FIGHT FOR YOUR WRITES: WGA Union Members and their Family and Friends Invited to Free Boxing Training and Demo on the WGA Picket Line at CBS Television City on August 4 from 10AM to 12PM PDT
A free boxing training and demo is taking place on the WGA picket line outside of CBS Television City (7800 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036) on Friday to help strikers raise their spirits, get out some aggression, and have fun learning a new skill. Attendees—which are expected to include Frank Grillo, Pej Vahdaht, Eric Balfour, and more—are encouraged to dress up in old-school athletic gear to pay homage to fight- and sports-themed entertainment, but free headbands and wristbands will be available, along with tacos from HomeState.
This special event is organized by award-winning WGA/SAG-AFTRA member Stephanie Sanditz (@stephaniesanditz) and veteran boxer and coach Dave Gilmore (@coach_dave_boxing) in solidarity with and support of the ongoing industry strikes. Gilmore and his assistants will be on the picket line with a stand-up dummy target and an array of speed and punching bags.
Regarding the strike, Sanditz says, “I am proud to have been making a living entertaining people as a member of SAG and WGA for nearly two decades. It’s been a long, persistent battle that has been incredibly beautiful and rewarding, but also hard work. Our community has unified in hopes that the films and series we make for the companies that profit off them will collectively recognize our value and treat (and pay) us fairly. I want to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”
Gilmore says, “I’ve been training people in the industry here in LA for more than 20 years. Everyone from pro fighters and high-level amateurs to Hollywood’s roll call of actors, writers, directors, producers, and agents. As a result, I have many dear friends affected by this work stoppage. I stand in solidarity with them as they merely seek fair wages and working conditions through the strike. I’m simply trying to spread all the positive vibes I can, to as many people as I can, through the sport I love.”
Sanditz began training with Gilmore when she was hired to write a boxing film during the pandemic, but he has since become a mentor and friend, teaching her about resilience and the importance of taking back your power in the face of inner and outer demons. She has now written three hope-filled movies about underdogs who were forced to fight for what is right, and eventually achieve victory against all odds because they never gave up, no matter how uneven the playing field.
Sanditz concludes, “We can’t stop now. We have so many more stories to tell and so much fight left to give. It’s time for those who do the work to get what they deserve!”
For those wishing to attend, more information is available here.