Hollywood Actors, Writers, Producers, Show-Runners and Veterans “Get Real” About Mental Health, Reintegration and Homelessness
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) July 11, 2013 -- Veteran Issues for Storytellers: A First Draft Creative Briefing was held today in Los Angeles, produced by the Entertainment Industries Council, Inc. (EIC) in partnership with SAG-AFTRA Military Personnel and Families Support Committee, the Producers Guild of America, and in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Homeless Veterans Initiatives Office. This edition of EIC’s summer briefing series gave creatives including actors, writers, and producers of television and film the opportunity to candidly discuss Veterans issues such as homelessness, mental health, and reintegration with those who have first-hand experience. It was held at SAG-AFTRA’s James Cagney Board Room.
“The Producers Guild is pleased to participate in an event that connects producers to experts, veterans and other industry people working on projects regarding such an important issue,” said Susan Sprung, Associate National Executive Director.
“SAG-AFTRA enjoys a rich history of supporting active military and veterans’ initiatives. Performers appreciate the value of well-written scripts and fully developed characters, so we welcome this first-hand opportunity to better understand the significant challenges and difficulties faced by our active and retired service men and women. While this knowledge surely contributes to better performances, today’s conference affords the entire entertainment industry a clear path to sharing these issues with the world. We are very proud to partner with both EIC and the Producers Guild in this very important conference,” said SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles executive director Ilyanne Morden Kichaven.
The panelists, including Anthony Hassan, Army veteran and associate director of the USC center for research on Veterans and Military Families; actor and Army veteran Tony Nevada and Meredith Stiehm, executive producer and show runner for Cold Case, Homeland, and The Bridge, gave insightful accounts highlighting the importance of storytelling that encourages those in need to recognize the resources available, seek treatment and utilize community and government support.
“Our panelists created an open and honest discussion of physical and mental wounds, addiction, homelessness, skills training and reintegration concerns that really resonated with the creators in the room who are searching for ways to make their characters and stories more authentic and informative. The result will not only raise awareness of the challenges our veterans face and ways to help, but the result will also increase the entertainment value of the productions that brings these powerful topics to life,” said Marie Gallo Dyak, Executive Vice President, Program Services & Government Relations, EIC.
Video excerpts and best practices for content creation concerning Veteran issues will be made available through EIC’s electronic newsletter and website. To learn more, or to subscribe, visit http://www.eiconline.org .
About Entertainment Industries Council
EIC is a non-profit organization founded in 1983 by leaders within the entertainment industry to bring the power and influence of the industry to bear on communication about health and social issues. The organization is considered to be the chief pioneer of entertainment and journalism outreach and a premiere success story in the field of entertainment education. This mission relies on providing resource information to the creative community and culminates in recognition of the industry through the national television special PRISM Showcase which addresses accurate portrayals of substance use issues and mental health concerns. The organization also produces the S.E.T Awards, honoring positive and non-stereotypical portrayals of science, engineering and technology.
For a complete list of health and social issues addressed by EIC and local projects please visit First Draft and EIC’s website. EIC’s web site is http://www.eiconline.org. The PRISM Awards web site is http://www.prismawards.com.
About the Producers Guild of America
The Producers Guild of America is the non-profit trade group that represents, protects and promotes the interests of all members of the producing team in film, television and new media. The Producers Guild has more than 5,700 members who work together to protect and improve their careers, the industry and community by providing members with employment opportunities, seeking to expand health benefits, promoting fair and impartial standards for the awarding of producing credits, as well as other education and advocacy efforts such as encouraging sustainable production practices. Visit http://www.producersguild.org, http://www.pgagreen.org, http://www.pgadiversity.org for more information.
About SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA represents more than 165,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org. Follow SAG-AFTRA on Twitter (twitter.com/sagaftra) and Facebook (facebook.com/sagaftra).
Skylar Jackson, The Entertainment Industries Council, http://www.eiconline.org, 703.481.1414, [email protected]
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