Humanitas, the nonprofit organization known for hosting the annual Humanitas Prizes, has recently launched a food insecurity survey in conjunction with its ongoing Groceries for Writers Project. The organization aims to support film and TV writers in exploring the human experience through their work. The survey, which will remain open until September 22nd, is specifically targeted towards feature and teleplay writers. Its goal is to gain a clearer understanding of the prevalence and effects of food insecurity within the screenwriting community.
According to Michelle Franke, the executive director of Humanitas, the Groceries for Writers Project has shed light on the issue of food insecurity among screenwriters and has inspired the organization to explore the future of their direct aid work. Franke emphasizes that food insecurity existed prior to the writer’s strike and is likely to persist beyond it, making it a critical issue to address.
The survey encompasses various aspects related to food insecurity. It includes questions about personal and household demographics, guild status, writing capacities, and levels of experience in the industry. Furthermore, the survey delves into the histories and impacts of past and present food insecurity experiences, access to grocery stores, and food budgeting. The aim is to collect comprehensive data that can provide insights into the realities faced by screenwriters in relation to food insecurity.
The survey is open to both professional writers, including showrunners and staff, as well as aspiring writers, writers’ room support staff, production staffers, and individuals seeking a career change. Humanitas encourages a wide range of respondents to participate in order to obtain a holistic understanding of the issue.
All survey responses will be anonymized and published as part of a larger analysis of the material needs of individuals pursuing careers in the arts and entertainment industry. The results will be made publicly available to benefit analysts, academics, researchers, and professionals across various fields. Universities, think tanks, studios, networks, and labor unions can utilize the survey results as a basis for practical measures and initiatives.
The timing of this survey is significant, as it coincides with the financial considerations faced by screenwriters and their families during the back-to-school and holiday seasons. It also comes nearly four months after Humanitas launched the Groceries for Writers Project in response to the ongoing Writers Guild strike.
The Groceries for Writers Project was established to provide support to members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) who are experiencing food insecurity. The project, funded by a donation from Hart Hanson, the creator of “Bones,” and his wife Brigitte, raises funds and distributes grocery cards to screenwriters and their families across the United States. The initiative has expanded to include the distribution of farm bundles to WGA writers in the Los Angeles area, as well as non-perishable goods and other supplies directly to WGA member families. To date, the project has distributed over 1,300 e-grocery cards and delivered 200 farm bundles.
The importance of the Groceries for Writers Project extends beyond providing immediate aid. According to Franke, it serves as a demonstration of the structural issues within Hollywood and emphasizes the need for a fair deal. Franke also acknowledges the vital role that labor organizers play in the film and television industries, recognizing that writers are the heart of the Humanitas organization.
In conclusion, Humanitas, through its Groceries for Writers Project, is actively addressing the issue of food insecurity within the screenwriting community. The launched survey aims to gather essential data to understand the extent and impacts of this issue. By providing direct aid to screenwriters and their families, Humanitas seeks to highlight the crucial work of labor organizers while emphasizing the importance of fair treatment and support for writers in the entertainment industry.