Welcome. That’s how these things start, right? It’s hard for me to find the beginning. I’ve been wanting to write a blog for years; one of those back of the to-do list far-fetched dreams I can be known for having, well, one too many of. Like so many before me, I haven’t jumped into it because of well, fear. Fear of vulnerability. Fear of saying something that could inadvertently harm my career. Fear of my current boss reading my blog; and finding out I have something to say that he doesn’t approve of.
But the frustration of having all of these thoughts boiling inside me has grown too strong. I must release the frustration by blasting my thoughts to all who stumble across this blog; with the hope that I can change just one- or two-people’s approach to and perspective on the day to day management of physical production teams in the film and television industry.
Just what is my mission? As stated above, I am on a quest to effect change in the on-set production culture of the television and film industry.
As of this writing, we know that the physical production environment is toxic. The #metoo movement was launched by the transgressions of one our previously most celebrated Producers. While his behavior was to an extreme, he was the role model that gave permission to many others to engage in similarly toxic – from sexual harassment to bullying – behaviors on their own production sets. We’re also painfully aware that we do not employ diverse teams; and that men outnumber women in both below the line and above the line positions.
I believe we can do better, and, I believe that change will come from amongst those of us who have worked in the physical production environment. One of my superpowers is to focus on the “underlying” problem when confronted with conflict; and I have an ability to uncover innovative solutions to complex problems. I believe that through examining some of the cultural norms of on set production we will uncover many of the underlying issues that have led to our toxic production work environments. It is structural and cultural, otherwise it would not be endemic to almost every set we work on.
Simply changing the “person in power” does little to change the effects of this normalized culture. My purpose here is to analyze these issues and how they produce a work culture in which toxic behavior thrives; and in doing so, to offer points of reflection and discussion for how we can build a better on set culture.
Lynn Hylden 