Fronnie Lewis, Author at Media City Groove

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

By Fronnie Lewis Wednesday, July 2, 2008

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4th of July holiday break in the SAG talks

SAG negotiators met with AMPTP reps today. According to a SAG press release, the Guild asked a series of questions about the producers’ proposed package. Over the next several days, SAG negotiators will reportedly review and analyze the offer and ” prepare a response to management’s proposal.” No word yet, when these negotations will start up again. Meanwhile, on SAG’s […]

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

By Fronnie Lewis Wednesday, July 2, 2008

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Grammy Foundation offering grants of up to $40,000

I spotted this notice in today’s Arts Funding Watch e-newsletter. The grants are being offered to organizations and individuals researching the impact of music on the human condition. Also, these grants are available for projects dealing with archiving and preserving the music and recorded sound heritage of the Americas. For application guidelines go to www.grammyfoundation.com/grants

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

By Fronnie Lewis Tuesday, July 1, 2008

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SAG contract update

A Screen Actors Guild member gets vocal in support of striking WGA writers while picketing in front of Disney Studios in Burbank, last February. No, SAG members did not hit the bricks when their union contract expired at 12:01 a.m. this morning. Nevertheless, the labor stand-off between SAG negotiators and the AMPTP continues and that has a lot of people […]

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

By Fronnie Lewis Tuesday, July 1, 2008

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News & General Info

Drivers beware! Hands off those cell phones

Motorists whizz through the intersection of Main Street and Alameda Avenue in Burbank. Starting today, holding a cell phone to your ear and driving will be against the law. California joins five other states requiring hands-free phones while behind the wheel. If you get caught, the general fine is $20 for the first time and $50 for any repeats. California […]

Monday, June 30, 2008

By Fronnie Lewis Monday, June 30, 2008

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SAG contract expires tonight at 12:01 a.m.

The Screen Actors Guild and the Studio reps are really under the gun now, with the SAG union contract set to expire in a matter of hours. After a weekend of bargaining, both sides reportedly returned to the negotiating table for another round this morning at AMPTP headquarters in Sherman Oaks. This is the 42nd day of negotiations, which started […]

Monday, June 30, 2008

By Fronnie Lewis Monday, June 30, 2008

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UCLA gets millions for study of costume design

Newspaper publisher and philanthropist David C. Copley has donated $6 million to endow a chair and center for costume design at the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television. The center will be the first of its kind anywhere. Its goal will be to become the world leader in the academic study of costume design, preparing graduates for a career […]

Sunday, June 29, 2008

By Fronnie Lewis Sunday, June 29, 2008

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SAG contract update

SAG negotiators and the studio reps met at AMPTP headquarters today. This evening, a negotiations update appeared on the SAG website replacing yesterday’s brief statement. The negotiations update thanked SAG members for signing the “Solidarity Statement” over the past four days. “You have pledged your resolve to stand with your national negotiating committee. Thousands of you from all around the […]

Saturday, June 28, 2008

By Fronnie Lewis Saturday, June 28, 2008

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Screen Actors Guild contract about to expire

It is down to the wire for the Screen Actors Guild negotiations with the studio bosses. SAG leaders met with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reps today, but no word on how those talks are going. Tonight, there was a brief statement on the SAG website. The Screen Actors Guild national negotiating committee met with the employers […]

Friday, June 27, 2008

By Fronnie Lewis Friday, June 27, 2008

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Oil prices skyrocketing, no relief at the pumps

Our money pains at the gasoline stations are apparently going to get worse. Today, oil prices hit a new record of nearly 143 dollars a barrel. This bad news comes days before the July 4th holiday week when thousands hit the roads and highways. While out and driving in Burbank, I could not help noticing a number of brand new […]