Strikes, Weekly Meetings, Script Notes: The Next Phase of Hollywood’s Anti-Abortion Activism

Strikes, Weekly Meetings, Script Notes: The Next Phase of Hollywood’s Anti-Abortion Activism

In Hollywood today, an out-of-office email may not be a vacation, but a subtle form of protest.

Some industry workplaces, including most major talent agencies, will participate in a virtual walkout organized by Planned Parenthood to show support for abortion rights on Wednesday afternoon at 4 pm PST. Some companies also add additional programming: before going to the UTA, the customer and the tricks Star Hannah Einbinder moderates the conversation with Debasri Ghosh, managing director of the National Network of Abortion Foundations, and Alencia Johnson, founder and director of impact at social impact agency 1063 West Broad.

Virtual speech is one of the forms in the almost three weeks since the STF was removed Roe vs Wade On June 24, the entertainment industry went from shock to activism. There is also a strong group of players, including many former Time’s Up board members, who meet weekly and there have been guild meetings, protests and donations.

The loose group, which began meeting weekly, includes Kathy McGrath, partner of Bad Robot, Maha Dakhil, co-director of films at CAA, Nina Shaw, partner of Dell Shaw, and co-founder of impact firm Catherine St. Laurent. social Acor Partners, who worked. Melinda Gates and Meghan Markle and Rebecca Goldman, former COO of Time’s Up.

The meetings began with a chain of text messages on June 24. “The decision was made and people started calling and texting and saying, ‘This is crazy,’” says one of the group’s organizers. “It was intense. People immediately wanted to be in the community. People wanted to help. The group, which is both male and female and includes business figures as well as the entertainment industry, has had doctors and lawyers advising its members on issues of necessity in states where abortion is now or will soon be illegal. The weekly calls featured representatives from the Pro-Abortion Doctors Group and Abortion Hotline, the Pro-Abortion Doctors Group and Men4Choice, which organizes men around reproductive rights.

Many in Hollywood began to think about how to portray characters with abortion and reproductive care. And some in the industry look to their unions for guidance. On June 29, the Directors Guild of America held a virtual meeting and invited Caren Spruch, national director of arts and entertainment for Planned Parenthood, to speak with its members. “The meeting was an opportunity for members to discuss and share their feelings and reactions to the decision and what they can do individually and collectively to respond,” said a union spokesperson.

After the meeting, according to Spruch, the five directors discussed their film and television projects. Spruch says he also asked producers and writers for script notes and received requests from shows that wanted to know how to direct viewers to health care and other information.

Hollywood is using its platform in other ways, with stars like Whoopi Goldberg, Jamila Jamil and Laura Prepon talking about their own miscarriages. It’s on Late Night with Seth MeyersWriters Amber Ruffin, Ally Hord and Jenny Hagel spoke with Planned Parenthood CEO Alexis McGill Johnson. Before making the decision, actresses such as America Ferrera, Aja Naomi King, and Taraji P. Henson filmed abortion explainer videos for Planned Parenthood, and since then, white lotus Star Natasha Rothwell shot a new commercial for the group.

Some, including Lizzo, have also made significant donations to Planned Parenthood and other reproductive rights organizations.

Source: Hollywood Reporter

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