The Acting Podcast

Ep. 25: Re-Opening the Industry w/ Gabrielle & Duncan of SAG-AFTRA

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Show Notes: Season 2!

Show Notes: Season 3!

In the midst of this time of great uncertainty and upheaval for actors across the globe, and as the Industry slowly reopens, it is paramount for actors to be aware of new on-set protocols, how to advocate for yourselves in every area of your work and careers- including having a voice in your union- and how to keep your creative spirit alive. In that pursuit, we are thrilled to offer our conversation with Gabrielle Carteris, president of SAG-AFTRA, and Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s chief operating officer as well as the union’s Safety & Reopening Lead, currently working with specialists in the science and medical fields to advocate for a safe reopening for actors and everyone in the Industry.

“We live in an incredible time of technology. There is nothing that has to stop you from really creating- maybe in a way you’ve never imagined before. Work with others, build projects together, talk about story ideas, do readings together. Engage. These are things we can do. Take the opportunity, because maybe that is what this moment is: an opportunity.”

– Gabrielle Carteris, President of SAG-AFTRA

“I just grew up at a time where I couldn’t name one female director…or not a single woman would get on stage to accept a producer award at the Oscars…representation matters because if you don’t see it, you don’t know that you can do it. Being a woman on the other side of the camera was not something that I ever saw.”
-Ellyn Jameson

“Then the desperation went away and I had an ease in audition rooms that I’d never had before because I had a life outside of wanting someone to pick me.”
-Dominic Burgess

“It happened entirely because I was following the path that was put in front of me without a tremendous amount of judgment around it. And I’m a judgy motherfucker…if I can do this, anyone can.”
-Johnathan McClain

“Walk into every room, and everything you ever write, and everything you create, and just make it you, just authentically you. And most of the time, the people who’ll respond to it will love it because you’re being yourself and there’s only one of you in the world. And it feels amazing when you put yourself forward and people reward you for it.”
-Caroline Lindy

Guests & Resources:

Gabrielle Carteris

IG: @gabriellecarteris

Gabrielle Carteris was re-elected SAG-AFTRA president on August 29, 2019. Carteris became president April 9, 2016, after serving two terms as executive vice president. Carteris became a household name playing Andrea Zuckerman on BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 and recently starred in BH90210, a revival of the iconic show. Her extensive resume includes work in television, film and the stage, with recent credits including a recurring role on Code Black and guest-starring roles on CRIMINAL MINDS, MAKE IT OR BREAK IT, THE EVENT, LONGMIRE and THE MIDDLE. As a producer, Carteris created LIFESTORIES, a series of specials, and GABRIELLE, a talk show that she also hosted. In her role as SAG-AFTRA president, Carteris chairs the National TV/Theatrical Contracts Negotiating Committee and leads the President’s Task Force on Education, Outreach and Engagement. Carteris is a vice president of the AFL-CIO and serves on the executive council and represents SAG-AFTRA with the International Federation of Actors (FIA).

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland

IG: @duncanci

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland is chief operating officer and general counsel of SAG-AFTRA. Crabtree-Ireland oversees the legal aspects of collective bargaining and contract enforcement for all SAG-AFTRA collective bargaining agreements, as well as SAG-AFTRA’s legal, government affairs, professional representatives, international affairs, governance and diversity operations.

He is a co-chair of the board of trustees of the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund, a member of the boards of SoundExchange and the SAG-AFTRA & Industry Sound Recordings Distribution Fund, a delegate to the International Federation of Actors (FIA) and teaches international law as an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California Law School. He is a past treasurer of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, a past Co-President of the LGBT Bar Association of Los Angeles, and serves by appointment as a judge pro tem of the Los Angeles Superior Court.

SAG-AFTRA Covid resources:

1-844-SAFERSET

www.sagaftra.org/backtowork

Credits:

Producer:
Erin McIntosh
Tech + Design:
Andy Abelow
Music:
Sam Dewees + Andy Abelow
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