Someone asked if I would do this and I think it’s a fun running idea for a long weekend where we are trying to entertain ourselves for as little money as possible.
TORONTO — A national charity serving people in the entertainment industry says it has doled out $1.2 million in aid to Canadians affected by the Hollywood actors and writers strikes.
The AFC, formerly known as the Actors' Fund of Canada, says more than 500 film and TV workers have tapped into emergency financial support since the Writers Guild of America walked off the job on May 2.
Executive director David Hope says the need escalated when the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists walked off the job July 14 and shuttered more sets.
He says more than 500 additional applicants are seeking help but the AFC’s emergency financial aid program has already been depleted for the year. It's turning to the public for donations.
The dual SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes halted most U.S. productions shot in Canada, putting tens of thousands of local talent and crews out of work.
Hope says many of those are gig workers who are struggling to buy food, pay their rent or mortgage and meet other basic needs. They include actors, directors and crew.
"Members of the public often perceive the film and TV business as glamorous and that folks in the business are very highly paid and live a life of luxury. Really, they're working folks like everybody else," Hope said Monday.
I'm a fellow Sagittarius, Cancer rising and I often find my horoscopes to be wildly incongruous? Do you notice this ever? I really feel a sort of imbalance within and wondering if you might feel it too...and then if so, any ways of dealing with it?
Like you, Kelly, I lived in Alberta before moving to California. Like you, I made the move in 2012, the only difference being I was 60 at the time instead of 30-something. Unlike you, I moved back again six years later because my work visa evidently wasn’t as sound as yours and, in the age of Trump, I came back before they made me.
Is there a question here? Afraid not. Sorry. Just a fan letter.
Like you, I’m a writer. I’ve written five books. Unlike you, I’ve never been on strike. Interesting though: when I was publisher at See Magazine in Edmonton, one of my columnists was a clever playwright named Paul Mather. Like you, he now lives in L.A. Again, like you, he writes screenplays – and like you, is now on strike. I was a columnist at the Edmonton Journal for 12 years and our newsroom almost went on strike once. Instead, we voted against unionizing and that was the end of it. I still wonder if we did the right thing.
I moved to Alberta when I was 43, so I didn’t have the same childhood experiences in Edmonton you did. I was not familiar with your work at all until your first book came out. I bought it. Bought the second one, too. Watched your movie on Crave. I’m a paid subscriber to your, er, whatever this is. So the point? I sometimes contemplate how your life and mine are one concentric circle in life’s Venn diagram, separated by a few layers of Kevin Bacon. One of my daughters used to frequent your sister’s shop, until she moved to England where she works as a scriptwriter for a video-game company. The first rental property my wife and I bought was in a building managed by Ayr & Oxford. Alas, we sold it at a loss. Also, there are the other things I mentioned. Mostly though, I relate to some of what you’re going through. Not everything, but some things.
So let me offer this. It’s a quote from James Allen that has served me well ever since, well, you were probably still in elementary school, dodging tornadoes and spending your summers on Sylvan Lake. It goes like this:
“He [or she] who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal, in his heart will one day realize it.”
What is your writing process like? How do you get down old memories so well? I love writing and I’m trying to get the hang of personal essays but my adhd gets in the way and they turn out erratic. Also, I’m going away to college at the age of 30. How should I college as a 30 year old. It’s uci. I’m hoping I can churn out a book here like Michael Chabon did lol. I kid. Not really. Maybe. Sorry for the strange questions. I appreciate you and would love to know your thoughts :)
Hot Labor Summer questions... What do you think is going to happen with the strike(s)? Something has to give, right?... And what do you think will happen when the strike(s) end? Will it be an avalanche of activity, or a "stream-lined" version of the industry?
Don't know you IRL, but love you and appreciate you nonetheless!!!
Solo parent question: on days when you wake up in the morning and have to dig DEEP to put on The Mom Show, what do you do? Like immediately. Like how do you not lose your shit 👯♀️
hi kelly, is there a way to audition for anything you write that’s being made into a film? because please let me know. i’ll fly myself over from australia any time
Kelly, this report is from the Canadian Press:
TORONTO — A national charity serving people in the entertainment industry says it has doled out $1.2 million in aid to Canadians affected by the Hollywood actors and writers strikes.
The AFC, formerly known as the Actors' Fund of Canada, says more than 500 film and TV workers have tapped into emergency financial support since the Writers Guild of America walked off the job on May 2.
Executive director David Hope says the need escalated when the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists walked off the job July 14 and shuttered more sets.
He says more than 500 additional applicants are seeking help but the AFC’s emergency financial aid program has already been depleted for the year. It's turning to the public for donations.
The dual SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes halted most U.S. productions shot in Canada, putting tens of thousands of local talent and crews out of work.
Hope says many of those are gig workers who are struggling to buy food, pay their rent or mortgage and meet other basic needs. They include actors, directors and crew.
"Members of the public often perceive the film and TV business as glamorous and that folks in the business are very highly paid and live a life of luxury. Really, they're working folks like everybody else," Hope said Monday.
What’s your favorite home cooked meal when you’re a guest? And what wine would you choose to have with it?
Did you dream you were Surfer Joe?
Hi Kelly,
I'm a fellow Sagittarius, Cancer rising and I often find my horoscopes to be wildly incongruous? Do you notice this ever? I really feel a sort of imbalance within and wondering if you might feel it too...and then if so, any ways of dealing with it?
Like you, Kelly, I lived in Alberta before moving to California. Like you, I made the move in 2012, the only difference being I was 60 at the time instead of 30-something. Unlike you, I moved back again six years later because my work visa evidently wasn’t as sound as yours and, in the age of Trump, I came back before they made me.
Is there a question here? Afraid not. Sorry. Just a fan letter.
Like you, I’m a writer. I’ve written five books. Unlike you, I’ve never been on strike. Interesting though: when I was publisher at See Magazine in Edmonton, one of my columnists was a clever playwright named Paul Mather. Like you, he now lives in L.A. Again, like you, he writes screenplays – and like you, is now on strike. I was a columnist at the Edmonton Journal for 12 years and our newsroom almost went on strike once. Instead, we voted against unionizing and that was the end of it. I still wonder if we did the right thing.
I moved to Alberta when I was 43, so I didn’t have the same childhood experiences in Edmonton you did. I was not familiar with your work at all until your first book came out. I bought it. Bought the second one, too. Watched your movie on Crave. I’m a paid subscriber to your, er, whatever this is. So the point? I sometimes contemplate how your life and mine are one concentric circle in life’s Venn diagram, separated by a few layers of Kevin Bacon. One of my daughters used to frequent your sister’s shop, until she moved to England where she works as a scriptwriter for a video-game company. The first rental property my wife and I bought was in a building managed by Ayr & Oxford. Alas, we sold it at a loss. Also, there are the other things I mentioned. Mostly though, I relate to some of what you’re going through. Not everything, but some things.
So let me offer this. It’s a quote from James Allen that has served me well ever since, well, you were probably still in elementary school, dodging tornadoes and spending your summers on Sylvan Lake. It goes like this:
“He [or she] who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal, in his heart will one day realize it.”
Do you remember your first panic attack? And do you have people around you who get it?
What is your writing process like? How do you get down old memories so well? I love writing and I’m trying to get the hang of personal essays but my adhd gets in the way and they turn out erratic. Also, I’m going away to college at the age of 30. How should I college as a 30 year old. It’s uci. I’m hoping I can churn out a book here like Michael Chabon did lol. I kid. Not really. Maybe. Sorry for the strange questions. I appreciate you and would love to know your thoughts :)
Agree. Everything is in a strange stasis - that MIGHT change any minute... or might not.
Y/N archie is a real boy
He is a real boy. Ask anyone who has met him.
If you could go back to your 30’s what would you do differently?
I was married at that time. I would have hired a personal business manager for my finances.
Hot Labor Summer questions... What do you think is going to happen with the strike(s)? Something has to give, right?... And what do you think will happen when the strike(s) end? Will it be an avalanche of activity, or a "stream-lined" version of the industry?
Don't know you IRL, but love you and appreciate you nonetheless!!!
I honestly have no idea and neither do people who have access to the minute news.
Everyone is feeling very unsteady.
Top 5 songs?
I can never pick my top 5 anything :(
There's too much catalogue in my brain and too many great pieces.
Solo parent question: on days when you wake up in the morning and have to dig DEEP to put on The Mom Show, what do you do? Like immediately. Like how do you not lose your shit 👯♀️
Pretend I'm someone else and do it.
hi kelly, is there a way to audition for anything you write that’s being made into a film? because please let me know. i’ll fly myself over from australia any time
You'll know when, and you can send a tape.
Do your armpits still hurt when your anxiety is bad? I thought this was funny until mine started doing the same.
They did a few years ago but haven't since.
Such a weird thing.
Super weird. Had to get a mammogram and ultrasound to rule stuff out
Favorite Edmonton river valley memory? (Will also accept a ravine memory)
When my friend Josh and I were ten we went into Box Canyon and found a new Hustler magazine and a stash of canned brown beans.