SAN DIEGO, June 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony
Electronics Inc. today announced that Sony Corporation will be
making several donations to leading organizations in the
production industry. The fund is designed to help mitigate
disruption of the creative community as a result of the COVID-19
pandemic.
Funding for this worldwide program will be provided by the "Sony
Global Relief Fund for COVID-19," which was established in
April 2020 to help those affected by
the pandemic. Funds will be contributed globally to various
organizations in North America,
Europe and Japan and will also be used at a regional
level to support Sony's Imaging PRO Support program.
The donations will be used by recipient organizations to help
ease the financial hardships affecting industry creators, including
cinematographers, camera operators, camera assistants, digital
imaging technicians and many others who create media for sports,
movies and episodic content. The communities that will be receiving
financial support in North America
include:
- The Sports Video Group, founded in 2006, is an international
association for sports-television professionals with the mission to
advance the creation, production and distribution of sports
content. As producer of the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame and 12
other industry events, as well as numerous media properties and
industry initiatives, the organization represents a membership of
more than 4,000 active participants in the creation of sports
content for TV, the Internet, mobile devices and in-venue
distribution.
In 2012, Sports Video Group created the SVG Sports Broadcasting
Fund, the sports industry's first charity fund dedicated to
providing assistance to industry professionals and their families
in need. Since its inception, the Fund has assisted hundreds of
sports production professionals who have found themselves unable to
work due to injury, illness or disaster. The money Sony is
contributing to the SVG Sports Broadcasting Fund will help offset
medical expenses for members of the community who have been
impacted by COVID-19.
- International Cinematographers Guild – I.A.T.S.E.
(International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) Local
600 represents approximately 9,000 members who work in
film, television and commercials as directors of photography,
camera operators, digital imaging technicians, visual effects
supervisors, still photographers, camera assistants, film loaders,
all members of camera crews and publicists. The first
cinematographers' union was established in New York in 1926, followed by unions in
Los Angeles and Chicago, but it wasn't until 1996 that Local
600 was born as a national guild. ICG's ongoing activities include
the Emerging Cinematographer Awards and the Publicists Awards
Luncheon. The guild also publishes the award-winning ICG
Magazine.
- International Cinematographers Guild – I.A.T.S.E. Local 667,
Local 669 and Local 671 in Canada represent camera professionals and unit
publicists who work in all phases of motion picture productions
filmed or electronically recorded for theatrical feature films,
films for television, television series, commercials,
documentaries, Internet productions and corporate video
productions, as well as working at live events.
- The American Society of Cinematographers was founded in
Hollywood in 1919 with the purpose
of advancing the art and science of cinematography and bringing
cinematographers together to exchange ideas, discuss techniques and
promote the motion picture as an art form.
- The Canadian Society of Cinematographers is a
not-for-profit organization founded in 1957. Its purpose is to
foster the art and craft of cinematography and imaging
professionals at all levels. CSC members are involved in the
production of feature films, documentaries, television series,
specials and commercials. The Society is administered by
volunteers and strives to reflect the diverse character of its
membership. Its mandate supports a full agenda of training,
education, mentorship and the dissemination of the latest in
technical and product information.
Globally, Sony will also invest in financial assistance for
Sports Video Group Europe, IMAGO and Japan Society of
Cinematographers in
Japan.
"In these challenging times, we are eternally grateful to
healthcare workers, essential workers and others on the frontline
of combating this pandemic and supporting the essential needs of
our society," said Mike Fasulo,
president and chief operating officer, Sony Electronics Inc.
"Content creators are the critical backbone of the entertainment
ecosystem, and Sony's business' success is tied very closely to
their well-being and success. We are gratified to lend Sony's
support to organizations enabling creators to continue their
artistic expression, and we look forward to seeing the results of
our shared collaboration."
"The ASC is immensely grateful for Sony's donation, coming at a
time when cinematographers and the entire film-making community are
under such pressure from the pandemic," said Terry McCarthy, CEO of the American Society of
Cinematographers. "The funds will help us to produce an online
video series about cinematographic topics, provide employment to
those directly involved, and help a broader audience learn about
the principles of cinematography."
"I want to thank Sony for their significant donation to the
Local 600 Hardship Fund, which is administered by The Actors Fund,
to provide aid to so many of our members who have suffered
financially during our industry's shutdown," said John Lindley, ASC, president of the
International Cinematographers Guild – I.A.T.S.E. Local 600.
"Behind the corporate logo, there are individuals whose desire to
lend our members a hand is inspiring and brings us all closer
together. Sony's unwavering support of our craft during a
period of dramatic technological changes has now been matched by
their generosity, and I look forward to continuing our longstanding
relationship as our members get back to work."
"The International Cinematographers Guild is thrilled that Sony
Electronics is giving back to the film and television industry in
Canada," said David Rumley, business representative,
International Cinematographers Guild – Locals 667 and 671. "Their
generous donation to The AFC (formerly The Actors' Fund of
Canada) will help many members of
our community. With film production shut down across Canada, The AFC has been a crucial lifeline
for workers that need immediate assistance." Michelle Yardley, president of Local 669, added,
"Since March 14th, The AFC
has distributed more than $800,000 to
film workers and continues to provide emergency funds. The need has
never been greater, as this amount is four times its normal yearly
disbursement. Local 667, Local 671, and Local 669 have continued
our support of The AFC in this trying time, and we thank Sony
Electronics for stepping up and making a difference."
"We would like to thank Sony for its overwhelming support of
sports production professionals who are facing tough times due to
the Coronavirus pandemic," said Ken
Aagaard, chairman, SVG Sports Broadcasting Fund. "Sony's
generosity points to the strong bonds that unite our
industry during times of crisis and can help those in
need. With Sony's support, we will be able to make a difference for
sports production professionals and their families who find
themselves challenged in unprecedented ways."
Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, Sony remains committed to
furthering its support of creators and their activities. Existing
Sony Imaging PRO Support members in North
America can continue to take advantage of the recent
complimentary six-month extension of benefits, which helps to
reduce creators' ongoing operational costs.
For more information about the Sony Global Relief Fund for
COVID-19, please
visit https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/csr/community/covid19_fund
About Sony Electronics Inc.
Sony Electronics is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America and
an affiliate of Sony Corporation (Japan), one of the most comprehensive
entertainment companies in the world, with a portfolio that
encompasses electronics, music, motion pictures, mobile, gaming,
robotics and financial services. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Sony Electronics is a
leader in electronics for the consumer and professional markets.
Operations include research and development, engineering, sales,
marketing, distribution and customer service. Sony Electronics
creates products that innovate and inspire generations, such as the
award-winning Alpha Interchangeable Lens Cameras and revolutionary
high-resolution audio products. Sony is also a leading manufacturer
of end-to-end solutions from 4K
professional broadcast and A/V equipment to industry leading
4K and 8K Ultra HD TVs. Visit http://www.sony.com/news
for more information.
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SOURCE Sony Electronics Inc.