My name is Diego Salazar and I am a screenwriter who is residing at the Hollywood Arts Collective: a “low income” development partnership between the Entertainment Community Fund and Thomas Saffran & Associates.

Two years ago we signed up to apply for the “collective” in the hopes of finding a haven for struggling industry workers for a new place with affordable rent, assistance services and creative events that serve not only ourselves but the city of Hollywood.

That dream has now set sail.

We were subjected to a rigorous interview process which confirmed our involvement in the industry and were told that the rent wouldn’t increase on a dramatic basis. Yet less than one fiscal year later we were slammed with a startling 7% increase AND guaranteed rent hikes every year moving forward. We were only paying $100 BELOW the market price for the area. The Hollywood Arts Collective is a scam.

We are asking for assistance to break free from our lease while we begin an investigation and prepare to take legal action. For those who survived both the writers and animators strikes, your support is greatly appreciated. We hope that the entertainment industry recovers from these tumultuous times and that we can continue to fight for our rights, so that we can create independently and together in the future.

Any help is appreciated.

From a fellow screenwriter and digital animator, we thank you.