The results of a very informal poll taken on Picket Post shows that many readers have booked jobs with those companies wise enough to sign interim agreements. These range from on-camera to voiceover and cover both radio and television. Actors are delighted to work and the producers, engineers and crews are thrilled to be dealing with folks who know what they are doing instead of the client’s third cousin whose resume consists solely of playing Louie the Left Bicuspid in the Third Grade Dental Hygiene Pagent. Working under an interim agreement means good talent for the client as well as good working conditions for the actor.

But listen up! Here is some advice to the players, all the good honest folk regardless of union status, who want to get back to decent work.

ITEM: Be on the lookout for SCAB work. The union was tipped to a several day shoot by a "civilian" friend of a member who had been asked to look for the big blue trucks and the "Film" signs. If you see ANYTHING that looks like filming, call the SAG office.

ITEM: Tell friends, family and neighbors not to believe what the film crews and location managers tell them when shooting in their neighborhoods. Would you believe that the location manager for a scab commercial was telling the residents of an upscale neighborhood that what they were shooting was in fact a movie and dropping hints that it might just be Keanu Reeves. Sad, but true. His comments about the union were unprintable in a family newspaper.

ITEM: Be very, very careful if you are working with a non-union agency. Double check all auditions. Make it your business to check EVERYTHING out with the union. There have been way too many stories of actors being lied to (by one agency in particular) saying that the work was not struck (they having told the agent that they would not go on struck work) and arriving to find that it was. Or finding out after they were called back and booked.

ITEM: Be very wary of agencies in flux (NOT CED) from which you get conflicting answers as to their status. Open or not open? Under new management or name? Franchised or not? Again, the answer to all questions is to call the union, regardless of your membership status.

ITEM: Want a good summer read? Try "Cruising For Murder," co-authored by Susan Sussman and the hilarious and indomitable Sarajane Avidonb, one of this town’s best actresses and human beings. Her earlier book, "Audition For Murder," set in Chicago and featuring her actress detective, is now out in paperback.

News from the Illinois Film Office is that in addition to Hardball, the Joan Cusack show and a house call from "ER," we will get a month or so of Dragonfly in October. At this point the project will star either Kevin Costner or Jim Carey. In the words of Chairman Norm, "Nuff said."

There is some scouting for a project from Paramount Searchlight. Independent films include Dreamcatcher and Tenfold.

Jane Alderman Casting is working on a project for Kentucky PBS and booked Claudia Wallace and John Lordan for "ER." They remind us to look for The Watcher which will be out the first week of September. They cast it under its original title, Driven.

The extra casting for The Watcher was by ReginaCast, who sends word to watch for Gina Alexander who was upgraded to a speaking role. Those interested in working with Regina (who is NOT taking any struck work) on future projects can reach her at 312-409-5521.

More work on the Joan Cusack project over at Claire Simon Casting where she is also working on searches for Dreamworks, a John Goodman project and Domestic Disturbance with John Travolta.

And Tenner Paskal cast for a PSA for Kid Care and a Stacy Adams project. For the independent film Tenfold they booked: Phil Donlon, Sia Moody, Sephus Booker, the ubiquitous and multi-talented John Lordan, Nancy Nickel, Maureen Steindler, Jack McCabe, Tim Decker, Joe Forbrich, Holli Hornlein, Ilyssa Fradin, Dana Green, Joe Dempsey, Felicia Fields, Lance Barber, Dana Goodman, Greg Winter, Paul Velten, and Patrick New.

As Ashley Hoff heads off to Los Angeles, he says goodbye to all and takes time to tell us that Suzette Lee Tomlinson booked a music video and David Coranado had an industrial booking.

Lily’s sends word from their new offices that there were industrials for Aaron Krebs, Dale Englehardt and Johnny Knight. Voiceovers went to Marites Cumba, Corey Gutwilling, and Chelsea Mortonson. Leann Donovan booked a television episodic and a PSA under an interim went to Geno Ramirez and Brad Caputo. The Lucky Seven for September are: Mitchell Pepa, Margaret and Mary Shaw, Vanessa Reeves, Stacy Parker, Jason Vizza and Madrid St Angelo.

Interim work was also booked by Thompson Howell who has done several voiceovers for New England Business Systems and Circle City Group. Congratulations to him and to the very wise Ovation Marketing and David Cranfill and Company who, by signing interim agreements, were able to use top quality talent.

And welcome to the world young Zoe Rebecca, born August 11 to agent Tracy Kaplan and husband Joe.

Peace.

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