Spotlight on Los Angeles!
Transcription
Spotlight on Los Angeles!
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ACTORS FUND FALL 2012 ISSUE: VOLUME 15, NUMBER 2 vieWs from Shonda Rhimes Award Winning Creator, Producer and Writer of TV shows Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice and the hit show Scandal. Please consider giving money to The Actors Fund. The reason why is simple. The reason why is basic. The reason why is fundamental. You like movies. You like TV. You like theatre. You like concerts. You like dance. You like the arts. Maybe you’re like me—maybe you even love the arts, maybe you can’t imagine your life without the arts, can’t imagine how you’d have survived high school without the soundtrack of a certain Broadway show or the dialogue from a certain movie. Maybe at some point, exposure to the arts changed the course of your life in a profound way. Maybe you’re an artist now. Or maybe you just like to escape reality every once in a while and be entertained. Either way, you like the arts. Here’s where The Actors Fund comes in. Ready? Okay. The Actors Fund provides assistance to the artists that create the movies and theatre and TV shows and dance and concerts that you enjoy. Simply put, The Actors Fund supports the artists who make the stuff you like to watch. And by “support”, I mean SUPPORT. No. Wait. I mean SUPPORT. With underlines and italics. If a dancer breaks her leg and can’t work, The Actors Fund pays her mortgage. If a grip gets cancer, The Actors Fund covers the gap left by his health insurance. If a costume designer needs a rehab program, The Actors Fund provides a place to go. If an out of work actor can’t afford shoes to wear to audition, The Actors Fund buys him shoes. If a writer has lost his benefits and finds out he has HIV, The Actors Fund gives him free medical care. If a studio musician finds himself homeless, The Actors Fund gives him a place to live. If a wonderful unsung character actor dies and there is no one to bury her, The Actors Fund pays for her funeral. I want to take a moment to say that, when I found out about The Actors Fund and what the organization does, I got a little bit choked up. They give out shoes. They provide housing. They provide medical care. They provide funding. They pay for funerals. No wait. THEY PAY FOR FUNERALS. In providing these services, The Actors Fund has decided that the importance of an artist’s contribution to show business is not determined by the level of his paycheck. It’s determined by his creativity. That the least famous among us deserve the same respect as the most famous. That every artist who commits to this business we all playfully call “show business” deserves the dignity and respect and support of like-minded people. So they give out shoes. And they provide a place to lay one’s head. And they pay for funerals. To me, that’s the definition of a community. The Actors Fund is a community of people who support artists. Which—simply, basically, fundamentally—is why you should consider giving money to The Actors Fund. Because if you support The Actors Fund, you support the arts. You support art. You support music and dance and writing and acting. You support creativity and imagination and the spinning of dreams into gold. And, most importantly, you support a community. You help move a community forward. You join the community. Join us. Please consider giving to The Actors Fund. 729 S E V E NT H AV E N UE , 10 T H F LO O R NEW Y OR K , NY 1 0 0 1 9 IN THIS ISSUE Views from Shonda Rhimes..............................1 Community & Collaboration in LA................... 2 The LA Office and Western Council................... 2 In Memoriam.....................................................2 Spolight on Los Angeles................................... 3 Special Performances and Events.................... 4 Our LA Clients Share Their Stories............. 5 – 6 Young Performers Grow, Give Back & Have Fun...................................... 6 WGAW Donates Nearly $1 Million to Aid Entertainment Industry Workers............6 Responding to Unique Economic Challenges in LA............................................... 6 SPECIAL EDITION: Spotlight on Los Angeles! neWs 2 Community & Collaboration in Los Angeles Los Angeles has been called the “entertainment capital of the world.” According to the 2011 OTIS Report on the Creative Economy, the LA entertainment business accounts for an estimated $71.1 billion in economic impact, and more than a quarter-million jobs in the area. That’s big money, but it also means big talent, as Southern California’s creative community is responsible for producing the movies, documentaries, TV shows, music and so much more that drive a considerable portion of that economy. But like everywhere, the current recession has had a negative impact on this community, and in the sprawling Los Angeles region, finding help when you need it can seem daunting. With a metropolitan area spread over 300 square miles, 88 municipalities and a network of more than 500 miles of freeways, Los Angeles has been described as 100 communities in search of a city. Where do you turn when you need help? Thanks to your support, the creative community turns to The Actors Fund. We serve as home-base to thousands of people in entertainment, whether it’s through our support groups, youth programs, health insurance counseling, social services, emergency financial aid, or employment and training services, The Fund is there to lend support, guidance and give a “leg up” to people in our industry. Hollywood has always been there for The Fund—just as The Fund has been there from Hollywood’s beginnings—to help our compatriots in need. From the early days of the industry, when people like Douglas Fairbanks performed in a 1916 “Roman Spectacle” benefit production of Julius Caesar in the Beachwood natural amphitheatre (today’s Hollywood Bowl), to this past March, when the cast of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy donated a one-night-only benefit at UCLA’s Royce Hall (see p. 1 for a special message from Grey’s executive producer Shonda Rhimes), the tradition of caring for everyone in entertainment continues to this day. To better serve the region, 40 years ago we opened our Los Angeles office, and our presence and programs have grown exponentially since then. Today, 22 LA staff members ensure our myriad programs and services are available to the wide variety of people working in entertainment. From Texas to Washington, our LA office helps people in 14 states (including Alaska and Hawaii). We are there for writers, actors, musicians, gaffers, electricians, camera operators, production assistants, editors, and hundreds of others both “behind the scenes” and “below the line”—everyone who makes the magic happen. Together, we’re creating a unique and much-needed community of entertainment professionals in the area (see p. 3 for an overview of who and how we serve). The Fund provides a vital link, and—most importantly—brings people together so they can help each other. The Los Angeles office—like our New York and Chicago offices— continues to respond to the essential and evolving needs that arise due to national and regional challenges. For example, during the AIDS crisis in the early 1980s, The Fund was there to help people in the industry cope with the marQuee FALL 2012 volume 15, number 2 The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment. The Fund is a safety net, providing programs and services for those who are in need, crisis or transition. National Headquarters 729 Seventh Avenue 10th Floor New York, NY 10019 212.221.7300 Fax: 212.764.0238 Grey’s Anatomy raised $100,000 for The Fund at their March 18 one-night-only event! (l-r): Western Region Director Keith McNutt, Sarah Drew, Trustee Jomarie Ward, Kevin McKidd, Western Council Chair & Vice Chair John Holly & Ilene Graff, Shonda Rhimes, President Joe Benincasa, Kim Raver and James Pickens, Jr. Central Region 8 South Michigan Avenue Suite 601 Chicago, IL 60603 312.372.0989 Fax: 312.372.0272 disease, and established a community committed to extending support with dignity and respect for all. In 1998, The Fund opened the Palm View residence, which today provides 40 units for low income people living with HIV/AIDS. The Fund also quickly responded to the industry strike and labor disputes in 2007–08, serving five times the usual number of people helped by the office and distributing more than $1.5 million in emergency grants. More recently, our clients have sought support due to a new wave of regional job losses (see Responding to Unique Economic Challenges in LA on p. 6). Western Region 5757 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 400 Los Angeles, CA 90036 323.933.9244 Fax: 323.933.7615 All told, The Actors Fund has provided more than $10.7 million in emergency financial aid to nearly 13,000 entertainment professionals across Southern California in the last decade. “There are huge challenges to remaining healthy and creative in this industry,” says Fund Western Council Chair John Holly. “That’s why it’s essential that we build awareness that we’re here for everyone. This community relies on The Fund to overcome issues like lack of work, aging in the industry, and adjusting to quickly evolving trends. We’ve almost doubled the number of people we serve in the last five years alone. That speaks to a real need out there, and it’s a challenge we’re prepared to meet.” In this issue of Marquee, we turn the spotlight on our Los Angeles office. In addition to our front page piece by Shonda Rhimes, you’ll also hear from the clients we serve (pgs. 5 and 6), get a visual snapshot who and how we help (p. 3) and more. Whether it’s through collaboration with other organizations or through our direct services, our goal is always the same—ensuring people in entertainment stay safe, healthy, employed and creative. Here’s to Hollywood! Our Los Angeles Office! The Western Council Our LA staff comprises professional social workers, career counselors, youth specialists and education counselors who specialize in helping our community deal with the unique challenges of a career in entertainment. For a list of our entire team, visit actorsfund.org/staff. Our Western Council works tirelessly to raise awareness about and support for our programs and services for the LA community. They joined Jason Alexander, Scott Bakula and Annie Potts for our June 10 Tony Party at the Skirball Center, where we presented Jason with the Julie Harris Award. The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic 475 West 57th Street New York, NY 10019 212.489.1939 The Dorothy Ross Friedman Residence (formerly The Aurora) New York, NY 212.489.2020 The Palm View West Hollywood, CA 323.933.9244 The Lillian Booth Actors Home Englewood, NJ 201.871.8882 The Schermerhorn Brooklyn, NY 718.640.1845 Marquee 212.221.7300 ext. 176 Fax: 212.536.7658 [email protected] Actors Fund Programs: SOCIAL SERVICES Entertainment Assistance Program Mental Health Chemical Dependency HIV/AIDS Initiative Senior and Disabled Care Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative Financial Wellness The Dancers’ Resource American Comedy Fund HOWL Emergency Life Project Conrad Cantzen Shoe Fund Funerals and Burials Union/Partner Programs HEALTH SERVICES Artists Health Insurance Resource Center Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING The Actors Fund Work Program (AWP) Back row (l-r): Meg Thomas, Robin LaBorwit, Mallory Morehead, Amanda Steele, Amy Hammond, Tina Hookom, Ze’Ev Korn, Joanne Webb, Louie Anchondo, Angelique Prahalis, Frank Salamone. Seated (l–r): Dan Kitowski, Karen Hanen, Gregory Polcyn, Annie Keating-Scherer, Joey Shanley, John Mattson. Not pictured: Jan-Kees Van Der Gaag, TaNisha Harris, Keith McNutt, Caitlin Sorenson. In Memoriam Celeste Holm 1917–2012 Dale Olson 1934–2012 A.J. Pocock 1922–2012 Fund Western Region Director Keith McNutt, William Thomas, Ilyanne Morden Kichaven, Michael Medico, Jomarie Ward, Richard Herd, Vice Chair David Rambo, Jason Alexander, Vice Chair Ilene Graff, Scott Bakula, James Karen, John Acosta, Danny Goldman, B. Harlan Boll, Fund Events Manager Meg Thomas. Seated (l–r): Charlotte Rae, Annie Potts. Not pictured: Barbara Allyne Bennet, Joni Berry, Theodore Bikel, John Bowab, Pam Dixon, Budd Friedman, Katherine Fugate, Dan Guerrero, Bridget Hanley, Daniel Henning, John Holly, Scott Roth, Joseph Ruskin, Bryan Unger, Ken Werther, Mary Lou Westerfield, Martin Wiviott, David Young. We mourn the passing of our devoted Trustees Celeste Holm, Dale Olson and A.J. Pocock. Each played leading roles for The Fund, and we will miss them. Celeste and Dale served as chairs of the committee overseeing The Lillian Booth Actors Home, and both helped create the best possible quality of life for our residents. When the HIV/AIDS crisis devastated the entertainment community, Dale was among the first to speak out for those in need. In 1990, A.J. led the merger of The Percy Williams Home into The Actors Fund, creating a $3.2 million endowment. He also succeeded Colleen Dewhurst as Chair of the Human Services Committee, and led our Budget and Finance Committee. We applaud their commitment to making the world a better place—especially their dedication to bringing comfort and relief to thousands of our colleagues in the performing arts community. SUPPORTIVE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING The Lillian Booth Actors Home The Dorothy Ross Friedman Residence (formerly The Aurora) The Schermerhorn The Palm View For more information on Actors Fund programs, please call 800.221.7303 or visit our website at www.actorsfund.org. Photo credits: Scott Appel, Robert Ascroft, Lyn Hughes, Dexter Kim/ Writers Guild of America, West, Eric Richardson, Magen Senen, Jordan Strauss Design: Holly Wheeler Copy: David Engelman, Karissa Krenz, Jeff Potter, Shonda Rhimes Programs & Services 3 HELPING PEOPLE Spotlight Los Angeles STAYING HEALTHY + GETTING INSURED 4 533 12 800 33 + 85 , 2011 IN LA , NATIONALLY = 25 118 WORKSHOPS NATIONWIDE IN LA PROGRAMS AND SERVICES DIGNITY, RESPECT AND CONFIDENTIALITY PROVIDING A SAFETY NET EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES CAREER COUNSELING $10.7 million in emergency financial aid to nearly 13,000 entertainment professionals across Southern California in the last decade. $2.5 million nationally in 2011. CLASSES AND CAREER PANELS COMING HOME “Our partnership with The Actors Fund has led to prestigious grants from the NEA and ArtPlace and fresh exploration of affordable housing opportunities in Downtown Los Angeles. It’s a win for our creative community and a win for our city.” —Olga Garay, Executive Director of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. Learn more at actorsfund.org/AFHDC $100,000 NEA GRANT $470,000 ARTPLACE GRANT WELCOMING EVERYONE 70 + ...to West Hollywood UNION AFFILIATIONS “Actor” is part of our name, but did you catch our tag line? Your support helps everyone in the LA performing arts and entertainment community! ...to Downtown LA HELP DURING TAX SEASON 105 FREE RETURNS BUILDING GROWING, GIVING BACK AND HAVING FUN 258 YOUNG PERFORMERS COMMUNITIES VALLEY DAYS JOB CLUBS AND JOB SEARCH ENCORE SENIOR GROUP Helping people & Welcoming everyone With Dignity, Respect & Confidentiality Our LA clients—and anyone in our community—can reach out for assistance via our Programs & Services when faced with challenges (including mental health issues, chemical dependency, aging or disability), or if they want to develop strategies for financial wellness. We also target groups, such as comedians, women, dancers and people living with HIV/AIDS, to ensure no one is without the care they need. Staying healthy & Getting insured Our Artists Health Insurance Resource Center educates the community on health insurance and health care resources, and explains how health care reform offers new and affordable options for coverage. In collaboration with MusiCares and Venice Family Clinic, The Performing Artists Clinic provides free medical care to those in need in the Los Angeles area. Providing a safety net In unforeseen times of need, like the 2007–08 Writers’ Strike, Emergency Financial Assistance keeps our clients safe and healthy by preventing foreclosures or evictions, ensuring ongoing transportation, helping secure medical insurance or paying to keep the lights on—all without the added burden of having to pay back new loans and incur more debt. Help During Tax Season 51 low and moderate income union individuals and families took advantage of the 2012 pilot season of the Entertainment Industry Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) for free tax preparation, sponsored in collaboration with Actors’ Equity, SAG Foundation, SAG-AFTRA and IATSE. We filed 105 federal and state returns combined! Building communities Groups offer unique opportunities for the LA community to gather in a safe environment to share challenges, expand networks and receive encouragement and support around issues including— • Financial Wellness • Women’s health, HIV+ groups & peer support • Aging in the industry • Fighting depression & anxiety As gas prices increase, it’s often too expensive to drive long distances for help. By partnering with Local 80 IATSE, Motion Picture Studio Grips/Crafts Service in Burbank for Valley Days, we bring our services closer to hundreds of people in a different part of town, with guest speakers at forums like “Getting Unstuck, Using Your Creativity to Unlock Open Doors” or “Manage Your Stress = Manage Your Life.” Special thanks to IA friends Russell Nordstedt and Thom Davis for this tremendous partnership. Our Job Clubs give members a supportive place to network, learn job search technologies, conduct informational interviews and share contacts and resources. Coming home Many in the arts can’t afford safe housing near their workplace. We’re committed to expanding Affordable Housing opportunities throughout our community. Our Palm View residence provides a home to 40 low-income people with HIV/AIDS in West Hollywood. With our partners (ArtPlace in Minneapolis, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and the California Institute of the Arts and Bringing Back Broadway), the National Endowment for the Arts funded our exploration of the Broadway Arts Center, which would offer affordable artists’ housing, performance and exhibition space, an educational facility and support for Downtown LA’s historic theatres. Expanding opportunities Many in the creative community are employed on a project basis, so are perpetually looking for work, running through savings or losing benefits. The Actors Fund Work Program (AWP) helps people build a more stable financial life and increase long-term career satisfaction by working with them to find better sideline, parallel and new careers through counseling, job training and job development. One-on-one Career Counseling provides invaluable assistance for people in identifying and finding fulfilling secondary work to complement their industry work, and can also help in transitions. Regular orientations welcome new members to the AWP community, while career panels like our “Educational Opportunities Fest and Fair” in partnership with SAG-AFTRA, the SAG Foundation, and Career Transition for Dancers, give people a forum to get inspired and explore alternative career options. sPecial Performances anD events 4 { } Actors Fund special Performances and events www.actorsfund.org /theactorsfund @theactorsfund Casts, musicians, stage managers and countless others regularly donate their time & talent for our legendary Special Performances & Events! Some recent highlights… Board of Trustees PHOTOS | actorsfund.org/photos VIDEOS | youtube.com/actorsfundorg Special Events 2012 Gala Grey’s Anatomy—The Songs Beneath the Show Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara, Harry Belafonte and Trustee David Steiner were honored at our Annual Gala on May 21 in New York. The cast and creator of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy went from Seattle Grace to the stage at UCLA’s Royce Hall on March 18, performing a live benefit concert that raised more than $100,000 for The Fund’s programs and services! Featuring cast members Sara Ramirez, Chandra Wilson, Kevin McKidd, Justin Chambers, Jessica Capshaw, James Pickens Jr., Sarah Drew, Kim Raver, Sandra Oh and Eric Dane, the two-hour event featured 11 songs, including tracks from the March 2011 musical episode “Song Beneath the Song.” The Book of Mormon Los Angeles The company raised more than $200,000 at their Special Performance at Los Angeles’ Pantages Theatre in October. Trustee Annette Bening, with stars Jared Gertner and Gavin Creel, thanked the company before the show. Rita Wilson at Geffen Playhouse Rita performed an electrifying sold out benefit concert of selections from her AM/FM album for Geffen’s Community Educational Program and The Fund. Special thanks to SAG-AFTRA Co-President and Trustee Ken Howard who kicked off the show with Geffen Artistic Director Randall Arney to speak about our fundraising partnership. Brian Stokes Mitchell Chairman of the Board “The fans make it possible for us to be the lucky ones,” said the executive producer Shonda Rhimes to a sold-out crowd, encouraging concertgoers to support The Actors Fund. “I believe in the joy I get from watching TV, film and theater, and a $25 donation to The Actors Fund would be saying you believe in the arts, too.” Thanks to everyone at Grey’s for their incredible support! Producer’s Picks Special Performances Bravo to the producers of these shows who recently donated “Producer’s Picks,” so 100% of your ticket purchase price supports our programs! Kudos to these casts who donated shows to raise much-needed funds for our community! Billy Elliot Los Angeles Bring It On End of the Rainbow Evita The Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess Ghost Nice Work if You Can Get It Other Desert Cities Peter and the Starcatcher Spider Man Turn Off the Dark A Streetcar Named Desire Gore Vidal’s The Best Man The Book of Mormon—Los Angeles & NYC Jersey Boys The Lion King, Greenville, SC Once One Man, Two Guvnors Rock of Ages mark your calendar Don’t miss Brian Stokes Mitchell on October 31 at Alice Tully Hall. A Gala Evening to benefit The Fund and Lincoln Center! Visit actorsfund.org and join us for these upcoming events! october 31 Brian Stokes Mitchell Simply Broadway at Lincoln Center New York november 18 The Lion King 15th Anniversary New York In New York, call 212.221.7300 ext. 133 In Los Angeles, call 323.933.9244 ext. 458 Charlotte gave through a Charitable Gift Annuity “I’ve enjoyed great success in film, television and on Broadway. But not everyone in show biz is so blessed. I feel good knowing my support assures there’s a place in our community where people can go for help when they need it, and be treated with dignity and respect. It’s like a family.” Charlotte gives back to the arts community by including The Fund in her estate plans as part of the Edwin Forrest Society. Her career in show business includes Tony-nominated turns in Pickwick (1966) and Morning, Noon and Night (1969), and her Emmy-nominated portrayal of Edna Garrett in TV’s The Facts of Life. Marc Grodman, M.D. Secretary Abby Schroeder Assistant Secretary John A. Duncan, Jr. Treasurer Steve Kalafer Assistant Treasurer Philip S. Birsh Vice Chair Bebe Neuwirth Vice Chair Philip J. Smith Vice Chair Joseph P. Benincasa President and CEO Alec Baldwin Annette Bening Jed W. Bernstein Jeffrey Bolton John Breglio Ebs Burnough James J. Claffey, Jr. Nancy Coyne Merle Debuskey Rick Elice Janice Reals Ellig Joyce Gordon Marc Hostetter Ken Howard David Henry Hwang Anita Jaffe Kate Edelman Johnson Michael Kerker Stewart F. Lane Paul Libin Matthew Loeb Kristen Madsen Kevin McCollum Lin-Manuel Miranda James L. Nederlander Martha Nelson Phyllis Newman Lee H. Perlman Harold Prince Roberta Reardon Charlotte St. Martin Thomas Schumacher David Steiner Edward D. Turen Tom Viola Honey Waldman Jomarie Ward Joseph H. Wender B.D. Wong Nick Wyman George Zuber Acknowledgements Off icial Airline To learn more, call Wally Munro, Director of Planned Giving, at 212.221.7300 ext. 128, email [email protected] or visit actorsfund.org. Charlotte Rae with Western Region Director Keith McNutt Become a Part of tHe legacy Official NYC Hotel Programs & Services 5 Our LA Clients Share Their Stories Bill Stephanie Makeup Artist Actor / Singer “[Intake Social Worker] Annie Keating, [Career Counselor] JoAnne Webb and others at The Fund in LA have been terrific, and treat everyone with a warm respect as valuable people—despite the fact they are in a difficult situation.” “The doctor at Venice Family Clinic...made it possible to be seen by someone, and ensured I got the medical attention I needed. I’m grateful to The Actors Fund.” A veteran of the industry, Bill has been a member of IATSE Local 706 Makeup Artists and Hairdressers for over 25 years, as well as a SAG actor for 9 years and puppeteer for more than 30. Bill’s finances have taken a huge hit in the last few years because of the economic downturn (see “Responding to Unique Economic Challenges in LA”), so he hasn’t had steady work at which he’s received union rates since 2007. Because crew unions have taken financial hits from all sides, many of his peers who work below the line are becoming increasingly desperate, stressed, frustrated and angry because of ongoing wage decreases—and the feeling that the situation is not going to improve. “In the California film business, at least for crewmembers, we are back in the Old West, and it is every man for himself,” says Bill. “People are desperate and will take any work they can get.” Bill found out about The Fund through his unions, and has been fortunate enough to receive financial assistance twice since 2007. He’s also attended the Baby Boomer Breakfasts organized by Joanne Webb. “I think it helped alleviate that feeling of desperation that can grab a person, especially a creative person, and that can cause them to shut off entirely. It was like a support group.” Bill believes it’s going to take a long time for the situation in LA to turn around, but in the meantime, he’s grateful The Fund is there to help everyone. “I think there can be no question about The Actors Fund’s vital role in what are sure to be some very rough times yet to come,” says Bill. “During that time, a lot of people will be hurting financially, and will likely need to transition to other professions, or temporarily get assistance while doing so. I know the program has been life-saving to me, and when I get to the position that I can support The Fund, I will gladly do so.” An actor/singer/professional clown, Stephanie was born into a family of Los Angeles entertainers. Though she works regularly in her various fields, in 2009, unable to meet the minimum requirements for her union health insurance, Stephanie turned to The Fund when she realized she needed to be seen by a doctor. She had received emails about The Fund’s partnership with the Performing Artists Clinic at the Venice Family Clinic, which offers free medical services to low-income musicians, dancers, actors and other performing artists, and decided to go. After Clinic Director Dr. Myles Spar did some preliminary tests, he sent her to a volunteer doctor for additional testing and it was discovered that she had a growth that needed to be removed. He referred her to a teaching hospital where the surgery was performed at no cost. “Once you lose your insurance…you have to look around,” says Stephanie. “This was a legitimate doctor who knew a legitimate doctor, and I felt OK about it…I would never have gotten the surgery, I wouldn’t have known where to go—the whole thing started with The Actors Fund. I don’t know if I’d even be around anymore if I hadn’t.” She’s also happy that, if she needs to, she can go back to the Venice Family Clinic, as it’s available via the new Healthy Way LA program, which helps people get seen by doctors—and also covers emergency care. “I didn’t know what was going to happen to me,” she recalls, “but it ended up being OK. I’m really grateful to The Actors Fund, I have to tell you. They took care of all of it.” Dori Actor / Producer / Political Activist Susan Costume Designer “[If you wonder why The Actors Fund is so important,] I would say that when I look at the way the entertainment industry feeds the psyche of our society—because our society loves entertainment— The Actors Fund is servicing the people that create that.” Working in LA since 1981, Susan started in theatre as a costume artist, but quickly transitioned to the 80s world of music videos and commercials, which catapulted her into designing the costumes for the 1992 film The Bodyguard. She ended up primarily doing costume design and styling for commercials, and has been a member of the Costume Designers Guild IATSE Local 892 for about 20 years. But when the economy took a nosedive in 2008, she went from doing 3 or 4 commercials a month to 3 or 4 a year. In 2009 she reached out to The Actors Fund. “They were just an incredible resource for just being around people who are having the same experiences.” She participated in the Baby Boomers group, and worked closely with Career Counselor Joanne Webb exploring other options for employment. That time with AWP helped her feel free enough to reclassify herself and try some other things, including working as a Costume Supervisor. She eventually landed a gig on a film that enabled her to join the Motion Picture Costumers Union IATSE Local 705, which allowed her to expand her ability to work. Today she’s a costumer on a TV series. “The way I’ve adjusted is to reclassify and reinvent,” says Susan, “and The Actors Fund is the place where someone like myself can come in and explore those possibilities. I think that’s really important for anybody to kind of look at what they’re doing in their lives and reevaluate and so forth.” As she’s witnessed the changes in the industry making it more difficult for her and her peers to find work, Susan has realized just how important organizations like The Actors Fund are. “I’ve sat in groups with directors and producers and people from every single aspect of the industry, above the line and below the line, and we’re all hurting, we’re all affected by this,” says Susan. “I feel like those people contributing to The Actors Fund are helping to support an industry that’s really vital to the mental health of our society.” “The Actors Fund is there for anyone in the entertainment industry for emergency help. When it comes to special programs, such as the HIV/ AIDS Initiative, donors should know their support really helps people get back into life.” In 2005, after a brush with death as a result of his illness, Dori was in dire need of assistance, and through word of mouth he learned about The Fund. Initially, it was given through emergency financial aid and ongoing counseling, but later, The Fund really started to come through for Dori—especially when it came time to apply for Social Security Disability. Due to residual effects caused by the virus, Dori had difficulty writing so his counselor at The Fund spent three days filling out the 100-page application as Dori dictated his answers. And he credits the government’s rapid approval—less than three months—to the help he received from that counselor. “Even some friends...who are in the industry and know about [The Fund] aren’t aware that it’s open to more than just actors,” says Dori. “They also don’t know how specific The Fund gets when you have a catastrophic illness, and the work that it does. So they’re all pretty amazed. And they actually have donated to The Fund because of the help I’ve received—and continue to receive.” As time went on and feeling somewhat stronger, Dori was ready to get back into life. He decided he wanted to use his experience to help raise awareness, especially as his case as a straight male infected by a woman is not perceived as a usual one. With this in mind, The Fund encouraged him to take advantage of the Willard Swire Scholarship, which provides financial support to qualified Actors Fund clients making a transition to a new career. This opportunity “was a blessing,” and enabled him to take a certificate program in International Studies with an emphasis on Middle Eastern Politics at UCLA. As a result, Dori found a position and worked for two years as Director of Development/Media for the Safe Haven Project, a Global non-profit dedicated to HIV-positive youth. He created a promotional film for the organization, and worked at its site in Ghana. “This is where The Actors Fund was really instrumental in helping me get back into living,” he explains. “I decided I really needed to do something with my experience, and dovetail that with my 30 years in the entertainment industry. The Actors Fund helped me go back to school, and acquire the knowledge I needed. I wanted to work in Africa, and I knew it was important to understand the Muslim culture, because 70% of Africa is Muslim. And this really helped me get back into life and living again…it’s a simple as that.” His counselor at the time, Linda Zimmerman (who Dori credits with helping him “navigate through the murky waters”), presented the idea of moving into the Palm View. He became a resident in March. Now happily settled in, he’s currently using his skills in a variety of other projects, including a documentary based on children with HIV, and becoming a motivational speaker. 6 Andre Singer / Songwriter YOUNG PERFORMERS Grow, Give Back & Have Fun “One thing about the entertainment business: There’s the work but there’s the downtime too. When things are not on and you’re looking for that job, the unemployment line is very real.” R&B singer/songwriter Andre “Dre Boogie” Wilson was always keenly aware of the pitfalls of the music business. His father and uncles were members of the renowned funk unit The Gap Band, yet Andre witnessed his dad endure financial struggles in spite of international fame. Andre’s own talents landed him work with top artists such as Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. Several major labels signed Andre aboard, but projects were shelved at the last minute, leaving him adrift. He struggled with his own production company and supplemented his income with manual labor. “All of a sudden, I was in a position where I wasn’t seeing a return on anything,” he recalls. “And I was chasing down royalties that I should have received while residuals got smaller.” Personal domestic strains added to the fiercely snowballing debt. “I was double-behind,” he says. A friend at SAG-AFTRA guided Andre to MusiCares, whose foundation provided financial assistance and subsequently referred him to The Actors Fund, where Social Work Supervisor Robin LaBorwit arranged for social work services and secured a grant to cover back utilities and rent. Andre is now able to continue his musical endeavors. “As artists, we’re here to give,” he says. “An art form gives and teaches. And it’s great to know that MusiCares and The Actors Fund are there for you. It keeps the whole industry healthy.” WgaW Donates nearly $1 million to aid entertainment industry Workers Writers Guild of America, West’s (WGAW) recent donation of more than $977,000 will support our emergency financial assistance program. The funds were held by the WGAW’s Foreign Levies Program, WGAW Executive Director David Young and Fund Western Region Director Keith McNutt. which has successfully distributed over $121 million to writers and their heirs. “We became aware of how important The Actors Fund is during the 2007–08 strike,” said WGAW President Chris Keyser. “Without hesitation, The Fund stepped in and provided critical services to those in the industry who desperately needed help. We are thrilled that after years of litigation the court has cleared the way for us to make this contribution to The Fund’s good work.” Last year, The Fund distributed $2.5 million in emergency financial assistance to nearly 1,600 people, and almost $1 million helped colleagues in Southern California. Read our press release at actorsfund.org/foreignlevies. Responding to Unique Economic Challenges in LA People in entertainment regularly face the fallout from myriad economic challenges, and LA is no different. The combination of the recession, the housing bubble, and jobs lost to rival entertainment hubs due to tax breaks in other US locales have made it increasingly tough for LA entertainment professionals to survive and thrive. In fact, the Miliken Institute estimates that California’s film industry lost around 36,000 jobs between 1990 and 2008 due to factors like cheaper shooting locations and the relocation of post-production facilities abroad. And the Los Angeles Times reports that just two of this fall’s 23 new mid-season one-hour dramas are slated to be shot in LA. Faced with this quickly changing economic reality, where can our community turn? “The Fund is uniquely positioned to help people facing the cumulative, devastating effects of all the pressures on the Southern California economy,” says Western Region Director Keith McNutt. “Our staff has done a yeoman’s job of doubling the number of people they are serving with emergency financial aid, counseling, financial training and connections to sideline work,” he adds. “We’re also partnering with other agencies and building support for these dramatic increases in need.” See p. 3 for more on how our services in LA and nationally help meet the needs of Actors Fund Work Program orientation on our community with a unique understandMondays introduces clients to services like group ing of the challenges of a life in the arts. and individual career counseling, job training and education, financial assistance and more. Alumni regularly gather to stay connected and continue to mentor kids currently in the Looking Ahead program. (l-r): Michael Paredes, Amanda Petersen, Sharon Don, Hannah Pitts, and Zachary Winard. The life of a young actor can be a challenging one, posing issues that compound the difficulties facing kids as they transition into adulthood. To help support the youngest members of our entertainment family, we partnered with Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA (now SAG-AFTRA) in 2003 to launch Looking Ahead, for professional young performers ages 9–18 in Southern California. The program helps children and their families to balance work, school and life, make new friends and take breaks from “the biz” to enjoy being a kid. “This program nurtures two of the most important aspects of every child’s life—social interaction and planning for the future,” says Advisory Committee Chair Fred Savage. At 13, Fred was nominated for an Emmy Award® for his work on The Wonder Years. After receiving his English degree from Stanford University in 1999, he’s gone on to develop a successful second career as a director and producer. “Young performers are often removed from the social life that they knew before they started working so finding new friends, particularly those with similar interests and an equally unusual career, is critical to sustaining the fun and joy of being young,” he added. “Additionally, the career of a young performer is, by definition, a short one, and Looking Ahead provides wonderful resources in planning what comes next, whether it’s a career in entertainment or another field entirely.” Now an alumna of the program, actor and aspiring producer Aimee Teegarden joined in the first year. A performer since she was 10, her credits include NBC’s Emmy Award-winning series Friday Night Lights. Her Looking Ahead experience instilled a sense of responsibility, while also creating for her a community of peers outside her work in the business. “It was nice to be able to have somewhere to go as a young actor,” says Teegarden, “and to feel normal and feel like you fit in, Aimee at a and to have everyone get you without having to spend the Bowling event in whole time talking about work.” 2003, and today. Looking Ahead helps kids see the bigger picture and focus on becoming happy, well-rounded adults through five main areas: • Socialeventstogettogetherandhavefun • Educationsupportlikecollegevisitstoevaluateschoolsandmakeplans • Supportfromknowledgeablesocialservicesstaff • Servicetoencouragekidstogivebacktotheircommunity,and • Leadershipcouncilstoempowerkidsandencourageresponsibility. “I think, when you’re working on a leadership council or any kind of council for any type of organization or job or business, you’re making stronger bonds with the people you’re with,” says Teegarden, who served on a Looking Ahead kids council. “But at the same time, it was awesome to have that opportunity to take charge and plan activities that we really wanted to see and do, and see it from start to finish… That was just a really cool great hands-on experience.” Through partnerships, Looking Ahead also creates new learning opportunities. For example, editors at Variety magazine regularly mentor kids to improve their interviewing, writing, editing and design skills, and publish the results in the program’s annual The Next Generation magazine, and Junior Journos in Variety’s annual Youth Impact Report. “The LA office is always so open,” says Teegarden. “Heather’s like, ‘If you ever have a problem or if you want to talk or get coffee, I’m always here for you.’ It’s just so wonderful to know that resource is available.” The Looking Ahead Team! Rocking out in the Jack Oakie Looking Ahead Center, a space in our LA office where kids can study, relax, play games and meet. Clockwise from upper left: Social Worker Heather Vanian, Director of Social Services Tina Hookom, Administrative Coordinator Emmanuel Freeman, Youth Specialist Magen Senen and Education Counselor Laura Campbell.
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