Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1250805
8 I D G A M O N T H L Y When the city of New York was nearly incapacitated by the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, UPM Andrew Saxe (The Deuce), UPM/Location Manager Michael Kriaris (Succession) and Location Manager Josh Dorn (Elementary) all lent their energies to Film Industry Feeds the Front Line, a relief effort organized by Paul Brozen, who provides classic cars for shows like Boardwalk Empire and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. The program connects out of work film caterers to hospitals struggling to feed front-line health care workers working around the clock to treat COVID-19 patients. Through Film Industry Feeds the Front Line, mobile catering trucks are stationed at hospitals to prepare cost-free meals for COVID-19 hospital staff and personnel. Through the added involvement of other DGA members as well as members of SAG-AFTRA, Theatrical Teamsters Local 817 and IATSE Local 161, volunteer drivers further distribute the meals to other needed locations. Along with other contributions of food and services, Film Industry Feeds the Front Line is funded by online donations and over $109,000 has been raised, which has provided nearly 20,000 meals in 23 different facilities in New York and New Jersey. In times of national troubles during the DGA's more than 80-year history, Guild members have stepped up and used their skills to serve those in need. As the world faces a situation unlike any other during the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, once again DGA members are finding thoughtful and caring ways to help others. DGA Members Assist COVID-19 Relief Efforts Mark C. Stevens is a Louisiana-based 1st AD whose resume includes features such as Jean-Marc Vallée's Dallas Buyers Club and Cary Joji Fukunaga's Beasts of No Nation. Stevens found that his skills came in quite handy in the service of Feed the Frontline NOLA, an organization founded by his Mardi Gras krewe that feeds local hospital workers. A month later, they were feeding breakfast lunch and dinner to every single COVID hospital unit in the New Orleans area, keeping open 40 local mom-and-pop type restaurants that might not survive this pandemic. Feed the Frontline NOLA has had a ripple effect of keeping food on other tables as well since have they hired out of work local musicians to act as delivery staff. It's also protected people in the supply chain as wholesalers are struggling right now because the restaurants aren't buying their catches from offshore or vegetables from their independent producers. Mark C. Stevens Andrew Saxe Michael Kriaris Josh Dorn