Native Actor Meets CBS At Haskell University
Former Screen Actors Guild board member, Mark Reed, Apache/Mohawk, has set up an Intensive Acting Workshop in coordination with CBS scheduled for October 22nd at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas.
Reed explains the Workshop is a “one-on-one evaluation” of marketing oneself to the film and television industry. The workshop will cover such topics such as how to submit professional “eye-catching” resumes and headshots, scene evaluations, actor representation, etc.
He added, “Because it is being conducted by CBS, the one-day seminar gives an intimate perspective on the casting process of network TV shows and mini series. This CBS workshop is focused on us because American Indians are the ‘Invisible Americans’ on television”
Fern Orenstein from CBS Hollywood will be conducting the workshop. Fern is Vice-President of Prime Time casting for movies of the week and miniseries, and from CBS New York, senior Vice-President of Diversity, Josie Thomas will be assisting Fern. Reed will be on hand as the Grand Coalition Alternate Chairman for American Indians.
Reed has organized similar workshops in the Los Angeles area for American Indians in partnership with CBS which have been “very successful”. While serving on the SAG Board, he represented the Guild before the Federal Communications Commission and organized SAG’s first seminar with network producers/show runners, “The Invisible American”.
He also wants to overcome the disparity between the Hollywood “haves and have-nots” by equalizing SAG dues so that every member, especially the wealthy members, pay their fair share. Members pay 1.85% of each dollar they earn up to $200,000 but earnings above that amount are now exempt from this dues assessment. Reed proposes to remove that exemption, yielding SAG an estimated seven to fifteen million dollars for needed member services. The Dues Equalization Proposal is currently in committee.
“I made the request for the Haskell University workshop about a year ago, “ Reed asserted. “I want to bring the network to us. Open communication between Indian Country and television executives can make a great difference for our performers. If we can create a network of talent resources for the networks, we can change our image in American media.
“At a recent press conference, I said we are the ‘Invisible American – the American Indian’. We no longer choose to be invisible, so I am trying to establish working relationships with the networks that want to help us in resolving our ‘invisibility’.”
Reed states the workshop is being held at Haskell U. because of the high level of talent in their theater department. Reed has made an excellent choice in Haskell to represent the Native American in film and TV, as Haskell has a fascinating history of its own.
“Twenty-two American Indian children entered the doors of a new school in Lawrence, Kansas in 1884 to begin a program that focused on agricultural education in grades one through five. In 2005, Haskell continues to serve the educational needs of American Indians and Alaska Native people from across the United States.
“For more than 120 years, American Indians and Alaska Natives have been sending their children to Haskell. Today, the university has an average enrollment of more than 1,000 students per semester.”
Alan Rosenberg has succeeded Melissa Gilbert as President of the Screen Actors Guild and has assured further cooperation with Native American actors. This will keep Mark Reed in his “activist” role for the next two years.
NCAI And NABA Organizing Meeting
For this next year's election cycle
Submitted by Alyssa Macy –
Alyssa@centerforcivicparticiaption.org
Native Vote/NV Election Protection Meeting
Sunday, October 30th, 2005
3:30pm-6:30pm
NCAI Conference (www.ncai.org)
Tulsa, Oklahoma
For more information, contact:
Irene Masayesva, irene_masayesva@ncai.org
Virginia Davis, vdavis@ncai.org
Heather Dawn Thompson, heather@heatherthompson.org
NATIVE UNITY - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.
For news and information on Native American and First Nations actors, go to Annie's site at www.NativeCelebs.com and follow the threads.
American Indian Airways regularly broadcasts every Wednesday from 3-4 p.m.(Pacific Time) on KPFK FM 90.7 Los Angeles; FM 98.7 Santa Barbara; and by Internet with Real Media Player, Winamp and Itunes.
Reed explains the Workshop is a “one-on-one evaluation” of marketing oneself to the film and television industry. The workshop will cover such topics such as how to submit professional “eye-catching” resumes and headshots, scene evaluations, actor representation, etc.
He added, “Because it is being conducted by CBS, the one-day seminar gives an intimate perspective on the casting process of network TV shows and mini series. This CBS workshop is focused on us because American Indians are the ‘Invisible Americans’ on television”
Fern Orenstein from CBS Hollywood will be conducting the workshop. Fern is Vice-President of Prime Time casting for movies of the week and miniseries, and from CBS New York, senior Vice-President of Diversity, Josie Thomas will be assisting Fern. Reed will be on hand as the Grand Coalition Alternate Chairman for American Indians.
Reed has organized similar workshops in the Los Angeles area for American Indians in partnership with CBS which have been “very successful”. While serving on the SAG Board, he represented the Guild before the Federal Communications Commission and organized SAG’s first seminar with network producers/show runners, “The Invisible American”.
He also wants to overcome the disparity between the Hollywood “haves and have-nots” by equalizing SAG dues so that every member, especially the wealthy members, pay their fair share. Members pay 1.85% of each dollar they earn up to $200,000 but earnings above that amount are now exempt from this dues assessment. Reed proposes to remove that exemption, yielding SAG an estimated seven to fifteen million dollars for needed member services. The Dues Equalization Proposal is currently in committee.
“I made the request for the Haskell University workshop about a year ago, “ Reed asserted. “I want to bring the network to us. Open communication between Indian Country and television executives can make a great difference for our performers. If we can create a network of talent resources for the networks, we can change our image in American media.
“At a recent press conference, I said we are the ‘Invisible American – the American Indian’. We no longer choose to be invisible, so I am trying to establish working relationships with the networks that want to help us in resolving our ‘invisibility’.”
Reed states the workshop is being held at Haskell U. because of the high level of talent in their theater department. Reed has made an excellent choice in Haskell to represent the Native American in film and TV, as Haskell has a fascinating history of its own.
“Twenty-two American Indian children entered the doors of a new school in Lawrence, Kansas in 1884 to begin a program that focused on agricultural education in grades one through five. In 2005, Haskell continues to serve the educational needs of American Indians and Alaska Native people from across the United States.
“For more than 120 years, American Indians and Alaska Natives have been sending their children to Haskell. Today, the university has an average enrollment of more than 1,000 students per semester.”
Alan Rosenberg has succeeded Melissa Gilbert as President of the Screen Actors Guild and has assured further cooperation with Native American actors. This will keep Mark Reed in his “activist” role for the next two years.
NCAI And NABA Organizing Meeting
For this next year's election cycle
Submitted by Alyssa Macy –
Alyssa@centerforcivicparticiaption.org
Native Vote/NV Election Protection Meeting
Sunday, October 30th, 2005
3:30pm-6:30pm
NCAI Conference (www.ncai.org)
Tulsa, Oklahoma
For more information, contact:
Irene Masayesva, irene_masayesva@ncai.org
Virginia Davis, vdavis@ncai.org
Heather Dawn Thompson, heather@heatherthompson.org
NATIVE UNITY - A place for Native American Peoples to solidify their tribes to make a positive impact on the cultural, social, economic and political fabric of American society and a place for non-Natives to better understand the ways of the American Indian.
For news and information on Native American and First Nations actors, go to Annie's site at www.NativeCelebs.com and follow the threads.
American Indian Airways regularly broadcasts every Wednesday from 3-4 p.m.(Pacific Time) on KPFK FM 90.7 Los Angeles; FM 98.7 Santa Barbara; and by Internet with Real Media Player, Winamp and Itunes.
posted by Bobbie Hart O'Neill @ 6:20 PM
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