New Mexico SAG-AFTRA President says, "Happy New Year" 2016

Tom Schuch is the New Mexico SAG-AFTRA President. 

He says,"Dear SAG-AFTRA New Mexico Members: Happy New Year! Another year around the sun and here we are beginning a new year, which, I believe, will be a fruitful one for our members. We expect the return of several strong TV series, including 'Manhattan', 'The Night Shift', 'Longmire', 'Better Call Saul' and a new and exciting addition to the list, 'The Preacher.' Films big and small will pepper the calendar throughout the year. Plus, legislation that makes it easier for commercial advertisers to take advantage of the tax incentive programs took effect Jan. 1. As you know, union commercial work can be a very important part of an actor’s career. Residuals!"

"A quick recap of 2015: In late May, the local held its annual membership meeting, encouraging members to get involved with committees and to run for offices. The centerpiece of the meeting was a presentation from the President’s Taskforce on Education, Outreach & Engagement (PTEOE) featuring special guests SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Gabrielle Carteris and New York Local Board member Jamal Story. They shared their experiences and emphasized that we are one union, all with the same goal. Their message: Just by being here, you are already leaders."

"In early June, SAG-AFTRA hosted two panels at the Albuquerque Film & Music Experience. Fatna Sallak-Williams and Ellen Huang (national staff) presented workshops on the theatrical and new media contracts and the business of acting."

"This past fall, the union participated in two additional industry panels: the New Mexico Film & Media Industry Conference’s 'SAG-AFTRA New Mexico Franchised Talent Houses' with special guest Xochitl Cerda, SAG-AFTRA senior manager, professional representatives and, in December, SAG-AFTRA was part of a casting panel during the Santa Fe Film Festival."

There is one important event coming up soon.

1) SAG-AFTRA New Mexico will once again have a presence at Film & TV Day on Monday, Feb. 8, at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. The legislature will be in session. We’ll be at the Roundhouse all day, so stop by and say hello.

"If you haven’t been to this event, it’s a great opportunity to network with folks from all aspects of the New Mexico film and TV business. And, very importantly, it’s an opportunity to introduce yourself to your legislators and talk about the disadvantages of “right-to-work-for-less” laws. Oh yes, more on that subject ..."

"You may have heard that right-to-work-for-less is rearing its ugly head once again at this year’s legislative session. We are on it. We will be supporting efforts to make sure that that type of union-weakening (busting) legislation doesn’t get through, and we ask that all SAG-AFTRA New Mexico members be in communication with their local legislators regarding this effort. (Stay tuned for more details on this.) New Mexico and Colorado are surrounded by right-to-work states, so it is important that we continue to be aware of what is happening at a state level. Keep your eyes and ears open!"

"That’s all for now. See you on the set! Be ready, be professional, be proud!"

Sincerely, Tom Schuch (SAG-AFTRA New Mexico Local President)