Bogosian declares candidacy for SAG board

[annabelleleigh]

Bogosian watchers may be interested to know that the perpetually political actor-playwright-novelist hopes to add "Screen Actors Guild board member" to his resume.

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SAG slates candidates
Guild OKs 104 board hopefuls

By Cynthia Littleton
Variety
August 6, 2008

Excerpt:

"The Screen Actors Guild has confirmed 104 candidates from its Hollywood and Gotham divisions who are running for 16 open seats on the guild's national board of directors.

SAG's Sept. 18 national board election comes as the guild is in the midst of a prolonged contract battle with the major studios. Industry observers don't expect any break in the more-than-monthlong stalemate between the majors and SAG until after the board election...

...In all, 23, or about one-third, of the seats on SAG's national board are up for grabs in this election. The Hollywood branch will elect 11 national board members to three-year terms, as well as 22 alternates.

The New York branch will elect five board members and nine alternates. Candidates from the Gotham branch include Eric Bogosian, Ralph Byers, Rebecca Damon, Erik-Anders Nilsson and Sam Robards. Seven other board members will be elected from SAG branches outside of L.A. and Gotham."

Read the full article at:
www.variety.com/article/VR1117990129.html

For details on the SAG-AMPTP stalemate (and strike news), go to
www.nytimes.com/2008/08/04/business/media/04sag.html?hp

[EricRocks]

A lot of people have been declaring candidacies these days. Must be the season.

[diablodeblanco]

When does this man have time for his family? Or even himself?

[Ladyheather]

Such a talented guy. He would be an asset to the board.

[annabelleleigh]

Screen Actors Guild elections have been dominated by two slates with opposing platforms. One wants to merge with AFTRA; the other views AFTRA as a non-representative group that caved in too easily to industry pressures.

And then there's Eric Bogosian, who's running for the SAG board as an independent from New York. Yesterday he issued the following statement to New York SAG members.

I post this as an update on the SAG negotiations, and also because I think Bogosian's letter provides insight into the world of the working actor. As many of us may realize, most actors aren't celebrities. They aren't rich; they don't club with Paris Hilton. Even a "TV series star" worries about health care.

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August 25, 2008

Dear New York SAG members,

It saddens me to see our union divided while we are trying to negotiate a new contract. I honestly don't understand it. I see names of good friends listed on the anti-leadership slate and I don't get it. You voted our leadership in to do a job, let them do it. Contract negotiations are never easy. But if we want a new contract, we have to let the two sides work it out. And don't believe the producers' argument.

It comes down to this. Either you like residuals or you don't. Either you like have a union protect you or you don't. I've been in SAG for about 25 years now. I joined not to get work, but because I had been employed on a non-union movie in 1983 and was frightened by the dangerous work conditions, lack of adequate breaks and merciless turnarounds.

Since joining SAG, I have worked hard in a healthy environment. I've had the benefit of health care for myself and my wife. Two kids born and raised on SAG health care. I have a pension and I get residuals.

So why do I think those things being threatened? Because whether you like it or not, the internet is the future. And all film and TV will be on the Internet within the decade. And the producers don't want to pay residuals for that distribution.
That's all. You want to believe the producers and AFTRA leadership that this is a good deal? It's your option. But exhibit A is what happened to DVDs. We are still waiting for a reasonable deal on that front.

Of course we all want the two unions to unite. And we want to get along. But I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me why AFTRA began negotiations during the SAG negotiations. Doesn't make sense. I also don't understand why prominent members of the union criticize our national negotiators publicly. What good can that do?

I am not part of a slate. I am keeping an open mind and I am ready to listen to both sides of every argument. But I don't want to mislead you, either. I feel every single one of our hard-earned union benefits will be eroded if we cave to the producers' offer right now. Patience is a virtue here. By the way, we don't need a strike. We just need to hang tough. Right now, the big studios need this contract more than we do.

Someone fought for those rights, those residuals, that health care. Someone did this for me. That's why I'm running. The union has been very, very good to me. I want to make sure it's there for future middle-class actors.

Again, I am not part of a slate. I am offering my hard work and attention to bring honesty and stubborness to these negotiations. Like I said, some of my best friends sit on the other side of the fence on all of this. I look forward to working with them toward a new, strong, healthy contract for all our members.

- Eric Bogosian

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The straight skinny on the SAG contract can always be found at Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood site.

www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com

[Patcat]

I have issues with Captain Ross sometimes, but I do not with Mr. Bogosian. But I agree with deathroe--when does he sleep?

Patcat

[diablodeblanco]

Sounds like a voice of reason.

[random]

They say that when you want something done, you should give it to the busiest person you know.

[annabelleleigh]

Follow-up:

Running as an independent (to the two different actor coalitions), Eric Bogosian won an "alternate seat" on the SAG board, whatever that means. Maybe it's like an alternate juror.

For the latest round (and all of the details) on the SAG strike situation please access the full story (URL below).

Boldface mine.

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SAG power shifts
Unite for Strength gains control of union board

By Dave McNary
Variety
September 18, 2008

Excerpt:

"Dissidents have won control of SAG's national board in a surprise result that heightens the chances of an end to the guild's contract stalemate with the majors.

With Amy Brenneman and Adam Arkin leading the way as top vote-getters, the upstart Unite for Strength faction won six of the 11 Hollywood seats, with the more confrontational Membership First faction losing control for the first time in three years...

...In New York, members of the United Screen Actors Nationwide swept as Sam Robards, Rebecca Damon, Matt Servitto, Tracey Godfrey and Mark Blum won national seats. USAN members Jack Landron, Ralph Byers, Jose Narciso, John Rothaman, Jay Potter, Kevin Scullin, Marc Barron and Manny Alfaro won alternate seats; Eric Bogosian, who ran as an independent, also won an alternate seat.

SAG and the AMPTP -- which made its final offer June 30 -- haven't met formally in more than two months.

With neither the majors nor SAG budging on the contract, the Unite for Strength victory dramatically lessens the chances that SAG's leaders will be emboldened enough to ask members for a strike authorization..."


Read the full article at:
www.variety.com/article/VR1117992472.html