A step in the right direction for both unions and all actors ...

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

Kindle version of "The New Business of Acting" now available ...

The New Business of Acting is now available (finally) on Kindle!

The new eVersion is loaded with active links throughout the book that will take you directly to the websites and industry resources you read about as you journey through it.

BL

Pasadena Borders, here we come ... Tuesday night

Thank you Steve Julian for your support of the new book and our upcoming event this Tuesday night at Borders/Pasadena (Lake Avenue)!

Hope to see many of you there ...

BL

Barbara Billingsley … Much more than a pop culture icon who spoke “jive”

I was so sadden to learn of the death of Barbara Billingsley yesterday.

I had gotten to know Barbara over the years through my management of Isabel Sanford. In the 1990’s when “TV mothers” were all the rage, it seemed like every other week, Isabel and I would find ourselves on a plane or sharing a limo with Barbara, June Lockhart and Marion Ross in one combination or another. There were trips to New York together; there were television sitcom appearances together; there were talk show appearances together; and there were a ton of local charity event appearances together.

What a joyous time; what a wonderful person to get to know; what an entourage we all made.

I never saw Barbara be anything less than gracious and friendly to anyone who approached her for her autograph or to talk about “the Beaver” or just in the day-to-day routine of business and life.

There are many highlights of my association with her, none the least of which is when she agreed to sit down and chat over a cup of coffee on my coffee shop cable talk series “Lemack & Company Live” in 1991.

Soon the entire interview will be available to view on RerunIt.com. In the meantime, we have hastily pulled together four minutes of clips from that interview, including Barbara’s take on going against typecasting and speaking “jive” in the hilarious 1980 feature film “Airplane.”

With much appreciation … enjoy.

Five (more) stars awarded to "The New Business of Acting!"

Happy to share a great review of The New Business of Acting.

Thanks and much appreciation to Don Grigware for his comments and perspective.

On to the Drama Book Shop, in New York City, tomorrow night!

BL

Let's talk "New Business" this Friday in New York City!

‎The New Business of Acting hits the road! This Friday, 10/01, 5:00PM, Drama Book Shop, New York City! I expect to see all of my NYC peeps (and that includes former favorite students) there!

Next Monday night, it's Chicago!

BL

Reviews of The New Business of Acting are arriving!

The reviews on The New Business of Acting are beginning to come in and of course want to share them (the good ones, that is :) ).

From Shari Ali, Co-President of Aimee Entertainment Agency, Los Angeles:
"Brad Lemack's 'The New Business of Acting' is an invaluable resource to anyone looking to keep up with Hollywood's new business model."

From Adam Ginivisian, Agent, ICM, Los Angeles:
"Read his book or get out of the business."

More at TheBusinessOfActing.com (Praise for the Book page).

For those of you who have already purchased the book from Amazon.com or one of our other favorite e-partners, please post your reviews on their sites. (Only good reviews, of course. :) )

The "New" team thanks you!

BL