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SAG-AFTRA

Hosted by National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.

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Thursday · 36 min
Behind the Scene Study: Essential Tips From Acting Teacher Jill Stern
One of the most important skills for any actor, whether they're prepping for class, an audition, or a self-tape at home is analyzing this script: the who, what, when, where and why of a scene. Our guest today, New York Local member Jill Stern, has been teaching those elements at SAG-AFTRA's New York Conservatory since 2013. She shares how to get the most out of a first read, how to make bold choices and when it's OK to improvise. Jill also shares tips for self-tapes and advice on creating your own projects during slow periods. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA.
October 1 · 36 min
What It Really Takes to Be a Broadcast Journalist Today
Broadcast journalists chase breaking news, work unpredictable hours and sometimes put themselves in harm's way to tell stories the public needs to know. But the job is changing. Tracee Wilkins is an investigative reporter with NBC4 Washington and president of SAG-AFTRA's Washington-Mid Atlantic Local. She takes us inside the newsroom to talk about why reporters are being asked to do more with less, what it takes to produce for TV, digital and social all at once, and growing concerns about safety and First Amendment rights. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA
September 17 · 37 min
A Voice Actors' Guide to Voiceover Work
Voiceover work covers a lot of ground: audiobooks, animation, commercials, video games, ADR/looping, dubbing. But how different are they really, and what does it take to break in? David Jolliffe has voiced well over 1,000 TV episodes and serves as SAG-AFTRA's L.A. Local Second Vice President. Nancy Linari is a voiceover performer and audiobook narrator best known as the voice of Aunt May in Marvel's Spider-Man. They walk through the distinct skill set each lane demands. They also get into how home studios changed the game post-COVID, why relationships and networking matter and how the union contracts protecting this work came together. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA.
September 3 · 53 min
Labor Day 2026: Where the Union Movement Stands Now
This Labor Day, we step back and ask a bigger question: what's the state of the unions in America right now? Not just SAG-AFTRA, but the whole movement. Where we've made real gains, where we're facing challenges and what it actually means to be a union member in 2026. To tackle these topics, we're joined by two prominent labor leaders who are at the center of that fight. Sean Astin is President of SAG-AFTRA and was recently elected a Vice President of the AFL-CIO. Liz Shuler is President of the AFL-CIO, representing nearly 15 million working people. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA.
August 20 · 19 min
Want More Union Commercial Work? Start Local.
Not every commercial is a big-budget ad for a national brand. Local restaurants, car dealerships, state lotteries, to name a few, all need commercials too. But the terms of our national commercial contract don't always make sense for these regional advertisers. That's where Regional Commercial Codes come in. These agreements create opportunities for working actors in small to mid-size markets across the country by making it easier for local businesses to hire union talent. SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Mid-Size Locals, Nikki Izanec joins the show to walk us through what Regional Commercial Codes are, how they work and why they matter. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA.
August 6 · 26 min
A Conversation With Finneas
Finneas O'Connell is a two-time Academy Award winner, an 11-time Grammy winner, and the creative force behind some of the biggest music of the last decade. He's also a lifelong SAG-AFTRA member who grew up watching his family navigate the industry. In this episode, Finneas talks about his path from child actor to multi-hyphenate creative, the craft behind his music, and why union membership has meant something to him his whole life. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA.
July 23 · 27 min
Digging Into the Details of the TV/Theatrical Agreement
Earlier this year, SAG-AFTRA ratified a new TV/Theatrical Agreement, and a previous episode covered the big wins: the pension merger, AI protections, scale increases, and more. But it's a 148-page contract, and some of the most meaningful gains for working performers may have flown under the radar. This episode goes deeper into the provisions that really add up on set and in members' paychecks. Deputy Chief Contracts Officer Jessica Johnson joins the show to discuss recurring performer escalators, series regular protections, meal penalties, per diems, and even a new pay provision for corsets. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA.
July 9 · 23 min
A Conversation with 'Working Actor' Harrison Ford
SAG-AFTRA member Harrison Ford has spent nearly seven decades as one of Hollywood's most beloved actors, but he'd still rather be called a working actor than an icon. This year, Ford was honored with the union's 61st Life Achievement Award at the 32nd Annual Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA on March 1. In this episode, we listen back to an Actor to Actor conversation with Ford and SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin. The two talk about Ford's early studio contract years at Columbia and Universal, his quiet standoff with Ridley Scott while shooting Blade Runner, and what's kept him showing up for the work all these years later. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA.
June 25 · 37 min
What Actors Should Know About Performance Capture
Performance capture has evolved from an experimental filmmaking technique to a fundamental part of modern entertainment. But despite how common it's become, there's still a lot of misunderstanding about what performance capture actually is and what it means for actors who work in this space. To break it all down, we're joined by Woody Schultz, a SAG-AFTRA National Board Member and Vice Chair of the National AI and Technology Committee. Schultz has been at the forefront of performance capture since its early days, working on groundbreaking films like The Polar Express, Avatar and Monster House. He talks about how the technology works, why "motion capture" misses the point, the long fight to win union protections and what new AI technologies could mean for the future. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA.
June 9 · 41 min
Why the NO FAKES Act Matters Right Now
The NO FAKES Act heads to a Senate Judiciary Committee markup and vote on June 11, 2026. This is a moment three years in the making and the closest this bill has come to becoming law. Right now, anyone's face or voice can be cloned and dropped into a video they never agreed to, and most people have far fewer legal rights to stop it than they think. The NO FAKES Act would change that. To break down what the bill actually does, we're joined by SAG-AFTRA LA Local President and the SAG-AFTRA Government Affairs & Public Policy Committee (GAPP) Co-Chair Joely Fisher; actor-producer and GAPP Committee Co-chair Jason George and SAG-AFTRA Chief Legal Officer Jeffrey Bennett. They explain the new federal right NO FAKES would create in your voice and likeness, the fast "take down and stay down" process that would force platforms to remove unauthorized replicas and the built-in First Amendment protections. They also discuss the unusually broad coalition behind the bill and how you can support this at sagaftra.org/nofakes. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA.
May 28 · 35 min
Meet the 'Project Hail Mary' Puppeteer Who Brought Rocky to Life
One of the biggest movie surprises of 2026 has been the sci-fi blockbuster Project Hail Mary. Actor, puppeteer and puppet designer James Ortiz joins the show to discuss his groundbreaking performance as the five-legged alien Rocky in the film. James shares his journey from landing the role with a homemade puppet audition to building on-set chemistry with Ryan Gosling, describing how what began as a job focused on puppeteering evolved into one of the most talked-about performances of the year. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA.
May 14 · 1 hr 1 min
Unpacking the 2026 TV/Theatrical Tentative Agreement
Earlier this month, SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP reached a tentative agreement on a successor contract to the 2023 TV/Theatrical Contracts covering motion pictures, scripted primetime dramatic television, streaming content and new media. This agreement builds on our historic gains while securing the future for our members. In this roundtable discussion, SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and SAG-AFTRA Chief Contract Officer Ray Rodriguez discuss the headline achievements of this tentative agreement. Topics include: the historic pension and retirement plan merger, comprehensive AI protections for digital replicas and synthetics, increases in residuals and the streaming bonus fund, and what it means for working performers. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA.
April 30 · 43 min
The Most Memorable Moments of the Actor Awards
In March, SAG-AFTRA hosted The 32nd Annual Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA, which streamed live on Netflix from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The show has been honoring outstanding performances in film and television for 32 years as the Screen Actors Guild Awards®, but this year marked the first ceremony under its new name. The night was a roaring success with some truly memorable and funny moments, thanks in no small part to an incredible production team. To take us behind the curtain and share some insider stories, we're joined by three people who made it all happen: Jon Brockett, showrunner and executive producer; Russell Norman, the show's director; and Steven Murphy, our head writer. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA.
April 16 · 28 min
How the New Intimacy Coordinator Contract is Good for the Whole Industry
SAG-AFTRA's first collective bargaining agreement for intimacy coordinators took effect on Feb. 22, marking a watershed moment for a profession that didn't exist 15 years ago. The contract establishes industry-wide standards for the professionals who safeguard performers during intimate scenes. But what exactly does an intimacy coordinator do, and why does this agreement matter for every performer working today? We spoke with Alicia Rodis, Chair of the Intimacy Coordinator Negotiating Committee and a working IC whose credits include And Just Like That, The Gilded Age, and The Last Mrs. Parrish. Alicia discusses the critical protections now guaranteed under the agreement. She also addresses performer concerns about working with ICs and makes the case for why these professionals protect not just the performers in intimate scenes, but the entire crew. **The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.
April 2 · 33 min
What's Really Holding Back Latino Representation in Entertainment
Latino performers face a persistent gap between their presence in the entertainment industry and their representation in actual roles. Typecasting, stereotyping, and limited opportunities remain real challenges. But there's also progress happening, and the union is fighting to accelerate change. We spoke to three SAG-AFTRA members leading this fight: Hector Garcia, National Board member and Co-Vice Chair of the National Latino Committee; Natalia Castellanos, Chair of the National Latino Committee; and Vanessa Morales, Co-Vice Chair of the National Latino Committee. They discuss where Latino representation stands today and why something as simple as updating your member profile matters more than you might think. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.
March 19 · 31 min
The Women's Committee Gets Real About Industry Challenges
As we celebrate Women's History Month this March, we're recognizing not just the trailblazers of the past, but the women who are shaping our industry's future right now. In this episode, we share a powerful conversation that took place last November at our L.A. Local Women's Committee's second annual roundtable. Seven remarkable SAG-AFTRA members came together to discuss the real challenges women face in our industry—from stereotypes and ageism to gender bias. And more importantly, how we're confronting them together. The panel was moderated by Elyssa Phillips and included Tiffany Yvonne Cox, Frances Fisher, Ever Carradine, Minita Gandhi, Jessy Yates and Alisa Reyes. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.
March 5 · 23 min
This Director Is Using Humor to Expose How AI Can't Act
We've all seen the headlines about A.I. and wondered what it all means for your career. There's a lot of anxiety and uncertainty about what AI synthetics can actually accomplish. Writer-director and Emmy-winning creator Sergio Cilli, decided to find out by auditioning them. In his viral video series "Will AI Actors Replace Us?!," which has reached 45 million views, Sergio puts AI synthetics through typical audition scenarios and watches them fail spectacularly at basic tasks like loading a dishwasher or performing emotional scenes. He joins the show to discuss how humor helps performers process anxiety about A.I., and why directors still prefer working with humans over robots. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.
February 19 · 39 min
The Battle to Preserve Human Artistry in the Age of A.I.
AI-generated content and deepfakes are rewriting the rules of creative ownership. So what are writers, artists, and performers doing about it? In this panel discussion from the AI House at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland joined multidisciplinary artist Emi Kusano and MIT Technology Review Editor-in-Chief Mat Honan for a discussion about how performers secured contract protections for digital replicas, how artists are using AI ethically in their own creative practice, and how journalists are setting boundaries around AI-generated content in newsrooms. The panel was moderated by Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.
February 5 · 34 min
The Digital Replica Rules Every Commercial Actor Needs to Know
SAG-AFTRA's 2025 commercials contracts delivered groundbreaking A.I. provisions, but what do they actually mean for you? Tracy Hyman, Executive Director of Commercials Contracts, and actor and negotiating committee member Nicole Cyrille break down exactly how digital replicas and synthetic performances work, when you need to give consent, how you get paid and what guardrails are in place to protect you. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.
January 22 · 44 min
Why Unions Need to be Part of the A.I. Conversation
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland sits down with journalist Matt Belloni from Puck at CES in Las Vegas for a no-holds-barred conversation about the future of A.I. and entertainment. Matt asks the tough questions: Why should A.I. companies care what unions think? How is artificial intelligence reshaping creative work? What happens if there's another strike? Duncan breaks down what SAG-AFTRA won in 2023, what's at stake in the upcoming February negotiations, and why the distinction between humans and A.I. algorithms really matters. They tackle studio deals with OpenAI, deepfakes, synthetic performances, and whether the unions are playing defense or leading the charge. *The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organization or SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply endorsement.

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