But then the unthinkable happened. After years of failed attempts to merge with its sister union, AFTRA, the latest vote took place for us actors, who’d been getting the shitty end of the stick with TV shows lowering our day rates and threatening to cease paying us royalties. And six weeks ago, our president, Ken Howard (Coach Reeves!), stepped up to the mic and giddily announced we’d voted in favor of merging in a landslide.
So now if you want to seem showbiz-saavy, don’t ask an actor if he’s in SAG – ask him if he’s in SAG-AFTRA. My new card arrived yesterday and the whole thing is already paying off by eliminating one of the two annual dues I had to pay. But here’s a little known perk I wanted to share: The Conrad Cantzen Memorial Shoe Fund. Here’s the skinny straight from SAG-AF:
“In 1945, actor Conrad Cantzen bequeathed his estate to The Actors Fund with the stipulation that it should be used to help actors purchase shoes so they did not appear ‘down at the heels’ when auditioning. Mr. Cantzen believed that a good pair of shoes made a great first impression on casting directors. Mr. Cantzen felt that performers were more confident when auditioning in new shoes. The fund reimburses applicants up to $40.00 for one pair of shoes in a 12-month period, providing the shoes cost no more than $100.00 before tax.”
Take that, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters. I think I’ll pick up some Nikes with the exaggerated herringbone this weekend and put them on Connie’s tab. Go union.
