Summary

The author expresses outrage over the lack of accountability and responsibility among businesses in the entertainment industry, particularly concerning the welfare and safety of actors, including minors, in the face of potential exploitation and danger.

Abstract

The article conveys the author's frustration with the prevalent disregard for actor welfare in the TV and film industry. The author, who enjoys working as an extra, points out that the excitement of the industry is often exploited by companies that demand inappropriate and unsafe conditions, such as unvetted nude scenes and auditions in private locations. The author highlights the failure of industry platforms like Mandy, Backstage, and Star Now to properly vet opportunities, creating environments where predators can operate. A specific incident is mentioned where an agency sent young people, including minors, to work with a convicted paedophile, dismissing concerns and prioritizing their reputation and financial interests over the safety of the individuals involved. The author calls for a collective stand against such unethical practices, emphasizing the need for moral and legal accountability to ensure the physical and mental well-being of vulnerable individuals in the industry.

Opinions

The author is deeply troubled by the systemic lack of responsibility taken by companies in the acting industry for the welfare of actors.
Companies exploit the excitement and opportunity of the acting world to impose unsafe and inappropriate demands on actors.
Industry websites are criticized for not adequately vetting opportunities, which can lead to exploitation by predators.
A serious concern is raised about an agency's negligence in sending young people and minors to work with a convicted paedophile, showing a disregard for their safety.

Businesses Need To Be Held Accountable

It’s Time To Fight Back

I write this article in a flood of anger. It seeps through me, and I have to direct it somewhere, so to the internet I go.

I am sick of injustice and companies not being held responsible and today hit a new low for me.

I like to be an extra on TV and films in my spare time. I find the world fun and exciting, and I would like to do more acting.

My only issue with that world is the lack of responsibility companies will take for your welfare. I understand this is a problem among most businesses, but in the world of acting, it just hits a little differently. The attitude is that you should be excited to get any opportunity and you should be prepared to do anything, as all those successful actors did before you.

The issue is that this then allows companies to ask anything of you.

Meet me in a dark wood with complete strangers to do nude scenes.

The auditions are in my basement, and you need to be in underwear.

This film will mostly be sex scenes and there are no coordinators.

If you don’t jump, then they label you a non-serious, dedicated actress and they find someone who is prepared to do these things. People don’t get paid at best, but at worst, they are attacked. And before you ask, yes, those are genuine and very common requests.

Websites like Mandy, Backstage and Star Now do not check or vet these posts, making it a great opportunity for predators to hunt and find vulnerable prey.

However, today a new concern was raised when a legitimate, longstanding extras agency provided numerous young people (some minors) for a production where the lead was a convicted paedophile who was widely reported, to have used a similar method to find his previous victims before being convicted and given too short a prison sentence.

I wasn't there, so I'm sharing what I've heard while being careful not to interfere with any potential investigation.

Some extras have said that the minute they got onto the set, red flags were waving in front of their face like it was a parade. They contacted their agency, who said it was not their problem. Afraid they would not get paid or supported if they spoke up, they remained silent and did their job.

It was only after the fact that people learned the main actor was a convicted paedophile and this then affected them difficult. How close were those children to being attacked, to having their lives destroyed? How they were in the mouth of a shark with no knowledge about it.

Many of them complained to the agency, which shrugged off their concerns and simply said it was not their fault.

This company failed them and, what is worse, they were not even apologetic about it. No guilt. No concern. No action.

They had received calls on the day from frightened and uncomfortable children and young people and refused to act. They refused to investigate; they refused to protect those children from a predator, all to maintain their name, relationships and, more importantly, their money.

Companies need to take ownership of their mistakes. They have a moral and legal obligation to our welfare, both mentally and physically, and how any company can leave children to fend for themselves is disgusting and unforgivable. How can one even comprehend not caring about this? Not wanting to help stand up for the vulnerable?

It is time for us to get mad and say no more. It is time for us to stand up against all dodgy businesses. Safety could be a basic request for workers, not something we fight for, but here we are.

So sharpen your pitchforks, guys, and light those torches. We just declared war!