COVID-19 UPDATES

The Actors Fund – Providing emergency financial assistance and counseling to all entertainment workers.

AICP (Association of Independent Commercial Producers) – Offers webinars and guidance to help members lead the industry through a myriad of issues affecting the business as a result fall out due to the spread of Coronavirus/COVID-19.

American Federation of Musicians Local 47 – Offers a list of resources for members of AFM Local 47. It is updated regularly with news and resources for musicians about Coronavirus/COVID-19.

American Guild of Musical Artists – AGMA Relief Fund: Any AGMA member in good standing is encouraged to apply for financial assistance through the AGMA Relief Fund.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) – Offered major donation to support film industry workers. The donation will be split between the The Actors Fund, the MPTF and the Academy Foundation. Some $4 million of the donation will be split equally between The Actors Fund, which supports behind-the-scenes workers as well as performers, and the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF), which has offered essential relief to those in need since 1921. Both organizations provide immediate assistance to individuals working in the film industry during times of crisis.

Animation Guild (IATSE Local 839) – Provides resources for Animation Guild Members

Artist Relief – Sundance Institute, plus various arts organizations and leading national grantmakers, have launched an emergency COVID-19 relief fund that is issuing grants to select qualified recipients.

ASCAP – Resources and Facts for ASCAP members.

Directors Guild of America (DGA) – Resources for DGA members. Contains information about the DGA COVID-19 Relief Fund: Will cover medical costs associated with COVID-19. Members can apply for short-term, interest-free loans

Entertainment Industry Foundation – EIF has partnered with Music for Relief to provide funds

Field of Vision – Documentary Freelancer Relief Fund: Field of Vision and Topic Studios have created a $250,000 fund to provide grants for freelancers working in the Documentary field. The fund will distribute unrestricted grants of up to $2000 to support personal financial needs during the COVID19 pandemic to freelancers who have experienced hardship from loss of income or opportunity as a result of the pandemicWe will be disbursing funding in two different blocks. One in April, and one in May. We know that people’s situations are changing, and so wanted to ensure there were two different timings to accommodate evolving need.

Freelance Co-op Emergency Fund – Part of our mission of making creativity sustainable is supporting freelancers in uncertain and unprecedented times.

Help Feed the Frontlines – Organization co-founded by some local moms & a dad, many of whom work in the entertainment industry

I.A.T.S.E. Cares – A joint effort by the union’s Young Workers Committee and its Disaster Response Committee, the new IATSE Coronavirus Active Response and Engagement Service is a buddy system where members in need may sign up to have a volunteer check in with them as often as they choose. Extending its annuity hardship withdrawals for those who need financial aid stemming from job losses. Committed $2.5 million to entertainment charities.

Los Angeles – Mayor’s Economic Relief Package – Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced an $11 million economic relief package for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Small businesses in the city of Los Angeles can apply for no-fee loans of $5,000–$20,000.

Leveler – A tool for people with job security to help people whose work status has been impacted by COVID-19. The list includes freelancers, service industry, and gig economy workers

Local 600 – International Cinematographers Guild – Information and resources for Local 600 members.

Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles – The COVID-19 Crisis Fund will support critical needs identified by the City as it responds to the pandemic. The Mayor’s Fund, a 501c3, can quickly take in and disburse funds and is uniquely aligned with the City.

Motion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF) – Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund – Assistance with issues including health insurance, mental health assistance, rent, food, and other essentials

Netflix – Relief Fund – Established a $150 M relief fund.  Most of the funds will go toward hardest-hit workers on Netflix’s own productions around the world. The company had already committed to paying workers two weeks pay following the production suspensions last week. To date, Netflix has also announced $1M additional relief funding for film & TV production in the UK, India and France.

SAG-AFTRA – The guild’s two major divisions – the SAG-AFTRA Foundation and the SAG-AFTRA Motion Picture Players Welfare Fund (MPPWF) have created a COVID-19 fund

Senior’s Guide to Mental Health During COVID-19 – Relevant information for both caregivers and seniors to maintain mental health during this crisis

Sony – Global Relief Fund for COVID-19 – This pledge will provide assistance in three areas: individuals engaged in frontline medical and first responder efforts to fight the virus; support for children and educators who must now work remotely; and support for members of the creative community in the entertainment industry.

Teamsters 399– Allowing out-of-work members to apply for jobs at local grocery stores through the union.

WarnerMedia – $100 million in relief funds for crews impacted by COVID-19

Warner Bros. is also supporting Actors In-Training through a casting initiative intended for actors in their final year of schooling (18 years of age and older). For details, see the article on Deadline.com

Will Rogers Motion Pictures Pioneers Foundation Fund – To request assistance for financial aid, please call (888) 994-3863, ext. 6003, or https://wrpioneers.org/contact/. A social worker will contact you to set up a phone interview to discuss eligibility and the application process. In most cases, grants can be processed between 3-5 business days after we receive the completed application.