SYNOPSIS
At a time when gender pay parity is being scrutinized and fought for more than ever, it is important to highlight successful attempts to gain fair pay in the workplace. Kirsten Vangsness is a union member and veteran series regular on Criminal Minds who successfully negotiated her contract on the show in order to be more on par with her male co-stars. She was willing to walk away from the show for the cause. We will examine Kirsten’s case and hear directly from her about how she managed to strike the deal and renegotiate the contract in her favor.
PANELIST BIOS
Kirsten Vangsness
For the past thirteen years, Kirsten Vangsness has been widely known as the bespectacled-brainiac-tech-kitten Penelope Garcia on the CBS hit drama “Criminal Minds” (and its spin-off “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior” and “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders”). She has long been a fan favorite, beloved for her vibrant personality and quirky style.
In January 2017, Kirsten attended the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah for the world premiere of the adventure comedy film she stars in, DAVE MADE A MAZE. Directed by Bill Waterson, the feature re-imagines the classic 80’s adventure film with a modern fantastical edge.
In September 2016, Kirsten and two business partners opened Blinking Owl Distillery, the very first craft distillery to open in Orange County. Based in Santa Ana, the distillery launched with three spirits to taste and is open for tours and tastings. Blinking Owl exploded onto the scene, receiving numerous positive reviews and accolades since the grand opening.
In November 2015, Kirsten attended the Film Noir festival in Paris for the premiere of the spoof KILL ME DEADLY, a feature she both starred in and produced. Based on the critically acclaimed play of the same name, written by Bill Robens, Kirsten played the torch-singing femme fatale. The film opened in select theatres last April.
She has enjoyed a long and varied career, which includes being a longtime member and former president of Hollywood’s Theatre of Note’s Artistic Board. Her most recent one-woman-show, MESS, played to sold out audiences in February 2017, with encore performances in March. Her stage work has garnered the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Natalie Schafer Award for best emerging comic actress, the 15 Minutes of Fem Best Actress Award, and a Garland Award for best actress for the West Coast premiere of Neil LaBute's Fat Pig at the Geffen Playhouse.
Vangsness has written a number of plays and performance-art pieces, which have been seen throughout Los Angeles. Currently, she is writing a comedy pilot for ABC Studios. In addition to “Criminal Minds,” Kirsten can also be seen in season three of the weirdly wonderful web series “Pretty” and season two of the web series “Vampire Mob.” Other film appearances include THE A-LIST (2006), SCREAM OF THE BIKINI (2009), IN MY SLEEP (2010), and THE CHICAGO 8 (2011).
Kirsten is originally from Porterville, CA and graduated from California State University, Fullerton. She currently resides in Los Angeles.
Eric Emery, Manager at Emery Entertainment
Eric Emery boasts over 21 years as a talent representative in the entertainment industry. After moving to New York to perform, Eric quickly discovered that a life “on the road” was not what he wanted, and that his true passion lay in helping others fulfill their dreams.
In an unprecedented move, Eric was made an agent at the age of 23, making him one of the youngest agents in the industry ever, and by 25 he was running the theatrical department of a boutique agency in NYC. Over the 14 years he was an agent, Eric worked in New York and in Los Angeles at Abrams Artist Agency guiding careers in Film, Television, and the Broadway Stage.
7 years ago, Eric ventured out to start his own management company, Emery Entertainment. Eric represents clients across the board in theatre, film and television: including leads of series, Tony Award winners, and recognizable names and faces.
6 years ago, Eric started going back to his alma matter, Ball State University, to do master classes as a method of giving back. He has since become an adjunct professor at Ball State, giving both master classes and co-teaching a spring semester class for selected seniors in the department; The LA Experience.
Moderator - Beth Millman, National Director Television & New Media Entertainment Contracts, SAG-AFTRA
