After the Producer's Guild of America revealed an updated set of anti-sexual harassment guidelines on Friday, it's been announced that the WONDER WOMAN sequel will be the first film to adopt and enforce the new policy.
You can read the statement released by the PGA regarding sexual harassment in the Hollywood workplace, and how the new guidelines will serve to create a safer environment for all involved below:
“While the PGA is a voluntary membership organization, the PGA’s Anti-Sexual Harassment Guidelines are sanctioned as best practices for our members. The PGA is indebted to Time’s Up as a resource in creating our protocols. We will continue to work with them, the industry-wide Commission led by Anita Hill, and other organizations in our community until sexual harassment is eliminated from the entertainment workplace.”
For more on the new rules, you can read the PGA's extended take on the new policies below:
“We are in a transitional moment as a society, in which we are re-evaluating behavior in the workplace and beyond,” the statement asserted. “Producers possess authority both on and off the set, and can provide key leadership in creating and sustaining work environments that are built on mutual respect. Ultimately, prevention is the key to eliminating sexual harassment in the workplace. Through sufficient resources we can educate our members and their teams. Together we must model our commitment to a workplace free of harassment and encourage colleagues to do the same.”
The PGA’s first recommendation: “First and foremost, all productions comply with federal and state laws regarding harassment. If you are uncertain about the nature of the law, please consult with your in-house legal department (if you have one) or with an attorney.”
The guild is also recommending that each production provide in-person anti-sexual harrassment training for all members of the cast and crew prior to coming aboard the project. Additionally, individuals must attend the seminar before the start of every season of a television production or film series:
“Effective training should not be simply focused on avoiding legal liability, but must be part of a culture of respect that starts at the top,” it said. “Such training takes different forms and styles; make certain that the training you utilize is tailored to your specific production and its needs. Producers should ensure that the individual trainer has experience providing training in the area of sexual harassment laws and that all levels of management are present at the training in order to demonstrate the production’s commitment to the policy.”
Furthermore, each production is now responsible for offering reporting procedures to their employees that provide an array of methods and multiple points-of-contact, including contracts at different levels within the organizaation as well as in different workplaces, geographically speaking.
“We suggest designating at least two (2) individuals, ideally of different genders, that cast/crew members can approach if they are subject to or witness harassment,” the PGA stated.
“If a cast or crew member reports an incident of harassment, assume the complainant is being sincere until further inquiry can be undertaken, while bearing in mind that the report itself does not predetermine guilt,” it said. “Reassure the reporting party that the production takes harassment very seriously and that s/he will face no retaliation for reporting. The production should move quickly to address the allegations or engage a third party to do so, allowing for as much transparency as can be provided.”
Additionally, the PGA producers will need to remain vigilant regarding any possibility of retaliation against an employee who reports harassment and take steps to ensure that such retaliation does not fall by the wayside.
“Producers should be sensitive to interpersonal power dynamics and the way even their casual questions or requests may carry implicit authority,” it added. “We recommend that producers conduct all meetings and/or casting sessions in an environment that is professional, safe and comfortable for all parties, and encourage others on the production to adhere to these same standards.”
Appropriately enough, it's been stated that the production of WONDER WOMAN 2 will work to enforce the new rules to the letter. The announcement came by way of Vanity Fair Hollywood Correspondent, Rebecca Keegan, who tweeted:
After disassociating itself with producer Brett Ratner due to allegations of sexual harassment, the Amazonian princess herself, Gal Gadot, issued a statement which confirmed Ratner's banishment from the project.
“At the end of the day, a lot has been written about my views and the way that I feel, and everyone knows the way that I feel because I’m not hiding anything,” Gadot said. “But the truth is, there’s so many people involved in making this movie, and they all echo the same sentiments. Everyone knew what was the right thing to do. But there was nothing for me to actually come and say because it was already done before this article came out.”
Shortly thereafter, while still having the ear of the people, Gadot delivered another message to those who've yet to get on board with the MeToo and TimesUp movements: "I'm just going to say, 'Misogynist sexists, your wrath upon this world is over,'" Gadot said.
While drawing up new anti-sexual harassment rules is an admirable gesture, true change will have to come from the individuals who agree to the industry-altering terms, and strive to lead by example. At the beginning and end of everyday, all people deserve a safe working environment, and to be treated as equals among their peers. Here's hoping that 2018 is marked as the year when equality among others takes some very large strides in a positive direction.