In support of his popular books for actors, "The Business of Acting: Learning the Skills You Need to Build the Career You Want", "The New Business of Acting: How to Build a Career in a Changing Landscape,", "The New Business of Acting: The Next Edition" and "The New Business of Acting - The Next Edition: COVID Update," talent manager and educator Brad Lemack offers commentary, perspective and information -- and addresses questions and comments from readers and site visitors.
I was a big fan of the 1965 – 1971 comedy series Green Acres – and I’m old enough to have watched in when it ran for the first time. Yikes.
Of course it’s been around in reruns for years, but what hasn’t been available until today is my 1992 interview with series star Eddie Albert. He talks about his career, the series, his role and his unforgettable co-star, Eva Gabor. Check out the preview below and watch the complete segment just added and now playing on demand at RerunIt.com.
Good news from SAG and AFTRA yesterday that a tentative agreement on a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers has been reached. Given the climate under which the current contract was accepted – and the massive disruption that took place in the process – this is, indeed very good news.
The new business of acting is a changing landscape – and it was wise for the negotiators from both unions, working together in a collaborative effort, to take the strategic approach they did entering these talks. Some modest pay hikes and a significant increase in contributions to the unions’ health and pension programs is a big plus in this economy.
More importantly, the AFTRA-SAG teaming in this endeavor speaks volumes about how far both sides have come in mending the fractured relationship that resulted from the last contract go-around in 2008.
Next step is for the agreement to be presented to the joint board of both unions and then for a majority of members of both unions to give it the thumbs up.
Could a true merger be far off? As I discuss in chapter 7 of The New Business of Acting: How to Build a Career in a Changing Landscape, it’s about time. One entity to represent all actors/artists/performers and, yes, even soap stars and newscasters can work if structured with in matrix that includes different divisions that specialize in specific categories of talent. I see it as all very doable and very beneficial to all current union members and to those whose career journeys will eventually lead them to union affiliation.
Tonight I will have an opportunity to discuss this and other issues in the new business of acting at a gathering of AFTRA members in Los Angeles. Good timing.
BL
