Watch the Counterparts Show July 18th 2023 at 7pm Central to learn about the SAG-AFTRA and the WGA Strike and how you can help. Even if you're not in the entertainment industry, you can help! Please tune in!

www.counterpartsshow.com

The 2023 SAG-AFTRA Strike: A Fight for Equity and Modernization.

The entertainment industry has always been a realm of glitz and glamour, where our favorite stars come to life on screens big and small. However, behind the scenes, the reality for many actors, voice actors, and media professionals is not always as glamorous as it appears. In 2023, the SAG-AFTRA strike emerged as a resounding call for change, demanding fair compensation, improved working conditions, and industry-wide reforms.

At the heart of the strike was the need for equitable compensation in the face of a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The rise of streaming platforms and digital content consumption has transformed the way we engage with entertainment. Yet, as the industry has shifted, traditional compensation models have struggled to keep pace. SAG-AFTRA members recognized the disparity and fought to ensure their valuable work in the digital realm was adequately recognized and compensated.

Residuals became a major point of contention during the strike. With the growing dominance of streaming services and video-on-demand platforms, the distribution of revenue generated from these platforms needed to be reevaluated. SAG-AFTRA pushed for improved residuals, aiming to secure fair compensation for their work in the ever-expanding digital arena.

Another critical aspect of the strike was the focus on health and safety. The grueling hours and demanding schedules endured by industry professionals took a toll on their well-being. The strike highlighted the importance of work-life balance and the need for better rest periods, aiming to create safer and more sustainable working conditions for all.

The 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike was more than just a fight for individual gains. It served as a catalyst for industry-wide reforms. The demands raised by SAG-AFTRA members shed light on the need for modernization, ensuring that the entertainment industry adapts to the evolving dynamics of content creation and consumption. It sparked conversations about fair treatment, diversity and inclusion, and the equitable distribution of opportunities.

Ultimately, the strike served as a powerful reminder that the entertainment industry thrives because of the hard work and dedication of its professionals. It highlighted the collective strength of SAG-AFTRA members and their unwavering determination to bring about meaningful change. By standing together, they sent a clear message: the industry must evolve, adapt, and prioritize the fair treatment and compensation of its talented workforce.

As negotiations continue and the entertainment industry charts its future, it is crucial for all stakeholders to listen, engage, and work toward a more equitable and sustainable industry. The 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike will be remembered as a pivotal moment that challenged the status quo and paved the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for all those involved in the world of entertainment.

Just keep Creating with Filmmaker William Wayne

William Wayne is a filmmaker who, like many of us in the industry, struggled to make it in the competitive world of filmmaking, but now he can celebrate his success with his film, Lost Angelas. Now streaming on Amazon Prime.  Visit www.lostangelas.com to learn more about his film.

Despite facing numerous obstacles and rejections, William's perseverance and talent have made him one of the inspiring stories to follow in the world of filmmaking.

William's journey began with a passion for film while enjoying them with his parents.  He started working in front of the camera and then decided to jump into the writer's chair and pen his story. He first made short films but then dove into his feature, Lost Angelas.  Acceptance is always a constant issue in this business, as film festivals repeatedly turned down his film.  But William was not deterred, as he continued to work on his craft by accepting the advice he was given from the festivals and getting the film to where it was accepted.  He developed his skills and explored new creative avenues along the way.

William's talent and persistence began to pay off. His short films and his newest feature gained recognition, attracting the attention of the prestigious festival, Film Threat, where William won Best Director and Best Indie Film (Made Under 100K) in 2020.  The film was a critical success setting William on the path to a great future in film. 

William's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination. Despite the odds and rejections, he never gave up on his dream of becoming a filmmaker. Today, he is celebrated for his contributions and is increasing his status as a leading figure in the world of filmmaking.  

Watch our interview with William Wayne here and visit our site www.counterpartsshow.com for all the past episodes. 

The Responsibility of an Artist

Artists have a unique responsibility in society as they have the ability to inspire, challenge, and shape cultural norms through their work.

One responsibility of an artist is to create work that is true to their own vision and perspective. This means being true to oneself and not succumbing to external pressures to conform or create work that is popular or profitable, but not authentic.

Another responsibility of an artist is to push boundaries and challenge societal norms through their work. This can include tackling difficult and controversial subject matter and pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms and mediums.

Artists also have a responsibility to use their platform and influence to raise awareness about important social and political issues. They can use their art as a form of activism and raise awareness about issues such as poverty, inequality, and social justice.

Additionally, artists have a responsibility to give back to their communities and to support other artists. This can include mentoring young artists, participating in community art projects, and supporting small independent galleries and art spaces.

In summary, artists have a unique responsibility to be true to their own vision, to challenge societal norms, and to use their platform to raise awareness about important issues to give back to their communities and support other artists.  

Listen to Charles Andrew Payne talk about the responsibility of an artist and more!

LINK:  https://youtu.be/78G63QhJ_mA

Instagram marketing can be a powerful tool for businesses, as it allows you to reach a large and engaged audience. Here are some tips for mastering Instagram marketing:

Develop a clear marketing strategy: Before you start posting on Instagram, it's important to have a clear understanding of your goals and target audience. This will help you create content that resonates with your audience and helps you achieve your marketing objectives.


Create high-quality, visually appealing content: Instagram is all about visuals, so it's important to put effort into creating eye-catching content. This can include photos, videos, and graphics that showcase your products or services in an attractive way.


Use hashtags and geotags to increase visibility: Hashtags and geotags help your content get discovered by people who are interested in your industry or location. Use relevant hashtags and geotags to increase the chances that your content will be seen by the right people.

Engage with your audience: Instagram is a social platform, so it's important to interact with your followers. Respond to comments, answer questions, and share user-generated content to build a community around your brand.

Analyze and track your performance: Use Instagram's built-in analytics or third-party tools to track the performance of your posts and stories. This will help you understand what's working and what's not, and make adjustments to your strategy accordingly.

By following these tips and staying up to date with the latest trends and best practices, you can effectively use Instagram to reach and engage your target audience.

Acting Techniques

Acting techniques are methods actors use to create believable and authentic performances. There are many different techniques that actors can use, and the right technique for a particular actor will depend on their individual strengths and the demands of the role they are playing. 

Some of the most well-known acting techniques include:

The Stanislavski Method: Developed by Russian actor and director Konstantin Stanislavski, this technique emphasizes the importance of finding truth in one's acting and using personal experiences to connect with the role.

The Method: Similar to the Stanislavski Method, this technique also encourages actors to use their own emotions and experiences to bring authenticity to their performances. The Method was developed in the United States and is often associated with actors such as Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro.

The Meisner Technique: Developed by American actor and teacher Sanford Meisner, this technique emphasizes the importance of listening and reacting truthfully in the moment. It also places a strong emphasis on improvisation.

The Shakespearean Technique: This technique is specifically tailored to the demands of performing Shakespeare's plays. It involves careful attention to language, rhythm, and physicality, as well as an understanding of the historical and cultural context of the play.

The Classical Technique: This technique is used in the performance of classical plays, such as those by Greek and Roman playwrights. It emphasizes the importance of clarity and precision in language, as well as the use of gestures and posture to convey meaning.

Overall, acting techniques are tools that actors can use to bring depth and believability to their performances. It is important for actors to be familiar with a range of techniques, as different techniques may be more or less effective for different roles and acting styles.

History of Filmmaking

Filmmaking is the process of creating motion pictures, which involves capturing moving images on film or digitally. The art of filmmaking has evolved significantly since its inception, and today it is a multi-billion dollar industry that encompasses a wide range of genres and formats.

The history of filmmaking can be traced back to the late 19th century when the first motion pictures were created using a series of still photographs. The earliest motion pictures were created using a device called the "zoetrope," which used a series of still images placed around a spinning cylinder to create the illusion of movement.

In 1895, the first true motion picture was created by the Lumiere brothers in France. Their film, called "Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Station," was a simple 50-second long film that depicted a train arriving at a railway station. This film was shown in public for the first time at the Grand Cafe in Paris, and it was an instant sensation.

The early years of filmmaking were marked by a number of technological innovations that helped to shape the industry. In the early 1900s, motion pictures were shot on film using hand-cranked cameras, and they were shown in nickelodeons, which were small, storefront movie theaters.

As the motion picture industry grew in the 1920s, Hollywood emerged as the center of the film world. Hollywood studios, such as Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros., began producing a wide range of films, including comedies, dramas, and action films.

In the 1930s and 1940s, the introduction of sound to motion pictures revolutionized the industry. With the advent of "talkies," filmmakers were able to tell more complex and nuanced stories, and the use of sound in films became an integral part of the filmmaking process.

Over the years, the art of filmmaking has continued to evolve. The introduction of color film in the 1950s and the development of special effects in the 1960s and 1970s opened up new possibilities for filmmakers. In the 1980s and 1990s, the emergence of digital technology transformed the way films were made and distributed.

Today, the film industry is a global enterprise, with films being made in countries all around the world. Filmmaking has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the late 19th century, and it continues to be a constantly evolving art form. 

Breaking down the Homelessness Crisis in America

Unless you've experienced homelessness, it's very difficult to explain it to someone who's always had a roof over their head, however, it's necessary in order to evoke change. So how do we do that? Well, first you must find those that have been helping for many years and engage with them in a meaningful way. I can't think of anyone better than Bobby Watts to explain the challenges and inspire change within the social justice space.

Bobby Watts is the chief executive officer of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, which supports the 300 federally funded Health Care for the Homeless programs and 100 Medical Respite providers with training, technical assistance, sharing of best practices, research, publications, and an active policy and advocacy program working to eliminate homelessness.

We were very honored that Bobby agreed to visit us at the Counterparts Show. We had a great time not only getting to appreciate his journey but also learning about subsidized housing and some of the challenges we're facing in the fight to end homelessness.

As someone who's experienced homelessness, I recommend watching and sharing this episode and reaching out if you need any assistance or know someone who does. Thank you to Bobby and everyone at the Council for the amazing work they do. Visit https://nhchc.org/ to learn more.

Watch the Counterparts episode with Bobby Watts here: www.counterpartsshow.com

Thank you and don't forget our Livestream show is every Tuesday at 7PM Central / 8PM EST.

Born and Raised in The Bronx! Counterparts Show

 Yo!!!  You from Da Bronx!!??  Nice!  Welcome!  Our first episode on The Bronx from our show Counterparts was a ton of fun but we felt we barely scratched the surface.  What did you expect, we had a lifetime of memories and experiences to cover.  We will be doing a part 2 for sure.  

In the episode, we covered the building I grew up in called Chester Hall.  The address was 1058 Southern Blvd.  A beautiful pre-war building that was considered luxury living back in the 30s.  During my time living there, it was a well-kept and clean build.  Unfortunately, the years and the landlords were not kind to it and it fell under deep dispare. I am happy to report, that Chester Hall is getting a facelift and hopefully full renovation.  One of my bucket list items is to visit the building and enter the apartments I lived in.  410, 304, and 503.  

Maybe take some pictures and pay honor to the space where my creative energy was developed.  In part 2 of our Bronx series, we will cover more of the history of the boro and talk about how my grandparents kept me out of trouble.  Maybe I'll tell the story a few breakdancing stories.  Stay tuned!  

The company that built 1058 Southern Blvd or Chester Hall as I remember calling it, was called A-Re-Co (American Real Estate Company) and the neighborhood had quite a few of these buildings that were all built between 1908 - 1912. Apparently, A-Re-Co bought the last farmland. The neighborhood was known as Areco for decades. These were all built about the exact time the subway lines reached Hunts Point.

I like sharing this picture cause it was taken during the time when I was living in that building behind the train. 1058 Southern Blvd in The South Bronx!! If you lived around here during the 80s let me know! (right)


To contact us or see some of our shows, Visit our page: www.counterpartsshow.com

Let me Clarify...

I would like to clarify a little about who I am and what do I do. I’m a creative person. Always have been. I started in music as a kid playing guitar and then in bands and recording music. I still play and love it. My active years of playing a lot were 1987 to 2007. In 2008 I became interested in acting shooting numerous films listed on IMDB. I love acting, writing and directing.

Today, I have a media/video company called JAF Project that I started with Frank Rocco Maglio earlier this year and we moved into our office in April. There we create videos for businesses, individual personalities, original narrative films, and music videos. We also provide social media consulting and content development for clients. Our main goal at JAF is to help people by teaching them how to help themselves using the power of video and social media.

In 2016 I got my real estate license and I’m working at Costanza Realtors in Bayonne. I like it there and I’m planning to do bigger things in real estate in the years to come.

Basically, I enjoy posting positive videos, writing articles about life, hosting a podcast, selling real estate and sharing my journey with those that care in the hopes that someone will benefit from the content.

The reason I’m posting this here is for those that are too close-minded to see that life can be an expansion of creativity and be different at every turn. It's not being unsure of what direction you’re going simply because your passions are many. Being creative to me makes life worth living. Living a life that’s creative matters to this planet and it should be supported. Especially by loved ones that might not fully understand it because they are the ones that can easily destroy the purpose of an artist.

Please support your local artists and make them feel like they matter. Giving them anything less is a slow death to emptiness for the artist and the unaware souls. Thank you for reading. John Henry Soto 🎥📷🎸🎹🎶🎵🎼🎨

John Henry Soto Full Reel

Avanti Talent Management

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New York, NY 10018

Phone: (212) 229-9841

Empathy is a Powerful Tool

Empathy is not sympathy. Giving someone sympathy devalues them and makes them feel worse. Empathy is understanding a person's situation and helping. In business, empathy is lacking and has been for a long time. It's destroying companies and alienating consumers and employees. Its time for a change and I feel a change coming. Whether you're into social media or not you must admit that it's forced some businesses into uncomfortable areas by making them have to be accountable for, not just the product they sell, but also their employees from the top to the bottom. It's a new day and I feel the change. I choose to try to stay ahead of the game and implement empathy as part of my strategy. Social media moves fast and all I can do is try to keep up. I'm behind many but more importantly, I realize I'm ahead of many as well and that's what's exciting. For me, this moment and 2019 will be a year to rediscover my purpose, nurture my family and move at a faster pace as an artist. It's going to be fun and I look forward to taking this journey with all of you. Thank you for reading and your support. ❤ JHS