Only a mere few days ago Governor Jerry Brown finally decided to pass bill AB 1660, a law that protects young actors in the film industry. After shocking stories about people sexually harassing children, it was decided that more precautions had to be taken towards protecting these kids. Before, background checks were only performed on agents, studio teachers, publicists, managers, and photographers, but now it will be required for almost everyone to be checked for any past criminal records.
This is important for the safety of our children, just because they are in this industry doesn't mean they're offered protection by everyone. When I saw this, I was immediately interested because I didn't figure there wasn't a law already protecting children actors' rights. It is important to know who can be potential harm when you're working with them, and it's nice to see Governor Brown really try to make an effort to change this.
This article really impacts me as a filmmaker and a student. I wasn't oblivious to it, but I didn't really figure that children actors were sexually harassed. It only makes me want to be more careful with who I work with in the future, and who has a good reputation compared to those who don't. As a student, it honestly frightens me to start working in something that might be threatening to me. I can't guarantee that it would, but just the thought of it can change anyone's mind really.
I really want to know how people thought this would be okay. Did it never cross anybody's mind that everyone should be conducted with a background search when working with children? Anyone can seem trustworthy, and the nicest person, but you can't trust everything people say. I want to know how people didn't notice what was going on, how could you not be aware of this at first? I want to be sure that children's safety is locked in the future industry, now.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-gov-brown-signs-law-to-protect-child-actors-20120927,0,6739576.story
This is really interesting because I didn't know young kids were put in harm's way in the film industry. I assumed the adults working around them would naturally respect them because the kids are so young. Yet, I'm glad this bill has passed so no other kids will be hurt doing what they love the most.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I would have assumed that a bill like AB 1660 already existed. But once again, measures aren't taken until a threat is actually there. How can they be so oblivious? Background checks, whether or not a child actor is involved, should be performed on every single person involved in a project. The absence of a child actor is no excuse not to have a background check.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know that people are actually caring for the young people in the acing buisness .
ReplyDeleteThis really sucks. Because children should always have extra attention because they don't know much about the cruelty of the world. It sucks that there were people who sexually harassed children in this but I'm glad that now they are paying more attention to them.
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