tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12111913564245489202024-03-13T02:50:29.987-07:00GETTING REEL ABOUT ART AND LIFEEntertainment executives, writers, producers, directors, and other creative community members share their perspectives on important issues facing the entertainment industry and society at-large.Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15727873346764461682noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211191356424548920.post-41818993271334273692010-06-01T13:24:00.000-07:002010-06-01T13:36:28.701-07:00Health Care Reform & PRISM AwardsIf you don’t know anything specific about the health care reform law you probably have been entertained by media reporting because it has provoked powerful debate and speculation among our policy makers on Capitol Hill. Is health care reform right? Is it wrong? Is it constitutional? As the debate goes on and the constitutionality is tested, the opposing sides seem to get further and further apart, and many people began to forget that it’s about health and wellness, the preservation of sound bodies and minds, and not just about who’s right or wrong. As far as entertainment programming and media goes, there is an opportunity to point to the reform elements as it may affect individual lives.<br /><br />There’s a correlation of elements of the health care law (if it continues after the repeals and the battle in courts…) that mirror some elements of the PRISM Awards. For example, EIC spotlights mental health (almost half of the 14th Annual PRISM submissions were on the topic of mental health), and the new law includes provisions for mental health. Some of the provisions being the following:<br /><br />• A five-year pilot program in Medicaid to fund medical homes for people with psychiatric disabilities;<br />• Set minimum requirements regarding services that health plans must cover including mental health and substance abuse services, and new adaptations for preexisting conditions; <br />• Developing a national strategy to increase research into effective prevention strategies and expanding prevention services, including attention to mental health, to be implemented at the community level; <br />• Increased access to services that can prevent diabetes, heart disease and cancer greatly improve the lives of people with severe mental illnesses.<br /><br />These provisions also reflect a topic that I think gets lost in the technicalities: connecting the head and the body into one whole person! For many years, government spending has separated the head and the body in terms of advocacy, research and treatment. Mental health and physical health have been placed on different platforms. These provisions recognize that one’s overall health will benefit by recognizing and treating the whole individual. EIC strives to connect mental health and physical health, often by reinforcing the reality that addiction is a brain disease often accompanied by co-occurring physical and mental ramifications, and sometimes vice versa. Maybe you feel that health care reform hasn’t done anything right, that it is all wrong, but at least it’s brought valuable awareness to the co-occurring circumstances of mental health and physical health melding into one living human being. <br /><br />There are no easy solutions to making the general audience aware of the implications of this massive 2,074 page law. However, through the unique quality of the entertainment industry’s creative process audiences can gain several perspectives, as portrayed by the characters and stories told. This year’s PRISM Awards showcased multiple works in the entertainment industry that demonstrated this, while still entertaining their audience. One production to receive a PRISM Award this year was The Soloist, for displaying the devastating effects of a mental illness as portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx’s characters. USA Network’s comedy series Monk also picked up a PRISM Award, for its use of comedy to portrayal mental health. Other PRISM winners that highlighted mental health were Rosie O’Donnell for her role in America, and episodes of Law and Order and Dr. Phil. <br /> <br />Through movies, television shows and even comic books you get a wide range of stories based on health and social issues, and the realization that sometimes it’s okay to not be okay…and certainly wading through the law might be one of those occasions. Again, uniquely the entertainment industry has the creative ability to foster messages that lawmakers and politicians may not, which is why it’s important we work together to distill information in a manner that can be understood.<br /><br />The way EIC and the PRISM Awards spotlights mental health and the fact that there are provisions for mental health in the reform law shows that we’re at least making connections that health is health is health. Let’s continue to deal with the whole person. Let’s not separate the mind and body.<br /><br />Click the following link for more information on this year's<em> 14th Annual PRISM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-XxRHdpz8Q Awards</em><br />Posted by Brian Dyak, CEO/President, Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15727873346764461682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211191356424548920.post-70669494514622496872008-07-25T10:49:00.000-07:002008-07-25T13:31:30.337-07:00Mental Illness in the Media<a href="http://www.tcs.cam.ac.uk/wp-content/imgcache/782f790bd7492ecff16c86ccf57e39f0heath_ledger.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://www.tcs.cam.ac.uk/wp-content/imgcache/782f790bd7492ecff16c86ccf57e39f0heath_ledger.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Heath Ledger’s posthumous appearance as the Joker in the Batman movie "The Dark Knight" this month seems likely to rekindle media speculation that his tragic death in January was a drug-induced suicide.<br /><br />That’s unfortunate because there is, after all, no conclusive evidence for conjecture that the talented Aussie actor was so mentally depressed that he deliberately ended his life with a drug overdose.<br /><br />In fact, speculation and gossip linking his death to alleged substance abuse does a disservice to him, his family and his friends. By all accounts, Ledger was a hard-working and respected actor, who — quite tragically — has been taken from us in his prime.<br /><br />As his final performance draws wide acclaim from delighted audiences, it is important that journalists take care to accurately report about his life and untimely death. Exploitation of his death will only perpetuate existing stigmas about mental health illness, a disease that strikes about one in four Americans in varying forms each year.<br /><br />The taboo associated with mental illness is deep-rooted and longstanding. For centuries, mental disorders were viewed as a disgrace to be kept quiet and swept under the rug. Patients were separated, locked behind closed doors or put on freakish display to satisfy society’s mass fascination with schadenfreude gone morbid.<br /><br />Even today, for too many people the term "mental disorder" conjures up fiendish images. The media can — and should — be an unrelenting force combating such stigmas and encouraging people to seek treatment for mental illness.<br /><br />What many people fail to realize is that mental illness is widespread — leaving no community untouched. Each year, nearly 60 million American adults experience some type of mental health disorder. These disorders can be life threatening — while suicide is a relatively rare occurrence, it is the leading cause of violent deaths worldwide.<br /><br />A vast majority of people who die by their own hand suffer from a mental illness — often undiagnosed and untreated despite the availability of a growing number of effective treatment options. Annually, less than one-third of adults and one-half of all children with diagnosable mental disorders receive any mental health services.<br /><br />Reasons for not seeking treatment vary widely. Some people may not recognize or correctly identify the symptoms of mental illness — symptoms often missed by their families and friends as well. Others simply may be reluctant to seek care because of the illnesses’ perceived stigma.<br /><br />Ongoing education and disease awareness initiatives that emphasize our expanding abilities to treat mental disorders — not sensationalism — are our best hope for permanently erasing the stigma surrounding these illnesses.<br /><br />Research already shows that the most effective way to reduce stigma is through personal contact with someone with a mental illness. Developing a personal understanding of the science and the facts will make Americans less likely to stigmatize mental illnesses and more likely to seek or encourage treatment.<br /><br />A targeted public awareness campaign — funded at the level of recent, successful anti-smoking campaigns — will make great strides in educating the public that mental illnesses are biological disorders that can be reliably diagnosed and effectively treated. We have yet to fully carve out a place for mental health within our healthcare system that comes close to the attention we devote to physical illnesses.<br /><br />Accurate depictions of mental illness in the media and in entertainment can help move us forward. The media and entertainment industries have tackled enormous issues over the years — helping the world gain a better understanding of such complex health concerns as HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and hunger.<br /><br />The challenge now is to ensure that mental illness receives the same kind of enlightened treatment across the board.<br /><br />Achieving that will go a long way toward finally stomping out the unfair stigmas that prevent so many Americans from recovering and leading happy, productive lives. </div>Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15727873346764461682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211191356424548920.post-44075316803153567262008-04-03T08:53:00.000-07:002008-04-03T09:03:47.526-07:00Cut It Out: Anderson Cooper and I Aren’t the Only Ones with Skin Cancer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIyf26ungJPVvgD9hr_7c_omJ-Fb_4xfuFIn5_hePNM8PVuXHaf8PWIl033_1TIV8fxI94UlP_82Bk-Y8X85GmvJ-lpjuTZ6spzV0tmc271qlwv-HB_kgASXp8TM8Mg9rA2v8Ky7W9Hr0/s1600-h/andersoncooper.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185049397249080738" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIyf26ungJPVvgD9hr_7c_omJ-Fb_4xfuFIn5_hePNM8PVuXHaf8PWIl033_1TIV8fxI94UlP_82Bk-Y8X85GmvJ-lpjuTZ6spzV0tmc271qlwv-HB_kgASXp8TM8Mg9rA2v8Ky7W9Hr0/s320/andersoncooper.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Time is bolting by with March Madness already upon us and some great basketball being played— love that edge-of-your-seat overtime rush. All this interspersed with the political volleyball of the race for the presidency.<br /><br />Even with all this going on, EIC is hard at work, launching depiction endeavors on a myriad of health issues with the creative community. We are focusing on work to bring greater attention and understanding of bipolar disorder, diabetes, PTSD, depression and other health and social issues. We also have been active on Capitol Hill, announcing our D.C.-based plans for 2008, and we are grateful for such a positive response from members of the House and Senate.<br /><br />One of the more challenging endeavors of our work at EIC is taking on long-established norms. A prime example is EIC’s management of the Sun Safety Alliance, a nonprofit organization devoted to preventing and raising awareness about skin cancer. Check it out at <a title="http://www.sunsafetyalliance.org/" href="http://www.sunsafetyalliance.org/">sunsafetyalliance.org</a>. I have been involved with this organization since it was founded, and have learned that because of the tan-is-beautiful norm in our culture today, it is essential to continually communicate sun safe practices.<br /><br />Lauded CNN anchorman and intrepid journalist Anderson Cooper just had his face sliced to remove basal cell carcinoma, a type of non-melanoma skin cancer that happens to be the most common form of cancer in the United States. I am glad that positive reports are stating that it was all cut out. But what does “all cut out” really mean?<br /><br />Now here is juxtaposition…three-time Olympian Jeff Nygaard, the Bret Favre of Professional Beach Volleyball also has gone under the knife for melanoma, the skin cancer that kills. Fortunately, Jeff caught his cancer before it did irreversible damage to his health. In fact, he is so well recovered that you can catch him on tour this season. But skin cancer isn’t behind him: Jeff is using his voice to remind sun and beach lovers that the time you take to be realistic about the harmful effects of too much sun could save your life.<br /><br />Jeff and I have been working together recently to raise awareness about skin cancer, one of the most common forms of cancer and one that is almost always 100% preventable. I salute Jeff for speaking out about his own bout with melanoma. His passion to steer young people away from risky exposure to UV radiation is heartfelt and he is voraciously taking on the challenges of defying tanning (or burning) norms that have been established for decades, and seem to have grown in popularity over the past few years. You can read more about how the reality of melanoma hit home for Jeff as he shares his story in this spring’s <a title="http://www.sunsafetyalliance.org/docs/SSA_Spring_2008_Newsletter.pdf" href="http://www.sunsafetyalliance.org/docs/SSA_Spring_2008_Newsletter.pdf">Sun Safety Alliance newsletter</a>.<br /><br />In case you’re wondering why I care so much about skin cancer, I have a confession to make.<br /><br />I have gone under the knife three times to rid myself of the pesky squamous cell carcinoma, the second most prevalent form of skin cancer. You will be hearing a lot about skin cancer prevention from EIC and, yes, I take this effort personally. Trust me, once you are facing the life-or-death consequences of something that could have been prevented by wearing a hat, long sleeves and sunscreen, you wake up. Think about how a deep golden brown tan today may cost you years of your life, and years of time with your children and other loved ones and hopefully you will wake up too, if you’re not already awake to this disease, which scars and kills millions of people. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5P1IGBVChNU&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5P1IGBVChNU&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />UV radiation affects everyone, from news anchors to athletes, and everywhere in between. Had I only known that all my unprotected fun in the sun would result in cuts and stitches, I would have lathered up with sunscreen regularly, hung out in the shade more, wore a hat, and compromised my vanity for healthier skin and a healthier life. As I get younger at heart, my skin is getting older than it needs to be, all because of sun damage.<br /><br />Keep an eye out for our work on skin cancer prevention. We will be bringing sun-safe animated characters to preschoolers, survivor messages to adolescents, supporting moms to take a stand for safe sun practices, and working to create a future where common sense rules. I encourage you to learn, don’t burn. Help to prevent skin cancer for your own sake and the sake of your friends and loved ones….the norm can change from people damaging their skin and health to being sun safe. Australians have been on to this for years. Now it’s our time to help prevent a highly preventable and deadly disease—skin cancer. </div>Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15727873346764461682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211191356424548920.post-53342668388586062032008-02-12T11:25:00.000-08:002008-02-12T11:38:55.389-08:00Celebrity Rehab<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuv0FViT35cIUMlJJVIgrCAxszj78SdYBCTaQVS2bQppaV3Sah9EV_WuWv3O0BCh1q2ISknVhuODro_1u8KHXKI1Yf1bvisjPFGj7sX59jO6244fG6CwjXmU665eru_DhICSUxXXSrR_d3/s1600-h/Star+Magazine+Rehab.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuv0FViT35cIUMlJJVIgrCAxszj78SdYBCTaQVS2bQppaV3Sah9EV_WuWv3O0BCh1q2ISknVhuODro_1u8KHXKI1Yf1bvisjPFGj7sX59jO6244fG6CwjXmU665eru_DhICSUxXXSrR_d3/s320/Star+Magazine+Rehab.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166179107761244290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">It’s all good!</span> On the eve of the writer’s strikes ending, lots of good things are going on at <a href="http://www.eiconline.org/">EIC</a> and the <i style=""><a href="http://www.prismawards.com/">PRISM Awards</a></i>.<span style=""> </span>We’ve <a href="http://www.eiconline.org/aboutus/staff.php">expanded our staff</a>, we have bright new <a href="http://www.eiconline.org/aboutus/internship.php">interns</a>, several new <a href="http://eiconline.org/resources/firstdraft">industry briefings</a> are in the works, we’ve engaged lots of new volunteers, and new publications (addressing <a href="http://eiconline.org/resources/publications/z_picturethis/Desorder.pdf">depression/suicide prevention</a> and <a href="http://eiconline.org/resources/publications/z_picturethis/SOIreport.pdf">intellectual disabilities</a>) are just waiting to be shipped to show runners and writers the minute the creative community is<span style=""> </span>back in their offices.<span style=""> </span>I’m also excited about working with a new Congressional session, and dynamic new business partners. By most accounts, 2008 is shaping up to be a great year. <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><br />But I do have one ax to grind.<span style=""> </span>I’m bugged by a lot of comments I’ve heard—and articles I’ve read—about celebrities going into rehab. <span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><br />With 25 years of experience bridging the entertainment and health industries, I am uniquely qualified to respond to the finger-pointing, poking, prodding, lens clicking and tittering that surround celebrity rehab.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><o:p> </o:p><br />And I’ve got something to say. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><br />First and foremost, the celebrity rehab we read about is not a joke for people’s amusement.<span style=""> </span>Thanks to our newly tabloid-driven pop culture, we—and our children—have unprecedented access to what addiction and mental illness look like.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Britney Spears</span>, <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">Amy Winehouse</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Lindsay Lohan</span> and over two dozen other people gained headlines in 2007 for entering addiction recovery centers.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>These are lives at risk, out of control, not jokes, and not reality television shows taking place on the streets of <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Hollywood</st1:place></st1:city> for public amusement.<span style=""> </span>If we pay attention, we can see complex stories unfolding before our eyes.<span style=""> </span>One of EIC’s primary principles is to be non-judgmental and respect creative freedom afforded in our great nation. For those who judge mental health, making judgment on these people’s lives, I ask: </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><o:p></o:p>Who the hell are <span style="font-weight: bold;">you</span>? </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><o:p> </o:p>Do you think you are better than these people?<span style=""> </span>Stronger?<span style=""> </span>Smarter?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><o:p> </o:p>Give me a break. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Addiction and mental health issues affect every cross-section of our population.<span style=""> </span>If you’re laughing now at Britney Spears, will you be laughing in five or ten years when, heaven forbid, your niece, uncle, sister, brother, even your mother or your own son or daughter loses control of his or her life?<span style=""> </span>Will it be funny then?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>This new access to the private lives of celebrities who face constant scrutiny and challenges unimaginable by most people—and is a double-edged sword.<span style=""> </span>On one hand, it exposes us to the waking nightmare that losing control of one’s life can be, but on the other hand, it has opened dialogue about addiction and mental illness that has, until now, been hush-hush.<span style=""> </span>While I, like most of America, am truly worried about Britney Spears’s health and safety, I am glad to say I have witnessed a national shift from bemused fascination with her spontaneous antics to recognition of her condition as critically ill, and a new awareness of the real point of rehabilitation: to get better.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>VH1’s <a href="http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/celebrity_rehab_with_dr_drew/series.jhtml?source=globalnav">Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew</a>, A&E’s <a href="http://www.aetv.com/intervention/">Intervention</a>, HBO’s <a href="http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/rehab/index.html">Rehab</a>—these are important, revolutionary shows that serve the public in a unique and valuable way. The insights just might help someone, and that is good. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Taking steps to fight and beat the struggles that come along with addiction, being self honest with oneself and ideally healthier is a process not unlike walking through a maze blindfolded. And the good news is, a whole lot of folks find a valuable piece of themselves that they never knew existed in the process. <span style=""> </span>Some make it to the betterment of their own lives, the lives of families, friends, and society. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>So the next time you get a peek into the lives of <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">Britney</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;">Lindsay</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">Mel Gibson</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">Kirsten Dunst</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">Pat O’Brien</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">Eva Mendes</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">Marc Jacobs</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">Jesse Mefcalfe</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">Eddie Van Halen</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">Amy Winehouse</span> and others, be thankful for what you’ve got and respect them for seeking help rather than looking down on them for having real problems. If their stories make you query your own actions, consider following their good example and ask for help.<span style=""> </span>Thanks to new public attention to the recovery process, which can include relapses, we must stop mocking and start understanding.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Their stories may be the gift others find to deter the sadness of losing friends, family and great, late artists like <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">Heath Ledger</span>, <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">Brad Renfro</span>, and others…you know the list.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">John Goodman</span> recently made a telling comment about his recent work in rehab:</p> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"For my family and myself, I voluntarily took the necessary steps to remain sober the rest of my life."</span> <span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Go for it, John, and thanks for sharing.<span style=""> </span>Yes, “thanks for sharing,” that often-repeated mantra: When anyone, but particularly someone who receives national or worldwide attention because of his or her name, shares experiences of such a personal nature, it really does mean something in the big picture. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Here’s a new reality we all need to face: Going to rehab should be a personal and private experience, but since it’s not for so many, why don’t support those who face it openly and publicly.<span style=""> </span>Why can’t we accept these people as real, as we all are …imperfect human beings, as role models who can show us how to take time to help ourselves when we need it most?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>I ask: Is this a problem with role models, or a bad habit of accusing and laughing at other people’s problems?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Cheers to John Goodman and everyone else who has the strength and courage to ask for help and to do so in the public eye.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Everyone below received attention over the past year for entering rehab.<span style=""> </span>I list these people to celebrate them as messengers for the rest of us—as evidence that addiction and mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of fame and fortune.<span style=""> </span>They are among thousands of people who have been strong enough and smart enough to seek help for their own good and for the good of the people who love them.<span style=""> </span>Many of these celebrities are loved by us—so let’s stop pointing the finger at them and start supporting them as they work to win their lives back! </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color:black;">Daniel Baldwin<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Seth "Shifty" Benzer <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Pat O'Brien<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span style="color:black;">Selma</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color:black;"> Blair<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Mary Carey<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Chyna<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Jeff Conaway<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Tara Conner <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Pete Doherty<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Kirsten Dunst<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Jaimee Foxworth<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">John Goodman<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Marc Jacobs <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Lindsay Lohan<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Eva Mendes<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Jesse Metcalfe<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Jonathan Rhys Meyers<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Joe Nichols <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Brigitte Nielsen<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Michael Osmond<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Ricco "Suave" Rodriguez<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Richie Sambora <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Jessica Sierra<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Britney Spears<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Keith Urban<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Eddie Van Halen<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Scott Weiland <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Amy Winehouse<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Robbie Williams<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Sean Young<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15727873346764461682noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211191356424548920.post-26272816460807032802007-12-13T10:55:00.000-08:002007-12-13T11:07:50.152-08:00Maurice Benard PSA and Interview Shoot<div><div><div>Here are some of the stills from last night's shoot with <em>General Hospital</em>'s *star* <strong>Maurice Benard</strong>! He got up-close-and-personal with EIC yesterday, talking about his experience living with bipolar disorder in real life as well as onscreen. </div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0b1NSJ_gPL9SdhFXsXdWGMcJY7xccCOPp1iUXZKjCofJArYszHtoK0jqpDf45wu6FFFMemSr4s9YYxTYeXUH5FjMQSbxRYi9DqTyGwzL7cDyO93jpkqSlYGOhH3zXa6RFlMA2i4NHX6ym/s1600-h/Maurice+Benard+-+EIC+Bipolar+PSA+Shoot+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143534112143795298" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0b1NSJ_gPL9SdhFXsXdWGMcJY7xccCOPp1iUXZKjCofJArYszHtoK0jqpDf45wu6FFFMemSr4s9YYxTYeXUH5FjMQSbxRYi9DqTyGwzL7cDyO93jpkqSlYGOhH3zXa6RFlMA2i4NHX6ym/s320/Maurice+Benard+-+EIC+Bipolar+PSA+Shoot+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Photo credit: Kristi Foreman<br /></span></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lN8WkkUdXacEIZGPWRZsIzo_qK1imSvj6lzykBoGhlcRBrdRuA3Vfts_54ywEp3NIJWs8zt87OLvUGk7b9y7x0nIIERlMwxhDBYxELxmJrjuAmM-wsBDXgS8Bs0wwOpJioyphmK5u3TZ/s1600-h/Maurice+Benard+-+EIC+Bipolar+PSA+Shoot+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143533854445757522" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lN8WkkUdXacEIZGPWRZsIzo_qK1imSvj6lzykBoGhlcRBrdRuA3Vfts_54ywEp3NIJWs8zt87OLvUGk7b9y7x0nIIERlMwxhDBYxELxmJrjuAmM-wsBDXgS8Bs0wwOpJioyphmK5u3TZ/s320/Maurice+Benard+-+EIC+Bipolar+PSA+Shoot+1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;">Photo credit: Kristi Foreman<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbYewQYOSAP66zvZnq3eZH0yJGyLDqtI6UiNzPohjQ1Ku5oswy_HILqPlwKqO06YpVUGMqU3WYyfSk-JsmaadQEtjmsi3tT16ZQFyX8SeYYjzvMl-InmNoYkEPdIez1bfr0KBwMlcX8hK/s1600-h/Maurice+Benard+-+EIC+Bipolar+PSA+Shoot+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143536173728097442" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbYewQYOSAP66zvZnq3eZH0yJGyLDqtI6UiNzPohjQ1Ku5oswy_HILqPlwKqO06YpVUGMqU3WYyfSk-JsmaadQEtjmsi3tT16ZQFyX8SeYYjzvMl-InmNoYkEPdIez1bfr0KBwMlcX8hK/s320/Maurice+Benard+-+EIC+Bipolar+PSA+Shoot+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;">Photo credit: Kristi Foreman<br /><br /></span>Check back soon on our <a href="http://www.youtube.com/EIConline">YouTube channel</a> for the PSA and clips from last night's shoot!</div></div></div>Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15727873346764461682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211191356424548920.post-46838917192881349082007-12-11T12:09:00.000-08:002007-12-12T07:40:48.074-08:00Online MadnessThese days the holiday season means searching online for shopping deals, holiday ring tones, season-themed screensavers and wallpapers. Political campaigns have pounced into cyberspace with a vengeance to find voters, using <a href="http://www.youtube.com/">YouTube</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/">MySpace</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.aol.com/">AOL</a>, <a href="http://www.yahoo.com/">Yahoo</a>, and on and on…reaching out to the keyboard ticklers.<br /><br />I decided to take a look at a couple of our YouTube placements and was pleased to see that a couple hundred thousand viewers have taken a look at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5zJvX3pIY4">Stop the Madness</a> (EIC’s anti-drug anthem), which premiered in 1985 on the late NBC Friday Night Videos, as well as our skin cancer awareness and prevention PSAs, which premiered on CBS last year. The fact that the Internet has exposed hundreds of thousands of people to both old and new public service messages is an amazing anomaly in the do-good health communications field.<br /><br />The fact is, reaching out to 200 thousand people with such messages using first-class mail would cost over $80,000. Placing the spots on television has its own costs, including many people hours, and limits exposure to each 10-, 15- or 30-second PSA airing window. Simply put, the Internet is making a difference not only in how people view media, but in what is available and what people are free to view.<br /><br />Regardless of one’s opinion of how well <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5zJvX3pIY4">“Stop the Madness”</a> has held up over time (I like to consider it a classic.), I would never have guessed when producing it that it would have an audience today. And yes, when you read the comments on YouTube, you will see that those in the video now raise questions: pro football’s <strong>Lyle Alzado</strong> died from suspected drug use, <strong>David</strong> <strong>Hasselhoff</strong> has had his personal confrontations with alcohol use, and <strong>Whitney Houston</strong> has battled her own alleged addictions. However, the majority of the stars who donated their time and talents for the video have managed to live scandal-free lives. One of them is even the <a href="http://gov.ca.gov/">governor of a little state called California</a>!<br /><br />And you know what? Regardless of past, present or future personal problems, all of the celebrities featured made a commitment: they donated their time and talent to do something to tell young people to stay clear of drugs, that—as the lyrics state—“drugs are causing pain, so Stop the Madness, Stop the Madness now!” In its heyday, Stop the Madness was played in heavy rotation on TV and a dance remix was a hit in clubs throughout the country. It is a great surprise that STM has been re-discovered as modest as it may be. Though styles changes, the message of the song is still the message!<br /><br />I am still grateful for the contributions of all of the stars involved in Stop the Madness, and I would personally welcome back any of these great people, including The Hoff and Whitney, to work with us as we move into and beyond our 25th anniversary this year. Addiction is a disease, not a scarlet letter, and recovery is a life-long process.<br /><br />As we enter the holiday season, consider taking your own inventory…if you haven’t given of your time and talent, or made donations to help others, what you are waiting for? <a href="http://eiconline.org/donations/">Your support of EIC</a> now will last well into the future. If you are sharing yourself in the best interest of others, you are in good company and thank you.<br /><br />My offering to you is a look back in time at EIC’s Stop the Madness video. Feel free to have a chuckle at the dated hairstyles and clothes, or even the direction—hey, it was made before MTV perfected the art of slick music videos!—but then take a look at the lyrics. Unfortunately, cocaine has made a resurgence and meth and other drugs have wreaked devastation on people throughout the country. We still need to stop the madness, and we need your support to do it.<br /><br />Brian<br /><br /><object height="255" width="325"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z5zJvX3pIY4&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z5zJvX3pIY4&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="325" height="255"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><u>STOP THE MADNESS (lyrics)</u></strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />I believe that together you and I can save a life today.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">We can stop a killer from reaching into minds and throwing lives away.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Drugs are causing pain and everyone's a loser in this deadly game that's played.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">It's insanity. We know that dope is slavery.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">And you know we've got to be free ... come on now, we've got to stop the madness.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Stop the madness now.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Stop the madness.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Stop the madness now.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Tell me what you're doing trying to get some pleasure from an empty high.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Only fools will tell you using drugs is really a victimless crime.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">There are casualties standing at the graves of children.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Feel the tears they cry.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Take a stand today; maybe it's your life you'll save.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">You know there's got to be another way; everybody let me hear you say ...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Stop the madness.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Stop the madness now.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Stop the madness.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Stop the madness now.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Brother, we heard your cry for some assistance. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Drugs are making your mind a man-made hell.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">You thought that using dope would be a party. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Now you're a prisoner in a cell crying to be free.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">You wanna stop the madness.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Stop the madness now.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Stop the madness.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Stop the madness now.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><div align="center"><a title="blocked::http://eiconline.org/donations/" href="http://eiconline.org/donations/">DONATE NOW</a>.</div>Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15727873346764461682noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211191356424548920.post-86220964035850448782007-11-09T12:23:00.000-08:002007-11-09T12:24:07.576-08:00“Content is King”: The Power of Words on Strike"CONTENT IS KING" ...this phrase became the entertainment industry mantra in the 1980s and ‘90s as broadcast and cable television began to offer the vast selection of programming provided to audiences today.<br /><br />And who has been responsible for the glorious explosion of new shows, and a multitude of productions? The writers AND the “suits,” working together to build creative business models that fostered the most dynamic entertainment industry in the world.<br /><br />Together, the creative-minded and business-minded people in our industry have generated entertainment that has been beamed to space and back, and enjoyed by millions and millions of viewers around the world. Our industry is a unique collaborative effort, sustaining jobs for artisans, crafts people, technicians, business professionals who expertly (each in their own way) wrap their skills, education and talents around the written words of writers...the same words that are judged and embraced by audiences around the world.Throughout our history, EIC has been graced with contributions from hundreds of talented people from all facets of the entertainment industry, including many talented writers. <br /><br />It <em>is</em> <em>not</em> EIC's place in our industry to take sides on the strike, as we work with content that is produced by the collaboration of writers, directors, producers, executives, and everyone else that makes great entertainment happen.<br /><br />It <em>is</em>, however, our place to encourage the reconciliation needed to continue to move our industry into the future.<br /> <br />It <em>is</em> our place to point out the fact that leaders on both sides of the strike can and will foster an equitable resolution. <br /><br />And it <em>is</em> our place to maintain optimism that this fair resolution will be reached soon.<br /><br />It is also our place to support everyone whose professional and personal lives are affected by the writers’ strike—which is to say, just about everyone in the business, and our loyal audiences whose lives are moved and sometimes improved by the content we create.<br /><br />Words are waiting to be written, stories to be told. Deals are waiting to be made. Behind the stories and the deals are people who are waiting to get back to work.<br /><br />That said, I have hope that this experience be a short passage to a stronger, more united and even more successful entertainment industry in which content remains king, and the people who create content can get back to the art of making a difference.<br /><br />BrianEntertainment Industries Council, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15727873346764461682noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211191356424548920.post-2143966083478062902007-11-07T10:19:00.000-08:002007-11-07T10:23:45.887-08:00THANK YOU!<p>Special thanks to all the talented people who helped make possible the production of the <a href="http://www.prismawards.com/"><em>11th Annual PRISM Awards</em></a> that just aired on <a href="http://www.fxnetworks.com/">FX Network</a>. <a href="http://www.prismawards.com/"><em>PRISM</em></a> is just about a year long process. It is created first from the commitment to others and dedication of the EIC staff, Board of Directors, a number of Trustees, members of the EIC Creative Professional Network and a host of volunteers from the creative community. </p><p>Uniquely, the heart of the <em><a href="http://www.prismawards.com/">PRISM Awards</a></em> emanates from people within and outside of the entertainment industry who recognize the importance and relevance of the entertainment industry to help others by using its power and influence to reach audiences with health and life style information that can literally help save a life. <em><a href="http://www.prismawards.com/">PRISM</a></em> is a culmination of creative professionals’ awareness and attention to empowering the public with accurate information in an entertaining way. The <a href="http://www.prismawards.com/"><em>PRISM Awards</em></a> showcases some of the best work of actors, writers, producers, directors and other creative professionals that makes a difference in the lives of audiences.<br /><br />As we enter the <em><a href="http://www.prismawards.com/">PRISM</a></em> season of <a href="http://www.prismawards.com/FINAL12th.pdf">Call for Entries</a>, I encourage those in our industry who would like to be a part of something that is special and unique to get involved with EIC. Your skills and talent will be well received by all involved with the <em><a href="http://www.prismawards.com/">PRISM Awards</a></em>. New thinking is welcome as is pro bono production services. There is plenty of opportunity to be involved in <a href="http://www.prismawards.com/FINAL12th.pdf">Call for Entries</a>, Judging, the annual Awards Event, Capitol Hill Showcase, marketing, promotion, public relations and the production. </p><p>So please don't hesitate to contact EIC to wear your heart on your sleeve a little bit...be a part of bringing the power and influence of the entertainment industry to bear on health and social issues. Help create the "art of making a difference."</p>Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15727873346764461682noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211191356424548920.post-28757655838185366532007-11-06T13:32:00.000-08:002007-11-07T10:17:25.328-08:00Snapshots: PRISM Awards Showcase (10/2/07)<div align="left"><u><strong>CONGRESSIONAL SPEAKERS<br /></strong></u><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ff6600;">*click on pictures for larger image*</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoN8lMMYLU26k19VT4q4SE7VOpoZo35leTqI9qTQR85gdVqudiSj_iXIfAT1AI9ZzdvkiFwbGY1vKp3AgsRsSiVjMbR5SgMcZ1ZQDDp7VPMKCwZL027bs8gM9-iC_duUJ91LMO_OInChkj/s1600-h/Senator+Ron+Wyden.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130140423470563794" style="WIDTH: 161px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 105px" height="126" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoN8lMMYLU26k19VT4q4SE7VOpoZo35leTqI9qTQR85gdVqudiSj_iXIfAT1AI9ZzdvkiFwbGY1vKp3AgsRsSiVjMbR5SgMcZ1ZQDDp7VPMKCwZL027bs8gM9-iC_duUJ91LMO_OInChkj/s320/Senator+Ron+Wyden.JPG" width="164" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Senator Ron</span><span style="color:#ff6600;"> Wyden (D-OR) </span></span></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkdkiIS4DMaslbMfsLlkewi_p55J2aR9Zm16M2YefVQGPYluUUOmhqUKqK3WmyC9YEC6PvwDWom6h100ZKNNttVnclTc86NfArQxBUraqrLkLSftZ4yVoMlR84TE6owUg3C8zWpATqcSK/s1600-h/Senator+Orrin+Hatch.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130148287555682834" style="WIDTH: 161px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 106px" height="111" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkdkiIS4DMaslbMfsLlkewi_p55J2aR9Zm16M2YefVQGPYluUUOmhqUKqK3WmyC9YEC6PvwDWom6h100ZKNNttVnclTc86NfArQxBUraqrLkLSftZ4yVoMlR84TE6owUg3C8zWpATqcSK/s320/Senator+Orrin+Hatch.JPG" width="168" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> <span style="color:#ff6600;">Senator Orrin</span><span style="color:#ff6600;"> Hatch (R-UT)</span></span></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Up27uLt4QB7t-Mg4Hy8R4EqZ-I3S3R0NZp-64_MEjJcDnSxDySGY-aLoLwqygSxoNJi7YtlJuav0-jdVTNLoiUjod3a_sqse9K5SEtq-AuR0yerhCJ3RO2xGCMBcFgY61lcvC2_S9iJS/s1600-h/Congresswoman+Diane+Watson.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130147050605101570" style="WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 103px" height="118" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Up27uLt4QB7t-Mg4Hy8R4EqZ-I3S3R0NZp-64_MEjJcDnSxDySGY-aLoLwqygSxoNJi7YtlJuav0-jdVTNLoiUjod3a_sqse9K5SEtq-AuR0yerhCJ3RO2xGCMBcFgY61lcvC2_S9iJS/s320/Congresswoman+Diane+Watson.JPG" width="184" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;color:#ff6600;">Representative Diane Watson (D-CA) </span></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyy3KkCXwbZeW0JyLn7k8ubjeZHHrpyN9gHHJbYzB9KPo_16LLwKFkhWwenMpuq-pR074ixon_17uAmAojCFzZhWfNFfzneJG8DB2QTd51W16vbLeARwhwYziioEDSMdvzzSw7Jp1MG3L5/s1600-h/Representatives+Grace+Napolitano+and+Tim+Murphy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130155301237277282" style="WIDTH: 159px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 105px" height="99" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyy3KkCXwbZeW0JyLn7k8ubjeZHHrpyN9gHHJbYzB9KPo_16LLwKFkhWwenMpuq-pR074ixon_17uAmAojCFzZhWfNFfzneJG8DB2QTd51W16vbLeARwhwYziioEDSMdvzzSw7Jp1MG3L5/s320/Representatives+Grace+Napolitano+and+Tim+Murphy.JPG" width="183" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">Representatives Grace Napolitano</span><span style="color:#ff6600;"> (D-CA)</span><span style="color:#000000;"> &</span><span style="color:#ff6600;"> Tim</span><span style="color:#ff6600;"> Murphy (R-PA)</span></span><br /><u><strong></strong></u></div><div align="left"><u><strong></strong></u> </div><div align="left"><u><strong>SPECIAL GUESTS</strong></u></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">*click on pictures for larger image*</span><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzNRRviu-XRTr-Rey7fOiEaX-qUsbbYMCm3Hu6smI2k34S1W1TI3D7K5gGu6_GRMifYPhx3wMFE8dciroOXDoMZuvUIjOrWMCOFnLzvsyVHxhDcOK1jNX8lJ4S1Fxeiz-mf0wWx8qVfF5/s1600-h/Judith+Light.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129845571903525266" style="WIDTH: 162px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 242px" height="249" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzNRRviu-XRTr-Rey7fOiEaX-qUsbbYMCm3Hu6smI2k34S1W1TI3D7K5gGu6_GRMifYPhx3wMFE8dciroOXDoMZuvUIjOrWMCOFnLzvsyVHxhDcOK1jNX8lJ4S1Fxeiz-mf0wWx8qVfF5/s320/Judith+Light.JPG" width="155" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">The lovely <span style="color:#ff6600;">Judith Light</span>...striking a pose.</span><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2shKDTXuYisg3RVyZwdhwiudjk2CATnoHMBtllI4wGeikIMSkcK9zdkVTHIHYPz4KxGAZ_O6i9PDrAs1qzkN5VmO8TLArpEfH8efmzsRKBiPnSfNYNM-NL_d11fmK7GBLit5j3dWRi3ma/s1600-h/Brian+Dyak,+Larry+Deutchman,+Marie+Dyak,+Mark+Weber.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129844111614644610" style="WIDTH: 256px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 177px" height="210" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2shKDTXuYisg3RVyZwdhwiudjk2CATnoHMBtllI4wGeikIMSkcK9zdkVTHIHYPz4KxGAZ_O6i9PDrAs1qzkN5VmO8TLArpEfH8efmzsRKBiPnSfNYNM-NL_d11fmK7GBLit5j3dWRi3ma/s320/Brian+Dyak,+Larry+Deutchman,+Marie+Dyak,+Mark+Weber.JPG" width="251" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ff6600;">EIC's Management Team <span style="color:#000000;">with</span> Mark Weber, </span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:78%;">the Director of Communications for SAMHSA.<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkL_sq62xG2qndvTOIoGS2S4nuPxYL83xTYH5ApmlGgENyz8H6uM7HDZivRPMCsOgxi6lR2t4NyTQ8h-OeupiR5ExXNlPp68n7M7yI4c1IJOzzkdpQwtLshaerv_HVv7ixSURet5I5EQ4/s1600-h/Matthew+Margo.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130161885422142066" style="WIDTH: 206px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" height="157" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkL_sq62xG2qndvTOIoGS2S4nuPxYL83xTYH5ApmlGgENyz8H6uM7HDZivRPMCsOgxi6lR2t4NyTQ8h-OeupiR5ExXNlPp68n7M7yI4c1IJOzzkdpQwtLshaerv_HVv7ixSURet5I5EQ4/s320/Matthew+Margo.JPG" width="212" border="0" /></a></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Matthew Margo</span>, Senior VP of Program Practices, CBS Television Network</span><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitw4Kj0CAUWjlsixVpb4dj02fo_ViPbWqqzJ_fliW079VR2Zrg6E-4sDEsfENrjDDDhOs3_QZ2rvuQSBsMv523Lp9MpK81ZQk2fjxFfpB3mcszVWQ6Lk-V_H3fq2Wbs1zi9_DAvjVjHAyU/s1600-h/Marcellus+Alexander,+Kathryn+Power,+Katherine+Fugate,+Nick+Grad,+Gary+Sachs,+Judith+Light,+Brian+Dyak.JPG"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129846353587573154" style="WIDTH: 277px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 187px" height="198" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitw4Kj0CAUWjlsixVpb4dj02fo_ViPbWqqzJ_fliW079VR2Zrg6E-4sDEsfENrjDDDhOs3_QZ2rvuQSBsMv523Lp9MpK81ZQk2fjxFfpB3mcszVWQ6Lk-V_H3fq2Wbs1zi9_DAvjVjHAyU/s320/Marcellus+Alexander,+Kathryn+Power,+Katherine+Fugate,+Nick+Grad,+Gary+Sachs,+Judith+Light,+Brian+Dyak.JPG" width="276" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Marcellus Alexande</span><span style="color:#ff6600;">r</span> (President, NAB Education Foundation); <span style="color:#ff6600;">Kathryn Power</span> (Director, Center for Mental Health Services, SAMHSA); <span style="color:#ff6600;">Katherine Fugate</span> (Creator and Executive Producer, <em>Army Wives</em>); <span style="color:#ff6600;">Nick Grad</span> (Executive VP, Programming, FX Networks); <span style="color:#ff6600;">Dr. Gary Sachs</span> (Founder & Director, MGH Bipolar Clinic & Research Program), <span style="color:#ff6600;">Judith Light</span> (Actor, <em>Ugly Betty</em>); <span style="color:#ff6600;">Brian Dyak</span> (President & CEO, EIC)</span><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi019_Ao0Rz1kNibJKnlv2XpGGduB_7GKdGKSAQhZyb4-uNa6VdYdQdzCX6eDf4IxGDAr8FLvm7sUSvntqsqayMTfn5pAR32efPNL_4pJ3LpEZkhIDFElvsyjReiWU0qfUo16J60pQ7dP0V/s1600-h/Congressman+Tim+Murphy,+Congresswoman+Grace+Napolitano,+Congressman+Jason+Altmire.JPG"></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTwT-WE6S5YDoupbgI0pc0Ks8obiIPGh2Yb6TrFxL5_I5IpSgXns06tqgCTUir1hhK2XlhDJJVhDzYRbPqLqPdqH8Bz6dP0mrLjIpZhsCCLJhFqfljGg7T1gZqTjqv9FZGwH97KLQ3jyi/s1600-h/Judith+Light,+Katherine+Fugate,+Morgan+Brittany.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130153716394345042" style="WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 171px" height="170" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTwT-WE6S5YDoupbgI0pc0Ks8obiIPGh2Yb6TrFxL5_I5IpSgXns06tqgCTUir1hhK2XlhDJJVhDzYRbPqLqPdqH8Bz6dP0mrLjIpZhsCCLJhFqfljGg7T1gZqTjqv9FZGwH97KLQ3jyi/s320/Judith+Light,+Katherine+Fugate,+Morgan+Brittany.JPG" width="294" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Judith Light, Katherine Fugate <span style="color:#000000;">and</span> Morgan Brittany</div></span></span></span>Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15727873346764461682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211191356424548920.post-54694992007317453442007-11-01T07:29:00.000-07:002007-11-01T08:37:32.536-07:00Set your DVRs for Sunday, November 4th!<div align="center">Date: <strong>Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007</strong><br />Time: <strong>3:00 PM</strong> and <strong>1:00 AM</strong></div><div align="center">Channel: <strong>FX Networks</strong></div><div align="center">Descriptor:<em> <strong>11th Annual PRISM Awards</strong></em> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYtR2fgo4oEsaCrGVZOZ-LbARghFKlYC6iGhnOAoAElEGdOeM7tL4VSRLPFpkrsCfeBORZclOS_yHyetM03wD6FpO6H-w30cyjhDj7WlY_NYjQwqaWcyUfJeSDgU5eNNMGt2vbGwKR-9t/s1600-h/Brian+and+PRISM+Hosts.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127896125430772914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYtR2fgo4oEsaCrGVZOZ-LbARghFKlYC6iGhnOAoAElEGdOeM7tL4VSRLPFpkrsCfeBORZclOS_yHyetM03wD6FpO6H-w30cyjhDj7WlY_NYjQwqaWcyUfJeSDgU5eNNMGt2vbGwKR-9t/s320/Brian+and+PRISM+Hosts.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> (left to right: Brian Dyak, Melissa Rivers, John Salley, Dr. Drew Pinsky)</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">Get ready for some EDUTAINMENT and tune into <a href="http://www.fxnetworks.com/"><strong>FX</strong></a> on <a href="http://www.fxnetworks.com/?page=schedule"><strong>SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH</strong></a> for the <em><strong><a href="http://www.prismawards.com/">11th ANNUAL PRISM AWARDS</a></strong></em> at <strong>3 PM</strong> and <strong>1 AM</strong>!<br /><br />Out for the day? Watching football? Go ahead and set the DVR!<br /><br />Hosted by <a href="http://www.melissarivers.com/">Melissa Rivers</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0758582/">John Salley</a>, and <a href="http://www.drdrew.com/">Dr. Drew</a>, the show will highlight drama and comedy through entertaining stories from some of your favorite TV shows and movies! You will also hear from talented actors about preparing for their roles.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.prismawards.com/"><em>PRISM</em></a> is not simply an awards show; in fact, it is a magazine-format show that gives you insight into the storytelling that weaves its way through the complexities of substance abuse and mental health concerns…topics we generally don’t hang out and talk about until it’s absolutely necessary or sometimes too late.<br /><br />So why wait? Get a heads up on some information that could prompt the kind of dialogue with a friend or loved one that just might nip unwanted circumstances in the bud! If you record it, <em><a href="http://www.prismawards.com/">PRISM</a></em> just might be your entry point for a frank discussion about substance abuse and/or mental health.<br /><br />If for some reason you don’t catch the show, get a hold of <a href="http://www.eiconline.org/contactus/">EIC</a>, and we will send you a DVD with some discussion questions…our way of giving you an opportunity to combat stigma and do something that just might make a difference.<br /><br />All of us at <a href="http://www.eiconline.org/">EIC</a> are proud that PRISM is the only TV special that has nationally aired for 8 consecutive years that spotlights these important health issues…<em><strong>in the history of television</strong></em>! We salute all those at <a href="http://www.fxnetworks.com/">FX</a>, <a href="http://www.fox.com/">Fox Broadcasting</a>, <a href="http://www.foxmovies.com/">20th Century Fox</a>, <a href="http://www.nbc.com/">NBC</a>, <a href="http://www.universalstudios.com/">Universal</a>, <a href="http://www.usanetwork.com/">USA</a>, <a href="http://www.cbs.com/">CBS</a>, <a href="http://www.paramount.com/">Paramount</a>, <a href="http://www.sho.com/">Showtime</a>, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/">MTV Networks</a>, <a href="http://abc.go.com/index">ABC</a>, <a href="http://disney.go.com/index">Disney</a>, <a href="http://www.eonline.com/">E!</a>, <a href="http://www.cwtv.com/">CW</a>, <a href="http://www.aetv.com/">A&E</a>, <a href="http://www.lifetimetv.com/">Lifetime</a>, <a href="http://www.warnerbros.com/">Warner Bros.</a>, <a href="http://www.sony.com/">Sony</a>, <a href="http://www.turner.com/">Turner Networks</a>, <a href="http://www.mgm.com/">MGM</a>, <a href="http://www.discovery.com/">Discovery</a>, <a href="http://www.hbo.com/">HBO</a>, and the many in the creative community whose work is on display. Enjoy the show!<br /><br />Brian</div>Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15727873346764461682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211191356424548920.post-69033655153079019822007-10-12T11:26:00.000-07:002007-10-12T11:54:44.518-07:00Whew, summer is gone…Shows and nets are gearing up for the fall launch, studios are positioning feature promotions through the upcoming holidays, <a href="http://www.emmys.org/"><em>EMMYS</em></a> have come and gone, <a href="http://www.prismawards.com/"><em>PRISM Awards</em></a> entries are rolling in, and I am reflecting on what fall means.<br /><br />Twenty-five years ago I came up with the concept/idea to form EIC with great supportive input from EIC Executive Vice President <a href="http://eiconline.org/aboutus/biostaff.php?id=2"><strong>Marie Gallo Dyak</strong></a>. Co-Founder <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0028818/"><strong>Ralph Andrews</strong></a>, a controversial but loveable, energetic top game show producer, brought entertainment expertise and insider knowledge. The late <a href="http://www.pulitzer.org/index.html"><em>Pulitzer Prize</em></a>-winning columnist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Anderson"><strong>Jack Anderson</strong></a>, a man of controversy in his own right, but an extremely optimistic and energizing personality, brought political connections. We seemed like an odd lot to tackle the notion that the power and influence of the entertainment industry could be brought to bear on health and social issues…but Jack, Ralph, and I incorporated EIC to do just that.<br /><br />We each had different but complementary strategies…the main question was, 'what do we do first?' We quickly hit a crossroad of organizational development and three key directions emerged.<br /><ol><li>Build a bridge between Hollywood and public policy makers and federal officials in Washington; </li><li>Provide resource information on various depictions to the creative community (a concept supported by the late writer/director <a href="http://imdb.com/name/nm0829579/"><strong>Larry Stewart</strong></a>), and; </li><li>Maximize the reach of the industries' “celebrity power” to drive public awareness about issues… founding directors <a href="http://eiconline.org/aboutus/bio.php?id=12"><strong>Bill Utz</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="http://michelelee.com/"><strong>Michele Lee</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="http://timconway.com/"><strong>Tim Conway</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="http://imdb.com/name/nm0326059/"><strong>David Goldsmith</strong></a><strong>, Jay Rodriguez, </strong><a href="http://imdb.com/name/nm0750669/"><strong>Herman Rush</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0574468/"><strong>Gerald McRaney</strong></a><strong>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005347/">Tim Reid</a>, </strong><a href="http://eiconline.org/aboutus/bio.php?id=5"><strong>Nancy Dockry</strong></a>, and <a href="http://imdb.com/name/nm0884095/"><strong>Renée Valente</strong></a> each supported some or part of each strategy by attending events around the country and even abroad, all in the name of the EIC. </li></ol>So what did we do? We took on as much as we could possibly handle to create quality work that spotlighted each strategy…we targeted resources, and each director (in their own way) put forth their best skills to build a new organization.<br /><br />Our greatest concern was to reverse a trend that exploited drug use by making it glamorous, comedic, sexy, macho and attractive to audiences. Ralph had the notion that positive reinforcement could be a dynamic strategy to see the industry come on board to support the EIC mission. Ralph was vested in the potential of positive recognition and getting the White House involved, so we created the Nancy Reagan Drug Abuse Prevention Award which has morphed into today’s EIC-produced <em>PRISM Awards</em> television special on <a href="http://www.fxnetwork.com/">FX Network</a>. With the Reagans in the White House we had access to both the political and entertainment world; however, we were ever conscious to be non-partisan in the best interest of the public and in the best interest of not polarizing the issues we addressed...or our mission “to bring the power and influence of the entertainment industry to bear on health and social issues”. We all set high standards for ourselves and soon the quality of our work spoke for itself. Early on we were recognized with a Senate Resolution of support, and the President’s Private Public Sector Initiative Award, a beautiful Rose Garden Ceremony.<br /><br />Ralph was the avid promoter of recognition and awards (the 4th strategy), and over time has proven to be 100% accurate that positive reinforcement is a powerful tool to engage the creative community to understand the importance of the issues. EIC’s strategic formula to laud entertainment creators for a job well done has taken hold. Our formula embraces basic principles that speak to the value of being non-judgmental, supporting volunteerism, providing accurate information and resources to the creative community and not abusing or misusing the power of celebrity.<br /><br />EIC has continued to do “good work” in the public interest as an organization <em><strong>of</strong></em> the industry, <em><strong>by</strong></em> the industry and <em><strong>for</strong></em> the industry because the original organizers respectfully contended with unique and complimentary views that formed the fundamental ingredients needed to build a strong and sound foundation for organizational development. The passion and will of each of the staff and volunteers has always been a spirit that is strong and vibrant. As we continue to go forward…I find clarity in the mission because of the contributions of all of the staff over the years and especially the founding Board Directors of the Entertainment Industries Council. Thank you.Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15727873346764461682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211191356424548920.post-86824859042094505302007-08-09T14:04:00.000-07:002007-09-25T08:08:26.820-07:00A Look Back at the PRISM AwardsTake a look at what some celebrities had to say about EIC and the <em>PRISM Awards</em>!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_P_6aj32tqM"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_P_6aj32tqM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15727873346764461682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211191356424548920.post-79287490353816450342007-07-30T10:19:00.000-07:002007-07-30T11:41:06.084-07:00Kudos to LifetimeRecently I had the opportunity to congratulate <strong>Andrea Wong</strong>, <strong>President and CEO <a href="http://www.lifetimetv.com/index.php"><em>LIFETIME </em><em>Television</em></a></strong> on her new position at a reception in Washington DC. Significant leadership from a host of women’s organizations filled the room. I found myself observing (while having some tasty shrimp and great crepes) and listening (in some instances eavesdropping) and learning about important women’s concerns. <strong>Hillary Clinton’s</strong> run for president and the need for special attention to specific women’s health concerns seemed to be hot topics of discussion.<br /><br />As I was listening I flashed on a movie I recently watched about women’s suffrage, <strong><em><a href="http://iron-jawed-angels.com/">IRON JAWED ANGELS</a></em></strong>, starring <strong>Hillary Swank</strong>, and could only wonder how long will it take—more importantly why it takes so long—for social change to CHANGE from philosophy to action? To take root is one thing; for change to grow, blossom and become assimilated into society is another.<br /><br />The recent political posturing of whether Hillary Clinton or <strong>John Edwards</strong> could better serve women further seasoned my thinking.<br /><br /><strong>BOTTOM LINE: Who is better is not the issue at hand.</strong> The issue is about how men and women work together to support each other, for the common good and most importantly future generations. I applaud the commitment of <em>Lifetime</em>’s leadership to promote targeted programming for women and especially their most recent <a href="http://www.lifetimetv.com/community/olc/ewc/"><strong>campaign</strong></a> to encourage women to vote.<br /><br />Given the hum I heard about women’s health concerns, EIC will put into our 2008 program plan a <strong><em><a href="http://eiconline.org/resources/publications/picturethis.php">PICTURE THIS</a></em></strong> forum to further explore development of depiction suggestions for the creative community. This meeting with bring together key leaders in the field of women’s health to deliberate on what issues of special interest to women are the most pressing to be communicated to the public through entertainment.<br /><br /><strong>Such a meeting of women leaders convened by EIC, an entertainment industry entity, is imperative at a time when stories of Hollywood starlets behaving recklessly and taking chances with their health and safety have become ubiquitous, possibly skewing the perceptions of girls and young women during their formative years.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Who knows, down the road the bold headlines associated with <strong>Paris Hilton, Britney Spears,</strong> and <strong>Lindsay Lohan</strong> may be positive ones. One day, these women may join the many female leaders who work tirelessly to accelerate the pace of social change.<br /><br />Brian<br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">*By the way…<br />When <strong><a href="http://www.eiconline.org/">EIC</a></strong> was founded (1983), one of my founding principles was to establish an organization within the entertainment industry that could help to curb sexism, racism, ageism and encourage the notion that one should have control over his or her own life and not be weighed down by the “-isms.”<br /><br />Yet as I worked to put the EIC Board of Directors and Trustees in place, not one woman was in the very top position. Among rising women executives at the time—<strong>Sherry Lansing, Renee Valente, Suzanne DePasse, Nancy Dockry</strong> among them—EIC had their support and, in fact, enlisted their efforts to guide us toward the future. However, top, leadership was in the hands of about a dozen male studio and network executives at the time. </span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">I am delighted that Andrea Wong is one of many top female executives leading our industry today, and look forward to her numerous contributions of good ideas and great programming.</span></em>Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15727873346764461682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211191356424548920.post-49702436312607242612007-07-25T10:19:00.000-07:002007-07-30T11:01:58.344-07:00Quality Control vs. Creative Freedom: Who Gets To Judge?<span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#333333;"><strong>Quality:</strong> <span style="font-size:85%;"><em>A general term applicable to any trait or characteristic whether individual or generic</em></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-size:78%;">(Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary)</span></span><br /></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Check it out!</span></strong> A new <a title="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118488744239672367.html" href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118488744239672367.html">Wall Street Journal article, “Drinks, Drugs, Dysfunction Star on Summer Cable TV” by John Jurgensen</a> (July 20, 2007), analyzes creative depictions of substance abuse on cable shows. I am extremely pleased to see the <a href="http://www.prismawards.com/"><em>PRISM Awards</em></a> recognized in the article along with the concept of accurate depiction integrated into story telling.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.eiconline.org/">EIC</a> has pioneered depiction efforts working with the creative community for close to 25 years, initially addressing the perceived glamorization of drug use in comedy and drama, exploitation of drug use without the reality of negative consequences, or the portrayal as funny, sexy, or macho during the 1970s and ’80s.<br /><br />As we were founded and are governed by entertainment professionals, <a href="http://www.eiconline.org/">EIC</a> places a priority on creative freedom; we believe that writers and other creative people should be allowed to do what they feel necessary to tell a story the way it needs to be told. This is called <strong><em><span style="color:#333333;">artistry</span></em></strong>. After a couple of years of taking a strong “Just Say No” approach, <a href="http://www.eiconline.org/">EIC</a> shifted focus from <span style="color:#333333;"><strong><em>glamorization</em></strong> to <em><strong>accuracy</strong></em></span>. The response to this new attitude—challenging creators to be as accurate as possible while maintaining creative integrity and engaging audiences, rather than pointing the finger at “glamorous” portrayals and watering down everything for a general audience—was astounding.<span style="color:#333333;"> </span><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Our peers in the industry took on the challenge and asked for more.<br /></span></strong><br />This led to our publishing of a comprehensive creative community depiction encyclopedia, EIC's <a href="http://eiconline.org/resources/publications/sadb.php"><em>Spotlight on Depiction of Health and Social Issues: Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use and Addiction</em></a>, in partnership with the <a title="http://nida.nih.gov/" href="http://nida.nih.gov/">National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)</a> and the <a title="http://www.rwjf.org/" href="http://www.rwjf.org/">Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)</a>. This resource set the standard for accurate depiction providing show researchers and writers with quick reference information about substance abuse all vetted by NIDA. In fact, we are updating the book right now.<br /><br />Given today’s availability of resource information on myriad health and social issues for the creative community, I feel now is the time to issue a reality check for people who are never satisfied with what the entertainment industry produces. This constant complaining comes down to one common denominator: <span style="color:#333333;"><strong>QUALITY</strong>. <em><strong><u>Quality is in the eye of the beholder</u></strong></em></span>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.eiconline.org/">EIC</a> focuses on accurate, science-based information because by definition, the quality of anything is entirely subjective. What one person thinks is ‘off the mark’ may be ‘on the mark’ for others. You may find a particular depiction or character’s dialogue not entertaining and offensive, and I may find it a reflection of life as I know it or fantasy—escapism storytelling.<br /><br />The bottom line: <strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;">WHO IS TO JUDGE?</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#333333;"></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#333333;">Brian</span>Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15727873346764461682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211191356424548920.post-38835281288224232222007-07-06T13:36:00.000-07:002007-07-30T11:03:08.551-07:00Welcome to the EIC blog!As President and CEO of EIC, I look forward to esoteric exchanges with those of you who get the fact that the entertainment industry takes the hit for a multitude of faltering institutions in society…the convenient fall guy…the easy out…the victim…barraged with blame for the inadequacies or failings of others. In fact, there are so many wonderful contributions made by our industry daily that contribute to a healthier, more informed, and better-educated society…all while entertaining people in the process.<br /><br />Yet, news of these contributions of “good” doesn’t play in the news…for as sexy as entertainment industry seems, it’s not sexy enough for its good works to get coverage.<br /><br />For as violent as we may be accused of being, there doesn’t seem to be enough action in our positive messaging to catch a headline.<br /><br />And for as indecent as our industry can be accused of being, the reality is that the vast majority of entertainment professionals are decent people with good intentions who struggle to be creative and produce “good” works in the face of criticism from the outside.<br /><br />Has my message struck a chord with you? Whether you agree or disagree, I want to know what YOU think. Your comments will help shape this discourse.<br /><br />For now, my message is simple: I defend the actions and the rights of the entertainment industry’s creative community, and I encourage them to continue their good works, and challenge others to start paying attention to not just the bad and the ugly, but the good.<br /><br />And I haven’t said anything about freedom yet. Write ON!<br /><br />BrianEntertainment Industries Council, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15727873346764461682noreply@blogger.com2