In spite of much of the entertainment industry grinding to a halt this spring, important progress has been made and maintained. TIME’S UP Foundation has continued its work to champion initiatives in the entertainment industry in its determination to create a stronger, safer work environment for industry professionals.

This year marked the debut of the TIME’S UP Guide to Working in Entertainment, aimed at fighting sexual harassment by educating those in positions of authority and empowering workers with the necessary resources to protect their rights. The three-volume series includes information for actors with Your Rights in Nude and Intimate Scenes and Your Rights in Auditions, as well as information for all industry professionals with Your Right to Report. These guides continue to be a trusted and widely shared resource in the industry.

In addition to its ongoing efforts to advocate for female directors, through the 4% Challenge, TIME’S UP launched a PSA, narrated by Ava DuVernay, that highlights below-the-line jobs and amplifies opportunities for women in the industry at every level. The PSA, which played in theaters across the U.S., is accompanied by resources on the TIME’S UP website that provide information about the relevant positions and practical avenues for those looking to get proper training or join an appropriate union.

TIME’S UP has also worked to bolster opportunities for diverse filmmakers, critics, and reporters. The organization partnered with USC’s Dr. Stacey L. Smith on its recent study Inclusion at Film Festivals, which revealed that having women of color programmers on staff resulted in better representation of diverse filmmakers. Meanwhile, CRITICAL, TIME’S UP’s press initiative, has more than tripled its database membership since it launched and now includes over 720 entertainment critics and journalists from underrepresented groups.

To further diversify the pathway to leadership among the executive and producer ranks, TIME’S UP’s pilot mentoring program, Who’s in the Room, saw 91% of its mentees receive promotions within nine months of the year-long program.

Beyond the entertainment industry, TIME’S UP has continued its efforts to promote safe, fair and dignified work through initiatives and campaigns across industries. For example, this spring, it premiered the TIME’S UP Guide to Equity and Inclusion During Crisis. Aimed at leadership, this guide serves to empower employers to build anti-racist and anti-sexist workplaces, equalize the workforce and care for workers during times of crisis.

Meanwhile, the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund continues to provide legal resources and public relations support to survivors of sexual harassment, discrimination and related retaliation, thus far serving over 5,000 people.

So while it may feel like the industry is limping slowly back to its feet, it’s important to remember that there is still significant work being done. Important progress being made. TIME’S UP is just one organization doing the vital work of redefining the industry, so that when we are back in full force, the entertainment industry will hopefully be comprised of stronger, safer, more equitable workplaces for all.

Photo Credit: TIME’S UP Foundation

The post TIME’S UP: Pushing for Safety, Equity and Power in Entertainment first appeared on Casting Networks.

The post TIME’S UP: Pushing for Safety, Equity and Power in Entertainment appeared first on Casting Networks.

This is largely due to the #MeToo campaign several years back and widespread revelations of workplace sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry and beyond, which sparked the TIME’S UP movement. In an effort to connect actors and artists across the film and theatre industries with resources to keep everyone safe and aware of their rights, Casting Networks has been working with TIME’S UP Foundation (TIME’S UP). In addition to sending over 1.1 million emails sharing the  TIME’S UP Guide to Working In Entertainment to our professional network, Casting Networks has pledged to include this Guide in our onboarding materials provided to new members.  

Casting Networks has already committed a series of editorial pieces highlighting TIME’S UP issues impacting the Casting Networks community, and we will be outlining additional resources and actor experiences here on this blog. Our aim is to raise awareness about the TIME’S UP Guide to Working In Entertainment in order to empower artists with knowledge regarding how to prevent and address sexual harassment.  

Silence, thankfully, has at last gone out of style. We hope to encourage a culture of open and respectful communication, backed by access to tangible resources. In a time when the industry has a lot of unexpected time for reflection, we hope this will strengthen the shaping of a safer, stronger future for all.

What exactly is TIME’S UP?

TIME’S UP is an independent and non-partisan charitable organization, aimed at ensuring the safety and equal opportunities of all, and specifically focused on promoting the kind of gender equity shamefully lacking in our industry. Its entertainment group works with partners and leaders across the industry to prevent workplace harassment and address systemic inequity (https://timesupfoundation.org/entertainment). And they don’t stop at the entertainment industry. With eyes ever on the horizon, TIME’S UP is working for change in healthcare and advertising as well.

But it’s not just good intentions. Buoyed by the TIME’S UP Foundation, the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund was launched in 2018 to provide legal support to survivors seeking justice for sexual harassment and retaliation. If something has happened to you at work you can request a free legal consultation at https://timesupfoundation.org/find-help/. You can also request Public Relations support through the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund. 

For more information:

To access the TIME’S UP Guide to Working In Entertainment (Volumes 1-3 cover topics such as Reporting Options, Rights Within Auditions, Rights Within Intimate, Nude and Sex Scenes):

●       Visit www.timesupfoundation.org/entertainment

●       Text SAFESETS to 30644

Knowledge is power. The industry is changing, and so, thankfully, are the resources available to those who seek justice and equity. Visit timesupfoundation.org/entertainment and explore some of these resources. Spread the word far and wide. While this is merely a brief overview, our intent is to educate and empower artists to self-advocate, advocate for others, and know where to turn for help. Follow TIME’S UP on Twitter and Instagram to learn how you can get involved.

Our industry hasn’t always been there for you. As far as we’ve come, it can still feel like a very lonely battlefield, especially for women and people of color. Now is the time to take control, stand together and be heard. We have more resources than ever to help us shape the industry into a fairer, safer place for all. Time is up for bigotry, harassment and limited opportunity. I look forward to this partnership with TIME’S UP and I am eager to be an active participant in the change to follow.

The post Introducing TIME’S UP Foundation in Partnership with Casting Networks® first appeared on Casting Networks.

The post Introducing TIME’S UP Foundation in Partnership with Casting Networks® appeared first on Casting Networks.