We aim to provide aid to the Production Assistants (PAs) working in film and television in the form of immediate financial support during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes as well as any future unforeseen work stoppages out of their control. We offer ongoing emergency financial aid and resources to assist them and allow them to perform their jobs without as much financial hardship.
During this unprecedented time of work stoppage due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, PAs have had their jobs completely halted for months, and it appears this will continue on at least for a couple more months. The fall out of this work stoppage is going to be massive for everyone, but when PAs return to work, their paychecks will be much smaller than those of union positions, making it significantly harder for them to come out from whatever financial hardships they find themselves in during the strikes.
To be clear, we are not here to help them unionize; this is not a topic we are involved in. That being said, we'd like to help them in their current situation. Why do they do it? Because they love the job, and because whether given the credit they deserve or not, they get to be a vital part of the film and television industry.
WHAT WE DO TO HELP
Lump Sum Distributions
One-time lump sum cash distributions to Production Assistants and DGA Trainees to relieve financial hardship during the 2023 WGA & SAG-AFTRA strikes, and any future unforeseen and unplanned work stoppages out of their control.
Additional emergency financial aid to PAs to help cover unforeseen emergency expenses that they are unable to cover with their wages.
Gear & Equipment
Provide gear and equipment necessary to perform their job functions. This will include proper weather gear, footwear, walkie headsets, etc.
In film and television, we work in incredibly challenging environments with weather extremes, very long hours, and the majority of our time spent on our feet. The gear and equipment that makes this more manageable is extremely expensive, and we would like to remove that financial burden from PAs since many can't afford it.
Resources
Various links to help guide unemployed PAs in the right direction during this work stoppage and more job-related resources coming soon.
How Your Contributions Are Used
The vast majority of all contributions go directly to the PAs, in the form of lump sum distributions, emergency financial aid to cover necessary living costs outside the scope of their pay, and in the form of gear and equipment necessary to perform their jobs.
In an effort to keep our operating costs incredibly low, we are a very small team, and we perform all work including website management, accounting, graphics, social media, and donor solicitation between the three of us. And you can rest assured that everything will be done by the book - we are ADs and we love complicated paperwork and intense organization. We also miss our 16-hour days on set, and we're more than happy to put in the work here!
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
We are officially a 501(c)(3) nonprofit recognized under IRC Section 501(c)(3). All donations are deductible under IRC Section 170.
Donation receipts are sent out shortly after donations are received for records and tax purposes.
Our 501(c)(3) tax exemption application was the very first thing we did; that being said, review and processing is a lengthy adventure. We completed the necessary steps to have expedited review, and although this is only rarely granted, we were approved within one month!
Any donations received prior to our approval are tax deductible retroactively to our date of incorporation (July 11, 2023).
How Contributions Affect Recipients
Aside from hopefully changing their life in some helpful way, these monetary and goods distributions are considered gifts. They are not taxable for the recipient, and they do not affect their unemployment benefits.
