Twin Cities Local
Candidate Statement - Local Board President
I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Twin Cities Local Board since 2019, and in the current 2-year term as Local President. During this time, I have been directly involved in establishing and enhancing the Film Production Tax Credit, creating Explore Minnesota Film, and saving the tax credit and film office when they were unexpectedly threatened by budget cuts in the remaining final weeks of the recent session. Throughout these legislative experiences I have created and fostered relationships with legislative allies, lobbyists, MN AFL-CIO leadership, and crucially with our entertainment union allies at IATSE and the Teamsters.
As President I have reshaped our Local Committees, encouraging member participation. I have worked to create educational opportunities for members, as well as those for local filmmakers encouraging their use of our Low Budget Agreements, through our relationships with FilmNorth, Catalyst, and Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival. I have worked to bring diversity to the Local Board, and to include more broadcaster representation. And in a world where so much of our time is spent apart, an area I am particularly proud of building solidarity is creating social opportunities that bring broadcasters and performers together.
I hope you’ll reelect me as Local Board President to continue in this direction.
I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Twin Cities Local Board since 2019, and in the current 2-year term as Local President. During this time, I have been directly involved in establishing and enhancing the Film Production Tax Credit, creating Explore Minnesota Film, and saving the tax credit and film office when they were unexpectedly threatened by budget cuts in the remaining final weeks of the recent session. Throughout these legislative experiences I have created and fostered relationships with legislative allies, lobbyists, MN AFL-CIO leadership, and crucially with our entertainment union allies at IATSE and the Teamsters.
As President I have reshaped our Local Committees, encouraging member participation. I have worked to create educational opportunities for members, as well as those for local filmmakers encouraging their use of our Low Budget Agreements, through our relationships with FilmNorth, Catalyst, and Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival. I have worked to bring diversity to the Local Board, and to include more broadcaster representation. And in a world where so much of our time is spent apart, an area I am particularly proud of building solidarity is creating social opportunities that bring broadcasters and performers together.
I hope you’ll reelect me as Local Board President to continue in this direction.
Candidate Statement - Local Board Member
I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Twin Cities Local Board since 2019, and in the current 2-year term as Local President. During this time, I have been directly involved in establishing and enhancing the Film Production Tax Credit, creating Explore Minnesota Film, and saving the tax credit and film office when they were threatened by budget cuts this year. As President I’ve reshaped our Local Committees, worked to create educational opportunities for members, and created social gatherings to bring broadcasters and performers together. I hope you’ll reelect me to the Local Board to continue in this direction.
I’ve had the privilege of serving on the Twin Cities Local Board since 2019, and in the current 2-year term as Local President. During this time, I have been directly involved in establishing and enhancing the Film Production Tax Credit, creating Explore Minnesota Film, and saving the tax credit and film office when they were threatened by budget cuts this year. As President I’ve reshaped our Local Committees, worked to create educational opportunities for members, and created social gatherings to bring broadcasters and performers together. I hope you’ll reelect me to the Local Board to continue in this direction.
Prince and SAG-AFTRA Night at Target Field - June, 2025
Twin Cities Local Coffee Connection - May, 2024
With SAG Awards Committee Co-Chairs Kirsten Gregerson and Veronica Wayne - SAG Awards Party 2024
With Teamsters Local 638 Vice President Scott Lecy, IATSE Local 490 President Gary Surber, and SAG-AFTRA TC Local Executive Director Bill Hendrickson - North Star Story Summit 2024
Pride Parade 2024
SAG-AFTRA Twin Cities Local Membership Meeting 2024
SAG-AFTRA Twin Cities Local Membership Meeting Mixer 2024
With IATSE Local 490 member and advocate Brian Simpson, Rep. Dave Lislegard, Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman, Rep. John Huot, and Twin Cities Local Board Member and Organizing Committee Chair Mark Bradley - SAG-AFTRA and IATSE Mixer 2024
WCCO Radio interview at the State Fair - TV/Theatrical/Streaming Strike 2023
With St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey - SAG-AFTRA Solidarity Strike Rally 2023
With Senator Ann Rest - United Auto Workers rally 2023
With Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Bernham, United Auto Workers member David Tivis, and Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation President Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou - United Auto Workers rally 2023
With IATSE Local 490 member and film production advocate Brian Simpson, and House bill sponsor Rep. Dave Lislegard - House Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee hearing 2023.
With IATSE Local 490 member and film production advocate Brian Simpson, and Hannah Alstead, Political Director Teamsters Joint Council 32 - House Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee hearing 2023.
With IATSE Local 490 member and film production advocate Brian Simpson, and Senate bill sponsor Sen. Grant Hauschild - Senate Taxes Committee Hearing 2023.
With producer and film production advocate Sara Hamilton, and Senate bill co-sponsor Sen. Carla Nelson - Senate Taxes Committee Hearing 2023.
With Riki McManus, UMFO Chief Production Officer; Sara Hamilton, producer; Rep. Dave Lislegard; Van Hayden, MN Film & TV board co-chair; Melodie Bahan, MN Film & TV Executive Director; Shari Marshik, UMFO Executive Director; David Malver, MN Film & TV board member - MN Film & TV Spotlight Celebration 2023.
With Director/Filmmaker Jay Ness, Actor/Intimacy Professional Lily Rains, Writer-Director Andrew Hunt - Catalyst Festival 2022
With Casting Director Lynn Blumenthal - Catalyst Festival 2022
With Lynn Blumenthal, Owner of Lynn Blumenthal Casting; Writer-Director Zack Morrison; Madelyn Mark, Director, Meredith Model & Talent Agency; and Actor/Intimacy Professional Lily Rains - Catalyst 2022
With SAG-AFTRA broadcaster Stephen Swanson - 3-Day Minnesota Organizing Institute training hosted by AFL-CIO and MN AFL-CIO 2022
With MN Film & TV Executive Director Melodie Bahan, Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman, Rep. Dave Lislegard, SAG-AFTRA Director of Locals Administration Bill Hendrickson, and Twin Cities Local Board Member and Organizing Committee Chair - Legislative Celebration 2021