Screen Actors Guild...actors reach settlement in class-action! Union sued for Foreign Residuals!



If you performed in a motion picture, television program, or other audio-visual work - that earned foreign royalties - your rights as an actor  may be affected by a recent court-approved class action settlement.

On February 18th (2011), the Superior Court of the County of Los Angeles, approved a class action settlement in Case No. BC377780 (Osmond v. Screen Actors Guild, Inc.) and ordered that all actors affected be provided a copy of the "Judgment and Order" Granting the "Final Approval" of the Class Action Settlement.

Interested parties may view the document to determine their eligibility to be a part of the "class" by cruising over to SAG’s website.

http://www.sag.org/files/sag/documents/ClassActionNotice_2011.pdf

The lawsuit arose as a result of the collection and distribution of royalties (also known as levies) on blank DVDs and tapes in several foreign nations.

Various countries have adopted laws imposing royalties, which are designed to provide compensation to rights holders, including performers in motion pictures and other works.

The Plaintiffs (and each of them) alleged in their causes of action that the Screen Actors Guild failed to properly distribute foreign royalties to performers.

In their moving papers, SAG asserted that they acted appropriately in their capacity as Union Reps, handled all foreign royalties properly, and proceeded to vehemently deny all the subsequent allegations, in addition to pleading other defenses.

The settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing or an indication that any law was violated.

For further information, please contact SAG representatives at the following web address.

 http://www.sag.org/content/foreign-royalties

Telephone

(323) 549-6450

http://www.thetattler.biz

The ugliest Actor's Award in the biz!

SAG Awards...touted amidst hoopla in Hollywood! Jeff Bridges, Jesse EisenBerg, Annette Bening nominated!



Today, the Screen Actors Guild announced their nominees for the 17th Annual SAG Awards.

Not my favorite-looking statuette, by any stretch of the imagination.

Don't expect a bunch of quarrelling actors in a troubled Union to get it right!

The red-carpet celebrations will be broadcast amidst a lot of hype & hoopla on TNT and TBS on Sunday, January 30th (8 p.m. ET).

The Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles will host the much-anticipated event.

At that high-profile event, presenters - on behalf of the Guild and its membership - will announce who won top honors for film cast (since SAG does not single out a film per se along the lines of other voting bodies such as the Oscars, the Golden Globes, etc.).

The nominees are "Black Swan," "The Fighter," "The Kids Are All Right," "The King's Speech" and "The Social Network."

In the celebrated arena of Theatrical film releases, the acting nominees for 2010 are:

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

JEFF BRIDGES (Rooster Cogburn)
TRUE GRIT
(Paramount Pictures)

ROBERT DUVALL (Felix Bush)
GET LOW
(Sony Pictures Classics)

JESSE EISENBERG (Mark Zuckerberg)
THE SOCIAL NETWORK
(Columbia Pictures)

COLIN FIRTH (King George VI)
THE KING’S SPEECH
(The Weinstein Company)

JAMES FRANCO (Aron Ralston)
127 HOURS
(Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

ANNETTE BENING (Nic)
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
(Focus Features)

NICOLE KIDMAN (Becca)
RABBIT HOLE
(Lionsgate)

JENNIFER LAWRENCE (Ree Dolly)
WINTER’S BONE
(Roadside Attractions)

NATALIE PORTMAN (Nina Sayers)
BLACK SWAN
(Fox Searchlight Pictures)

HILARY SWANK (Betty Anne Waters)
CONVICTION
(Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

CHRISTIAN BALE (Dicky Eklund)
THE FIGHTER
(Paramount Pictures)

JOHN HAWKES (Teardrop)
WINTER’S BONE
(Roadside Attractions)

JEREMY RENNER (James Coughlin)
THE TOWN
(Warner Bros. Pictures)

MARK RUFFALO (Paul)
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
(Focus Features)

GEOFFREY RUSH (Lionel Logue)
THE KING’S SPEECH
(The Weinstein Company)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

AMY ADAMS (Charlene Fleming)
THE FIGHTER
(Paramount Pictures)

HELENA BONHAM CARTER (Queen Elizabeth)
THE KING’S SPEECH
(The Weinstein Company)

MILA KUNIS (Lily)
BLACK SWAN
(Fox Searchlight Pictures)

MELISSA LEO (Alice Ward)
THE FIGHTER
(Paramount Pictures)

HAILEE STEINFELD (Mattie Ross)
TRUE GRIT
(Paramount Pictures)

Each year, the SAG voting committee singles out Outstanding Performances by an Ensemble cast in the realms of TV Comedy and Drama.

For the 2010 calendar year, well-earned nods for dramatic bill-of-fare went to "Boardwalk Empire," "The Closer," "Dexter," "The Good Wife" and "Mad Men."

On the other side of the proverbial coin, nominees singled out for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble cast in a Comedy were handed out to "30 Rock," "Glee," "Hot in Cleveland," "Modern Family" and "The Office."

Screen Actors Guild Awards 47th Annual Life Achievement Award

Ernest Borgnine, a seasoned pro - well-liked and admired in the acting community - has been bestowed with the honor of Lifetime Achievement Award this year.

Deservedly so!

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Randy Quaid...arrest warrant issued! Squatter's rights unfounded...

Trouble appears to be following Randy Quaid (and his wife) around these days.

Once again, the B-list actor is in hot water with the courts.

What do the Orientals say?

May you live in interesting times!

If you recall, a scant few months ago  an arrest warrant was issued for Mr. Quaid, when he allegedly skipped out on a bill at a luxury Hotel and left red-faced managers holding the proverbial bag.

Quaid must have coughed up the dough for the room service tab and back-rent due, though, because he was free as a bird once again.

The shocking word out of Hollywood now?

Quaid may be broke and homeless.

Recently, the talented actor - with a half-a-dozen-or-so box offices successes under his belt - was caught (and charged) with illegally camping out in a guest house of a property he once owned.

After-the-fact, a Judge issued an arrest warrant for Quaid when he failed to appear before the bench, to answer to the allegations.

Too embarrassed to show your face, Randy?

Maybe his sensible brother, Dennis, should step in and offer some support.

Or, does he follow biblical wisdom?

I am not my brothers's keeper.

Amen!

Randy, if you're strapped for cash - or need assistance - contact the Screen Actors Guild (or AFTRA).

Maybe the actor's fund can offer up some relief temporarily during your financial crunch and legal snafu.

Worth looking into, anyway!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

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Dennis the brother with all the brawn & brains?