During the Senate impeachment hearing of President Trump, California congressperson Adam Schiff became a household name for his tour-de-force prosecution of the president. Now, Schiff could become a household name for actors concerned that the Congressional economic stimulus for COVID-19 could leave them behind.
In a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Schiff, along with 36 other congresspeople—all Democrats—called for financial relief for independent contractors and freelancers in the entertainment industry.
“The unique freelance nature of work in film, television, theater, and live music means that a large number of the professionals who make these productions possible work only sporadically—often with extended periods between paying jobs—and count on income from each project to make ends meet,” the members of Congress wrote. “As a result, many of them can’t qualify for traditional unemployment benefits or paid emergency leave, yet will now be unable to cover their basic expenses due to lost work.”
SAG-AFTRA clarifies that laid-off union members could likely qualify for unemployment, but the amount would be “low or insufficient,” a spokesperson adds. Recently, Actors’ Equity—the nation’s union for stage actors and stage managers—advised laid-off members to file for unemployment status with their state’s department of labor.
The letter is a massive step forward for labor unions representing actors, who’ve been advocating for governmental support since it became clear that the coronavirus, COVID-19 was going to uproot American life—and shut down the entertainment industry business model.
“Countless actors, stage managers and everyone who work in arts and entertainment are out of work and wondering how they will make their next rent payment,” says Brandon Lorenz, National Director of Communications and Public Policy of Actors’ Equity. “We are grateful for the leadership of Rep. Schiff and all the members of Congress who have made it clear they understand arts workers need to be protected during this unprecedented health emergency. We will continue to work in partnership with other entertainment unions to make the case that Congress must act.”
For many actors, this is an unsure time. With COVID-19 now spreading in every state, no professional actor is performing for an audience in the United States right now. Film shoots have halted, movie theaters have closed, and auditions have been postponed or transferred to self-tapes. And with many actors relying on the dining industry for a side-hustle when they're not gigging, restaurant and bar closures have been a defeating prognosis.
Rep. Schiff seems to be on the case, having participated in the latest SAG-AFTRA podcast with President Gabrielle Carteris and Executive Director David White. Schiff, considered one of the most senior lawmakers in the House of Representatives and a lieutenant to Speaker Pelosi, is a powerful ally for the industry in an unprecedented time.
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