SAG 2011 Elections

SAG Candidate Questionnaire 2011

 

Today’s date: August 10, 2011

Name:  Art Lynch

Position that you’re running for: National Board, Nevada Branch

Division (“NA” for national officers) and region (if RBD): RBD

Current officer or Board position, if any: National Board Director representing Nevada

Your website(s), if any: http://www.artlynch4sag.com/

Website(s) for your slate, group, party or alliance, if any: None

Background

• Please describe yourself in a sentence or two.

21 years of board service, 16 as a member of the board. Member centered and very much an active participant in the boardroom, committees and services for members. I have earned the trust of officers and board members and always vote with the membership I represent in mind.

• Please list your SAG, AFTRA and Equity service experience (boards, committees, etc.), if any. Also, list any awards or honors you’ve received from SAG, AFTRA or Equity that relate to service to the guild/union. Feel free to also list service experience and service awards or honors relating to other unions, guilds or entertainment industry organizations. Please omit awards for acting work, such as SAG Awards, Oscars, Emmys, etc. (see below for these).

Screen Actors Guild

Elected Positions:

2009-2012       Regional Branch Division Executive Committee Member (by Division Board)

2001-2010       Co-Chair, National New Technologies Committee (by National Board, President)

2004-2008              Co-Chair, National Communications Committee (by National Board and President)

2004-2009              Co-Chair, National Background Committee, Regional Branch Subcommittee

2001-2003       Chair, Standing Trial Board Committee, Nevada Branch (by Nevada SAG council)

1994-2011       National Board of Directors (by membership)

1999-2009       Chair Election Nominating Committee for Nevada (by Nevada SAG council)

1998-2001       National Communications Editorial Supervisory Committee (by RBC)

1997-2001       National Nominating Committee (by Regional Branch Conference)

1997-2001       8th National Vice President Nominating Committee (by RBC)

1995-1996       Nevada Branch President (by membership in Nevada)

1994-1995       Nevada Branch Vice President (by membership in Nevada)

1990-1995       Nevada Branch Council Member (by membership in Nevada)

 

SAG National Presidential Appointed Positions:

2007-2009       New Media Task Force, co-chair (committee sunset 2009)

2006-current    Honors, Tributes and Awards Committee

2005-current    National Equal Ethnic Opportunity Task Force

2004-2006       National Spanish Language Media Task Force

2002-current    National Right-to-Work Presidential Task Force

            1999-current    Web Oversight and Steering Committee

            1999-current    Editorial Sub-Committee

1998-current    New Technologies Committee, co-chair (2005-current)

            1998-current    Communications Steering Committee

            1998-2008       Merchandising and Marketing Sub-Committee

1995-current    Communications Committee (co-chair 2001-2004)

1999-2000       National Contract Adjustment Committee

1995-2002       National Conservatory Committee (co-chair 1998-2000)

1995-2002       Young Performers Committee

1995-1996       National Executive Search Task Force

1997-2000              Guild Government Review Committee

2002-2010       Indy Outreach, Low Budget, Documentary, Merchandise, New Member Orientation, Steering, Health Care Task Force, Dancers, Global Rule One, New Technology, various as member or alternate (as needed by Guild)

 

SAG Nevada Branch Appointments:

2001-current    Chair of Standing Trial Board and Investigative Committees

1998-current    Communications Committee Chair

1996-2003              Wage and Working Conditions (Vice-Chair)

1992-current    Nevada Actor Newsletter Editor

1999-2008       Nominating Committee Co-chair (except years up my seat up)

1992-2001       Chair and Director of SAG Nevada Conservatory Program

1994-1995              Executive Search Committee Chair

1995, 98, 09    Election Committee Chair

 

 

• Are there other aspects of your life you’d like to share with voters – political involvement, community or charitable service, teaching, other creative endeavors, other employment experience, educational background, hobbies, etc.?

Acting coach for over 20 years. Sunday morning host for Nevada Public Radio. Teach at the College of Southern Nevada, Phoenix and Everest Colleges. Chair of Nevada SAG Conservatory taking it from occasional to what it is today (followed by chairs Adrienne Garcia Mann Mondeau and now Barbara Grant) The conservatory is a matter or branch pride in Nevada, with too many involved in founding it and keeping it going over the years to give individual credits.

Nevada has always been an active branch, with the highest membership percentage at meetings in the country, and active committees, membership, egos and politics. We are strong in a Right-to-work (for less) state, in spite of the odds against us.

A position on the National Board is not a prize, a reward or something to inflate an ego. The Guild is not a club or a social group. It is not the conservatory or any single or group of services and events hosted by the branch. The Guild is a union.

Wages, working conditions, health, safety, the protection of talent and services to help talent in a wide range of ways. There is room for everyone on committees, local councils, national committees, work groups and task forces. There is room to participate and contribute without holding formal office or job title.

The position of National Board Director is a fiduciary position, responsible for the financial well being and protection of the union and the membership. It is a legal position in a California non-profit corporation with international reach. Oversight, direction and informed policy are developed and administered by the board.

Members of the board cannot directly provide jobs, services or income for the membership. 

Being on the board takes time from family, employment opportunities, career and home.

But it is worth it if you are driven by the need to serve others.

I serve because I care and I believe in Nevada talent, in the Screen Actors Guild and in unions.

I serve, without pay or compensation, because I can put my full professional and personal experience to work for you, the membership, and not only keep Nevada strong, but also help to build a solid future for the Nevada Branch and all Nevada talent.

What is accomplished is the work of many individuals, working together, and the staff who works for the membership, based on trust, relationships, needs and shared vision.

There have been rough waters, with political infighting, widely differing visions and plans, and conflict reported and inflated in the media. As a vet of an almost three day continuous meeting, of caucus and committees, task forces and individual projects, I have earned my place in leadership and my voice is heard, for Nevada and the membership.

I became involved in the Guild, not for ego or the perception of power, or because I felt I was entitled. I was drafted to serve the membership. I became involved because I was asked to join the council and later to run, unopposed, for vice president. The president resigned, so by Nevada local rules I became Branch President. I joined the board of directors when our national board member landed a great acting position has stepped down from the board. I have served since, at the will of the membership. It is my hope that in this election the members will choose to return experience at this time of rapid change.

My dad was a unionist, as was my grandfather and great grandfather. We go back to Haymarket Square and the roots of unions. When he passed away there were hundreds of people my mom and I had never met at his funeral. They were his union brothers and sisters. 

My family and its belief in organized labor and the need for unions goes back several generations to the Haymarket Square riots in Chicago. 

I know it may not be popular, but I do believe that without strong unions we would not earn the pay, benefits and protections unions provide.
 

Candidacy

• Why are you running?

Experience is critical at this time. My state needs representation with the experience and friendships needed to protect and grow the membership in Nevada. We have to protect our voice and continue to make it known that SAG and the new union are national with very different cultures, use of contracts and membership needs varying by branch an geographic cultures. See http://www.artlynch4sag.com/

 

• Has your candidacy been endorsed by anyone (other than your slate, group, party or alliance, if any)?

A Partial list. I also have large numbers of local signatures on my petition to run for election, the support of more than half of the Nevada SAG council and many local actors, including background performers, stunt and other communities.

RE-ELECT ART LYNCH SAG NTL BOARD

·          

• Click on name to link to endorsement

o         

• Abby Dylan, SAG Indie
• Amy Aquino, National Secretary Treasurer
• Anne Sward, Utah
• Betsy Beard, Arizona
• Bill Mootes - Boston / Rik Deskin - Seattle
• CeceDubois, Nashville
• Charlie DiPinto, SAG Nevada Council
• Dave Corey, Florida
• Debra Nelson, Georgia
• Don Brakeman, Nevada
• Grace MacFarlane, actor
• Heart Shapre', Nevada SAG Council
• Helen McNutt, Philadelphia
• Hrair Messerlian, Union Executive
• Jack Shaw, Chicago
• John Carter Brown, Chicago
• Kevin Scullin, Ntl. Web Chair, New York
• Liz Zazzi, NYC and Ntl Com Chair
• Lollo Sievert, Nevada
• Marc Baron, New York
• Mary McDonald Lewis, Portland
• Michael Toole, actor
• Mike Hodge, Ntl 2nd VP, NYC President
• Mike Pniewski, Georgia
• Ned Vaughn, 1st National Vice President
• Quotes
• Results
• Rick Deskin, Seattle
• Roy Costly, New Mexico
• Scott Rogers, Hawaii
• Steve Dressler, Nevada
• Suzanne Burkhead, Texas
• Todd Hissong,"RBD Chicago"
• Wendy Short Hayes, Guthrie Theatre, MN
• Will Lyman, Boston / NYC / LA
• Your Vote is Needed and Appreciated

 

• Who, if anyone, is financing your candidacy? How much money do you anticipate raising or spending on your campaign?

Donations cover about one third, the rest is out of pocket. Donations are small and from members here and nationally. The largest was $100 and was local. Most were $10 and $20 donations.

• How can voters learn more about you (in addition to the website(s) you listed on p. 1)? Feel free to provide an email address if you’d like, but remember that this document will be publicly available and will be posted on the Internet.

http://www.artlynch4sag.com/

 

Merger of SAG and AFTRA

• What is your general opinion about merger? Would you describe yourself as pro-merger, anti-merger, skeptical, or something else?

Pro-merger, but will vote based on whatever comes before the board and how it impacts both national and Nevada membership. There is very little AFTRA presence in Nevada and no local.  As co-chair of the National New Technologies, and active on other committees including the former new media task force, I see the merger of technologies, management, work opportunities and the growth in anti-union warfare by politicians and the National Right To Work Foundation. There is solidarity in numbers.

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of merger? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages or vice versa?

Advantages far out weigh the disadvantages in this age where unions are under attack, technology has made production possible for little money and from anywhere in the world, and members are having to work contracts under multiple unions. There has to be a strong reason for new members to join, to be able to afford to join, to be a part of something growing and strong.

The strongest disadvantage is the potential of costing members of one union, as most of the members of the Nevada Branch, paying increased dues. Since the plan has not been set and dues have not yet been discussed this is an issue to deal with when it arises in the boardroom. We need to make SAG or a new union affordable and member-centered. All members, not just those who are vested or wealthy.

• SAG membership is aspirational – young actors flock to Los Angeles or New York in hopes of getting their SAG card. Is it important that this aspirational quality continue in a merged union; if so, can it? Why or why not?

We are a national union with international reach. Many Nevada members received their SAG cards in Nevada. That is true of all or most of the branches. Actors will go where there is work or work what they can where they settle for whatever reason they choose as individuals. There are actors and acting work coast to coast, with regional centers that are creative and offer a good standard of living and lower cost of living than LA or NYC. When an actor is ready, they must choose where to live and whether to located at the heart of the film industry in LA or in a dynamic city such as NYC.

Any union needs to take into account the young, the aspirational nature of those seeking the career of their dreams, and both the talent and the work they represent.

Unions are as much for future generations as they are for those earning pensions or who are the working rank and file. We have a stake in the future of our country, our industry and our membership.

• Are there fewer jobs now (compared to the past) in various areas (types of work, geographic areas, day player vs. series regular, film vs. TV, broadcast vs. cable, etc.)? Which areas? If so, why did this happen, and what can or should the Guild do about it?

While work remains, the amount of location work in Nevada is down, as is any potential for work under other contracts. Our members are hungry for work.

The union must do what it can to encourage production and work under contract. It is no longer organizing large studios, but organizing at all levels to provide the opportunity for work to all of our membership.

SAG is supporting film incentives, battling Right-to-work, standing by our union brothers and sisters against the erosion of union security and making it easier for young producers to use union talent.

That said associations in the greater LA are have redefined “runaway” as anything not shot in LA.

SAG should restate its strong stand that “runaway” is outside of a SAG union contract, and encourage production in the United States.

• What are some key concerns of specific categories of members – day players, series regulars, background/extras, stunt performers, stunt coordinators, young performers, and others? How well is the Guild addressing those issues and what changes, if any, are needed?

The Nevada Zone has expanded four times in my tenure on the board. The number of background on the state has increased, as have pay and protections. LA based film incentives and incentives in other states have hurt work available in Nevada. The Guild has a strong local Nevada executive working on incentives, organizing and enforcement, but it takes time. More focus should be placed on Nevada and other markets by Guild staff to grow this national union outside of the major production markets.

We have made progress with educating and protecting young performers. I was part of launching the young performers web site, looking at legislation and protections in markets outside of Hollywood and NYC, and involving young people in the concepts of unionism.

New Media

• How significant a revenue source for studios and producers today are (a) original made for new media productions and (b) move-over new media (i.e., reuse of traditional product on new media platforms)? How significant do you think they’ll be in 3 years? Do you think that new media as a studio/producer revenue source will eclipse television or physical home video in the next 5 or 10 years?

New Media is a term that is dated. Truth is all media was new at one point. Direct to Internet, computer or any computer technology (cell phones, iPads and so on) will grow as it replaces or augments direct to video. Production can be done at very low budgets as well as larger budgets. These “new’ media will grow significantly in the next five to ten years. Again I am co-chair or New Technologies and served on the New Media Task Force. It will also allow production in the branches and outside the US to grow, regardless of movements in Hollywood to stop “runaway” production. SAG must be a strong national union, coast to coast, with international connections and good will, to assure our performers a place and protection in the new media world.

Relations with/between Members, Divisions, Producers, Agents, CDs and Unions

• Have you had any experiences as an actor where you needed to call on SAG or AFTRA for help? Please describe. Feel free to omit company or project names if desired, but if possible please give at least the approximate year or time period and some indication of the type of project.

In the branches our executives respond quickly and do all they can for the members on all issues. The branch structure works.

• At certain times, including in the recent past, there were great tensions between numerous Hollywood-based national board members and their New York and regional counterparts. These seem to have diminished significantly recently. Why are inter-Division relations so poor sometimes, and what can or should be done about this?

If elected members and staff remember that we are a national union, made up of geographic areas with diverse use of contracts and members who choose to live outside LA, then tensions will continue to ease.

Half of SAG members do live and work in the LA geographic area. As long as they remember that not all SAG members live in LA, and that the needs of membership outside of Hollywood may differ in some areas, our brothers and sisters will have our full support.

• The tone of debate on blogs, forums and in the boardroom is sometimes quite nasty and personal. What, if anything, can or should be done about this?

Nevada membership meetings are quite active and civil. I cannot speak for LA. As for the boardroom, debate disagreements and individual personalities are part of the process. A good chair, and respect for fellow board members, goes a long way.

• Many SAG members don't work as SAG actors in any given year. Does this make SAG politics more contentious or create other difficulties?

We represent all members and the future of talent.

• A small number of SAG members are extraordinarily wealthy. Does this make SAG politics more contentious or create other difficulties?

When they are needed the celebrities and wealthy members are there for us…strike, public relations, workers rights…they are a key part of our strength as a union.

 

Voting

• Should voting on contracts and strikes be limited to people who have worked the particular contract within the past few years and/or for at least a certain number of days over that period and/or received at least a certain amount of contract income over that period (“qualified voting” or “affected member voting”)?

As a branch representative I have to vote ‘no’ if this comes up for a vote. The reason is simple, we are members with the right to vote and any work may impact us at any given time. The work is not constant or consistent yet all members have a right to and the potential to work under contracts. They should have a voice in those contracts, if they choose to vote.

Members have the right to not send in ballots if they are not working or do not understand the contract. I have, in some years prior to joining the board, not voted on contracts that I have not worked recently. That is democracy and democratic civil responsibility.

There are specialized contracts impacting a small number of members, on which those members should have a primary voice. Examples are Performance Capture and those who do the voices on games. As the contracts grow their special status can be reviewed and changed if needed.

 

Other

• Is there anything else you'd like voters to know?

The board is not a club to be coveted after. It is a working board, with hours of unpaid labor; a strong responsibility to the membership to remain educated and informed, to speak your mind, to listen to others, and to deliberate on decisions and actions. It cannot wave magic wands but can make progress in advancing the potential for work, the protections while working and the overall well being of the membership.