals We focus on broadening awareness of independent filmmakers from around the world while creating a bridge between their films and their audience! Submit today! There are two ways to submit. 1) Submit directly through the Tregor Film Fest website. To do this click here to be taken to the submission page, fill out the information about your film at the bottom of the page, then pay the online submission fee. It's straight- forward quick and easy! 2) Submit through WAB. Your choice.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us at any time. We're here for you and interested in your input! We look forward to considering your work! All the best, Tregor Film Fest Tregor Film Fest Website Tregor Film Fest Blog Email: TregorFilmFest@yahoo.com

Tregor International Film Festival on Facebook

©2009 Butterflies of Love | 67000

Kurt Kelly's Backstage Pass All Access®

Wow! How time flies!!

Talent Agent Lynda McCarrell of Daniel Hoff Agency is offer Voice Over classes before the end of the year. Lynda is a very good voice over agent and instructor, let her know that Kurt Kelly suggested you check out her class and possibly she can still fit you into this year end series.

Wow! How time flies!!

I will be teaching only ONE more class this year! If you are interested, CALL! Everyone wants to squeeze one more in and I don’t want you to miss out!!

DATES: Thursday 11/19, Tuesday 11/24 (because of Thanksgiving), Thursday 12/3 and Thursday 12/10.

TIME: 7 to 10pm

LOCATION: 5455 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1100, LA 90036 – Corner of Cochran and Wilshire

COST: I am still offering the “Stimulus rate” of $300 for the entire 4 weeks. Cost will go back up after the first of the year.

PARKING:  Street parking in front of the building after 7pm free – also parking in the building for $4.00

MORE INFORMATION: 213/760-4459

Hope to see you soon!!

Lynda McCarrell

The Lobbyists Keep Calling

I was talking to a lobbyist a few days ago, and I asked him how many times he tried to meet with each of his target legislators. He immediately burst out laughing. Why? Because he tries to meet with each of them as many times as he can.
We need to do the same thing.
If you’ve written a letter to your senators and representative already about why we need real health care reform, we need you to write another one.
If you’ve written two letters to your senators and representatives about why we need real health care reform, we need you to write another one.
One letter is not enough. Two letters are not enough.
No matter how many letters you’ve written, we need you to write more.
Relentless. That’s what the lobbyists are. Relentless in their pursuit of corporate interests. We must be relentless, too. We cannot stop. We cannot rest. We must continue to fight for reform. Write a letter today. Write a letter tomorrow. It is our time.
Without a relentless effort by every one of us, we won’t win real health care reform with a strong public health insurance option to lower costs, reform that doesn’t tax our benefits, reform that will require employers to pay their fair share.
Write a letter today. And get ready to write more letters next week. Momentum is on our side, but the lobbyists for Big Business and the insurance companies aren’t letting up.
We can and will win with your help.
Marc Laitin
AFL-CIO Online Mobilization Coordinator
P.S. It really does matter. We keep hearing from members of Congress about the letters they are receiving. Keep ‘em coming. Write your senators and representatives today.

Accolade Named Among Top 25 Festivals

Accolade Named Among Top 25 Festivals

Call for Entries ~ Accolade Named Among Top 25 Festivals

 

Deadline: November 27, 2009 

Information: www.TheAccolade.net

 

Now in its seventh year, top-tier, international awards competition, The Accolade, announces its Call for Entries for filmmakers, television producers and videographers.

 

The Accolade is unique; it is an awards competition, not a traditional film festival. Awards go to those filmmakers, television producers and videographers who produce fresh, standout entertainment, animation and compelling documentaries. It is a showcase for cinematic gems and unique voices. 

Most importantly, The Accolade team works passionately to help worthy productions gain the publicity and distribution they deserve. That is what The Accolade is all about: helping winners of this coveted award achieve recognition and distribution opportunities.  

Every filmmaker, television producer and videographer wants credibility associated with their work and buzz about their productions. The Accolade sends information about Accolade winners via email to over 25,000 industry professionals. The Accolade is an award recognized for its rigorous evaluation process by buyers and distributors, inspiring confidence that winning productions are of high quality.

Quality and creativity are celebrated in three levels of awards: Best of Show, Award of Excellence and Award of Merit. Best of Show honors are granted only if worthy productions are discovered. Likewise, no more than 15% of entries are granted Awards of Excellence.  Notable artistic and technical productions are recognized at the Award of Merit level. Annually, a special award is given to a production that makes a significant contribution to social change or a humanitarian effort.

The Accolade receives entries from all over the world: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Columbia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Guam, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Malta, Martinique, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom and the United States.

MovieMaker Magazine included The Accolade among the Top 25 Festivals "Worth The Entry Fee." The article said, "Past participants can't stop raving about the professional opportunities participation in this event has generated for their work."

Go to www.TheAccolade.net for rules and entry form.

Thomas Baker, Ph.D.,

Competition Chairperson

The Accolade Competition

7946 Ivanhoe Avenue, Suite 201

La Jolla, California 92037

email: entries@accoladecompetition.org  

phone: 858-454-9868

CMA Winners

Flash!

National

November 2009

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AFTRA Congratulates CMA Winners

AFTRA congratulates all the nominees and winners of “The 43rd Annual Country Music Awards.” The program, produced under an AFTRA contract, was broadcast live Wednesday from the Sommet Center in Nashville on ABC. AFTRA member Taylor Swift was the big winner of the evening, bringing home Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year and Music Video of the Year. At 19, Swift is the youngest person to be named Entertainer of the Year and is the first woman to receive the honor since Shania Twain in 1999. Longtime AFTRA Member Darius Rucker performed his No. 1 hit “Alright” during the awards show and was also named New Artist of the Year. Best known as the front man for Hootie and the Blowfish, Rucker has reinvented himself in the country music genre. He is the first African American to be named New Artist of the Year and joins fellow AFTRA member Charley Pride as one of the few African Americans to win a CMA. AFTRA members employed in this program include award winners and nominees, royalty artists, hosts, background vocalists, dancers and stand-in professionals. We salute our AFTRA signatory employer Country Music Association, ABC and executive producer Robert Deaton for their continued support of AFTRA members by producing this awards show under an AFTRA contract. Click here for a full list of winners.

Screen Actors Guild’s Life Achievement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Rosalind Jarrett
publicity@sagawards.org
(310) 235-1030

Turner Classic Movies to Pay Tribute to Screen Actors Guild’s

Life Achievement Honorees with Primetime Marathon

(November 11, 2009) -  Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will pay tribute to five actors who have received one of the highest honors any film performer can achieve: the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award.  TCM’s four-film presentation will take place in primetime Friday, Jan. 22, the night before sister networks TNT and TBS present a live simulcast of the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®.

TCM’s tribute will begin at 8 p.m. (ET) with the 1935 comedy short Tit for Tat, starring Stan Laurel, who became only the second actor to receive the prestigious Life Achievement Award in 1963.  Next up, Jack Lemmon, who was honored by the Screen Actors Guild in 1989, stars in the Neil Simon comedy The Out-of-Towners (1969).  Sidney Poitier, honored in 1999, and Ruby Dee, honored in 2000, star in the dramatic adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun (1961).  And the night closes out with 1998 honoree Kirk Douglas in the suspenseful Western Last Train from Gun Hill (1959).

The following is a complete schedule for the night at a glance:

8 p.m. Tit for Tat (1935) – starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.

8:30 p.m. The Out-of-Towners (1969) – starring Jack Lemmon and Sandy Dennis.

10:15 p.m. A Raisin in the Sun (1961) – starring Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil and Ruby Dee.

12:30 a.m. Last Train from Gun Hill (1959) – starring Kirk Douglas and Anthony Quinn.

The Screen Actors Guild’s Life Achievement Award is the most prestigious accolade given by the organization.  It is granted not only for career achievement but also humanitarian accomplishment. The honor was first bestowed in 1962, when the Guild paid tribute to musical-comedy star Eddie Cantor.  Subsequent recipients have included Bob Hope, Barbara Stanwyck, James Stewart, Edward G. Robinson, Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston, Rosalind Russell, Pearl Bailey, James Cagney, Katharine Hepburn, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Red Skelton, Gene Kelly, Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn, Robert Redford, Elizabeth Taylor, Clint Eastwood, James Garner, Julie Andrews, Charles Durning and James Earl Jones, among others.  A complete list of Life Achievement recipients is available at http://www.sagawards.org/previous-life-achievement-recipients.

This year’s Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement honoree is television and film actress Betty White.  She will receive the award during the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony, which will be simulcast live on TNT and TBS Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), 7 p.m. (CT) and 6 p.m. (MT).

Screen Actors Guild is the nation’s largest labor union representing working actors. Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts in the 1940s to fighting for artists’ rights amid the digital revolution sweeping the entertainment industry in the 21st century. With 20 branches nationwide, SAG represents more than 120,000 actors who work in film and digital theatrical motion pictures and television programs, commercials, video games, industrials, Internet and all new media formats.  The Guild exists to enhance actors’ working conditions, compensation and benefits and to be a powerful, unified voice on behalf of artists’ rights. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SAG is a proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO. More information is available online at www.sag.org.

Turner Classic Movies is a Peabody Award-winning network celebrating 15 years of presenting great films, uncut and commercial-free, from the largest film libraries in the world. Currently seen in more than 80 million homes, TCM features the insights of veteran primetime host Robert Osborne and weekend daytime host Ben Mankiewicz, plus interviews with a wide range of special guests. As the foremost authority in classic films, TCM offers critically acclaimed original documentaries and specials along with regular programming events that include The Essentials, 31 Days of Oscar and Summer Under the Stars.  TCM also stages special events and screenings, such as the upcoming TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood; produces a wide range of media about classic film, including books and DVDs; and hosts a wealth of materials at its Web site, www.tcm.com.  TCM is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

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CONTACTS:

Sarah Schmitz           Atlanta              404/575-6313            sarah.schmitz@turner.com
Cassie Bryan             Los Angeles     818/977-4567            cassie.bryan@turner.com
Samantha Graham     New York         212/275-6821            samantha.graham@turner.com

Rosalind Jarrett          SAG Awards    310/235-1030           publicity@sagawards.org