Paul Feig is donating a six-figure sum to the Motion Picture and Television Fund’s Community Care Fund.
The director has contributed $100,000 to the fund to assist members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) in Southern California who have been affected by Hollywood’s dual strikes. Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike on May 2 in response to an ongoing labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). SAG-AFTRA members joined the picket lines on July 14, resulting in an extensive work slump in Hollywood.
“My heart goes out to all the amazing crew people I have had the pleasure of collaborating with on my movies and TV shows who are financially struggling to make ends meet in the midst of this ongoing double strike,” states Feig, who has directed scores of films including Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters, Spy, The Heat, The Office, Nurse Jackie, A Simple Favor, and the latest The School for Good and Evil. “We have seen firsthand on sets the persistence, talent and endurance of our IATSE colleagues, so it’s imperative we do our part to ensure they get on the other side of this work stoppage.”
@paulfeig shows his support for his struggling industry colleagues in a tweet on X:
Sending so much love to all our amazing crew people who are caught in the crossfire of this double strike. We are nothing without you. ❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/1iVRwx9csc
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) September 11, 2023
Feig took it a step further, issuing a call to action from his peers. “I invite all producers and directors to contribute as well since the livelihood and safety of our IATSE crew directly impacts all of us.”
Feig’s contribution comes less than a month after the MPTF president and CEO published an open letter to the industry, urging increased support for below-the-line employees in the midst of the writers and actors strike.
“Members of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA have been very generous in stepping up to support their own members, but as a community we are not doing enough to support the tens of thousands of crew members and others who live paycheck to paycheck and depend on this industry for their livelihood,” wrote Beitcher. “They have become the forgotten casualties during these strikes, overlooked by the media. Let’s face it, actors and writers make better subjects for strike stories; and now crew members are not getting the philanthropic support they’ve earned and deserve.”
This isn’t the only push for crew members this week. The Hollywood Reporter reported on Thursday about an upcoming benefit called “The Give Back-ular Spectacular.” Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman, actor and director Paul McCrane, and actor and writer Paul Scheer will co-host the event, which will take place on Oct. 25 at L.A.’s Orpheum Theater as a benefit for workers during Hollywood’s dueling strikes.
According to official intel, the fundraiser aims to “to raise awareness that this strike is adversely affecting not just writers and actors, but the entire community of artists, craftspeople, technicians, production assistants and support staff” as well as raise funds to cover COBRA and healthcare premiums for members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Teamsters, Laborers’ International Union of North America, and other workers who are on strike.