Creative Rights Caucus, Film and Television Industry Representatives Stage First-of-its-kind Interactive Event on Capitol Hill Featuring a Working Production Set

WASHINGTON—Creative Rights Caucus Co-Chairs Representative Judy Chu (CA-27) and Representative Doug Collins (GA-9) hosted a first-of-its-kind interactive event on Capitol Hill yesterday, featuring a working set with production crew members and professional actors, along with demonstrations that showcased a variety of production-related jobs.

The “On Location: A Film and Television Interactive Experience” event also included creators, artists, technicians, and other experts from AMC Networks, Copyright Alliance, CreativeFuture, Directors Guild of America, Independent Film & Television Alliance, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Motion Picture Association of America, National Association of Theatre Owners, and Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Creative Rights Caucus Co-Chair Representative Judy Chu (CA-27): “By bringing a production set to the Hill, we hope to raise awareness of what it takes to produce television shows and movies. Most importantly, this event helps Members of Congress understand the contributions of all workers whether they are in front of or behind the camera. I’m privileged to represent many of these hard workers and I know that copyright infringement is a direct assault on their livelihoods. The Creative Rights Caucus is proud to raise awareness on these issues in Washington and we are committed to helping them protect their copyrighted works.”

Creative Rights Caucus Co-Chair Representative Doug Collins (GA-9): “Intellectual property rights have been a priority for our democracy since its inception, and they’ve never been more crucial to our economic success than they are today. Strong copyright protections allow the film and television industry to continue creating jobs and business opportunities in my home of Georgia and across the country, and I hope this collaboration reminds all of us how protecting creative rights helps drive the 21st-century economy.”

The working set included a green screen background from AMC Networks’ hit series, The Walking Dead; professional actors; a production crew, including audio, lighting, and camera experts; and a meet and greet area where participants could meet a Director of Photography, Director, and Producer. Attendees also visited booths that highlighted exhibition industry jobs and how effective copyright policies underpin all creative industry jobs.

AMC Networks VP of Marketing and Communications Christine Bragan: “We’re pleased to work with The Creative Rights Caucus to help bring the The Walking Dead to Members of Congress and their staff. The success of the show is possible largely in part because of the hard-working men and women behind the camera, working on lighting, sound, costumes, hair and makeup, and all aspects of production. We are fortunate to have champions like Congresswoman Chu and Congressman Collins who continue to fight for creative rights like copyright protections in Congress.”

Copyright Alliance CEO Keith Kupferschmid: “We’re thrilled to be a part of the ‘On Location’ event, which showcased the jobs that creators fill throughout the TV and film ecosystems, and how copyright helps to protect the myriad of cast/crew roles and the vibrant projects they work diligently to bring to life.”

CreativeFuture CEO Ruth Vitale: “‘On Location' is an important event because it demonstrates to policymakers the difficult work that goes into making films. 2.1 million Americans work in film and television and many of their jobs often go unnoticed by the public. It is imperative that our leaders in Washington, D.C. protect the very laws that make a career in the creative arts a possibility.”

Directors Guild of America National Executive Director Russell Hollander: “Copyright is the engine fueling our nation’s world-renowned film and television productions, and countless American jobs. ‘On Location’ brought the action of a set to Capitol Hill, providing lawmakers with a first-hand look at the work performed by so many talented women and men on film and television productions --  jobs that are dependent upon the enforcement of our nation's copyright laws.”  

Independent Film & Television Alliance President and CEO Jean Prewitt: “The Independent film sector accounts for over 70% of feature films produced in the U.S. and in 2017 generated $15 billion+ in employment earnings for workers. We thank the Creative Rights Caucus for giving our industry this opportunity to spotlight the complex world of film and TV production, the incredible talent and creativity at work, and the vital role copyright plays in bringing stories to life and protecting U.S. jobs.”

MPAA Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin: “A production set is the beating heart of the American film and television industry. Bringing this one-of-a-kind experience to Capitol Hill provides Congressional policymakers and staff with a unique, behind-the-scenes glimpse at some of the more than 2.1 million jobs supported by films and television shows in all 50 states.”

NATO President & CEO John Fithian: “From the on-set workers and craftspeople to the incredible diversity of the 150,000 employees – many first-time jobholders - who take your tickets, run the projectors and prepare your food orders at your local movie theater, this event showcases the unsung workers who bring movie magic to people across the United States.”

SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris: “We applaud the Creative Rights Caucus, and Co-Chairs Rep. Judy Chu and Rep. Doug Collins, for continuing to highlight the work of our members, and all those who make the business of entertainment come to life.  The entertainment and media industry is a robust part of this country’s cultural and economic life and should be celebrated by all.”

To view photos from the event, click here.
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About AMC Networks
Dedicated to creating and distributing bold and inventive stories fueled by the artistic vision of dynamic storytellers, AMC Networks owns and operates several of the most popular and award-winning brands in television and film. Cable television networks AMC, BBC AMERICA (through a joint venture with BBC Studios), IFC, SundanceTV, and WE tv; independent film production and distribution division IFC Films; and premium streaming video services Sundance Now and Shudder produce and deliver distinctive, compelling and culturally relevant content that engages audiences across multiple platforms. The Company also operates AMC Studios, its in-house studio and production operation; and AMC Networks International, its global content distribution division.

About the Copyright Alliance
The Copyright Alliance is a non-profit, non-partisan public interest and educational organization representing the copyright interests of over 1.8 million individual creators and over 13,000 organizations in the United States, across the spectrum of copyright disciplines. The Copyright Alliance is dedicated to advocating policies that promote and preserve the value of copyright, and to protecting the rights of creators and innovators. For more information, please visit www.copyrightalliance.org.

About CreativeFuture
CreativeFuture is a nonprofit coalition of more than 540 companies and organizations and more than 190,000 individuals – from film, television, music, book publishing, photography, and other creative industries. We’re mobilizing our members to speak up about the value of creativity, the importance of copyright in protecting creativity, and the massive harm caused by the global theft of our creative works. Millions of creatives and thousands of businesses around the world depend on copyright to bring all of us countless moments of inspiration, learning, and joy. Our mission is to advocate for strong but appropriate copyright protections and to empower creatives to speak out against piracy and how it affects their ability to create and to make a living. To learn more, visit www.creativefuture.org.

About the Directors Guild of America (DGA)
In the eight decades since its founding in 1936, the DGA has fought for the economic and creative rights of its members; protected their ability to financially benefit from the reuse of their work; established strong pension and health plans; and established jurisdiction in new technologies and distribution platforms. Today we represent more than 17,000 directors and members of the directorial team working in film, television, commercials, new media and other audiovisual media.

About IFTA
The Independent Film & Television Alliance® (IFTA®) is the global trade association of the independent motion picture and television programming industry.  Headquartered in Los Angeles, IFTA represents and provides significant entertainment industry services to more than 130 Member companies in 19 countries, consisting of independent production and distribution companies, sales agents, and financial institutions engaged in production finance.  Collectively, IFTA Members produce more than 400 independent films and countless hours of television programming each year, generating more than $4.5 billion in distribution revenues annually.  For more information, please visit www.IFTA-online.org.

About the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada was founded in 1893 when representatives of stagehands working in eleven cities met in New York and pledged to support each others’ efforts to establish fair wages and working conditions for their members. For more information, visit www.iatse.net.

About the MPAA
The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries from its offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Its members include: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Universal City Studios LLC; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

About the National Association of Theatre Owners
The National Association of Theatre Owners is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 33,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and more than 32,000 additional screens in 95 countries worldwide. NATO is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with a second office in North Hollywood, California. www.natoonline.org

About Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)
SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other media professionals. For more information, visit www.sagaftra.org. 

About SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.