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UPDATES EXCLUSIVE: MPTF Pushed Tillman To Exit
UPDATES Tillman Exits Controversy-Plagued MPTF
Despite president/CEO Dr. David Tillman’s forced resignation, there has been no reversal of the Motion Picture & Television Fund’s decision 15 months ago to close its long term care hospital and nursing home facility on the Wasserman campus in Woodland Hills. In fact, accusations are flying there has been a reduction in care due to staff cuts. Not only that, but the new CEO Bob Beitcher is still refusing to accept donations specifically earmarked for the long term care facilities. 
As a result, there will be another protest rally held outside tonight’s “Night Before” Oscars MPTF fundraiser organized by Jeffrey Katzenberg at the Beverly Hills Hotel. It’s ”to remind donors that MPTF leadership adamantly refuses to use proceeds from the lavish annual fundraising event to benefit the nursing home or hospital, despite the MPTF’s claim that lack of funds forces the closure of these vital facilities.”
Tonight’s rally once again is organized by “Saving the Lives of Our Own”, a grass-roots coalition of thousands of family and industry members, healthcare workers and community supporters who will be joined by SAG, DGA, WGA, AFTRA, IATSE and Teamster members. The group also is asking Oscar attendees to wear a gold awareness ribbon to remind 
MPTF leadership that the community is united in its resolve to take care of its own. The gold color was chosen to recognize that Oscar gold rewards the industry’s finest creative achievements. Awareness ribbons will be available at the rally and will begin to be distributed through Saving the Lives of Our Own. “We believe we can come together with the MPTF to find a common-ground solution to this crisis. Our goal is to keep the Home open now and for generations to come as the gold standard to which we all should aspire, and to preserve and strengthen the MPTF.”
Who: MPTF resident families and supporters, celebrities, members of the entertainment industry, community members and healthcare workers.
Where: Across the street from The Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd. at Crescent Dr.
When: Saturday, March 6, 6:00 p.m.
Rain or shine
These two explanatory videos were released in time for the rally:
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
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Thanks for posting this, Nikki, and for continuing to bring attention to this important issue.
As Alan Rosenberg says in the second part of these two very well-produced videos, I hope that the Hollywood community, who readily opens its hearts and wallets towards Haiti and other disasters, can also address this on-going disaster in our own backyard. Please wear the gold ribbon to show your support!
We have made a difference by standing together and letting our protest voices be heard, and we will continue to do so, until the closure decision is finally reversed.
Please sign the petition as well…. http://www.tinyurl.com/mptfhome.
Thanks and see you tonight in Beverly Hills!
The information contained in these videos is just the tip of the iceberg.
If reality is 90% perception, the MPTF is now sadly viewed as a shamed and untrustworthy organization run by people who have lost sight of the greatness and nobility of the charity’s founding mission. But the good news is that the way back into the warm light of integrity and trust is also in their hands.
The MPTF’s abandonment of its own is appalling. It’s interesting how
“the industry” cares more for those who are far away than for those who have toiled in their own business for years and years. People who have benefited from the loyal, dedicated work in their industry deserve better than this from their very wealthy peers.
It still amazes and saddens me this closed. With all the money movies and TV make from theatrical, DVD, foreign, etc. Plus the salary’s of most executive’s, some producer’s, some director’s, that some one would have stepped up and saved this place? Will Obama care help this reopen?
good news! The home is not closed – MPTF announced it would close by last October but was not able to follow through. The home is still home to 59 residents, and the hospital is still open.
Did any marignally influential (or even recognizable) performers or board members from SAG or AFTRA deign to appear?
The Saving The Lives of Our rally on Saturday night was hosted by Jamie Farr and included speeches by Renee Taylor, Joe Bologna, SAG President Ken Howard, SAG First VP Anne-Marie Johnson, Local 399 Business Manager Steve Dayan and appearances by SAG board members Francis Fisher, and Bill Smitrovich.
There is serious commitment to this issue within our community and we are very grateful for all those who attended, despite the fact that it rained throughout the evening.
The rally was also attended by SAG board member, Connie Stevens and SAG member George Chakiris.
It is at the least misfeasance if not malfeasance to allow the MPTF home to close and the lifelong promise to aid those who retired in our industry is being betrayed!
anyone know of any discovery audits in the works?
Last night’s event in Beverly Hills was an important statement that demonstrated the resolve of our community to save LTC for present and future residents. There were a lot of hardy souls out there who know what is right and are prepared to stand up for it.
Renee Taylor and Joe Bologna’s $30,000 check for LTC was an important step in the evolution of this issue. The community is willing to step up. Will the MPTF accept the money?
Thanks to all the Saving the Lives of Our Own members, the SAG, DGA, WGA, AFTRA, IATSE and Teamster members and the Motion Picture LTC staff members – Proof that our commitment will never be broken – 5 hours in the rain getting our message out to all – Don’t Let the Promise Be Broken!”
We rallied across the street from the Gala MPTF party at the Beverly Hills Hotel to get our message out to all the actors attending the fundraiser. The fundraiser – that will not accept donations to keep the Long Term Care Hospital open.
Please everyone reading these posts, watch the videos above so you have the real story of what has happened over the past year to the wonderful industry people at the Motion Picture Home.
What the hell is running through Katzenberg’s veins?! This guy is truly unbelievable!!!
This whole thing has is a PR nightmare. Who thought that they could close this up without anybody complaining?
Dean Butler’s Investigative video is great but it is the tip of the iceberg and there is lots more to be revealed… As the ice melts – there are some very wealthy and powerful people who may end up with their reputations being deservedly destroyed, and that may be the least of their troubles. Money, power, arrogance. They may yet get to taste the pain, the sadness, the daily trauma, humiliation and suffering that they have deliberately caused the sick and feeble old residents who are still alive. One can only hope.