Behind the Scenes Announces 2022 Holiday Cards

| ETCP Certifiable News: Summer 2022 |

The 2022 Behind the Scenes Holiday Cards are now on sale at the BTS Boutique. This year’s collection features a wonderful mix of seven different designs created especially for the charity by Phil Foster, Jennifer Gillette, Robert Mendoza, Nancy Orr, Todd Potter and Lauren Press. From messages of hope and peace, to a steam punk inspired holiday, to a card featuring the simple tools of so many industry crafts, you’re sure to find a design that’s right for you.

It’s important to let family, friends and colleagues know you are thinking of them and these unique holiday cards say it perfectly. They are also a personal and inexpensive way for a company to keep in touch with its customers and let them know “We are here and you are important to us.”

Cards are available in a variety of options: card packs of 10 with a standard greeting, personalized cards with a company logo and custom message, and electronic cards in multiple file formats and an array of price points starting at just $20.

Sending a BTS holiday card helps spread the word about the charity and lets your recipients know you are supporting industry colleagues who are ill or injured as well as the BTS Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative. 

Orders for printed cards will be taken until September 27, 2022 to arrive by late November. Electronic card orders will be taken until December 16th. View and order cards at www.behindthescenescharity.org/holidaycards.

While you’re shopping, be sure to also check out our industry-themed holiday decorations, from LED ghostlight Christmas trees and Hanukah menorahs to nightlights and tree ornaments.

For more information about Behind the Scenes, to donate, or to apply for a grant, visit www.behindthescenedscharity.org. For more information about Holiday Cards please contact 212-244-1421 or holidaycard@behindthescenescharity.org. 

Resources for Alcohol and Substance Use and Abuse

| ETCP Certifiable News: Summer 2022 |

In a 2019 survey of entertainment industry workers, over 40% of respondents said they had experienced alcohol or substance misuse. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the anxiety, fear, uncertainty, stress, and isolation experienced by so many in our industry significantly increased those numbers. Many of us saw ourselves or colleagues, friends, or family members turn to substances as a way to cope with the disruption in our lives. Many found recovery difficult to sustain. 

Along with significantly increased usage comes increased overdoses. Deaths due to overdoses have spiked during the pandemic, primarily driven by opioids. Over 93.000 drug overdose deaths were reported in 2020 – the highest on record and nearly a 30% increase over 2019.

The Behind the Scenes Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative announces the launch of a website to provide resources for industry professionals to answer questions about alcohol and substance use. It offers information about how to spot the signs of misuse in yourself or others and the potential long term effects. There is practical guidance on getting help for yourself as well as how you can respond if you are concerned about a co-worker or friend. It also addresses situations where you may be concerned about someone you report to or someone who reports to you. There are also links to a variety of resources.

If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, you don’t have to feel alone. Just as an industry we work collaboratively to create our magic, we are all in this fight together. There are many people standing by to help you personally or assist you in helping someone else. We must all work to combat the stigma of asking for help. This website is a first step because education is essential and knowledge gives you power. With alcohol and substance misuse as prevalent as they are, now more than ever we need to get the message out that help is readily available. Visit btshelp.org/substanceuse to learn more.

Behind the Scenes has collaborated with other concerned organizations and individuals to create the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative. A series of tools and resources has been developed to not only help you but also assist you in helping your colleagues, friends and family. Find links to additional tools and resources and information about the initiative at btshelp.org/mentalhealth.

May Dates Now Available for BTS Mental Health First Aid Training

| ETCP Certifiable News: Spring 2022 |

There are still two dates available to take the Mental Health First Aid Training classes in May. Dates are posted on the Behind the Scenes website at btshelp.org/mhfa. “This is like knowing CPR,” says PERG Manager, Harry Box “You could be the person who could save a life if you are suitably prepared for it. I was impressed with the quality and content of the training.” You can make a difference by knowing how to start a conversation with someone you are worried about, how to listen non-judgmentally, and refer them to appropriate support. Upon completing the course, you will become a certified Mental Health First Aider which is valid for three years.

The course is delivered in two parts. The first is a two-hour self-paced online course that must be completed prior to a 6-hour virtual live instructor led session. Go to btshelp.org/mhfa to learn more and to select the date and time you wish to attend the virtual live session. 

The registration fee is $125. IATSE Members and those working under IATSE agreements may be eligible for Training Trust Fund reimbursement upon proof of successful completion of the course. A limited number of partial and full scholarships are available to individuals not eligible for reimbursement. Private group classes of 15 - 20 are available – contact mailto:mhfa@btshelp.org for information. Training for Canadians is available through the AFC at https://afchelps.ca/mhfa.

Do you know how to respond if you see someone who is deeply depressed, having an anxiety attack, or showing signs of alcoholism or substance use? Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related issue.

You’ll learn about the risk factors and warning signs of mental health and substance use problems, the 5-step ALGEE action plan to help someone who is developing a problem or is in crisis, and the available professional, peer and self-help resources.

Make 2022 the year you took an active role in helping to care for those you work with. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your skill sets by learning how to identify, understand and respond to signs of distress in your colleagues and help make our workplaces healthier and safer spaces for all. Visit btshelp.org/mentalhealth to see all the available tools and resources.

Toolbox Talks: Sample language to help create psychologically safe and respectful workplaces

| ETCP Certifiable News: Spring 2022 |

Language about mental health and respectful workplaces should be a part of every toolbox talk or safety briefing because psychological safety is as important as physical safety. Workers who are experiencing distress either from issues in the workplace or at home can be distracted to the point of creating a hazard.

It’s not always an easy subject to talk about though, so to make it easier for those delivering these talks the Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative suggests topics and provides sample language that can be used as is or tailored to fit your needs. This information is meant to be incorporated into your current safety or toolbox talks and is not meant to replace other safety briefings. Find out more at btshelp.org/toolboxtalks.

It is important to acknowledge the mental and physical stressors and challenges faced by everyone in the entertainment industry and offer your team tools to help them better manage and respond to these challenges. 

Sample language is provided under these main headings:

• How to talk about mental health and psychological safety

• Acknowledge stressors and challenges in the workplace

• Let people know it’s ok not to be ok

• How to take action and provide support

• Set guidelines for team interaction

• Foster a positive environment

Underneath each heading are a few key points, such as “Explain why mental health awareness is important in the workplace” or “Talking openly about potential stressors and anxiety triggers can lessen their impact.” Under each point we have provided sample sentences such as “Stress can contribute to accidents” or “We understand that coming back to work right now is especially challenging for all of us because our workplace looks and feels different than when we left it.” The information is available for download as a Word document so it’s easy to cut and paste. It only takes a few moments to look through the topics and sample language and put together wording that’s appropriate for your situation and that you feel comfortable delivering. 

In addition to the sample language provided under each topic, we also offer a selection of brief pre-scripted talks that take less than two minutes to deliver. If you don’t want to craft your own from the sample individual statements, simply find a pre-scripted talk whose language you are comfortable with and you are ready to go.

We know that the last couple of years in particular has been very stressful and returning to work is bringing a new set of concerns for everyone. Many people are struggling with anxiety, grief, feeling overwhelmed, inability to concentrate, changes in appetite or sleep, changes in drinking or substance use patterns, or other issues affecting daily functioning. But this moment also presents us with an opportunity to begin a culture change in our industry. Many entertainment workers struggled with mental health challenges prior to the pandemic due to the long hours and high stress that accompanies work in every segment of the industry. During the last years, most people have felt some degree of emotional distress and have a better understanding and awareness of the role mental health and psychological safety play in their daily lives. This is the moment to talk openly about these subjects and to de-stigmatize them. This is how change happens.

Make a Difference in 2022 – Become a Mental Health First Aider

| ETCP Certifiable News: Winter 2022 |

Mental Health First Aid Training Classes for February 2022 are posted on the Behind the Scenes website at btshelp.org/mhfa. Do you know how to respond if you see someone who is deeply depressed, having a anxiety attack, or showing signs of alcoholism? Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis.

Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations with someone you are worried about by teaching you how to recognize the signs and symptoms, how to listen non judgmentally and give reassurance, and how to refer that person to appropriate professional support and services.

The course is delivered in two parts. The first is a 2-4 hour self-paced online course that must be completed prior to the second part which is a 6 hour virtual live instructor led session. Go to btshelp.org/mhfa to learn more and to select the date and time you wish to attend the virtual live session. Upon completing the course you will become a certified Mental Health First Aider which is valid for three years.

The registration fee is $125. IATSE Members and those working under IATSE agreements may be eligible for Training Trust Fund reimbursement upon proof of successful completion of the course. A limited number of partial and full scholarships are available to individuals not eligible for reimbursement. Private group classes of 15 -20 are available – contact mhfa@btshelp.org for information. Training for Canadians is available through the AFC at https://afchelps.ca/mhfa.

You’ll learn about the risk factors and warning signs of mental health and substance use problems including information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis and substance use; the 5-step ALGEE action plan to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or is in crisis, and the available evidence-based professional, peer and self-help resources.

Make 2022 the year you took an active role in helping to care for those you work with. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your skill sets by learning how to identify, understand and respond to signs of distress in your colleagues and help make our workplaces healthier and safer spaces for all. Visit btshelp.org/mentalhealth to see all the available tools and resources.

The LRLR Raffle and the BTS Boutique Benefit Behind the Scenes at USITT

| ETCP Certifiable News: Winter 2022 |

The Long Reach Long Riders and Behind the Scenes will host their annual fundraising raffle at the USITT Conference March 3-5 in Baltimore, MD. This year’s raffle will celebrate the 19th Anniversary of the Long Reach Long Riders annual charity motorcycle ride. The Riders, who have raised over $800,000 for charity in their years of touring, will be riding June 18-24 on the “Blue Ridge Ramble” tour through the Appalachian Mountains.

The Behind the Scenes Boutique will also be open for business during the show featuring an assortment of great Behind the Scenes swag and the famous Long Reach Long Rider T-shirts and kazoos.

Tickets for the raffle are an affordable $5 each or 5 for $20 and can be purchased at the Behind the Scenes booth throughout the show. Winning tickets for nine regular prizes and one grand prize will be drawn at 1pm on Saturday, the final day of Stage Expo.

The prizes, provided by our generous donors, are: Grand Prize, Spotlight with Renderworks from Vectorworks; Ghostlight from Altman Lighting; SpotFX unit with battery pack and gobos from Apollo Design, American Express Gift Card from Barbizon; Event Safety Summit 2023 Registration from the Event Safety Alliance; Nespresso CitiZ Espresso Machine with Aeroccino Milk Frother from IA Stage; $250 Gift Certificate to musson.com from Musson Theatrical; $250 Gift Certificate from Sapsis Rigging; ProPlus™ Rope Access Harness from Showtech Australia; and a USITT 2023 Full Conference Registration from USITT. 

All proceeds from the raffle and boutique sales benefit Behind the Scenes, which provides financial assistance to entertainment technology professionals who are seriously ill or injured and provides tools and resources to the industry through its Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative.

For additional information about Behind the Scenes, visit www.behindthescenescharity.org or call 212-244-1421. For more information about the Long Reach Long Riders, visit www.lrlr.org.

Spread Some Holiday Cheer with Behind the Scenes

  

| ETCP Certifiable News: Fall 2021 |

Spread Cheer with BTS Holiday Cards

It’s not too late to order your 2021 Holiday Cards! It’s important to let family, friends, and colleagues know you are thinking of them and these unique holiday cards say it perfectly. They are also a personal and inexpensive way for a company to keep in touch with its customers and let them know “We are here and you are important to us.” Cards are available in packs of 10 with a standard greeting, and as e-cards in multiple file formats and an array of price points starting at just $20. Order yours today!

Decorate Your Home for the Holidays and Help Your Colleagues in Need

From Halloween through Christmas and Hannukah, add some unique holiday decorations to your home this year and support your colleagues who are seriously ill or injured as well as the BTS Mental Health and Suicide Prevention initiative.

Individual acrylic inserts are now available for the portable mini LED ghostlight so you can celebrate the holidays in style. Choose from the iconic ghostlight, the pumpkin ghostlight for Halloween, the autumnal Cornucopia ghostlight for Thanksgiving, the Hanukkah menorah ghostlight, or the Christmas tree ghostlight. Purchase your first unit with the base and remote control and then stock up on inserts so you can complement the season. It couldn’t be easier to change out the acrylic inserts.

We also have an array of ghostlight and industry-themed ornaments to decorate your tree. Have cutouts of your favorite tools hanging on your tree by choosing from a crescent wrench, shackle, paintbrush or scissors as well as holiday designs. Available in 3” round acrylic disks in red or clear. There’s also a BTS ghostlight and a garlanded Christmas tree with a ghostlight star etched on clear acrylic.

LED night lights are available in multi color or solid blue with your choice of a ghostlight, Christmas tree with ghostlight star, or Star of David. The holidays are just around the corner so don’t delay and add some holiday cheer to your home today!

Sign Up for the Last 2021 Mental Health First Aid Training Classes

 

| ETCP Certifiable News: Fall 2021 |

There are just a handful of opportunities left in 2021 to take the Behind the Scenes virtual Mental Health First Aid training for entertainment industry workers. Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by teaching you how to recognize the signs and symptoms that suggest a potential mental health challenge, how to listen non judgmentally and give reassurance to someone, and how to refer a person to appropriate professional support and services.

The course is delivered in two parts. The first is a 2-4 hour self-paced online course that must be completed prior to the second part which is a 6 hour virtual live instructor led session. Go to btshelp.org/mhfa to learn more and to select the date and time you wish to attend the virtual live session. Upon completing the course you will become a certified Mental Health First Aider which is valid for three years.

The registration fee is $125. IATSE Members and those working under IATSE agreements may be eligible for Training Trust Fund reimbursement upon proof of successful completion of the course. A limited number of partial and full scholarships are available to individuals not eligible for reimbursement. Private group classes of 15 -20 are available – contact mhfa@btshelp.org for information. Training for Canadians is available through the AFC at https://afchelps.ca/mhfa.

You’ll learn about the risk factors and warning signs of mental health and substance use problems including information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis and substance use; the 5-step ALGEE action plan to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or is in crisis, and the available evidence-based professional, peer and self-help resources.

Whether you are in a supervisory position or simply want to be able to assist co-workers, this training will provide you with the skills you need. The instructor is an industry veteran who brings a working knowledge of what it’s like to be in the trenches to the classes.

Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your skill sets by learning how to identify, understand and respond to signs of distress in your colleagues and help make our workplaces healthier and safer spaces for all. Visit btshelp.org/mentalhealth to see all the available tools and resources.

Order Behind the Scenes Holiday Cards by October 4th

| ETCP Certifiable News: Summer 2018 |

Holiday Cards can be ordered three ways:

Personalized Cards:
Customize your cards with your company name, logo and greeting. Personalized cards are available on orders of 250 or more cards (increments of 50). The deadline to order personalized cards is October 4th. Click here to order.

Card Packs:
Don’t feel like customizing? Need a smaller quantity? Each card is available in packages of 10. Order by October 4th to ensure on time delivery. Click here to order.

Electronic Card:
Prefer to send your holiday wishes via e-mail? All card images are available electronically and can be sent to you as a PDF, JPG or GIF file.Click here to order.

You can also download the Holiday Card Order form (PDF) and fax or email it in with your payment.

Behind the Scenes provides financial support to entertainment technology industry professionals when they are ill or injured or to their surviving dependent family members. Funds can be used for medical care, basic living costs and funeral expenses. Behind the Scenes brings help and hope in times of great need. Learn more here.

Behind the Scenes 2017 Holiday Cards Now Available

| ETCP Certifiable News: Fall 2017 |

Order Your Personalized Cards and Card Packs by September 29!

Be prepared for the holidays and choose from six designs created especially for Behind the Scenes. All proceeds benefit Behind the Scenes. Click on the images below to view a larger picture.

Holiday Cards can be ordered three ways:

Personalized Cards:
Customize your cards with your company name, logo and greeting. Personalized cards are available on orders of 250 or more cards (increments of 50). The deadline to order personalized cards is September 29. Click here to order.

Card Packs:
Don’t feel like customizing? Need a smaller quantity? Each card is available in packages of 10. Order by September 29 to ensure on time delivery. Click here to order.

Electronic Card:
Prefer to send your holiday wishes via e-mail? All card images are available electronically and can be sent to you as a PDF, JPG or GIF file. Click here to order.

You can also download the Holiday Card Order form (PDF) and fax or email it in with your payment. 

Behind the Scenes provides financial support to entertainment technology industry professionals when they are ill or injured or to their surviving dependent family members. Funds can be used for medical care, basic living costs and funeral expenses. Behind the Scenes brings help and hope in times of great need.

Spring 2017: Support the Long Reach Long Riders 2017 Charity Motorcycle Ride

| ETCP Certifiable News: Spring 2017 |

The 14th annual Long Reach Long Riders charity motorcycle ride, dubbed the “Avocado Adventure,” begins in Escondido, California on June 16th and returns to Escondido on June 25th. Twenty-nine riders and two chase cars registered for the ride.

This year’s route will give the riders a view of Southern California not found on the homes of the stars tour. Trips are planned to the Mt. Palomar observatory and through Palm Desert as well as time spent on the ever popular California Route 1.

ETCP Certified Technicians riding this year are Sam “Iron” Fisher, Bill “Stretch” Meyer, Jean Marc “Musketeer” Montmejat, Eddie “Buckwheat” Raymond, Paul “Dr. Decrepitude” Sannerud, Bill “Uncle Bill” Sapsis, Loren “Grits” Schreiber, Patrick “P-Wall” Wallace, Drew “DBAD” Wending, and Greg “Chrome” Williams.

All LRLR riders and chase car drivers are required to raise at least $1,000 to join the ride and everyone pays all of their own expenses so all of the money donated goes directly to the charity. Please support the riders of your choice by making a donation today at www.behindthescenescharity.org/lrlr!

Spring 2017: New Pledge-a-Product Partner for BTS

| ETCP Certifiable News: Spring 2017 |

Oh My Balm, which makes artisanal handcrafted body products has become a Behind the Scenes Pledge-a- Product Partner. Oh My Balm is owned by Meredith Moseley-Bennett (ETCP Certification Manager) and Yolanda Grbic (Teacher, Jersey City) of Glen Ridge, NJ, and they have pledged a percentage of the profits from their body butter called “Crew” to support the charity. This brand new product has been specifically designed for the hard-working hands of the entertainment industry and is made entirely of all natural ingredients.  In addition to supporting the charity the owners buy all of their shea butter from the non-profit Global Mamas, which works to create a life of prosperity for the women in Ghana who make the shea butter.  Purchases can be made at https://www.ohmybalm.com/

Upon announcing the pledge, Meredith Moseley-Bennett stated, “As a part of the ESTA family for the last 10 years, I have been witness to the huge difference Behind the Scenes has made in people’s lives and wanted to find a way to initiate a more sustaining contribution to help those who have run into financial woes due to illness or injury. Once I explained the purpose of the charity, my business partner agreed wholeheartedly.” 

Rick Rudolph, the Chair of Behind the Scenes, welcomed Oh My Balm as a Pledge-a- Product Partner saying, "I did not know about Shea Butter or the Global Mamas. Please take a moment to view the video to learn about them as I did. Meredith has been a huge supporter of BTS and I am very happy that she and Yolanda will be joining the program donating funds from sales of “Crew.”