We need to normalize being able to say: how you’re behaving towards me &/or how you’re speaking to me is unnacceptable in a professional environment, especially one so hierarchical as film/tv. Basic respect and accountability need to be the norm.

The difference in behaviour I experienced as a runner vs casting was eye opening. As a runner, I had hot coffee spat on my face by a producer/actor because it was ‘the wrong milk’. How do you report a lead actor who is also the producer. I was bullied by 3 actresses in their late

60s for weeks. It was only when a female producer overheard how they were speaking to me, did she step in, appalled, & called the Casting Director to make them aware. One of these women didnt make the connection a few years later that I was now the person auditioning her.

For 6 weeks a ‘national treasure’ screamed, complained and was just plain vile to the point the runners used to draw strawers to who would have to knock on his trailer & endure the daily abuse. Things are changing, but a complaints box, online training exercise cant catch the

Moments that lead to it getting really bad. The moments you dismiss, endure, the parts that ‘arent worth reporting’ because you dont want to make a fuss, and dont want to get fired. Respect in the workplace is the most basic thing we need to get right.

We are so lucky to do the jobs that we do in this industry of make believe. Exhaustion, pay disparity, hierarchy, palpable power are not going to change. Tolerating unprofessional behaviour certainly needs to.