Beyond Diversity The Future is Now

Addison Witt and SAG Conversations invites members and Network diversity heads to join in on a conversation called Beyond Diversity. Hollywood legend Bill Duke will join a panel of young performers, and diversity experts who are calling attention to the changing minority images in Hollywood. The screening and candid Q and A will take place at the Screen Actors Guild 5757 Wilshire Boulevard in the Actor'ss Center at 7:00pm.

As an actor, director, and producer Bill Duke is a respected Hollywood veteran of film and television. Former President Clinton appointed him to the National Endowment of Humanities. A graduate of the American Film Institute, he now serves on its Board of Directors.

Talent managers Addison Witt and Constance Tillotson have assembled the panel that includes experts in diversity and multiculturalism, to discuss how the casting process is based on antiquated demographics, catering to advertisers, not to the diversity of contemporary society.

Witt is a producer, owns a talent management company,and creative director of The Addison Witt Studio. His clients have been cast in more than 100 Network series, Films, and other Media. He has worked with thousands of actors, creating educational programs that empower and expose individuals to greater life and career Opportunities. He was nominated for an NAACP Theatre Award, starred in the original Lifetime series Off the Leash, and is producer of Creating Celebrity the web series.

Understanding the relevance of our diversity and emphasizing human equality is the greatest call that will serve mankind now, and in the future. Addison Witt

The upcoming young stars understand it is within their power to create new images in film and television. Peabody award winning Breaking Bad actor, RJ Mitte will discuss being the first actor with cerebral palsy to have a series regular role on a national television program.

Soon to be seen in the highly touted Peter Jackson film The Lovely Bones, Nikki SooHoo illustrates a positive example of how to make the role your own so race is secondary to ability.

Between them, the actors have also sought out roles that illuminate current prejudices. Richard Chagoury'ss film AmericanEast tackles the division Arab Muslims face while living in post 9/11 America.

Nick Fowler, starred in the early Chris Pine project Confessions, and in TCM'ss Postmortem Bliss will set the stage, addressing the way that Caucasian actors are relied upon to break through old stereotypes.

Dr. Suzanne SooHoo is an academic leader and author in the field of diversity. She will give a deeper meaning in the way that media images imprint perception and give way to social norms.

SAG Conservatory National Vice-Chair and Sterling Studio CEO Constance Tillotson has created change with the diversity of her young performer'ss acting school. Her actors can be seen in all areas of film, television and multimedia. Her On-the-Set Acting Camp has garnered international attention. In August, she will be working in Sri Lanka with young war victims and in the Maldives with children coming out of a drug rehab facility to create healing through the artistic process.

Get ready for the beautiful faces of our emerging artists, said Tillotson. With confidence and determination they are ready to create change in the industry--And they will not take no for an answer.

To sign up for the event call: (213) 613-0430

WEM, Inc., is a management and production house that creates projects supporting children and young adults in the arts. For more information visit http://www.addisonwitt.com. Sterling Studio is the premiere acting studio for young performers. In a non-judgmental, non-competitive environment, it develops compassionate actors and strong leaders. http://www.sterlingstudio.com.

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