Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – The Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance is hosting a not-to-be-missed SAG-AFTRA Panel, moderated by Brenda Patricia Garza, on Friday, September 15, from 4-5 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. The esteemed panelists for the event are:
Jane Austin, with a career spanning over three decades, Jane Austin has dedicated 23 years to the SAG-AFTRA National Board. She served four years each as the LA President and National Secretary-Treasurer, where she represented 80,000 and 160,000 members respectively. In addition to her administrative roles, Austin is also the chair of the LA Military Committee at SAG-AFTRA. She is a veteran stunt performer, having been in the business since 1987. She currently co-owns Hollywood Stuntworks and has an extensive filmography that includes “Star Trek: Insurrection,” “Justified,” and the “Naked Gun” series. Most recently, she coordinated stunts for “Avatar: The Way of Water.”
Valente Rodriguez, a local talent from Edcouch, Valente Rodriguez shot to fame with the cult classic “Blood and Blood Out.” Over the years, he has been a part of several popular TV shows, including “The Golden Girls,” “Happily Divorced,” “The Mentalist,” and “The George Lopez Show,” where he played Ernie in 120 episodes. Rodriguez has also appeared in 42 films, such as “Erin Brockovich,” “500 Days of Summer,” and “Instant Family.” A staple at the South Texas International Film Festival, he will host its 9th Annual event.
Carlos Gallardo, widely recognized for his collaboration with director Robert Rodriguez, gained fame for his role in the $7,000-budget film “El Mariachi.” The movie won the 1993 Sundance Film Festival and became part of the US Library of Congress’s National Film Registry in 2012. “El Mariachi” laid the groundwork for a trilogy that includes “Desperado” and “Once Upon a Time in Mexico,” which has grossed over $246 million worldwide.
Michael Gregory is a versatile actor with an expansive career covering over 400 appearances in films, TV shows, video games, and animes. He is best known for playing the original Dr. Rick Webber on the long-standing soap opera “General Hospital.” His extensive TV repertoire includes roles in iconic shows like “The Fall Guy,” “Dynasty,” and “MacGyver.” In the gaming world, Gregory has lent his voice to prominent titles like “Cyberpunk 2077,” “Star Wars: The Old Republic,” and “Call of Duty: Black Ops II.” Anime enthusiasts might recognize him from projects such as “Cowboy Be-Bop” and “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.”
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from these industry veterans. Please mark your calendars for September 15 and join us at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance!
SAG-AFTRA stands for the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. It’s a labor union representing approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcasters, journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists, and other media professionals. The organization was formed in 2012 by merging two other entities: the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA).
The main purpose of SAG-AFTRA is to negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements that establish equitable working conditions, pay rates, and benefits for its members. It also advocates for its members’ welfare and offers various services, such as contract negotiation assistance, legal aid, and career opportunities. In addition, SAG-AFTRA works to protect against unauthorized use of performances and advocates for policies and legislation that benefit its members and the entertainment industry.
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