Where's Our Strike Funds?
Intake Form & Donor List - by Popular Demand
(Any opinions here are mine alone. Merely one of 160,000 members of SAG-AFTRA, I do not serve in any leadership capacity with, nor do I speak on behalf of SAG-AFTRA.)
Whereas the #WritersStrike and #ActorsStrike . . .
Whereas no remotely adequate Universal Basic Income, renter protections or health care coverage yet exists . . .
Whereas the well-meaning Entertainment Community Fund is greatly appreciated yet too long and complex a process for not quite enough dollars desperately needed . . .
Our alleged political leaders force me to do something for which I am absolutely not qualified:
Create a list of our personal strike funds (here’s mine, as an example)
Educate about, advocate for and promote such strike funds
Create a list of who could give . . . with status updates (SEE Donors LIST below)
Yes. That may involve confronting the wealthy, powerful, and famous inside and outside our industry. Only so that we might get through the fucking day with enough food, clothing, shelter and health care. To not die. We create Hollywood (in LA and across the galaxy - yeah Elon, we see you). The SHAME is not ours.
I’m happy to take names and keep score. Who’s with me?
If, like me, you also need help, ASK for it with this intake form. And if you can give even just $5, that means coffee for me on the way to the picket line (so many have generously donated to the picket lines - THANK YOU - but sometimes there’s no coffee). I could be wrong, but I’m hearing from people farther along in the process that the grant award by the Entertainment Community Fund is roughly $1500. If 300 people donated just $5 to me, that $1500 from the Fund would be available for someone else (there’s 160,000 members in my union - not to mention all those in other unions out of work due to the strike!).
Unless I see more donations to my strike fund, I will not be able to return to the picket line. I’ll need to focus my efforts on ebay. Of course I sell used wares there! I’m a SAG-AFTRA actor. THAT IS WHY WE ARE ON STRIKE.
Speaking of my ebay, most of my new listings will donate 15% to the Entertainment Community Fund. I may need to pursue other work as well. Because my live improv busking (the bulk of my income for years) technically promotes a struck TV show and a film, it is also on strike. Something I did not anticipate. Suddenly I’m forced to earn entirely outside the entertainment business. And remain away from the picket line. Unless I see more donations.
So far I’ve received one donation to my personal strike fund. For $100. A very generous donation from someone on a fixed income. Today I donated 10% of it to a fellow SAG-AFTRA actor I originally met on set years ago when he worked as a background wrangler. (If only the industry would pay him to teach classes. Hollywood would be so much better.) He and his girlfriend are hoping they get the ECF grant. So they can pay rent. For one single month. (This strike, by many accounts, could last into next year.) He volunteered and boldly post his Venmo link on his Facebook. His Strike Fund Declaration. That $10 I donated means they can buy cat food today. So their beloved pet can eat. The family member that emotionally supports them during a time of enormous stress. Like when both writers AND actors are forced to go on strike.
So ask for help. And if you can, donate. Even $5 makes a huge difference. And I’ll be donating 10% of all my personal strike fund donations to fellow union workers on strike. Once my needs are met, I may increase that percentage.
If your wealth and/or celebrity grabs attention, you may find yourself on my growing list (see below). I’m certainly open to suggestions of who to add! One day soon journalists may be chasing you down. Not for what you’re used to. They may be asking exactly how much you have donated to the personal strike funds of the very union workers who helped deliver you your fame and fortune. Don’t be a “No Response”! Don’t be that guy!
Let the games begin!
Anonymous (at this time) -$100
Anonymous (at this time) -$50
Johnson, Dwayne - DONATED 7 Figures
Streep, Meryl - $1 million
Hanks, Tom - NO RESPONSE YET
Review the Complete Donor’s List
© Mark Roman Empire. Like what you’re reading? Want more? Share this with a friend! And if you have the means, a one-time donation to my Cash App or Venmo or PayPal helps me deliver you new creative grooviness sooner. I am a SAG-AFTRA union actor ON STRIKE, so consider my Personal Strike Funds GoFundMe, a myStrikeFunds.org listed mutual aid cause. No amount too small! You can also subscribe to my Substack. Thanks!