spstactresses

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Retaliation is real.  We are still silenced.

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Please support our petition to address gender discrimination and sex abuse in Hollywood:

http://bit.ly/2zIaJW0

[spstactresses]

“Where was our Union?” - Selma Blair 

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There are other stories.  Stories I don’t tell anyone.

Me.  Too.

I auditioned for a film role in a hotel room when I was 22. The director was very forward, talking about nudity in the film, what I'd need to do to get a callback. My age and innocence worked for me-- I narrowly escaped a much more tragic situation.

There are other stories. Stories I don't tell anyone. Stories where I haven't escaped. Where nothing saved me.

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What happens behind the camera is reflected in front of the camera.  What we feed our audiences affects our culture.  It affects everything.  

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He grabbed my head and kissed me on the mouth

Here's a story, not one of the worst-- not even my worst-- but it illustrates another insidious angle on this conversation. Right after college when I was still doing the "trying to be an actress" thing, a dear male friend of mine referred me for, and I ended up getting cast as the lead in a short film that he was also acting in. I was flown to the city where the shoot was happening, had an awesome time working with some really great people on a fun little short. After my scenes were wrapped there was the classic "That's a wrap on Kaz!" The moment met with applause as I went to go change out of my costume and into my street clothes to take the cab that was coming to take me to the airport. 

While I was changing, the cinematographer knocked. I was dressed by that point so I said come in. He approached saying, Hey, I just wanted to let you know it was great to meet you, and you did a great job. I felt great and said “thanks so much!” He then came in for what I assumed was going to be a hug, but he ended up grabbing my head and kissing me on the mouth. 

I looked at him stunned afterwards. He grinned and said, "I've been wanting to do that all week." Then walked out of the room. Shaken, I walked back out through the house to more hugs and high fives, grabbing my male friend's hand and dragging him out to the waiting cab with me. He asked me if everything was okay. I said no, and told him what happened. He looked at me quizzically and said something to the effect of, "But that's really sweet!" I can't remember what I said in response, I think I said something to the effect of "No, it wasn't sweet, it was really fucked up" and my male friend said something like, "Oh, i'm sorry," then I got in the cab and headed to the airport and that was that. 

Guys - you have to do better.

Kaz Phillips is and acclaimed writer and director.  She teaches in the Film Department at Princeton University.  She is bravely choosing to speak out and offer encouragement to other women looking for strength.

[spstactresses]

I was fired for calling out sexual assault on set of Law & Order ...SVU. Ironic?

It was early in my career and I had booked a week long gig on what was at the time one of the only TV shows shooting in NYC. My first job in Television.

There was another young woman on set who confided in me over lunch that one of the senior member of crew had been making unwanted advances and had kissed her on the mouth before we broke for meal. I told her unequivocally that what happened to her was not ok and urged her to tell someone. Another female crew member overheard and told us not to say anything because he’d just lost his wife the year before and was grieving. I told her that losing his wife was tragic, but that it did not make this assault ok and that we needed to be vocal about it.

The girl who was assaulted got scared after the crew member interjected and asked me not to say anything to anyone. I agreed and told her I would try to stay with her so she wouldn’t find herself alone with or cornered by him again.

The next morning I got a call that I would not be needed back on set that week. I was never called for television work again.

There is a ubiquitous culture of silence and of sexism in this industry. It is at all levels. There are real consequences for speaking up, there are real consequences for saying no. We’re hearing more about the deep consequences we bear for being unable to say no.

If you’re curious which show it was: Law & Order SVU. Ironic?

#SPSTA #shitpeoplesaytoactresses #metoo

[spstactresses]

He stuck his hand down my pants in an audition

I was a dancer.  Early in my acting career, I was called to an audition for a dance film.  The director seemed very interested in my work and sent me a personal message.  When I arrived for the audition, no one else was in the room.  He said he was conducting preliminary auditions personally before bringing in Producers.  He video recorded the audition.  

Dance is always physical,  is sometimes sensual, even sexual.  When there is partner work, it of course involves touching.  I was informed that the scene was about desire.  I was required to improvise for the audition.  I performed then the director then said that he’d like to work with me on camera.  He began to “dance” with me, closely, intimately.  He moved his hands over my body, grabbed both of my breasts, then put his hand inside my pants and tried to fondle my genitals.  

I pulled myself away and left without a word.  I never danced again.  

[spstactresses]

“He pushed me inside, rammed me up against a coat rack. He was trying to kiss me and shove me inside.” 

#ShitPeopleSaytoActresses #SPSTA #metoo

[spstactresses]

If you are in the industry and have been sexually harassed or assaulted, you are not without support and resources. 

1). Know we are with you

2). Talk to someone you know and trust

3). Follow this link with support resources from Women in Film and contact us if you need further support

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- Do you think there are others, like that, in your industry in Hollywood? - Of course. - Many? - Many. - To that degree? (x)

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Bjork speaks of her experience of harassment in the film industry

It was extremely clear to me when I walked into the actresses profession that my humiliation and role as a lesser sexually harassed being was the norm and set in stone with the director and a staff of dozens who enabled it and encouraged it

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/bjork-details-danish-directors-sexual-harassment-toward-her-w509026

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"He had A LOT of power, to make or break careers, to buy silence and to bury stories that embarrassed him"