In 2022 representatives involved in the working life cycle of actors met to discuss how everyone can contribute to a respectful workplace and to agree how concerns should be raised if there is inappropriate behaviour.
In attendance were representatives from Equity, UK & international broadcasters, UK producers, global streamers, the agents’ networks, Pact, screen agencies from Northern Ireland and Scotland, the Casting Directors Guild, Directors UK, intimacy co-ordinators and a media law firm. The group is committed to creating a working environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect – and bullying and harassment is not tolerated – with any issues raised swiftly responded to and action taken.
To deliver this commitment the group discussed and agreed:
- Safe casting and audition spaces: professional recruitment standards to be adopted and auditions undertaken in appropriate workspaces.
- Policies: producers to have clear respect at work policies which include a process for making and addressing concerns and complaints of bullying and harassment.
- Accessible information: information shared with cast and crew about how concerns can be raised either if they are the victim of or see inappropriate behaviour (e.g. information on call sheets and displayed in communal areas, access to support and whistleblowing helplines, details of the safeguarding contact for each production).
- Anti-bullying and harassment training: to be completed by cast and crew before they start work.
- Safeguarding contact: a suitably trained, senior member of the production team who can be contacted and who can proactively make any necessary adjustments.
- Nudity and simulated sex acts: notification to be given in advance and in writing about the scope and extent of nudity and/or simulated sex requested, followed by discussion and agreement with the artist. For scenes of an intimate nature, an intimacy co-ordinator is to be engaged if acceptable to the actors involved.
It is intrinsic to successful production that we move towards a culture in which everyone feels able to call out unacceptable behaviour and that nobody is above being challenged: no one is untouchable.
The group agreed that everyone has a responsibility for creating an inclusive and respectful culture – and that by working together we can deliver real and lasting change in the industry.
This Statement of Commitment complements the Coalition for Change’s Freelance Charter.
Signing up to this commitment are:
AMC, Apple TV+, BBC, The Casting Directors Guild, Channel 4, Channel 5, The Co-operative Personal Management Association, Disney, Equity, HBO, Intimacy Directors & Coordinators, ITV Studios, Northern Ireland Screen, Pact, Paramount, Personal Managers Association, S4C, Screen Scotland, Sky, TAC, Warner Bros.
