COVID-19 Resources For Actors

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Hi Everyone! I’m sure we all need a little extra support right now so I’ve pulled together a list of resources for actors. I’m trying to keep this updated daily, and maybe even continue it in the future. If you have any suggestions or requests please don’t hesitate to reach out!

UPDATE: NOVEMBER 1 2020

So… here we are, entering month 9 with no end in sight. I originally pulled together these resources to help everyone “make it through” while staying sane, active and financially sound. AND I was updating this daily. But the longer this goes on, the less there is to report…. what’s new?

I had an actor reach out to me this week saying, “Hey… anymore resources? Unemployment is running out soon and not sure what to do?” I’m not sure any of us expected it to go on this long, and realistically, it looks like we have a lot longer. So…. what’s the plan?

Like it or not, for now, this is the new normal. So time to hunker down and make some radical changes.

1. Take Care of Finances: Need to earn some serious money? Read 10 Work From Home Jobs Perfect For Actors …. seriously.. I put a lot of research into this and I stand by the recommendations. You may have to roll up your sleeves a bit but you can definitely make a full-time income doing these.
2. Keep Connecting with Industry Players: Find a scene partner to rehearse with…. for free! Connect with casting directors, agents and managers. And believe it or not, Facebook is the perfect place for this! Read 16 Best Facebook Groups for Actors to Connect, Meet Reps and Find Work . Again, a lot of work into this one. Check it out and start connecting.
3. Casting Director Open Calls and Freebies: For the most part these seem to have gone away for now. Casting directors got a little inundated at the onset, and now reality is settling in for them too! They are tired, worn down and have bills to pay and families to feed. Please keep that in mind when making connections.
4. Take Care of You: Here are some external resources…. this is an excellent and comprehensive resource from the CDC: Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19. From Kaiser Permanente: 7 Tips for Managing Coronavirus Anxiety and Stress .

I’ll be looking to update this as new info become available, and if you know of anything, PLEASE put it in the comments below! 🙂

💙 Hunter

MAY 2020… if you’re looking for work, check out this article from CNBC – The 10 companies hiring the most remote freelance workers right now https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/19/10-companies-hiring-remote-freelance-workers.html

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10 Work From Home Jobs Perfect For Actors

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16 Best Facebook Groups for Actors to Connect, Meet Reps and Find Work

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Open Calls + Challenges + other fun stuff!

This section was SO POPULAR that I’ve moved it to a post all of it’s own!

RETURN TO WORK

JUNE 12: In case you missed it, this is the “Return to Work” outline from SAG-AFTRA

In the next major step toward the resumption of film and television production, today SAG-AFTRA, the Directors Guild of America (DGA), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) and the Basic Crafts released The Safe Way Forward, a multi-union report on COVID-19 safety guidelines. The guidelines set forth a detailed set of science-based protocols serving as a path for employers to uphold their responsibility of providing safe workplaces in a pre-vaccine, COVID-19 world.

These guidelines were developed jointly by the unions and guilds in consultation with leading epidemiologists and experts, and serve as an essential and necessary element of a return to work for film and television casts and crews. This represents a strong start, but there are additional detailed protocols still to come to make sure you have confidence in your safety as you return to work. As protocols are updated, the latest developments will be posted online at our Back to Work hub.

A central focus of these guidelines is the protection of performers, who are among the most vulnerable on set given they are not always able to observe physical distancing or wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when cameras are rolling.

Testing is the Key to the Resumption of Production
The unions and guilds quickly determined that a comprehensive, mandatory testing regimen would need to be the cornerstone of a safe return to production in a pre-vaccine landscape. Without testing, the entire cast and crew would be working in an environment of unknown risk. Confirmed cases would be determined days after people have been shedding the virus – potentially endangering the health of cast and crew members. Moreover, they could lead to the quarantining of others on set, and should those individuals include a key actor or director, to production delays or even a production shutdown. Not to mention the public health implications associated with cast and crew members interacting with the public and going home to their families.

Testing Frequency and the Zone System
The guidelines lay out that:

• Every member of the cast and crew be tested for active COVID-19 infection before their first day of work to ensure they are not shedding the virus. Cast and crew members will then be subject to regular testing protocols during the course of their work on the production.
• Given that performers are uniquely vulnerable for the reasons described above, the guidelines require a higher testing frequency of at least three times a week at minimum for them as well as those with whom they come into close contact.
• Individuals who work in areas like the production office – where physical distancing and PPE can be utilized – can be tested less frequently, at a minimum of once a week. Other variables impacting testing frequency include the prevalence of the virus in a given community, and the rate that the infection is being spread. 

In order to ensure these different sections of the production environment are tightly controlled, the guidelines require the implementation of a specialized “Zone” system laying out barriers within which those on set can flow based on proximity to cast, level of testing, PPE and the extent to which physical distancing can be observed in the performance of their work. Cast and those with whom they come into frequent contact would be grouped in Zone A, while other individuals on set would be grouped in Zone B. The Zone system is the structure and foundation around which all on-set COVID-19 safety decisions should be engineered. A detailed tour of the inner-workings of the Zone system is included in the guidelines. 

New Health and Safety On-Set Positions
To execute testing and the Zone system, the guidelines require the creation and staffing of two new positions/departments with authority to oversee the production to ensure the guidelines are being followed, and to take immediate action to correct any unsafe practices or conditions: 

• A Health Safety Supervisor (HSS) (referred to in the Industry White Paper as the “COVID-19 Compliance Officer”) would be in charge of the testing process, hire and coordinate the necessary COVID-19 medical staff, and be responsible for related health safety for the production. The HSS has the authority to pause the production in event that a breach threatens the health of the cast or the crew.
• There would also be a Health Safety Department, with a manager and staff. The Health Safety Unit Manager (HSM) would oversee the execution of HSS directives in conjunction with the directors’ team, and other relevant department heads.

The full set of guidelines, and a listing of the experts consulted, can be found here. The safety of our members remains our priority and we believe these guidelines are a strong start for members being able to get back to work safely.

HOT TOPICS

MUST READ:

LA Times: After the coronavirus, the race to resume film production goes global Very interesting article on where production is going to be going to get things moving again. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-05-18/after-coronavirus-global-film-production-back-to-work-hollywood

Reopening Hollywood From Insurance To Testing, Crowd Scenes & Craft Services, Here Are The Pandemic Problems Studios Are Trying To Solve Before The Restart This article was published in Deadline on April 15th and is a very detailed look at what it’s going to take to re-open Hollywood https://deadline.com/2020/04/how-hollywood-reopens-coronavirus-shutdown-production-insurance-actors-crews-1202908471/

Stimulus Check and Unemployment Assistance

MAY 21: Track your stimulus check through the mail The US Postal Service can send you a heads-up when your stimulus check is coming in the mail. See how to set up the free service on your phone or computer.

MAY 21: What’s the deal with the SECOND stimulus check? Get all of the details here: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/21/how-long-it-could-take-before-a-second-stimulus-check-is-in-your-hands.html

So what’s going on with the stimulus check? And did you get yours yet? Check the status of your payment at the new IRS online portal Get My Money https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment

Renters: How to Get COVID-19 Rent Relief

CARES Act Eviction Protection Great information here on what your options are if you can’t pay the rent right now. From the website: “The CARES Act, signed into law Mar. 27, 2020, provides 120 days of eviction relief for tenants in federally-backed housing. Specifically, you may not be served with an eviction notice until July 25, 2020 and the notice must give you 30 days to leave the property (Aug. 24, 2020). During the 120 day eviction moratorium, your landlord may not charge you late fees, penalties, or other charges for paying your rent late. It’s important to note that the eviction moratorium does not relieve you of your obligation to pay your rent. It merely forbids your landlord from evicting you during that period for late payment.” https://www.investopedia.com/renters-how-to-get-covid-19-rent-relief-4800858

COVID-19: Guidance for Landlords and Tenants This is a private lawyers website and provides information for both landlords and tenants – it’s good to consider both sides. https://www.bbklaw.com/news-events/insights/2020/legal-alerts/03/covid-19-guidance-for-landlords-and-tenants

LA Specific

Resources for renters assistance, food banks etc are available on https://www.lacity.org

Unemployment Insurance & Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

What you need to know about unemployment benefits in the coronavirus relief bill  https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/26/coronavirus-relief-bill-what-to-know-about-unemployment-benefits.html

A Guide to Pandemic Unemployment Assistance This is an excellent resource – very clear and easy to understand! https://www.in.gov/dwd/dua.htm

Unemployment Insurance Relief During COVID-19 Outbreak This is the U.S. department of Labor website – good to get all of the detail you can before moving forward. https://www.dol.gov/coronavirus/unemployment-insurance 

Information 0-1 Visa Holders 

If you’re here on an 0-1 Visa this can be a really confusing time. This is an immigration attorney’s website but provides fairly comprehensive information .

Daily Actor Quarantine Newsletter

Fitness

Want to stay active while in quarantine or social distancing?

• Wanderlust : “Introducing Mats Down Daily: Global Classes Online”. Wanderlust is offering FREE online classes daily via IG LIVE. They are hosted by teachers around the globe so are at all hours of the day and night, and include both yoga and meditation classes. Check out their full line up here https://wanderlust.com/journal/wanderlust-global-live-class-schedule/
• Peleton is offering a 90 Day FREE trial, up from their usual 30 days. Try everything from 5 minute meditations to 45 minute HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) , dance classes, yoga and more! Download the app and take it on your social distancing walk or stream it through Apple TV or Fire TV. I’m really impressed and amazed at what they are offering…. I thought it was all bike and treadmill – not so!
• Core Power Yoga. Sixteen hour-long yoga classes, plus four meditations, on its website.
• Echelon is similar to Peleton. Also offers a wide variety of live and on-demand classes (yoga, dance, core, Pilates) in addition to the in-home Spin classes they’re known for. Also free for 90 days. https://echelonfit.com
• Barre3 and The Bar Method. The ballet-meets-yoga-meets-Pilates classes are free for 15 days.
• Daily Burn and Gold’s Gym. Miss gym classes? Try a 60-day free trial of the Daily Burn’s sleek at-home classes, lots of specialties such as postnatal. Or hit the 600 audio and video classes on the Gold’s Amp app, which is free until May 31.
• Planet Fitness. Planet Fitness has a free daily class at 7 p.m. ET on its Facebook Live page.

For a more detailed list of some of the BEST at-home workouts on apps and on YouTube check out the blog post here: https://dreamingbarefoot.com/best-at-home-workouts-on-apps-and-youtube/

Food!

I am no culinary queen but I do like to eat yummy stuff! If you’re bored and looking for some easy, tasty, nutritious meals check out my Pinterest collection of Meals in a Mug. Yup! That’s it! I’m not into huge kitchen drama but these mouthwatering delights are easy and most (if not all) are done in the microwave. #notsostarvingartist

Give Back in Kindness

• The Red Cross is strongly urging people to give blood. https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/coronavirus–covid-19–and-blood-donation.html
• Volunteer for Crisis Text Line. Crisis Text Line is the free, 24/7 text line for people in crisis in the United States. The service is powered by volunteer Crisis Counselors who work remotely — anywhere with a computer and secure internet connection works. https://www.crisistextline.org/become-a-volunteer/
• Animal Shelters Call For People To Foster Pets Amid Coronavirus Pandemic https://www.huffpost.com/entry/foster-adopt-pet-coronavirus-covid-19-cat_n_5e6e9c26c5b6bd8156f9cd7e

LA Specific

• Check on older adults who are housing vulnerable. Volunteer to make phone calls https://www.laworks.com/opportunity/a0C3l00000hoOC2
• Help the Homeless Community in LA. Volunteer to package take-out meals. volunteer@midnightmission.org https://www.midnightmission.org/covid-19/
• Check your earthquake kit! Seriously… things are bad enough! Make sure you’re prepared. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html

Looking for work?

These companies are hiring amid the coronavirus pandemic

• 7-Eleven: According to reports, the convenience store chain is hiring 20,000 new workers amid the pandemic.
• Albertsons Companies: The national grocery company is hiring for positionsacross its brands including Safeway and VONS. 

RELATED: Amazon seeks to hire 100,000 to keep up with surge in orders

• Dollar Tree: According to reports, the discount retail chain plans to hire 50,000 new workers by the end of April in response to heightened demand for products due to the pandemic.
• Dominos: Reports indicated that the pizza chain was looking to hire 10,000 workers for full and part-time positions.
• Food delivery services: While there has not been an announcement regarding increased demand for drivers, individuals can still sign up to deliver food to others through services such as DoorDash, GrubHub, Instacart, Postmates and Uber Eats. 
• H-E-B: The Texas-based grocer is hiring short-term hourly store positionsacross the state.
• Kroger (Ralphs, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer and more): Immediate openings are available at many of the brands under this national grocery store company.
• Microsoft: Multiple positions are available with the tech leader.
• Outschool: Education professionals could potentially teach online through this service.
• Pizza Hut: The pizza chain is hiring for positions at its various locations.
• Slack: The online chat service is hiring for roles.
• Walmart: Walmart is hiring store workers and delivery drivers.
• Zoom: This company, which offers videoconferencing services, is hiring for positions across the world.

Need Something to Watch?

• Showtime Network is offering a 30 Day Free trial for a limited time! Up from their usual one week! https://www.sho.com/stream-showtime . As with CBS you have to give them a credit card to charge at the end of the trial, or sign up with Amazon Prime. BUT… you can cancel right away and still get to use the full month.

• CBS All Access is offering standard 7 days free. You’ll need to create an account and give a credit card to charge; the monthly payment will automatically renew once the free trial is up

• Have you heard of Quibi yet? Big names and big money in this deal! Founded by Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman, this super short form, smartphone only video platform just launched this month – timing is everything! The company plans to spend $1.1 billion on commissioning original content in its first year! #actorjobs. They’ve got big names like Chrissy Teigen and Steven Spielberg onboard worth checking out. They are offering a standard 90 Day Free trial but T-Mobile customers get ONE FULL YEAR

Meditation

Wanderlust is offering a ton of free meditation classes. See the fitness info above or go to https://wanderlust.com/journal/wanderlust-global-live-class-schedule/ for more info.

Acting Coaching & Career Coaching

If you’re interested in working with me privately you can read reviews and book sessions directly through my TakeLessons account or on my Online Calendar (*payment is required in advance to confirm sessions) – or – Fill out the contact form on this site and make sure to put “Coaching” in the subject line and let me know what your questions are.

Whew! I’m trying to keep up! Check back soon and stay safe out there 🙂

xo Hunter

Hunter Phoenix IMDB HunterPhoenix.tv

* Please Note:  I am not an agent, manager, or casting director. I do not procure work for actors. All information, workshops and coaching are for educational purposes only and are not a guarantee or promise of employment. Thank you for being here!

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