Local 706 - The Artisan

Winter 2018

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4 • THE ARTISAN WINTER 2018 The New York Times recently ran an article about "The Powerful Women Unveil Anti-Harassment Action Plan in Hollywood." It was a grand plan to "affect cultural change in the workforce and driven by outrage and a resolve to correct a power imbalance that seemed intractable just months ago, 300 prominent actresses and female agents, writers, directors, producers and entertainment executives have formed an ambitious, sprawling initiative to fight systemic sexual harassment in Hollywood and in blue collar workplaces nationwide." By "blue collar," they were referring to janitors, nurses, farmwork- ers, factory workers, restaurant and hotel employees. Notice anything about the "Time's Up" movement? No one has connected with the IATSE or the Teamsters, at least not that I've read. One might ask why we are not included? We have been sub- jected to decades of harassment and silence was a condition of employment. It was a different time, a different generation, a different way of dealing with our problems. Every woman I know and many of the men, have endured the same type of harassment, intimidation and coercion, even riding on the coattails of that worn-out phrase "production friendly." There actually is another movement—the Anita Hill Commission on Sexual Harassment and Advancing Equality in the Workplace. This commission "will not seek just one solution, but a comprehensive strategy to address the com- plex and inter-related causes of the problems of parity and power." Anita Hill stated, "This moment presents us with an unprecedented opportunity to make real change." As opposed to the other movements, the Anita Hill Commission has integrated the IATSE into not only a conversation, but active movements toward a solution. The IA is sitting at the table. This commis- sion will soon be reconvening to define its mission, scope and priorities. We are entertainment workers who have been (non-consensually) groped, squeezed, intimidated, undercut and blackmailed and told to suck it up to be considered for the next job. The crafts have been subjected to as many problems as the higher profile women in film and television, the studio executives, the actors, writers and producers. In my opinion, it's not enough to have a seminar, it's not enough to make a declaration of how we are equal. Because I lived it and so many have as well, I know it's difficult to say no, but you must. I chose not to be a victim, I learned to use my voice to get the job done, but not everyone has the same mettle or resilience. You do have your union representatives and your own brothers and sisters to stand by you, to be your support, to be witnesses. Studios, theater companies and theme parks have HR departments and they are there to be utilized. Be vocal when you are wronged, immediately and directly resist the person who has created the problem without hostility; stop them in their tracks but know that you do have a place to go if it doesn't work or if you feel there will be retaliation. No one is saying you shouldn't be able to take a little ribbing or sarcasm, or a little innuendo now and then. This is the entertainment industry and we are all artists. Some people can roll with the punches, some are hypersensitive. Some don't have the common sense to edit themselves and realize what not to say. Realize that this is a serious situation and everyone from film moguls to legislators to the lowest people on the totem pole are being targeted without due process and have been terminated solely reliant upon accusations. Film, television and theater artisans are losing their jobs because someone they worked with committed offensive behavior. It was difficult getting into the union and it took resilience, perseverance, determination and talent. If you feel that you are in a compromising situation, use common sense and get out safely, but again know that we've got your back. The only way we can create cultural change in our industry is to shake it up, but we must do it safely with determination. SuSan Cabral-EbErt President Supervising Editor JEff angEll Contributing Writers SuSan Cabral-EbErt tommy ColE randy SayEr daniEl CurEt Publisher inglEdodd mEdia Office Manager Kathy Sain Mailing List Manager dianE burnS The Artisan is published quarterly by Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists, I.A.T.S.E. Local 706, 828 No. Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505 Phone (818) 295-3933. Fax 818-295-3930 All editorial and photo submissions should be sent to email address: susan@ialocal706.org Advertising: IngleDodd Media (310) 207-4410 muahs@IngleDodd.com www.IngleDoddMedia.com Officers of I.A.T.S.E. Local 706 President Susan Cabral-Ebert Vice President Julie Socash Recording Secretary Vanessa Dionne Secretary-Treasurer John E. Jackson Sergeant-at-Arms Barbara Dally Business Representative Tommy Cole Official Magazine of Hollywood Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists. Published in the Interest of ALL the Members of Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists I.A.T.S.E. Local 706 FROM THE PRESIDENT The only way we can create cultural change in our industry is to shake it up... " "

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