Feelings are decidedly mixed about whether they feel safe even reporting an incident. Numerous sources say they believe that, particularly with a bankable actor or filmmaker, the production will look the other way. “Realistically, you may have to be willing to jettison your career to break through these behaviors that have been in place for a very long time,” says one source in editorial.
Some say they would feel safe reporting an incident to their union, but others sources say they believe this approach is “useless.” Women interviewed for this story were also mixed on whether they would report an incident to HR while on a production. “There is a good chance that person would know it was me and it would affect my career, so unless it was something major I probably would not,” admitted one source in production.
Another, a department head in physical production, says, “The young generation of men and women, I think, are much more aware. One would hope the next generation will be more enlightened. I don’t think [abuse is] as outward anymore. But it’s there.”
I was just thinking about the horror of women being harassed and thinking, “You know what would perfectly illustrate this painful concept? A kooky, angry cartoon rape whistle and a shocked slate (despite the fact the slate knew all along and stayed silent). Well played, THR!