So fucking angry that this is the experience of so many. Can we gather together a group of people who are not assholes and make fun projects people want to see? My favorite thing is collaboration and sharing the fruits of that. Takes a village etc.
Thanks for sharing it, Rebecca. All I can say is that it seems to be a universal experience. I have 20 years of experience as Exec Producer here in Brazil and I can relate with every word that you wrote. It's the same toxic environment.
A great read, Rebecca. Thanks for writing. Every day is a battle, it would seem, and every day, I have to remind myself that working in film was my dream. It feels like a daily challenge, but I'd rather this than not dream.
I painfully related to some of the examples you gave here. And I have the conversation with my parents often about if I "had less rigid morals" I might be more successful. But I want to enjoy any success that comes or that I earn. This just really hit me this morning reading this. As always, thank you.
Speaking truth is powerful. This piece made me furious. I'm sorry you've had to deal with all that, with what MANY minority groups have had to deal with in this industry. Is it worth it? Idk. We define our life, we choose our values. Maybe easier said than done, but I DO believe in a better way, and as both a Producer who hires and sets the tone of set, and as a new Intimacy Coordinator, I can play a part in how the future of our biz looks. We support you in this - you're not alone.
This is a great post. I've been in the industry (production side mostly) for 20+ years and have seen and heard things that, as my wife has said on numerous occasions, very few other industries would tolerate as much as the film industry. In my humble opinion, three words you wrote speak to who you are and put you in a class very few are part of in this business. Referring to "a friend advised me to keep my mouth shut, that they all did it, and it would only hurt my career", you wrote, "I didn't listen". Dont ever stop being that person...
I look at how money in this industry, and many others, rules the day. That is why I could never work in the so-called industry. I was always on the outside, not looking in, but striving to produce product that could not only change the industry, but uplift, inspire and make audiences feel that anything was possible. Recently, we made a film about running for the office of President of the U.S., but made it apolitical, with people working on the project from the far right to the far left. I have learned that solutions only come about if everyone works together towards a common goal. Compromise only leads towards putting off a real solution, both sides not really happy with the results, and the problem only festers in a kind of purgatory for an extended period of time. Let's all work together to make a rapid evolution in the entertainment industry and maybe, just maybe we can help make the world a better place at same time.
It's unfortunate that all too many of us can relate to this. So many women, often being the smartest and most experienced on a project are so often marginalized by the men on the show who just by their level of testosterone can claim bragging rights to a woman's ideas and hard work. I think the hardest realization is that as a woman in this business there is still so little loyalty or recognition of our efforts during and after the success of a show. And yet we persevere. At the end of the day, I know what I accomplished. And sometimes that's what makes all the difference.
So fucking angry that this is the experience of so many. Can we gather together a group of people who are not assholes and make fun projects people want to see? My favorite thing is collaboration and sharing the fruits of that. Takes a village etc.
Thanks for sharing it, Rebecca. All I can say is that it seems to be a universal experience. I have 20 years of experience as Exec Producer here in Brazil and I can relate with every word that you wrote. It's the same toxic environment.
A great read, Rebecca. Thanks for writing. Every day is a battle, it would seem, and every day, I have to remind myself that working in film was my dream. It feels like a daily challenge, but I'd rather this than not dream.
Devastating that bad behavior is normalized. Beautifully written Rebecca!! And cheers to more Ethos!
I love this so much, Rebecca! Sharing it with my students. I'm sorry you've been treated so poorly. Thank you for writing this.
I painfully related to some of the examples you gave here. And I have the conversation with my parents often about if I "had less rigid morals" I might be more successful. But I want to enjoy any success that comes or that I earn. This just really hit me this morning reading this. As always, thank you.
Speaking truth is powerful. This piece made me furious. I'm sorry you've had to deal with all that, with what MANY minority groups have had to deal with in this industry. Is it worth it? Idk. We define our life, we choose our values. Maybe easier said than done, but I DO believe in a better way, and as both a Producer who hires and sets the tone of set, and as a new Intimacy Coordinator, I can play a part in how the future of our biz looks. We support you in this - you're not alone.
This is a great post. I've been in the industry (production side mostly) for 20+ years and have seen and heard things that, as my wife has said on numerous occasions, very few other industries would tolerate as much as the film industry. In my humble opinion, three words you wrote speak to who you are and put you in a class very few are part of in this business. Referring to "a friend advised me to keep my mouth shut, that they all did it, and it would only hurt my career", you wrote, "I didn't listen". Dont ever stop being that person...
I look at how money in this industry, and many others, rules the day. That is why I could never work in the so-called industry. I was always on the outside, not looking in, but striving to produce product that could not only change the industry, but uplift, inspire and make audiences feel that anything was possible. Recently, we made a film about running for the office of President of the U.S., but made it apolitical, with people working on the project from the far right to the far left. I have learned that solutions only come about if everyone works together towards a common goal. Compromise only leads towards putting off a real solution, both sides not really happy with the results, and the problem only festers in a kind of purgatory for an extended period of time. Let's all work together to make a rapid evolution in the entertainment industry and maybe, just maybe we can help make the world a better place at same time.
thank you for writing this.
Luvvv you and all that you are, mz. rebecca! Thank you for your guiding light in these times. xoxo
Well said. Thank you the daily does of moral direction.
It's unfortunate that all too many of us can relate to this. So many women, often being the smartest and most experienced on a project are so often marginalized by the men on the show who just by their level of testosterone can claim bragging rights to a woman's ideas and hard work. I think the hardest realization is that as a woman in this business there is still so little loyalty or recognition of our efforts during and after the success of a show. And yet we persevere. At the end of the day, I know what I accomplished. And sometimes that's what makes all the difference.
Thank you Rebecca.