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Friday, October 27, 2017
SAG-AFTRA Obtains International Support for Anti-Harassment Efforts
Variety: SAG-AFTRA has obtained a declaration from the International Federation of Actors urging the industry to work with unions to achieve workplaces that are free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
I'm not entirely sure what exact real change this declaration will enact, but I am happy that SAG-AFTRA has taken such a public stand in light of all these events. Ferne Downey's statement: "We know that sexism in our industry is real. We know that there are sexual harassers who use their power to intimidate. And we know that this needs to change. And as union leaders we are taking a stand – we seek nothing less than a major cultural shift. We will develop a long term strategy towards a zero-tolerance and harassment-free work environment" hits all the right points, and is certainly a step in the right direction--but I can't help wonder, what is being don to back up this statement. Do we have any sort of timeline for this "long term strategy"? My fear is that by the time the next big thing happens and the news cycle moves on, people will forget and move on, and all we will be left with are these words and reassurances.
I really appreciate the stance that SAG-AFTRA has taken in light of the Harvey Weinstein case, but I can't help but feel that it is too little, too late. Sexual harassment and sexism in general have been a staple of the industry for as long as anyone can remember. When crews are made up of 5% women and 95% men with money and power, you have to expect a bad environment. I would love to make kind assumptions about men's ability to control themselves, but as we've seen time and time again, there's always a Harvey Weinstein there to ruin it. SAG can say all it wants that they're going to have a "zero tolerance policy," but what about when it's your leading man? What about when it's your director? What about when it's one of your largest financial backers? Hollywood is made of and motivated by money. As much as I stand with the values the union claims to have, and wish for their ability to protect the women (and men) in the industry, I am doubtful this stance will have much of an effect on people.
I disagree with Madeline just a little. I think that this is a sign that change is being made, that this problem is being acknowledged and still being talked about rather than being shoved under then carpet and forgotten again. Sincerely talking about things is what begins movements to do things. While this declaration does not mean that they have solved the problem or even have a good solution yet, it is rather a commitment to continue to talk about, to work, and to find the right solutions to deal with this problem head-on. I love the phrase from the article that Madeline points out. They have committed to creating a zero tolerance and harassment free workplace. This is much bigger and harder than it sounds. I will,be interested in seeing how they decide to approach this in the end. And how successful they are as the largest part of this is people driven and will be in wether or not people report the harassment and abuse.
In many established industries that have complex publicly traded corporations that are heavily scrutinized, unions have less importance than they once did. Companies have sophisticated HR departments that are litigation sensitive and a board of directors that is worried about stock prices. There is a clear incentive to create a positive corporate culture, which does not work as often as it should. However, Hollywood is not most industries. Many film studios and production companies are private fiefdoms ruled by a few powerful players, usually men, that have near autocratic control over the film production process. Directors are almost always unchallenged in the creative process, and many cast and crew members are one disagreement away from being left off a production. This is especially true of burgeoning and new stars. As such, it is especially important for the SAG Union and the IFA union to ensure that actors of all levels of notoriety are protected in their workplaces from predatory behavior in the film business. This news is important and a monumental one in the long process of rebuilding the reputation of an industry that has been tarnished by sexual behavior from the Harvey Weinstein’s of the world.
4 comments:
I'm not entirely sure what exact real change this declaration will enact, but I am happy that SAG-AFTRA has taken such a public stand in light of all these events. Ferne Downey's statement: "We know that sexism in our industry is real. We know that there are sexual harassers who use their power to intimidate. And we know that this needs to change. And as union leaders we are taking a stand – we seek nothing less than a major cultural shift. We will develop a long term strategy towards a zero-tolerance and harassment-free work environment" hits all the right points, and is certainly a step in the right direction--but I can't help wonder, what is being don to back up this statement. Do we have any sort of timeline for this "long term strategy"? My fear is that by the time the next big thing happens and the news cycle moves on, people will forget and move on, and all we will be left with are these words and reassurances.
I really appreciate the stance that SAG-AFTRA has taken in light of the Harvey Weinstein case, but I can't help but feel that it is too little, too late. Sexual harassment and sexism in general have been a staple of the industry for as long as anyone can remember. When crews are made up of 5% women and 95% men with money and power, you have to expect a bad environment. I would love to make kind assumptions about men's ability to control themselves, but as we've seen time and time again, there's always a Harvey Weinstein there to ruin it. SAG can say all it wants that they're going to have a "zero tolerance policy," but what about when it's your leading man? What about when it's your director? What about when it's one of your largest financial backers? Hollywood is made of and motivated by money. As much as I stand with the values the union claims to have, and wish for their ability to protect the women (and men) in the industry, I am doubtful this stance will have much of an effect on people.
I disagree with Madeline just a little. I think that this is a sign that change is being made, that this problem is being acknowledged and still being talked about rather than being shoved under then carpet and forgotten again. Sincerely talking about things is what begins movements to do things. While this declaration does not mean that they have solved the problem or even have a good solution yet, it is rather a commitment to continue to talk about, to work, and to find the right solutions to deal with this problem head-on. I love the phrase from the article that Madeline points out. They have committed to creating a zero tolerance and harassment free workplace. This is much bigger and harder than it sounds. I will,be interested in seeing how they decide to approach this in the end. And how successful they are as the largest part of this is people driven and will be in wether or not people report the harassment and abuse.
In many established industries that have complex publicly traded corporations that are heavily scrutinized, unions have less importance than they once did. Companies have sophisticated HR departments that are litigation sensitive and a board of directors that is worried about stock prices. There is a clear incentive to create a positive corporate culture, which does not work as often as it should. However, Hollywood is not most industries. Many film studios and production companies are private fiefdoms ruled by a few powerful players, usually men, that have near autocratic control over the film production process. Directors are almost always unchallenged in the creative process, and many cast and crew members are one disagreement away from being left off a production. This is especially true of burgeoning and new stars. As such, it is especially important for the SAG Union and the IFA union to ensure that actors of all levels of notoriety are protected in their workplaces from predatory behavior in the film business. This news is important and a monumental one in the long process of rebuilding the reputation of an industry that has been tarnished by sexual behavior from the Harvey Weinstein’s of the world.
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