Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/33797
compensating those who created it, and it has real consequences. This is the first of what will become a regular column on the consequences of downloading I digital theſt: what it is, why it is a problem, how to fight it and what you can do. Digital theſt can take a variety of forms, from unauthorized downloads to bootleg DVDs. In some cases, movies are streamed free at legitimate-looking websites, while the thieves make their money from the ads. Most people don’t give it a lot of thought, but for actors and many other workers in the entertainment industry, the issue hits close to home. The future of America’s economy hinges on innovation and creativity. If someone enjoys a movie but doesn’t pay for it, there’s that much less incentive for that film’s investors to fund a sequel or similar picture. And that translates into fewer jobs. Fewer technicians. Fewer writers. Fewer stunt performers. Fewer actors. And that’s something our industry can’t afford. It’s not easily quantifiable. Since digital theſt is illegal, getting exact numbers on how many copies of a particular work are stolen isn’t easy. Even more difficult is getting precise figures on its effects — aſter all, who can determine the impact of a single illegal download? One thing is certain, though: If people do not receive proper compensation for their hard work, productions could shutter, jobs will be lost, quality of motion pictures will suffer and the industry as a whole will lose influence. Digital theſt is sometimes also referred to as “piracy.” But the term “piracy,” conjures up false images of swashbuckling rogues and misguided undergrads hunched over computers, and minimizes a critical economic dilemma for our country. In reality, digital theſt is an illicit business trafficking in stolen material. It’s run by international criminal operations that oſten masquerade as legitimate sites, appear in search engines and even accept credit card payments. In fact, a 2009 study conducted by the Rand Corp. and funded by the Motion Picture Association found that digital theſt was a funding mechanism for organized crime and, possibly, terrorism. “DVD piracy, which has a higher profit margin than narcotics and minimal risks of enforcement, is attractive around the world as an element of criminal portfolios that also include drugs, money laundering, extortion and human smuggling,” the report stated. Screen Actors Guild has been a strong supporter of efforts to fight digital theſt, increase penalties and shut down sites trafficking in illegal sales or streaming of stolen television shows and movies. SAG will continue to raise awareness on this issue, but we are counting on our members to help spread the word. In a rapidly changing online entertainment landscape, it’s difficult for consumers to know what’s legal and what isn’t. We want to be sure that all of the members of the entertainment community — including our members and employees — know that digital theſt of content is a threat, and one that we are taking seriously. Elves Walk the Red Carpet in Elfquest Debut f residuals pay your bills, you should care about digital theſt. Digital theſt is the act of stealing intellectual property without S Producers Stephanie Thorpe and Paula Rhodes at the premiere of Elfquest: A Fan Imagining April 6 at SAG headquarters in Los Angeles. creen Actors Guild New Media hosted the premiere of Duo Luna Productions’ Elfquest: A Fan Imagining to a full house on April 6 at SAG headquarters in Los Angeles. The red-carpet reception featured a Q&A with Elfquest producers Paula Rhodes (A Good Knight’s Quest, Hollywood Wasteland) and Stephanie Thorpe (Aſter Judgement, Night of the Zombie King). The event was livestreamed online and received 27,792 views. turn page for video The Actors Fund Work Program: 25 YEARS OF KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY WORKING training program for everyone in entertainment, AWP assists our community through career counseling, job training and job development. This unique work force development program recognizes the F need for alternative employment to complement a career in the arts. Work for actors can be largely short-term and project-based. For most performing arts professionals, this means seeking supplemental employment. The good news is that actors are continually developing skills and experience in their field that are valued in other work settings. AWP is there to help everyone in SAG find work that complements an acting career, or use their creative talents in new careers. “AWP helps our members ‘find the work they love and love the work they find,’ all while continuing to pursue a professional career in performing arts and entertainment,” said SAG President Ken Howard. SAG Producers Industry Advancement Cooperative Fund and SAG Motion Picture Players Welfare Fund are both generous supporters of The Actors Fund and AWP, ensuring a full spectrum of free services are available for all SAG members across the country. Visit actorsfund.org today to learn about their groups and individual career counseling, job training and education, financial assistance and job placement services. In New York call (800) 221-7303 and in Los Angeles call (888) 825-0911. WORK THE PERK: SAG members and family looking to pursue a master’s can save 40% off tuition at Touro University Worldwide, an online university where you can take classes from anywhere. Visit tourow.edu to learn more and call (877) 528-6876 for this special offer limited to the first 100 SAG members. Deals & Discounts are administered by entities independent of SAG. Questions about each offer must be handled by the providers. The Guild does not endorse any of these services. or 25 years and counting, The Actors Fund Work Program has been on the job. As the premier employment and