#MeToo 2

TRIGGER WARNING: This article discusses #MeToo and sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised.

Living in Los Angeles means access to the gorgeous beaches, stellar tacos, and hearing stories about celebrities. Many of these stories range from delightful to hilarious, but a few of them are eyebrow-raising or even horrifying.

Someone you know scored a short for a certain celeb, or helped produce something, or went to one of their infamous parties. Maybe you heard, as this author did, through the grapevine, that one of those famous people was a “sex pest” or a “psychopath.”

And if you lived in Los Angeles or worked in Hollywood when a certain individual was allegedly accused of sexual and/or emotional abuse by several women, it was not shocking to you, because you had heard whispers for ages.

Now imagine our collective shock if a studio announced a new movie, and that the script is being helmed by … that same alleged abuser outed years ago. A person who hasn't worked in Hollywood since he was accused by multiple women of sexual abuse, who has the glorious opportunity to work on a massive franchise film.

Yeah, um … what fucking gives?

This town has had a long, sordid history with sexual abuse and assault. A rape case in the 1920s rocked Tinseltown, with many referring to it as the industry’s first major scandal. Sexual exploitation during the Golden Age of Hollywood, complete with fixers to keep crimes quiet. Then another landmark assault case happened in the 1940s involving a major star. In the 1970s, an accomplished director absconded to Europe after being convicted on charges of sexual assault against a minor. Many more such instances of sexual assault and abuse continued to occur in the entertainment industry. Of course, exposés published by The New York Times and The New Yorker helped lead to the downfall of a major movie mogul and kick off the #MeToo movement, with guys like this, and this guy, and this guy, and many, many, maaaany more.

The list, sadly, goes on, and on, and on.

Plenty of #MeToo dissenters came forward, crying that it had “gone too far.” That the movement was “ruining lives.” And yet, many of these individuals continue to find work. Even if it’s a fall from grace a la Lydia Tar, it’s still work. In fact, another director accused of rape in 2017 is having a Paramount comeback as well, reportedly after (checks notes) the current President of the United States asked for a franchise revival. “Went too far.” Sure, Jan.

Abusers, particularly those with some level of power, tend to use it on vulnerable people to get what they want. Many sexual abusers will use persuasion, manipulation, isolation, deception, and pressure to silence victims. Furthermore, they often have a level of authority, meaning that victims can feel especially powerless to speak out against them. The fact that so many can act with impunity makes victims far less likely to come forward.

So–

Hollywood loves sequels, right? Let’s reboot #MeToo. The sequel takes down even more sexual abusers, assaulters, and harassers. This time the 94% of women who have experienced some form of sexual harassment, or worse, in Hollywood all get their stories told, without fear of castigation or censorship. Victims are righteous, and the bad guys lose. Maybe they pull a Promising Young Woman. Who knows, we’re just spitballin’ here.

But all jokes aside ...

Hollywood cannot continue to allow those called out for abusive behaviors to keep working, lest we perpetuate cycles of abuse forever. When major studios continue to hire known criminals, it creates hostile sets in which no major productions can feel safe and secure to thrive.

It'll end up with boycotts.

Bad press that leads to commercial flops.

It'll prevent fresher talent from getting their foot in the door on new projects that can energize a studio, much like Sinners and Weapons did last year.

Most importantly, it’s gutting to victims, who deserve empathy and justice, not another slap in the face.

We cannot keep hiring the same abusers—alleged or proven in a court of law—to run our town, direct our movies and shows, and be the creative faces of our work. We cannot allow criminal behavior to run rampant without consequence. We have to ensure everyone’s safety and health to keep making great art. That begins with all of us educating ourselves, listening without judgment, and actively calling out these moments to protect ourselves and others.

Furthermore, even if someone's alleged crimes have never been proven in a court of law, why take the risk? We have so many hungry writers, directors, actors, and the like, chomping at the bit to make their mark. This town is lousy with talent.

Why does an industry that has shown itself to be so risk-averse in the last two decades insist on taking on legal, ethical, and moral risk? Just because someone's had previous success does not mean it wipes out their record; rather, hiring an alleged sexual assaulter creates a massive risk for everyone.

Give up-and-coming talent a break (see: our long list of Script Pipeline finalists and winners!) instead of going back to the same tired pool of alleged abusers who create unsafe work environments and legal vulnerabilities for all involved, and you'll find a lot less baggage.

Hiring "the known" will never move Hollywood past the shame and injustice of #MeToo.

*Feature image by JEGAS RA (Adobe)