The document summarizes the AFTRA Detroit Member Moments newsletter from 2011. It discusses: 1) The Mid-Winter Blah Bash event that kicked off the year and new initiatives like the AFTRA Detroit Facebook page. 2) AFTRA's involvement in rallies to support the Michigan Film Tax Incentives including the "Amend, Don't End" rally. 3) The creation and success of using the AFTRA Detroit Facebook page to communicate with members. 4) Various events that AFTRA Detroit participated in to advocate for members like meetings with state government officials and film festivals. 5) Educational workshops and conservatories held by AFTRA Detroit including on headshots, demo reels,

1. AFTRA Detroit Member Moments 2011
Freelance Update Volume 1, Issue 1
AFTRA Detroit
Member Moments
AFTRA DETROIT YEAR IN REVIEW 2011
Welcome to the first annual AFTRA Detroit Member Moments Newsletter. Each year you
will receive a copy of this newsletter that will detail important happenings and issues that
have been addressed at the AFTRA Detroit Local.
If you are a Freelance Performing Artist, Singer, Broadcaster, Voice-Over Artist or any
other AFTRA Member, these stories are about you and for you. These stories are about
the struggles that have been tackled at the Detroit Local and the victories won.
We at AFTRA Detroit hope you will be inspired to become actively involved in some of the
opportunities that will strengthen your Union.
AFTRA DETROIT BOARD
Meet your 2011 AFTRA Detroit Board:
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
L-R: Alex Davis, Donna Cerise, Tiren Jhames, Anne Keeble, Jayne Bower, James Cowans,
Martha Reeves, Steve Goldsmith, Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor, Lynne Woodison, Greg Bow-
Mid-Winter Blah Bash ......... 2
man, Tom Watson and Gina-Marie Hernandez (AFTRA Detroit Freelance Representa- Pen To Paper Rally .............. 2
tive), (Ed Kelly and Sandra McNeill not pictured) “Amend, Don’t End” Rally ... 2
AFTRA & SAG Soirees ......... 3
Senate Hearing ................... 3
AFTRA Detroit Facebook .... 3
Governor’s Office Listens..... 4
AFTRA Member Moments... 4
Waterfront Film Festival ..... 5
AFTRA Oct. Conservatory.... 6
Headshot/Demo/Audition .. 6
Conservatory Recap ............. 7
Conservatory Recap ................ 8
AFTRA/AFL-CIO Rally ........... 9
AFTRA Labor Day Parade…….10

2. AFTRA MID-WINTER
BLAH BASH 2011
The AFTRA Mid-Winter Blah Bash was held on Monday,
January 31st. There were over 126 AFTRA Members and Pre
-Members in attendance. This was the starting gun for new
events and initiatives at the Detroit Local, including Social
Networking through Facebook.
We were entertained by singer Rennie Kaufmann and Come-
dian Dave Donaldson.
L-R: Jayne Bower, Dave Donaldson, Gina-Marie Hernandez
(AFTRA Freelance Representative) Tiren Jhames, Jo-Jo
Shutty-MacGregor, Sandra McNeill, Liz Graham
“The Mid-Winter Blah Bash was the perfect way to start 2011 for AFTRA Detroit! We
had a blizzard the following day, but that night we celebrated AFTRA in the Tropics!”
AFTRA IN ACTION— “AMEND, DON’T END” RALLY
AFRTRA IN ACTION— AFTRA joined in support of the “Amend, Don’t End” Rally held on
PEN TO PAPER RALLY Wednesday, April 20th at the Masonic Temple in Detroit. Kenneth
AFTRA held a “Pen to Paper” Droz was the Master of Ceremonies and speakers included Danny
Rally at the Michigan Film Studio
on March 3rd and presented 888
Mooney, (Deep Blue Pictures), Vicki Barnett, Rep. (D– 37th District),
letters of support for the Michigan and Mitch Albom. The event was streamed live and video was posted
Film Tax Incentive to Lansing.
on the AFTRA Detroit Facebook page.
Dan Pesta and Freelance Representative,
Gina-Marie Hernandez at Rally (Pic. 1)
AFTRA Detroit contributed $500.00 to the “Amend, Don’t End” Michi-
gan Film & Digital Media Incentives Coalition.
Nicole Ramirez and Megan Davis accept AFTRA Detroit’s $500 donation to the “Amend, Don’t End” Coalition. (Picture 1)
Gina-Marie Hernandez, AFTRA Detroit’s Freelance Representative displays the “Support MI Film” and AFTRA Materials.
(Picture 2)
2

3. AFTRA FACEBOOK
Prior to 2010, AFTRA Detroit
did not have much of a pres-
ence with Social Networking
and Media, with the excep-
tion of the AFTRA National
Web Site page and E-Mail
blasts to our Members.
AFTRA Detroit Freelance
AFTRA/SAG Pizza Party Soiree May 9, 2011 Representative Gina-Marie
Hernandez knew the im-
AFTRA & SAG SOIREES portance of having a pulse on
Social Networking and how
In order to form a more perfect Union...oh, wait, that has already been used. As many of
you know, AFTRA and SAG are working towards the “ONE UNION” initiative and valuable it could be to com-
merging the two Performer’s Unions. municate important ideas,
issues, events and exchanges
The AFTRA Detroit Local has worked towards fostering a cohesive partnership and a
close working relationship with the SAG Detroit Branch and has hosted joint W&W through this medium.
Sessions, Agent Relations Meetings and Educational Training days. The AFTRA Detroit Board
In a less formal setting, AFTRA and SAG has hosted a series of Soirees at the 5th Ave- unanimously voted to imple-
nue Bar in Royal Oak. AFTRA and SAG Members as well as Pre-Members, Producers, ment our new Facebook page
Casting Agents, Talent Agents and special guests have enjoyed an opportunity to catch and it has been a valuable
up with long-time friends and meet some new faces.
tool for Members to find out
what is happening with their
SENATE HEARING ON FILM TAX INCENTIVES Local.
Raleigh Studios, Pontiac May 13, 2011
You can find the AFTRA De-
The Month of May found AFTRA at Raleigh Studios in Pontiac to take part in a Senate
troit Facebook page at
Hearing regarding the viability of the Michigan Film Tax Incentives. State Senator Mike
Kowall, House Representatives Vickie Barnett, (Farmington Hills), Brad Jacobson www.facebook.com/
(Holly) listened to testimony from AFTRA Members, SAG Branch Executive Director aftra.detroit
Marcia Fishman and many others.
The new Tax Incentive Bill 383, which modified the incentives was introduced and sup-
ported productions up to 42%. The goal of this bill was to keep us in contention with
other states that have a strong Film Incentive Program. Testimony was also given by
Erin Cummings of “DETROIT 187.”
3

4. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
LISTENS TO AFTRA
DETROIT MEMBERS
On June 15, 2011 AFTRA
Detroit sat down with John
Nixon, State Budget Direc-
tor and Director of the
Michigan Department of
Technology, Management
and Budget (DTMB).
AFTRA presented the fol-
lowing facts:
“DETROIT 187” employed
hundreds of AFTRA Actors.
Episode 101 included 9 of
13 Actors that were from
Detroit (not including se-
ries regulars) and Episode AFTRA Member Moments 2011— (Clockwise: Martha Reeves, Dave Donaldson, Mary Lou Zieve,
Peter Carey
112 employed 3 of 5 Stunt
Performers from Detroit. AFTRA MEMBER MOMENTS
AFTRA Member Moments was the brain-child of AFTRA Detroit’s Freelance Representative, Gina-Marie
Mr. Nixon challenged AF- Hernandez. These short videos detail the AFTRA Freelance and Broadcast Performer’s association with
TRA, SAG and all others AFTRA and how AFTRA is a vital part of their careers.
concerned about the Film Board Members Tom Watson (Video) , Lynne Woodison (Interviewer), Tiren Jhames (Interviewer) and
and Digital Media Incen- Liz Graham (Interviewer) have highlighted Freelance and Broadcast AFTRA Members in these video
tives to come together and vignettes.
have one voice and to work AFTRA Freelance Performers that have been featured are Ed Kelly, Zahra Huber, Beth Fisher, Peter
Carey, Jayne Bower, Tiren Jhames, Shirley Hayden, Anne Keeble, Alex Davis, DaVaughn Lucas, David
with the MEDC.
Donaldson, James Cowans, Roop Raj, Martha Reeves and President Emeritus Mary Lou Zieve.
We need a unified, central- The AFTRA Member Moments are archived on the AFTRA Detroit Facebook page (www.facebook.com/
ized voice regarding Film aftra.detroit), the AFTRA National Web Site (http://www.aftra.com/detroitvideo.htm) and the AFTRA
and Digital Media in Michi- YouTube Channel (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=AFTRA+DETROIT&aq=f).
gan and your Detroit Local If you are interested in being featured on the AFTRA Member Moment video series, contact AFTRA De-
is working diligently on this troit Freelance Representative, Gina-Marie Hernandez at ghernandez@aftra.com.
initiative.
AFTRA Member Moments September 2011
Featuring FOX2 News Anchor Roop Raj
4

5. AFTRA/SAG WATERFRONT FILM FESTIVAL PICNIC
AFTRA , in partnership with SAG hosted a picnic at the 2011 Saugatuck
Waterfront Film Festival at the Back Bay Cabins on June 11, 2011.
AFTRA Detroit Freelance Representative, Gina-Marie Hernandez met
with Hopwood DuPree, Film Festival Co-Founder and TicTock Studios
owner and found that he is enthusiastic about working with AFTRA . AFTRA Detroit Freelance Representative
Gina-Marie Hernandez meets with
Hopwood DuPree
Hopwood extended an invitation for AFTRA Detroit to attend the SAG
Oscar 2012 Party.
“Thanks Gina-Marie! It was a pleasure making your acquaintance. I
hope you stay well until I see you again. Keep Smiling!” Mike Reed
Joshua Leonard is the Film
Director/Producer of “The
Lie” and heads up Percep-
tion Media Films.
He explained to Freelance
Representative Gina-Marie
Hernandez that he “chooses
Table 1: J.C. Wells, Ralph Lister, Mike Mosallam to use people that he has
Table 2: J.C. Wells, Mike Reed, Jennifer Roberts built a relationship with, as
Mike Reed
SAG Member well as those who have been
recommended due to their
Thanks, Gina-Marie! reputation for hard work for
It was a pleasure making your acquaint- the ‘craft.’”
ance. I hope you stay well until I see you
again. Keep Smiling!
Mike
Ralph Lister
AFTRA/SAG Member
Jennifer Roberts
AFTRA/SAG Member
5

6. AFTRA Headshot-Makeup/Demo Reel/Audition Conservatory 2011— (L-R: Mary DuPrie, Tammy Pore, Daniel
Love, and Lisa Cole
AFTRA HEADSHOT-MAKEUP/DEMO REEL/
FEEDBACK: AUDITION CONSERVATORY OCTOBER 4, 2011
AFTRA HEADSHOT/
DEMO REEL/
AFTRA Detroit listens to its Members and when Sonja Crosby said that she
AUDITION OCT. 4
just found the “BEST HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHER, EVER!” we sat
CONSERVATORY
up and took notice. Sonja just had a Headshot session with Photographer
Mary DuPrie and her Makeup artist, Tammy Pore.
That conversational nugget led to the idea of having a “soup-to nuts-to des-
sert” type Conservatory for the AFTRA Detroit Members. AFTRA Detroit
Freelance Representative Gina-Marie Hernandez reached out to Mary to find
out if she was interested in presenting to our Members and Mary was thrilled
to participate.
A few days later, a call from Daniel Love of Digmshift who had just returned
Peter Tocco to Michigan from LA proved to be the next piece of the pie. Daniel had just
(SAG Detroit Branch completed a summer as the Director of Photography for the movie “Corner
Store” and doing a demo reel for James McDaniel of DETROIT 187.”
Council President):
He expressed an interest in being a part of the emerging October Conservato-
"I thought the workshop ry and signed on to present his knowledge of Demo Reels.
was great! Even actors
Last but not least was a phone call to Lisa Cole, Talent Director of Produc-
who have been in the
tions Plus/The Talent Shop—LA. When asked what constituted a good audi-
business for years were
tion, Lisa was quick to compile a list of what every actor and performer that
able to pick up pointers
auditions needs to know how to do and what NOT to do.
on getting a competitive
edge. Thanks for an in- See page 7 and 8 for more details.
formative evening.”
Peter Carey: AFTRA/SAG Member
“Hi Gina [-Marie], I was thrilled to get insight into making my demo
reel stronger. With my recent feature film work, the informative con-
servatory was perfectly timed. Thanks again, Peter”
6

7. FEEDBACK:
HEADSHOTS
AFTRA HEADSHOT/
DEMO REEL/AUDITION
OCT. 4
Mary DuPrie and Tammy Pore presented AFTRA Members with
the following guidelines for gaining a fantastic headshot:
1) “Giving” the photographer an image versus “extracting” an image
2) Using a large viewing source to “dissect” your images throughout the
shoot
Alex Davis
3) Exploiting your best image “zone”
(AFTRA Board Member):
4) Industry backgrounds... what’s in and what’s out “In such a competitive market, the feed
5) Clothing... what works and why. Does your photographer have back- -back I received is exactly what will
up wardrobe? continue to set me apart. Thank you
AFTRA for your continued support
and providing the benefits that help
me be the best that I can be!”
DEMO REELS
Daniel Love of Digmshift presented AFTRA Members
with the following guidelines to making their Demo
Reels stand out:
Tiren Jhames
1) Show an association with “Fame" (AFTRA Board Member):
Show the best production value possible: “The best part of the evening was
knowing that each person we heard
PICK A GOOD EDITOR. The quality that actors seem to look for in an editor from was a true, full-time, all-in, con-
is cheap, but you need to find GOOD. Don't pay attention to the editor’s talk, stantly working, experienced and re-
Look at content they have edited and check their reel. If your reel looks cheap, spected colleague in the acting/movie
subconsciously you look small and unknown. business. With AFTRA I know I’m not
CHOOSE HIGH QUALITY CONTENT. If you are not “big,” get to know good wasting time with wanna-be’s. They
directors who make good looking content (they might put you in next project). bring the real deal, and that’s what we
Get to know producers/post production people on set (friendships can give you got. Well worth the time.”
access to content). Try to get an agreement up front for access to content (there
is great work you have done on projects that will never get to post.)
CONFORM YOUR ASPECT RATIOS. The digital age was supposed to give
us standards; instead it gave us more options. If the editor can't conform your
content to match 1 aspect ratio, at least make it so the aspect ratios are not dis-
torted.
EVEN OUT THE AUDIO. Another sign your editor is bad is when the level of
different scenes are inconsistent.
AVOID BIG FANCY EDITS, FX AND GRAPHICS A great edit never slaps
you in the face for attention
2) Move—Your reel should move along and not drag out. Jayne Violassi
“[The AFTRA] Conservatory was a
3) Show Presence great experience, providing both tech-
4) Range (Notice how great acting is not on my list) nical prowess and "real world" nuggets
of digestible, useable material. Thank
you!”
FINALLY - Demo Reels are not only good for getting auditions. You can get a
good manager with a great reel and also agent representation.
7

8. AFTRA Headshot-Makeup/Demo Reel/Audition Conservatory 2011— (L-R: Mary DuPrie, Tammy Pore, Daniel
Love, and Lisa Cole
AFTRA HEADSHOT-MAKEUP/DEMO REEL/AUDITION CONSERVATORY
OCTOBER 4, 2011 (CONTINUED)
AUDITIONS
Lisa Cole presented AFTRA Members with the following guidelines for a
memorable audition:
1) GETTING THE AUDITION: Photos and Resumes REGISTER WITH NOW CASTING (IF YOU ARE
2) PREPARING FOR THE AUDITION: Sides, NOT ON IT – DO IT TODAY!)
Memorize, Rehearse Know your ‘type’
3) AUDITION DAY: Be “directable”
Have your photos/resumes Get in a class
Your clothing should be pressed – do not look like you Work with a group of fellow actors
just rolled out of bed
BE ON TIME! (Early) 9) DONT’s:
Sign in and look for changes Do NOT try to become friends with CD or Director
BE QUIET! Do not “chit-chat”/FOCUS Do NOT touch the CD, Reader, or anyone in the room
4) IN THE ROOM: Do NOT use props
Enter and say hello Do NOT Pantomime
Hit your mark Do NOT bring you “baggage” into the room
Set the scene (Ladies, leave your purse in the car)
No jokes! Do NOT “Push” or overact
No chit-chat Do NOT apologize
Take your cue from the CD/Director
5) WHEN YOU ARE DONE: REMOVE “I’M SORRY” FROM YOUR
Redirection – This is a good thing VOCABULARY
THANK YOU! Say “Thank you” and “GOOD BYE”
If they ask you or you ask to do it again…IT BETTER RESOUCES:
BE DIFFERENT/BETTER THAN 1ST!
6) THE “AFTER AUDITION SMACK DOWN”: AUDITION by Michael Shurtleff
Keep an audition log
Be honest with yourself AUDITION & BOOK IT by Helen McCready
7) FOLLOW-UP:
NO CALLS! HOW TO AUDITION: For TV, Movies, Commer-
Send a “Thank You” note cials, Plays and Musicals by Gordon Hunt
Send a Headshot Post Card “Thank You”
8) DO’s:
Memorize
Rehearse until you are sick of it
Watch your eye line
Dress to ‘suggest’ (Not in costume)
Have a couple of things in your ‘back pocket’
Know your ‘shot’
8

9. AFTRA /AFL-CIO Rally (L-R): Michigan Fire Fighters Union, AFTRA Detroit Freelance Representative—Gina-Marie Her-
nandez, AFL-CIO Members
AFTRA /AFL-CIO RALLY AGAINST “RIGHT TO WORK”
Detroit Rally Against So-Called "Right-to-Work" Laws
Friday, October 28, 2011 12:00 PM EST
Unions like AFTRA have always fought on behalf of all working people for basic workplace rights, such as child labor
laws, 40-hour work weeks, weekends and workplace safety regulations.
The Facts about “Right-to-Work”
“Right-to-work” laws, like the one being discussed right now in Michigan, undermine unions which protect and advo-
cate for workplace rights and safety on behalf of all workers, union and non-union workers alike.
“Right-to-work” laws do not guarantee employment to workers. Instead, they depress wages and weaken the ability of
unions to advocate for and represent all workers by shrinking union membership and limiting the effectiveness of
unions, like AFTRA.
“Right-to-work” laws erode the hard-won wages, hours and working conditions contained in AFTRA and other un-
ions’ collective bargaining agreements, and AFTRA members know that “right-to-work” laws create obstacles to or-
ganizing, which is a fundamental American right at work.
AFTRA was represented at the Rally by Freelance Representative, Gina-Marie Hernandez. There were approximately
350 people in attendance from various Unions, including the AFL-CIO, Teacher’s Unions, Fire Fighters Unions, and
the Latin Union Workers.
AFTRA /AFL-CIO Rally (L-R): Speakers Dias, AFTRA IN SOLIDARITY in front of Detroit Renaissance Center, Latin Union
Workers “Deserve Respect!!!”
9

10. AFTRA DETROIT
MEMBER MOMENTS AFTRA LABOR DAY PARADE
NEWSLETTER AFTRA has a long history of participating in the AFL-CIO Labor Day Parade and 2011
was no different, with one great exception— President Obama spoke at the end of the
If you would like to be featured in
Parade and Rally.
an AFTRA Member Moment,
please contact AFTRA Detroit This year we had Jayne & Jeff Bower, Pat Sweeting, Stephanie Davis, Steve Goldsmith,
Freelance Representative Gina- Debra Port, Robert Paul, Peter Werbe, James Cowans, Tom Watson, Harry Carlson, and
Marie Hernandez. Please contact Martha Reeves march in the Parade. Also in attendance was Marcia Fishman of SAG,
the Detroit Local for more infor- AFTRA Detroit Executive Director, Janette Rook, and AFTRA Detroit Freelance Repre-
mation about Conservatories, sentative, Gina-Marie Hernandez.
Workshops, and events that can
impact your career.
AFTRA Detroit Freelance Repre-
sentative, Gina-Marie Hernandez
can be reached at (248) 228-3172
Office, and (313) 452-3758 Cell or
at ghernandez@aftra.com
You can also find information on
our Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/aftra.detroit
AFTRA Detroit Local PLEASE
23800 West Ten Mile Road PLACE
Suite 228 STAMP
Southfield, MI 48033 HERE
Gina-Marie Hernandez
Freelance Representative—
Detroit Local
Phone: (248) 228-3172
Fax: (248) 223-9223
Mailing Address Line 1
E-Mail: ghernandez@aftra.com
Mailing Address Line 2
Mailing Address Line 3
Mailing Address Line 4
Mailing Address Line 5