Mario Vargas Llosa captivating the audience. Here with Javier Rioyo.
Mario Vargas Llosa cautivando a la audiencia. Aquí con Javier Rioyo.
Photograph by Fernando Alonso.
Noches en el Cervantes — Nights at the Cervantes
Reply
Category Archives: Arts Advocate
Actor Advocate for SAG-AFTRA
Gy Mirano
Dear colleagues,
The Spanish media market continues to grow. It’s vital to the future of bilingual performers to be part of this economic boom. Union performance and broadcasting jobs in both languages must be protected and expanded. I am an actress and voice-over artist working in both Spanish and English. My ten years of experience on many SAG and AFTRA committees has given me the skills to launch positive initiatives on behalf of our community.
National Committees: Commercial Performers, Voice-Over, Low-Budget, Spanish Language Media, Spanish Language Commercials Sub-Committee.
New York Committees: Audiobook Narrator Caucus, Alternate Language Workgroup. 2013 Commercials Wages & Working Conditions.
“I believe we need new talent and a new voice to change the status quo for Latin actors: Gy Mirano is that voice. Her fighting spirit and desire to achieve changes for our artistic community is as strong in Gy as it was in me. Her commitment is not only admirable but also inspirational.When we cast a vote, we are acting to protect our interest, or act against it. Status quo is no longer acceptable.We need someone who is dedicated, inspiring and can work to improve our future.”—– Isabel Segovia, actress, advocate, former President of the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors and New York SAG Board member.
Veladas en el Cervantes con Mario Vargas Llosa y Javier Rioyo
A Conversation with Mario Vargas Llosa – Encuentro con Mario Vargas Llosa Photography by Fernando Alonso
El Instituto Cervantes bajo la excelente dirección de Javier Rioyo se ha convertido en un lugar importante en la tela cultural de la ciudad de Nueva York. Aqui estoy a la izquierda prestando mucha atención a la interesante charla de Mario Vargas Llosa
The Cervantes Institute now under the excelent direction of Javier Rioyo has become an important player in the cultural fabric of the city. Here I am to the left listening attentively to Mario Vargas Llosa.
About SAG-AFTRA elections
This year the voting process is even more complex for SAG-AFTRA members. This being the first election after the merger, we have candidates running from both legacy unions. That means more candidates, more choices, and more work for the informed voter. For SAG Legacy members, the long list of Convention Delegates is completely a new item, it was included from the AFTRA Legacy. As voters, we need to do our due diligence and learn about the candidates, what they have done for their constituents, and what they stand for. Make sure they want to serve out of love and a passion to help. There is no financial compensation for these positions, so the motivation should be love. Ego and power struggles get on the way of positive action. Attacks and misinformation have a negative impact on the election, it confuses members even more, and it turns them off. Stay focused: this process is not about politics, it’s about our jobs and our financial future. The issue is who will represent our best interests, and how they will go about it. Even though I’m candidate, I’m also a voter. As a voter, I will make an informed choice, and will also be guided by feeling. Who do I connect with? Whose approach do I like? Who is open and dynamic? It’s great there are two slates, and two candidates for New York President. That is democracy at work.
Andy Warhol – New York Icon
The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts
There were many New York nights when Andy was roaming around town taking pictures with his polaroid camera. He looked like himself, skinny and cool, wearing his trademanrk hair. He was observant, sensitive and ironically, very shy.
He liked eating at the round booths at Indochine, and holding court with Jean-Michel Basquiat.
He disliked Madonna and loved spring rolls. Few places were as exciting as dinner time among the painted palm trees.
New York Latin Filmmaker Luncheon
As an advocate and supporter of culture and arts, I make a special effort to participate in events that have a positive impact on the artistic community.
One of the year’s highlights is the New York Filmmaker Luncheon, part of the New York Latino International Film Festival. The event is a meet-and-greet hosted by Screen Actors Guild for five years now, spearheaded by Adam Moore, Interim National Director of Affirmative Action & Diversity. This is an important yearly event for the Spanish speaking community where up-and-coming, as well as seasoned filmmakers get a chance to talk about their projects and renew their interest in working under the SAG-AFTRA umbrella, including SAG’s Low Budget Agreements. I’m interested in these contracts as another source of income for actors, and because it is a way to develop and explore our craft while working under protected conditions. Now that I’m participating in the National Low Budget Committee I hope to be able to learn more about these contracts and be helpful in the process.
We welcomed the luncheon’s featured filmmakers of “Under my Nails”, a Spanish language movie made in New York and Puerto Rico under the Ultra-Low Budget Agreement. The independently funded film was directed by New York-based Puerto Rican Director Arí Manuel Cruz, and written by Kisha Tikina Burgos. The husband and wife team were candid sharing their thoughts with the audience. The movie ended up winning the best Domestic Feature at NYLLF and will be showcased at HBO Latino in December 2012.
Getting a chance to see how these ambitious dreamers get their movies done, and getting up-dated on the independent filmmaking scene in the U.S. and abroad, confirms there is inspiration and movement, this could mean more work opportunities for actors. As much fun as it is, the luncheon is serious business, its casual and friendly flair helps bring filmmakers together. Thinking post-merger, and all the things that still have to be attended to, we need to build on the work that has already been done, and boldly move forward.