Julia Caldwell believes that writing is an important way to foster debate and discussion. She is passionate about fairness and research when reporting on the entertainment industry . The Hollywood Insider’s dedication to ethics based reporting highly aligns with her values. She is dedicated to making media relevant to real life and what can be appreciated from different kinds of content.
May 31, 2024
Table of Contents
Grace Van Dien, most well-known for her role as Chrissy Cunningham in season four of ‘Stranger Things,’ recently spoke candidly about her treatment in Hollywood on a video game streaming platform. In addition to Grace Van Dien’s acting career, she is also a Twitch Streamer known asBlueFille. This is a newer profession, in which people watch and pay people online to play video games. They can also be sponsored by companies to promote products. She later announced on her stream that she had stepped down from acting recently, due to unwanted advances from producers. She alleged that she had been asked to engage in sexual acts to get parts or keep her job. Now, she more frequently streams video games due to the protection that that gives her. According toVariety, she stated, “I get to stay inside my house and play video games and I don’t have my boss asking me to have sex with them.” Sadly, this type of behavior is not that uncommon in the film industry. However, this other stream of revenue gives her a form of autonomy. It is not like Van Dien is naive when it comes to the landscape of the entertainment industry. She comes from a family of well-known actors. Her father isCasper Van Dien, most known for playing the lead role of Johnny Rico in ‘Starship Troopers.’ Her mother isCarrie Mitchum, an actress and producer, whose father wasRobert Mitchum. He was an actor during theGolden Age of Hollywood, most well-known for his roles infilm noirs.
While the#MeToo movement has been in mainstream culture since 2017, and not many people have been brought to justice due to the sensitive nature of the crimes. This movement was started in 2006 byTarana Burke to be a general, many people do not name their abusers due to the stigma around power imbalances. That power imbalance is something that abusers often use to create fear in the victims and not make them speak out. One of the more groundbreaking stories that came out of the #MeToo movement was the accusation and jailing ofHarvey Weinstein. Before his conviction,Weinsteinwas an immensely powerful film producer. WhileWeinstein’sabusive behavior, both mental and physical, had been an open secret in Hollywood for years, people would not come forward due to the threats he would make about ruining their careers if they decided to speak out. What took him down was the enormous amounts of people who spoke about his years of mistreatment and abuse of those around him. Finally, the spotlight was too intense for the legal system to ignore.
Most recently there has been a more open conversation about the abuse that people face in the workplace. People likeJena Malone, who played Johanna Mason in the ‘The Hunger Gamesfranchise, came out as having enduredassault during the production of ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.’ While people online had wanted her to name her abuser, that is not the most important part. Often when abusers are named, that opens the door for accusations that the victim is lying or wants to get clout from the situation. However, when the victim speaks only about their experience, it helps empower someone who was previously silenced. Another positive example of the power of speaking out isBrendan Fraser. While he was a heartthrob in the 90s, after some body changes and his own experience with sexualassault, he did not make many acting projects. He has since come back to great acceptance by the showbiz community and fans. A part of his Oscar win narrative incorporated a comeback story that culminated with his performance in the film ‘The Whale’. Again, it is not clear if the person who assaulted Fraser was ever pursued legally to ensure that he would not do these things again. Hopefully, as more people speak out about these injustices faced against them, more abusers will feel ashamed. Thus, the feeling that the abuser is getting away with something will not be as strong. For right now, speaking out against abuse is not systematically changing how people in power use their position. They still feel entitled to use their power to gain favors in a system that is trying to become more equitable on many different fronts. While this is the present case, more people publicly recognize the way unequal power structures negatively impact the health and well-being of those who work together.
One way in which this industry could change for the better is by encouraging a more open environment in which things like this can be discussed in the workplace. When more people agree that certain types of behavior are not allowed, the work structure is beginning for those who are actually in line with company policy. As more people can be rooted out for inappropriate behavior, this could be a time in which new people are hired. Many people complain that the diversity that is strived for on camera is not being seen behind the camera. When more diverse people are brought into the workplace, that allows new ideas and values to emerge. While anyone can be a victim or abuser, if the entertainment industry does not make any change in who has the power, then nothing will progress. No change is worse than making moves to minorly improve a situation. Thankfully, the media-loving public has been more supportive of victims coming out and sharing their stories. As a whole, there have been more shows and films that focus on the ruin that can happen because of sexualassault. For instance, ‘I May Destroy You’ starringMichaela Coel, ‘Promising Young Woman’ starringCarey Mulligan, ‘Women Talking’ starringClaire Foy,Jessie Buckley,Rooney Mara, andFrances McDormand, and ‘She Said,’ which also starsCarey Mulligan, withZoe KazanandAshley Judd. ‘She Said’ is even about the writers who investigated the Weinstein allegations. All of these award-winning and nominated pieces of work have similar storylines. All focus on women who have been affected by sexualassault and have to reckon with the aftermath. Most of these shows or films were in part a reflection of real-life events and had a team of women working in production to make sure these messages were delivered thoughtfully and respectfully. Unfortunately, it does not seem like those who produce work in Hollywood see this as a sign to stop them from hurting other people. Instead of just making pictures to generate empathy, it has become time to hit abusers in a fashion that calls them to task. The financial impact is how the message of “treating people like humans worthy of respect” would get through the most.
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
Julia Caldwell believes that writing is an important way to foster debate and discussion. She is passionate about fairness and research when reporting on the entertainment industry . The Hollywood Insider’s dedication to ethics based reporting highly aligns with her values. She is dedicated to making media relevant to real life and what can be appreciated from different kinds of content.
Julia Caldwell believes that writing is an important way to foster debate and discussion. She is passionate about fairness and research when reporting on the entertainment industry . The Hollywood Insider’s dedication to ethics based reporting highly aligns with her values. She is dedicated to making media relevant to real life and what can be appreciated from different kinds of content.
Julia Caldwell believes that writing is an important way to foster debate and discussion. She is passionate about fairness and research when reporting on the entertainment industry . The Hollywood Insider’s dedication to ethics based reporting highly aligns with her values. She is dedicated to making media relevant to real life and what can be appreciated from different kinds of content.
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