Jason George

I’m a working actor just like you.  Film credits range from Featured and Supporting to Leads (FALLEN, BARBERSHOP, THREE CAN PLAY THAT GAME) Television credits as Guest Star and Series Regular (ELI STONE, EVE, WHAT ABOUT BRIAN)  I’ve been active with our unions for over ten years and my work experience has consistently put me in unique positions to affect change in our union contracts.  During my first stint on the Primetime Theatrical Negotiating Committee, the unions were fighting to end the detestable practice of stunt “paintdowns”—using makeup to have a Caucasian stuntperformer double for an African American thus putting the stuntperformer literally in blackface.  I personally encountered the practice just two months prior to negotiations and completely contradicted the Producers assertion that the practice “simply doesn’t happen in this day and age”, getting language in the contract to help end the practice.  During my second service on a Negotiating Committee, I was the male lead on the top UPN series, EVE, and was instrumental in helping the unions raise wages at both the WB and UPN.  In this latest contract, my third, I chaired the Guest Star/Major role subcommittee while preparing for negotiations and we attained a 10% raise in the minimum salary for a Guest Star role. I’m currently the local co-chair of AFTRA’s Equal Employment Opportunity Committee and I’ve worked extensively on those issues, providing seminars to raise awareness of multi-cultural issues and championing diversity in Film and Television.  Additionally, for the last ten years I’ve served on the national and local boards of AFTRA, putting me in a unique position to understand and help mend the rift that was torn between our sister unions.  I long for the day when our unions will not only jointly negotiate this contract again but finally merge into one powerful performers union.  I’m asking for your vote so I can help us UNITE FOR STRENGTH.

SAG National Board Candidate Statement

I’m a working actor trying to make ends meet–same as you.  Accomplishing that’s harder than ever–jurisdictional conflicts, media consolidation and new media make it continually worse.  Our union must fight harder but, more importantly, smarter.  Unfortunately, there’s been little strategy or union solidarity recently, making a bad situation far worse.  My experience from three Prime Time Theatrical Negotiating Committees can help us strategize to get the strongest contracts possible.  My relationships can help restore union solidarity with the DGA, WGA and, most importantly, AFTRA, with whom we must unite.  Please vote for me so I can fight for you.  www.UniteforStrength.com