The following is a list of who is working for you and what they are doing. Follow the ACTRA Toronto Committee: web links below to find contact information and comprehensive reports on the goings-on of ACTRA Toronto’s Committee's.

ACTRA Additional Background Performers Ed Pyztula, Chair
AFBS Working Committee: Ferne Downey, Chair
Agents Committee: Theresa Tova, Chair
Apprentice Caucus Shereen J. Airth, Acting Chair
Awards Committee: Jackie Laidlaw, Chair
Casting Directors Committee: Karl Pruner, Chair
Child Performers Theresa Tova, Advocate
Communications Committee: Lyn Mason Green, Chair
Conference Committee: David Sparrow, Chair
Co-op Committee: Anne Marie Scheffler, Chair
Discipline Committee: Chris Owens, Chair
Diversity Committee: Jani Lauzon , Chair
Finance Committee: Austin Schatz, Chair
ACTRA Toronto Member Training Intensive Theresa Tova, Chair
Ombudsman Shawn Lawrence
Political Action Committee: Heather Allin , Chair
Stunt Committee: Steve Lucescu, Chair

ACTRA Additional Background Performers: Ed Pyztula, Chair
epzytula@actratoronto.com

Click here for more info on the ACTRA Extras Caucus

AFBS Working Committee: Ferne Downey, Chair
fdowney@council.actratoronto.com

As a result of changes to fraternal policies in the past two years and a number of new charges and fees, many members have been excluded from coverage. The confidence members once had in AFBS has been shaken and replaced with a sense of frustration and growing dissatisfaction.

To clear the air, ACTRA has set up the AFBS Working Group to:
• research members' issues
• report its findings
• recommend options

The research phase is now underway and members can help. If you have unanswered questions about current AFBS plans, policies or practices, the Working Committee: needs to hear from you.

Agents Committee: Theresa Tova, Chair
ttova@actratoronto.com

The committee published A GOOD DEAL FOR YOU, a side-by-side look at the language in a standardized agent actor contract. This year we will look at the need to develop an addendum for background actors and their agents.

We have provided resources and continue to encourage the newly formed EICAA (Entertainment Industry Coalition Agency Association), a self-regulating agents’ association along the lines of TAMAC and are working with EICAA to develop a code of conduct which will better protect all.

Apprentice Caucus Shereen J. Airth, Acting Chair

The Apprentice Caucus has created a mandate that sets out to INFORM Apprentice members about the acting industry and our union - and I mean OUR union. Apprentice members can get involved and have an influence on decisions made and actions taken within the union, while still respecting and understanding ACTRA protocol as it currently exists - politically and structurally. Find out how you can get involved!

Please Note: ATP has proposed a review of the Membership application rules and has sent it to National to Committee:. A copy of this proposal is available for viewing on the home page of the ATP web site at www.actratoronto.com in the link column at the side, titled 'Membership Review Proposal' or at http://www.actratoronto.com/home/National_Proposal_May_4.pdf . The Apprentice Executive encourages all members to read the proposal and to forward to any questions, comments and/or concerns you may have to your executive.

Awards Committee: Jackie Laidlaw, Chair
jlaidlaw@council.actratoronto.com

The purpose of the Awards Committee is to produce the ACTRA Awards in Toronto, select the nominees and winners through a jury process, produce the event with an evening cocktail party and après-show dance.

The 2006 ACTRA Awards in Toronto, held at The Carlu in February was the largest turnout yet of members, totalling 773, up from 513 in 2005. Our sponsorship was up as well this year, and we came in on budget. We had excellent media coverage, and as always, a fun and productive night for our members, and the industry as a whole.

The ACTRA Awards event is the showcase event for ACTRA Toronto members each year, and the show keeps getting better. Our host again was Peter Keleghan, with Adrian Truss writing the script. ACTRA member Taborah Johnson was the musical show performer, with a musical tribute to This is Wonderland. Young Samantha Weinstein won the ACTRA Award for Outstanding Performance (female) for her work in the short film Big Girl, and Tom McCamus won the ACTRA Award for Outstanding Performance (male) for his portrayal of Walter Gretzky in the television movie, Waking Up Wally: The Walter Gretzky Story.

The 2006 ACTRA Toronto Award of Excellence went to actor, writer, director and activist Sarah Polley.

The main go-forward issue discussed at the Awards Committee meeting was to have council approve our recommendation for one new award for voice, which would be generic to either male or female voice performers. We feel it is time to expand to this new category, which would also include another jury.

2006 ACTRA Awards in Toronto

ACTRA Awards Committee: Vice-Chair Ferne Downey Jury Chair Gina Dineen Vice-President Communications Lyn Mason Green, Toni Ellwand, Jocelyne Zucco

Casting Directors Committee: Karl Pruner, Chair
kpruner@council.actratoronto.com

In the last round of IPA bargaining, your negotiating team argued forcefully and successfully that the time had come to address the many serious questions that performers have raised about their relationship with casting directors and about the casting process itself. The result of those efforts is a new IPA joint “Committee: of Enquiry into Casting Directors and the Casting Process” that brings actors, agents, casting directors and producers to the table with a mandate to resolve these issues and recommend new language for the IPA. This is a significant opportunity to make real progress on some long-standing issues and I’m proud to lead our team on this Committee:. To contact the Committee: directly email castingissues@actra.ca.

Child Performers: Theresa Tova, Advocate
ttova@actratoronto.com

Being a parent of a child working in film, television and commercials may be a little intimidating, but I want you to know you are not alone. As your children's advocate I spend much of my time helping new parents understand the ins and outs of the biz. There is a newly published simplified Parents Guide available at ACTRA and for those who want more in-depth support I suggest you pick up your copy of the ACTRA's Stage Mom Survival Guide. Both guides are available at ACTRA Toronto – free to all ACTRA members under age 18. If you child is not yet an ACTRA member, you can purchase the Stage Mom Survival Guide at our office for $15.

Mark your calendars. On Wed. June 28, 2006, we will host a second members’ training course especially geared to parents. This is a wonderfully informative session. We are also planning a dedicated forum, in which children will participate during the fall members' conference. I want to hear from you.

At date of submission of this report, your new Vice-President, Communications, Lyn Mason Green, has been busy getting up to speed with the portfolio, including learning more about the website, Performers Magazine and our various communications priorities to date and participating in the ‘post mortem’ of our amazing ACTRA Awards evening.

Performers Magazine is just beginning to gear up for the next edition which will, among other things, report on our last conference, the ACTRA Awards and reveal plans for an exciting ACTRA Toronto Members’ Conference and, back by overwhelming demand, the summer barbeque! Don’t miss it. Put it in your calendars for Wednesday, June 28, 2006.

Look for the questionnaire asking for your feedback on Performers Magazine. We are listening!!

As well, we are in the early stages of rethinking the website beginning with looking at what we can improve right away and what we can plan to improve over the next year. Stay turned, check it out, stay informed.

Watch for those special ACTRA email newsletters. If you have not signed up with ACTRA to receive them, please do so ASAP. Contact ACTRA membership and ask that your email address be added. These e-newsletters are and will be a very important mode of communication for HOT issues you should know about. Don’t rely on rumour. Get hooked to the source!

As well, I am interested in your input and ideas about what you would like to see on the website and how you want to be able to use it. Now’s the time to give me an earful!

If you would like to contact me or you would like to volunteer with the Communications Committee, get in touch.

lmgreen@council.actratoronto.com

Conference Committee: David Sparrow, Chair
dsparrow@council.actratoronto.com

The Conference Committee: seeks to bring you the information you need to better practice your business of performing. We’ve introduced a new level of classes this conference. Please see the Master Class items and the specifics for applying to these workshops. It’s also the best way to stay informed and ask questions about our Union.

Co-op Committee: Anne Marie Scheffler, Chair
amscheffler@council.actratoronto.com

Discipline Committee: Chris Owens, Chair
cowens@council.actratoronto.com

The Discipline Committee: is composed of ACTRA members.  The basic job of the Committee: is to uphold ACTRA's Constitution and By-laws.   

Diversity Committee: Jani Lauzon, Chair
jlauzon@council.actratoronto.com

AccessAbility Task Force: Sheila Boyd, Chair
sboyd@actractoronto.com

ACTRA Toronto Performers Diversity initiative is designed to promote and realize the principles concerning the casting of visible minorities, Aboriginal Peoples and Actors with disabilities.

2007 Initatives
Our theme for the coming year is education. We take our cue from the highly successful Diversity Committee at SAG, that has been instrumental in highlighting issues of diversity in the U.S.

With education in mind, we are currently developing what we call our “education package”. This package, highlighting what ACTRA Toronto does to support its membership, (including those with from diverse communities or those with disabilities) will be used as a tool for education. Our plan is to distribute the Education Package at festivals, conferences and events to promote our membership.

AccessAbility workshops:
Last year we concluded a national survey to help us determine the percentage of casting facilities that were actually accessible to actors with disabilities. The dismal findings helped us to conclude what we already suspected. Casting facilities, training facilities and rehearsal/theatre facilities are by and large Inaccessible. ACTRA Toronto is committed to righting this wrong. As we continue to lobby for change in this area, we remain committed to our initial goal of supporting our membership who are disabled and therefore do not enjoy the benefits of the membership at large. We will open our Boardroom, to a series of audition technique workshops for actors with disabilities and those who use sign language as their first language. We are what we want others to become. Fully accessible.


Diversity Chair: Jani Lauzon:
416-928-2278, ext. 6618, e-mail: jlauzon@actratoronto.com

Accessibility Task Force: Sheila Boyd
416-928-2278, ext. 6619, e-mail: sboyd@actratoronto.com

VP of Membership Servies, Diversity Portfolio : Eric Murphy
416-928-2278, ext. 6606, e-mail: emurphy@council.actratoronto.com

http://www.actratoronto.com/home/Diversity.htm 

Finance Committee: Austin Schatz, Chair
aschatz@council.actratoronto.com

At ACTRA Toronto we have come to the end of another fiscal year with another balanced budget. We are closing our books for 2005/06. The yearly audit will follow and will be included in our fall edition of Performers Magazine.

Meanwhile, the Finance Committee will be reviewing our investment portfolio to gain the highest possible returns while maintaining the lowest possible risk.

As well, we are in the process of investigating the possibility of establishing an ACTRA Toronto Credit Union.

We’ll keep you informed.

ACTRA Toronto Member Training Intensive: Theresa Tova, Advocate
ttova@actratoronto.com

ACTRA Toronto's Member Training program is now a required course for all new members. The intensive format runs Friday nights through Sunday afternoons, and focuses on the business of show business. Classes take place in the ACTRA Toronto boardroom and Gordon Pinsent Studio, with topics ranging from tax info to audition tips to set dos and don’ts. It helps teach members how to be an integral part of this vibrant union of artists, and how to survive as an actor in this city. For information about taking the course please contact Stephanie Stevenson at (416) 642-6735 or email: sstevenson@actratoronto.com.

As of January 2006, one of the required credits necessary to qualify for Full Membership for all members over the age of 16, must be obtained by completing the ACTRA Toronto Member Training Intensive course. If you already have five credits, your sixth credit will have to come from completing the course.
 
As of February 2006, only ACTRA Extras will be eligible to obtain their first credit by acquiring 200 days or 1,600 hours of background work over two years and by completing the ACTRA Toronto Member Training Intensive course.

Ombudsman Shawn Lawrence
slawrence@actratoronto.com

As Ombudsman, Shawn Lawrence works as a mediator and problem solver. Call him if you have any professional problems that fall under ACTRA’s jurisdiction.

Leave a voicemail at 416-928-2278, ext. 6604 or 416-422-4554 or email at: slawrence@actratoronto.com

Political Action Committee: Heather Allin, Chair
hallin@council.actratoronto.com

Report for Website:
What we are working on….

Municipal Actions: The City of Toronto

1. We’ll work directly with the City of Toronto and FilmOntario to end anti-Toronto policies that cause producers to take their projects elsewhere.

2. FilmOntario: ACTRA is part of this group working to market Toronto here and in the world as a great place to film working closely with Mayor David Miller to ensure the health of our industry

3. Dan MacDonald will head a group looking into council endorsements for political candidates and related issues.

4. We will invite the Mayor and other politicians to our various events to keep up good relations and communications

6. Labour Day Parade: This fun event will takes place in September. All members are invited to attend and get free entry to the CNE!!

7. ARTSWEEK: We will look into participating in ArtsWeek.

Provincial Issues: Ontario

1. Status of the Artist Legislation:
We are continuing to work on this with consensus and good planning i.e.:

a.) We have a working group composed of ACTRA Toronto and National staff and council and legal advisors

b.) We are meeting with and gathering consensus with other unions and guilds

2. Advise the liberal government’s Minister’s Advisory Council for Arts and Culture. They have promised to produce a report within 2 years on SOA. We will help them to attain this goal and keep a close eye on their other activities

3. Continue meetings with the Ontario Federation of Labour Arts and Labour SubCommittee: to gather consensus with other arts groups on SOA and other issues.

Federal Issues

1. Canadian Broadcasting Campaign: We will continue to ramp up the pressure and work together with ACTRA National to repair the damage done to television drama by CRTC regulations that caused the loss of so many of our television shows. We will put together more demonstrations and press conferences – please check in for updates.

2 Canadian Television Fund: make sure the Martin government keeps it promise to support the CTF, and more.

3. CRTC: We will not rest until they regulate. Canadian broadcasters have an obligation to produce drama made by and for Canadians.

4. Ottawa Lobby Days. We have made some very successful trips to Ottawa to get our message across to those folks on Parliament Hill - TBA more to come!

5. ACTRA National will look into Film Distribution in this country and getting Canadian films in our cinemas. Ken Thompson (our National Policy and Communications Director) will begin a new research effort and working group. This is a large and long-term project.

6. Telefilm: address their film policies and make sure they are doing what’s best for our industry and artists.

7. We will continue to be vigilant on issues of Canadian Content in the CTF guidelines and those found in the Macerola Report and in Telefilm Guidelines which do not fully support the use of Canadian actors on Canadian projects.

8. Attend the Banff television festival, the Toronto International Film Festival and other industry events to promote our political agenda.

9. We will continue to support the implementation of the Lincoln Report by the Heritage Committee: on the Canadian Broadcasting System and lobby to bring its recommendations into practice.

Links to other cultural and political organizations:

Mayworks http://www.mayworks.ca
OFL http://www.ofl-fto.on.ca
Labour council http://www.labourcouncil.ca
City of Toronto http://www.toronto.ca
FilmOntario http://www.filmontario.ca
Toronto Arts Council http://www.torontoartscouncil.org/
Toronto Arts Coalition http://www.torontoartscoalition.org/
Provincial Government http://www.gov.on.ca
Federal Government http://www.gc.ca
Ontario Art s Council http://www.arts.on.ca
CRTC http://www.crtc.gc.ca
Heritage Canada http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/
CTF http://www.canadiantelevisionfund.ca
Canadian Conference of the Arts http://www.ccarts.ca
Canada Council for the Arts http://www.canadacouncil.ca/
UNESCO http://www.unesco.org

Stunt Committee: Steve Lucescu, Chair  
slucescu@actratoronto.com

Marco Bianco, Vice-Chair

Committee:

Brian Jagursky

Brankso Racki
Geoff Williams