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(PRLEAP.COM) May 28, 2009 - Under existing law, minors in California must secure an entertainment work permit ("EWP") from the Labor Commissioner in order to be employed in entertainment productions or as an advertising or print model. For decades, the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (CA DLSE) has issued these work permits free of charge.

On February 23rd, 2009, State of California Assembly Member Mike Davis introduced Bill (http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/Bills/AB_402), which would require that a fee of $50.00 be charged every time a minor applies for an EWP in the State of California. Since the work permits are valid only six months at a time, this bill would effectively levy a $100 yearly tax on every child wanting to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

In her objective and clearly written analysis, Dana Mitchell indicates that the bill’s stated aim is to enhance the protection of our children on film sets and other production sites. Alas, not a single statistic is provided about any abuse by studios and other entertainment companies who employ children. Mitchell also explains that it is the intent of the bill’s author to utilize some of the funds levied under the proposed law to form squadrons of field inspectors to be dispatched on production studios employing kids, for the purpose of enforcing the labor laws.

While the proposed bill closely resembles a solution in search of a problem, its consequences would be very real for one of the very few industries where California enjoys a trade surplus with the rest of the world.

The Hollywood Group’s Perla Piekutowski states, "We firmly believe that the work permit application process should continue to be free of charge. Taxing young workers honing their skills in a new industry and thinning the pool of youth talent available for the already dwindling amount of California productions seems like Sacramento’s recipe to harm Hollywood."

Parents who want to enable their child’s dream of working in the entertainment business already face an assortment of costs. The creation of a new cost unfairly shuts out lower income families from opportunities in Entertainment. As Bob Zachar of the Hollywood Group states, "Good grades were already a requirement for securing of a work permit. This proposed piece of legislation Bill (AB 402) punishes all at once good students and families of humbler means. I never thought I would live to see the day our State Government proposes to effectively tax work."

If you wish to voice your opinion in this matter, you should do so now before it’s too late. This bill is currently being held in suspense with the Appropriations Committee until May 28th when it will be heard and voted on. If the bill passes the Appropriations Committee, it will go to the Senate floor for a final vote. Please contact the Consultant for the Bill, or the Members of the Assembly below to voice your opinion.

Consultant for Bill:
Chuck Nicol
Tel: 916.319.2081 Fax: 916.319.2181
Chuck.Nicol@asm.ca.gov

Members of the Assembly:
Assemblymember.deLeon@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember.Krekorian@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember.Davis@assembly.ca.gov

About The Hollywood Group, Inc.

The Hollywood Group was founded in 2001 to help kids and teenagers get started in the entertainment industry. It has fulfilled its mission admirably, having facilitated countless young careers in the last 7 years. The company’s approach is pragmatic for it places the focus on work: kids gain valuable experience on actual TV shows and movie sets a short few weeks after becoming members. No other company has assembled a more hands-on, comprehensive, effective, and economical approach to helping kids start to work as actors in movies, TV shows and commercials. For more information, go to www.hollywoodgroup.com.

(PRLEAP.COM) California’s unemployment figures surpass the nation’s as a whole. The numbers for L.A.’s younger workers are even worse, and strong investments in youth employment development are needed in order to bolster our city’s competitiveness. The business community plays a critical role in helping to reach this goal. This is the reason businesses like The Hollywood Group were invited to a meeting and press conference with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on the steps of LA’s City Hall in May 2009.

In the summer of 2006, Mayor Villaraigosa created the Hire LA’s Youth program, which aims to identify low-income youth and connect them with viable employment opportunities in the City of Los Angeles. A summer part-time or full time job allows these youths to familiarize themselves with the working world and gain valuable skills for their future careers. Statistics show that introducing teens to the working world helps reduce overall unemployment, while early work experiences are credited with a 10 to 20% increase in lifetime earning power.

The Hollywood Group’s stock in trade is to provide its membership the opportunity to work in entertainment – therefore, partaking of the HIRE LA’s Youth program is a natural extension of our mission. The Hollywood Group relishes every opportunity to inspire future members of the workforce.

This year, Hire LA’s Youth program has increased the goal for its summer jobs program to 16,000 youths, from 13,500 last year. The Hollywood Group applauds the collaborative effort between the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Los Angeles Community Development Department, and the Workforce Investment Board among others, and is proud to be part of this great initiative. For more information about the Hire LA Youth program, go to www.HIRELAYouth.com.

About The Hollywood Group, Inc.

The Hollywood Group was founded in 2001 to help kids and teenagers get started in the entertainment industry. It has fulfilled its mission admirably, having facilitated countless young careers in the last 7 years. The company’s approach is pragmatic for it places the focus on work: kids gain valuable experience on actual TV shows and movie sets a short few weeks after becoming members. No other company has assembled a more hands-on, comprehensive, effective, and economical approach to helping kids start to work as actors in movies, TV shows and commercials. For more information, go to www.hollywoodgroup.com

Hi everyone,

Our last Talent Showcase was held on March 28th. We had scheduled 129 kids, 108 showed up and 50 of them were in the call back lists (46%). Wow, I am so excited, this is one of the best call back rates we ever had, and please note, almost half of the kids in the call back list were on three or more lists!

Below you can see tha names of the kids that were picked up for possible representation:

Call Back List / Talent Showcase 03-28-09

6 Call Back Lists:
Jordan Wise – H2# 54567.A1 –KSR Models, Rising Stars, The Savage Agency, CESD, Jana Luker Agency, DDO Artists Agency (TC John)


5 Call Back Lists:
Cristina Piccolo – H2# D4922.A1 –KSR Models, Rising Stars, The Savage Agency, Jana Luker Agency, DDO Artists Agency (TC David)
Megan Clemons – H2# D7065.BB –KSR Models, Rising Stars, The Savage Agency, Jana Luker Agency, DDO Artists Agency (TC David)
Shannon Clemons – H2# D7065.AB –KSR Models, Rising Stars, The Savage Agency, Jana Luker Agency, DDO Artists Agency (TC David)
Ashley Mikita – H2# 43536.A1 –KSR Models, Rising Stars, The Savage Agency, Jana Luker Agency, DDO Artists Agency
Colin Reynolds – H2# D3848.AB –Rising Stars, The Savage Agency, CESD, Jana Luker Agency, DDO Artists Agency (TC Mitra)
Zion Mills – H2# D7083.A1 –Rising Stars, The Savage Agency, CESD, Jana Luker Agency, DDO Artists Agency (TC David)
Renee Sly – H2# D5696.A1 –Rising Stars, The Savage Agency, CESD, Jana Luker Agency, DDO Artists Agency (TC David)


4 Call Back Lists:
Ye-Ab Fekadu – H2# 54021.A1 –KSR Models, Rising Stars, The Savage Agency, DDO Artists Agency (TC Kiara)
Katie Lin – H2# D3017.A1 –KSR Models, Rising Stars, CESD, DDO Artists Agency (TC Candice)
Allison Shattles – H2# D5169.AB –Rising Stars, The Savage Agency, Jana Luker Agency, DDO Artists Agency
Jadon Marcus – H2# D6029.A1 –Rising Stars, The Savage Agency, CESD, Jana Luker Agency
Arlene Sandoval – H2# 54116.BC –Rising Stars, The Savage Agency, CESD, Jana Luker Agency (TC Kiara)


3 Call Back Lists:
Grace Sinclair – H2# D6420.BE –KSR Models, Rising Stars, DDO Artists Agency (TC Mitra/David)
Alexus Peters – H2# D6750.A1 –KSR Models, Rising Stars, CESD (TC Cara)
Ceon Gubac – H2# 37811.A1 –Rising Stars, The Savage Agency, DDO Artists Agency
Hannah Salam – H2# 54239.A1 –Rising Stars, The Savage Agency, DDO Artists Agency (TC Marla)
Sandra Sosa – H2# 53861.CC –Rising Stars, The Savage Agency, Jana Luker Agency (TC Kiara)
Abraham Landin – H2# 49034.A1 –Rising Stars, Jana Luker Agency, DDO Artists Agency (TC Marla)
Lizette Hidalgo – H2# 52970.A1 –Rising Stars, CESD, DDO Artists Agency (TC Kiara)
Savannah Williams – H2# 54512.A1 –CESD, DDO Artists Agency, The Savage Agency (TC John)


2 Call Back Lists:
Aydin Karatas – H2# D4809.A1 –KSR Models, Rising Stars
Warren Hu – H2# D6812.A1 –Rising Stars, CESD
Selena Matasovian – H2# 52229.A1 –Rising Stars, The Savage Agency (TC Kiara)


1 Call Back List:
Elisa Aguirre – H2# D6061.BB –Rising Stars (TC Cara)
Vanessa Aguirre – H2# D6061.AB –Rising Stars (TC Cara)
Roy Arnaldes – H2# 49035.A1 –Rising Stars
Deniz Kivrak– H2# D5458.A1 –Rising Stars
Jesse Sanchez – H2# 52807.A1 –Rising Stars (TC Kiara)
Edgar Gonzalez – H2# 47780.A1 –Rising Stars (TC Kiara)
Santeon Brown – H2# 22043.A1 –Rising Stars (TC Kiara)
Christian Ramos – H2# 31341.A1 –Rising Stars (TC Kiara)
Kimberly Halley – H2# 50724.A1 –Rising Stars
Andrew Carpentier – H2# 48413.A1 –Rising Stars (TC Candice/John)
Zachary Mitchell – H2# 54078.A1 –Rising Stars (TC John)
Donya April Haynes – H2# D6329.A1 –Rising Stars
Ethan Cantu – H2# 47988.A1 –Rising Stars (TC Bob)
James Quintero – H2# 54876.A1 –Rising Stars (TC Kiara)
Eric Nzuve – H2# 54983.A1 –Rising Stars (TC Marla)
Devonni Campbell – H2# D6726.A1 –Rising Stars
Julia Beard – H2# 40336.AB –Rising Stars (TC John)
Jocelynn Flores – H2# 52977.BB –Rising Stars (TC Kiara)
Reanna Garcia – H2# 54582.A1 –Rising Stars (TC Kiara)
Regina Samosir – H2# 52486.BC –Rising Stars (TC Kiara)
Mercedes Ruiz – H2# 52286.A1 –Rising Stars (TC Marla)
Katie Lewis – H2# D3726.A1 –Jana Luker Agency (TC David)
Ashley Shattles – H2# D5169.BB –The Savage Agency
Denee Dentice – H2# 50336.A1 –The Savage Agency
Andria Enriquez – H2# 50335.A1 –The Savage Agency (TC Kiara)
Meghan Miralles – H2# 53263.A1 –The Savage Agency (TC Marla)


Please let me know if you have any questions or any news!