Captain’s Log – May 12, 2015

Yesterday saw a major change for Axanar as Christian Gossett, who joined Axanar in 2013, resigned to take a position on a feature.  Christian has been a good friend since 2001 and we have worked together on Axanar now for almost 2 years.   I am sad to see him go, but when you do a New Media project, you are always subject to the chance that people will get a mainstrem, big budget project that will pay way better than yo do.

What is New Media?  Well funny that you ask, as I am writing this Tuesday night as I sit in a SAG-AFTRA (the actors union) New Media Workshop for Producers.  OK, I know most of this stuff, since I am really big on reading the SAG-AFTRA website, but it is good to hear them spoon feed you.

New Media is any project that is: “Intended for initial exhibition via the Internet, mobile devices or any other platform now known or which may be adopted excluding motion pictures, video games, commercials…”

Basically the unions make special arrangements to allow independent producers to hire their members for less than normal rates.  So whether the actors union (SAG-AFTRA), crew (IATSE generally) or Directors Guild (DGA), they allow their members to work in these media for lower rates.

Well, that means we can get great people for way less than normal.  They do it as they still get paid something, plus they still get health & pension contributions and credit for days worked, which is important to some union members who are working towards specific time-based goals.

The downside is when they get a regular job that pays regular rates, they can leave and go make real money!

So we wish Christian good luck!  But if you listened to the Director’s Round Table on Podcasts # 21 & 22, you know we have a deep bench!  And our new search for a new director includes approaching a couple Star Trek veteran directors. 😉

Alec