SAN FRANCISCO

Kathryn Howell, SAG San Francisco Branch President

It was the era of “The Mickey Mouse Club” on TV and my sister and I spent many happy hours in the basement of our North Carolina home putting on plays under the auspices of “The Donald Duck Club.” We had the matching little uniforms with our names on the t-shirts, the DDC theme song, and even real velvet stage curtains - thanks to a small fire in the auditorium of the school where our grandfather was the Principal.

From an early age I knew I wanted to be a professional actor, and I knew that PROFESSIONAL meant being a member of the unions. Within a year of receiving my BFA degree in acting, I joined SAG, AFTRA and AEA, and have been a member of all three for close to 40 years.

I began volunteer service to the unions in the 1980s, and served 22 years on San Francisco’s Bay Area Advisory Committee for Actors Equity. During that time I was active in various committees for the SF Branch of Screen Actors Guild, was elected to our Branch Council, and have served as San Francisco Branch President since 2006. I’ve served on many committees and on negotiating teams for both SAG and AEA.

I believe in Unions. I believe in unity and cooperation within the Guild and in partnership with our sister unions. I am grateful for the protections and benefits afforded by membership in Screen Actors Guild and the other performing unions, and am honored to serve. Contact me HERE.

http://kathrynhowell.nowcasting.com/

Tom Chantler, SAG San Francisco Branch National Board Representative

I am fortunate enough to have made my living solely from acting since I got into the business almost twenty years ago.  As a proud member of both SAG and AfTRA I have worked almost all of the contracts.  I have served locally on the council for many years and now serve as San Francisco’s National Board Representative as well as on numerous committees.

This is a critical time for our performing unions.  Unionism itself is under great strain and our performing unions need to unite to maintain a foothold.  I strongly support a move to consolidate our unions so that we can end the infighting and bring real strength to the bargaining table.