The Film Industry is full of talented and wonderful people. It is also full of talented, strange, dishonest and creepy people. An unfortunate fact.
For the past few months, I have been hearing stories from female actors and respected directors who have had actors come to them about male amateur directors/producers using facebook to seek out young girls/women to star in their films and constantly trying to chat to them online. The women feel like they are being stalked and don't really know what to do. This is very concerning to me, as I am aware that they could be using such groups as the Perth Film Network to find and contact girls. These Directors/Producers are in PERTH
So I felt it was time that I write a blog, which is mainly aimed at young women, on how to stay safe and smart with online networking and in general in the Perth Film Scene.
ONLINE PREDATORS
Definition: An online predator is an adult Internet user who exploits vulnerable children/teens or young adults, usually for sexual or other abusive purposes.
Predatory behaviour in the film world is usually recognised by someone who approaches or contacts an individual they don’t know and then continuously communicates with them to develop their trust. They will big note themselves and their achievements and then offer opportunities to either star in their film or model for them, in which they are usually exploited for their talent or sexually and are not paid with the promise that the film with be “Awesome”. They will usually speak sexually in general chat conversations, but not always.
On facebook, there is a pattern emerging. This is an example of how a lot of men are managing to become friends with young girls or women they don’t know and the women feel rather secure accepting.
Simply they build up a friends list of Film Industry/Community people on their personal Facebook page. Then they go searching for the look of a girl they like and add those girls as friends. Unfortunately we have all become a little too trusting and when we see that someone has mutual friends, we instantly trust that person and add them, not realising that most of these mutual friends might not actually know this person and added them for the same reason. These predators know this and rely on it. Not long after being accepted as a friend, they start contacting the women on chat and will continue to do this every opportunity. This is usually a way to build trust with you or to stoke his ego that you and other women chat to him.
Another way is when he private messages you possibly offering you a role in a film. After looking though photos on facebook, he chooses the type of look he wants from the photos and then offers you an opportunity to star in his film and he will make the film sound unique and cool as well as himself. The fact is serious directors/producers will NEVER offer a role without auditioning you or at least meeting you first, if it should be a featured or featured extra role. They want the best actor for the role and that is achieved through an Audition and that audition is NOT held at the directors/producer residence and there is more than one person present and if it is dealing with a female role, usually a women will be present on the panel or in the room. If they are offering you a role without seeing your abilities etc. Then the possibility is that you could be exploited and you should be very wary.
HOW TO STAY SAFE ?
- Facebook Friends - If a man asks you to be their friend on Facebook and you do not know them (meaning you have not met them and are not at all familiar with their reputation). DO NOT ADD THEM until such time as you clarify who they are and the purpose for adding you. You can ask them directly or ask friends. Do NOT rely on the fact that they have mutual friends.If you do add them and they immediately start chatting to you on chat and continue to and it makes you feel uncomfortable. Ask them to stop or simply remove them as a friend, even block them. THIS WILL NOT HURT YOUR CHANCES OR REPUTATION AS AN ACTOR….DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED.
- Private Messaging - If you are approached through private message? DO NOT answer the message AT
ALL until such time as you have established who they are and they have a good reputation (ask other female actors). Once you answer the message, even if it is to say "go away" he instantly has access to your profile and if you have your email on there, he has access to it as well as other information. Stay in control. - Audition -If they are offering you a role in a film without going through a standard audition (where other people are also auditioned) then be very wary. Most auditions are advertised. Serious Directors and Producers rarely approach actors they don’t know personally, they go through an agent or advertise a casting call.
DON ’T BE EXPLOITED. - Never go to a producer or directors house, unless you know them well. Even then, make sure someone knows that you are going there if it is a man or take someone with you. Always meet publicly.
If a director/producer asks you to dress sexy for an audition…DON ’T. If they ask you to take your clothes off in an audition “DON ’T! Professional shoots will follow certain protocols and you will be advised way in advanced if nudity is necessary and why? Then of course the audition will be set up to make sure you are comfortable and safe. Don’t become a peep show. - Remember just because a guy is good looking and seems charming and nice…doesn’t mean his intentions are honourable. Never let yourself be pushed into something you don’t want to do. Say NO! Don’t let them intimidate you or make you feel guilty. You are the boss in your choices.
- Read Script - Make sure you ask to read the script and establish the type of role you will be playing, before you accept or even consider signing any form of release or contract. Understand fully what you are expected to do. Is there a possibility for sexy clothes or even a sex scene of some type? Are you exposing your body more than you are comfortable. Make sure you understand the role you will be playing.
- Contracts - DO NOT sign any form of release or contract if you don’t fully understand what you are signing. Do not sign a release or contract if it is asking you to volunteer totally or offered a minimal fee of say $10. Make sure that if you are doing a no to low budget film that the contract states that you will volunteer on the condition that the film is not sold or distributed for profit in any way. If it is, the contract is void. Otherwise the filmmakers could profit from your work and you don’tThe ideal contract would be a full payment, deferred payment or offering you shares in the film. You need to get something for your work "No budget" or otherwise. Have respect for yourself and your talent. The safest way is to have family or a trusted friend look over your contract before you sign it. DO NOT fall for the line “You have to sign it now or you miss out on the role” If they really want you and are genuine, they will wait and do the right thing by you. A contract is an agreement between two parties and it is your right to take it away to read and even ask for changes.
- Sex Roles - I recommend strongly that you do not accept a sex scene early in your acting career, particularly on a no budget film where you are not being paid and are being produced and directed by experimental filmmakers making no or low budget films. It may seem cool at the time, women usually regret it later when their careers take off. If you choose to, please stay safe. Make sure the scene is important to the story and not just thrown in there for the sake of a sex scene. Make sure it is done classy and not like a porn scene. Also that there is a women on set at all times and only essential crew. Better still have a friend on set. Professional film sets do everything to make sure you are safe and comfortable, amateur sets are not so organised or even aware of protocol. Please do not let anyone force you into anything you don’t want to do. Also you have no idea what these amateur directors might do with the footage in the future. Please think carefully before accepting these roles. I personally recommend that you DON'T!
- Reputation - Always check the work of the filmmaker and their reputation working with cast and crew, by talking to cast and crew he has worked with. Don’t fall for the line that they are the only person who does that style of film or even that they are the original or the best. There are other great filmmakers doing all genres of film from drama, comedy, action to science fiction and fantasy here in
Perth - If you are under 18 and an adult man, you have not met or don’t know well, asks to be your friend, please consult your parents for advice.
- Basically be smart, follow your intuition and if it doesn’t feel right, then listen to yourself. Take on roles that will actually showcase your talent and not your body. Please avoid being exploited. If you feel trapped and intimidated by someone or afraid to block someone, even though they are annoying you or you feel threatened, etc. Seek advice. If you don’t have anyone to talk to, I am happy to help where I can.
NOTE: While I have concentrated most of this on women, it also very much applies to men, although it is rarer, but it does happen. So always be vigilant
PLEASE BE SAFE , ENJOY NETWORKING ONLINE AND LET YOUR TALENT SHINE. YOU HAVE CONTROL J
Debbie
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