Corrective measure
A COALITION of Hollywood’s biggest companies has created a survey to examine systemic bias and abuse of power in the entertainment industry, a step toward remedying decades of inequality in one of the world’s cultural capitals.
The Hollywood Commission, led by the anti-harassment activist Anita Hill and counting as members the largest talent agencies, movie studios and record labels, is seeking input from anyone who works in or has sought work in the entertainment industry – a pool of potential respondents in the tens of thousands.
The commission is counting on partners like studios, networks and agencies to distribute the survey, and it is publicising the website itself. Performers like actors and dancers as well as behind-the-scenes workers like makeup artists and drivers will have four weeks to answer questions about their experience in what the commission says is the first industry-wide survey of its culture.
The #Metoo movement that has swept the world over the past few years was catalysed by a series of high-profile cases in Hollywood, including allegations of rape against film producer Harvey Weinstein and sexual predation by former CBS Corp chief executive officer Leslie Moonves.
“Due to the heroic and brave work of many, we all now know there are serious problems of harassment, bias and mistreatment of others in Hollywood,” said Hill, the chair of the Hollywood Commission.
She has become a leader of the movement to root out sexual harassment in the workplace since 1991, when she testified in Senate confirmation hearings that she had been sexually harassed by Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. Her story has been made into a documentary and a dramatic film.
In part to address harassment in the industry, Hollywood leaders have pledged to improve diversity in the executive ranks and on screen. They have made progress.
Women and people of colour directed more than half of all TV episodes in the 2018-2019 TV season, the first time that has ever happened, according to the Directors Guild of America.
But the industry is still lagging on many fronts. Female actors are still paid less than their male counterparts, and women constitute a small minority of directors, editors, composers and cinematographers. Some men accused of misdeeds have gone back to work quickly.
Many of the men and women who have made allegations against powerful people over the past few years have said they were reluctant to do so for fear of retribution.
The survey will be anonymous to protect the identities of respondents.
It asks respondents whether they have experienced inappropriate behaviours like being humiliated at work, or being threatened for not complying with sexual advances.
It also asks whether employers have made clear what behaviours are unacceptable and how to share concerns.
The Ethics & Compliance
Initiative, a collaboration of nonprofits, will conduct the survey. The Hollywood Commission plans to release a report on the data in 2020. – Bloomberg News/tribune News Service