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EDITORIAL COMMENT
Clarification And Balance Is Urgently Needed On
The Issue Of Sexual Harassment In Society For
Both Victims & Accused
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The American Film Market, Home of the Independents - AFM 2019 Official Poster
If society is to thrive on an equal basis and avoid a complete breakdown of human interaction, the interconnectivity and dynamics between men and women in the workplace and the broader functioning of society, however we define ‘family’, needs to be addressed.
The #metoo #timesup is not achieving its intent in the broader picture and should at this point clarify what is sexual harassment. No question the Harvey Weinsteins of the world in all industries need to be brought to book – but there are female versions of ‘Harvey Weinsteins,’ noticeably the rising number of female teachers having inappropriate relationships with their underage male students.
In researching the term and definition of sexual harassment, the expression comes in many forms, however overwhelmingly it is defined as ‘coerced action.’ Question: so is male to female (or female to male) making of a complimentary comment deemed sexual harassment? Is touching an individual during an animated conversation sexual harassment?
Clarification: A recent comment by an actress who spoke of having been groped by a big star. On the one hand, it came into her narrative, on the other hand in the narrative the star is not named -* “I would never do that. It’s not about that person. I don’t want my whole narrative to be hijacked by one person’s name,“ she said. “I’m not defined by what one person did to me.”*
That moment in her life from what is said above sounds horrific. For narrative to be beneficial surely naming the person would be of value to other women faced in a similar situation with this person. Not naming? Isn’t that how Harvey Weinstein flourished? Everyone, it seemed, knew, but from their different agendas did nothing. ‘Fear’ triumphed and the cycle of despicable behavior continued. The other side of the coin and the narrative is about ambition and its triumph over what is ‘normally’ acceptable to an individual, and precisely why the narrative needs clarification and balance needs to be established. Society thrives to the benefit of ALL when representation of the mental, social, and emotional dynamics that exist between the genders are FAIRLY taken into account.
*Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2019/10/22/naomie-harris-not-defined-sexual-assault-refuses-name-alleged-lister-10964811/?ito=cbshare.Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/ 
REED MIDEM Needs to Address
Price Point For The Independents
The MIPCOM market coming off the summer months is a key buying and selling destination for both the film and television industry, majors and independents alike… Back in the late ’80s TBOF was the first to run a feature article with Jerry Offsay of then Showtime to the then blurring of the lines between film and television, with the advent of transmedia and the impact of Netflix and others. The transition is all but complete.
TBOF also was the first trade publication to illustrate and remark how markets like MIPCOM and MIPTV increasingly were building attendance on the ‘celebrity factor.’ That has transpired into the ambiance at both events where a ‘celebrity’ attendance is a given. That in itself underlines the introduction three years ago of the CanneSeries, a direct perception that TV is equally as important as a theatrical release, concluding with an awards ceremony on stage at MIPTV with a Pink Carpet event.
In reality, the theatrical experience will always reign supreme, because of the experience of the sharing of that intimate moment of emotion with an audience of individuals whom you don’t know on the BIG screen. Size matters.. Both sides of coin are now intertwined in respect of what in the 21st century we term ‘CONTENT.’
During the preceding two days of both events, MIPCOM & MIPTV, the DRAMA Series has been elevated. At this MIPCOM a splendid example was a new live-action series for young adults, Heirs of the Night (26 x 26’), which was one of the selected World Premiere Screenings at MIPJunior in the Grand Theatre of the JW Marriott Hotel.
The dialogue and production values were exceptionally high. Directed by a director of both the big and small screen, the story had all the elements to enthrall an audience on the small or big screen. It would not be a surprising if a feature film is made of Heirs of the Night. Thus the infusion on all levels is complete. Other aspects of viewing on TV, reality shows, sport, etc., remain the domain and the life blood of `television.’
The staff behind the scenes at all these international events work extremely hard all year to bring an event to fruition. Recognition for Lucy Smith, deputy director of TV, who over the last few years has led the transformation of MPJunior and MIPDoc, the events adjacent to MIPCOM and MIPTV. Under her guidance with her team, the events have grown in perspective and invited an array of panels that address subjects that extend beyond attending for just selling and distribution.
On the business and fiscal side of attending these markets from a survey conducted by TBOF, the consensus was REED MIDEM needs to address the issue of PRICE POINT for both the booths and attendees’ costs. All the independents TBOF canvased, UK, USA, and Far East companies, all expressed that MIPCOM was the most expensive market – and many are rethinking their attendance strategy.
In response to the falling off of attendance at MIPTV, due in part to a heavy calendar of events worldwide in the first 6 months of the year, REED MIDEM has reinvented MIPTV with all the companies now to be housed in the Palais and no longer on the beach front.
REED MIDEM has to also to consider, as an example, the PRICE POINTS of an international aircraft. It's the economy section that gives the engine thrust - and the FIRST CLASS and BUSINESS sections that give it the ‘sizzle’ on wheels. However, without economy, the FIRST CLASS and BUSINESS sections cannot be sustained – unless you take it to another level. Boutique markets with just FIRST CLASS and BUSINESS sections can’t work - both sides of the coin need to be looked at if both MIPCOM and MIPTV are to continue to thrive!!
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