I’m a proud card carrying Member of the Screen Actors Guild and I teach a class for actors as part of the SAG Conservatory. The SAG Conservatory classes are held at the American Film Institute (AFI) high atop Western Ave. The campus is beautiful. It’s at the top of the hill and it’s got lots of trees. It’s hard to believe that there is such a tranquil place in such a busy neighborhood. Oh, and it doesn’t have much parking.

Which brings us to todays topic.

At todays meeting to discuss classes for 2008, the subject of parking came up and the fact that attendance of our classes is limited to the available parking places. I suggested that we start promoting public transportation. The Metro Red Line is only three blocks away on Hollywood/Western and there are also plenty of Bus lines. The Hollywood Dash is off Franklin and Western only a block from the AFI. It’s a nice little walk up to hill either on the existing sidewalk or up the stairs.

The responses ranged from “This is ridiculous, we’re in LA” to “We can’t suggest that because we will be held liable if someone trips and falls” to “It won’t work because everyone drives.”

An otherwise intelligent discussion of the upcoming SAG Conservatory class schedule came to a screeching halt as the old guards dug in their heels and refused to consider alternative transportation.

I was so angry, I couldn’t speak. I was so frustrated they wouldn’t even consider suggesting walking, taking metro or riding a bike to the Conservatory that I’m still fuming. Here is my response to the Committee:

• Hundreds of years ago in England the actors that performed the Bard’s words were all men. The theater was no place for a women. Romeo was played by a guy named Bob, opposite Juliet, who was played by a guy named John. My, the times have changed!
• In the early days, American actors were on the scurge of society. Their morals were doubted, they were not trusted, the men were considered to be dishonest and the women were considered to be of week moral character. And actors lived on the outskirts of society. My, the times have changed!
• In the early days of Hollywood, actors were simply props that bled. They were literally owned by the Studios, toiling under contracts, and their private lives were controlled. My, the times have changed!
• Today, actors are significant forces of change in our society. Addressing political issues, environmental issues, civil rights, emergency preparedness and in the very fabric of our culture itself, actors are on the forefront. In fact it could be said that actors are our most significant agents of change.
• In the world of acting the journey has been one of perpetual change. In fact, in my class I teach actors to embrace the changes that happen so quickly in our industry. They must adapt to the new media, the new environment and the new behavior if they expect to survive and perchance succeed.
• So I’m doubly distressed to sit in a room with people, who one, argue for their limitations and two, who refuse to consider walking as a viable option.

All of which is to say: I’m an actor. I don’t accept the “It’s LA. That’s the way it is!” excuse. I’m not a piece of set dressing. I’m not a prop. I’m not someone’s property. I’m an actor and I’m an agent of change.

Join me in the change!