How do you prevent your film production from being #MeToo’d? You want to tell a powerful story that involves consent issues, while also ensuring a safe working environment for your cast and crew. A Consent Audit helps creative storytellers confidently walk this tightrope by thinking about consent before Production, as opposed to the end.
Definitions
Before I describe a Consent Audit, let’s review some common consent terms.
Consent is an ongoing process of discussing your boundaries and what you’re comfortable with. The acronym to remember the five (5) elements of consent on set is C.R.I.S.P., which stands for:
- Considered. While we can’t fully erase the power dynamics, systemic racism, and other effects of oppression that make freely given consent difficult at work, we can consider all the factors and information.
- Reversible. Anyone can change their mind about what they feel like doing at any time.
- Informed. Someone can only consent to something if you have the full story.
- Specific. Saying yes to one thing does not mean you’ve said yes to others.
- Participatory. People need to be involved in the decision-making process around what happens with and to their bodies!
Intimacy on set is defined as scenes involving nudity, simulated sex, or hyper-exposure, which can mean anything from intense flirting and sexual dancing to medical procedures or removing a hijab.
The role of an Intimacy Coordinator (IC) has gained popularity in the #MeToo Era to keep actors safe in scenes involving intimacy. ICs help to create a safer environment on set for performers during scenes involving nudity, simulated sex, and other types of intimate content, while also helping the director realize their creative vision.
Currently, SAG/AFTRA requires Intimacy Coordinators on all union productions for scenes involving simulated sex and nudity. This is a great addition to keep actors safe in vulnerable situations that were ripe for abuse, harassment, and/or coercion. However, protection gaps exist.
For example, how do we keep actors safe in “non-sex scenes” or non-union productions? And what about the rest of the crew? How do we ensure safe working conditions for the cast and crew?
A Consent-Forward Artist (CFA) is an advocate and educator, who understands how consent, boundaries, power dynamics, and the role of intimacy professionals contribute to the entertainment industry. CFAs have foundational understandings of trauma-informed practices, bystander intervention, and advocating for the presence of other professionals who support a safer work environment (such as cultural consultants, on-set therapists, fight directors, and stunt coordinators).
What is a Consent Audit?
A Consent Audit evaluates the story you’re telling by comparing your intentions with what is written on the page. It’s similar to a tax audit, but hopefully less painful.
A Consent Audit is the process of reviewing a script, treatment, or casting notice, and noting any issues that involve consent. Consent, by its definition, is more expansive than intimacy.
Whereas an Intimacy Coordinator (IC) will review a script to note the scenes and actions that involve nudity, simulated sex, or hyper-exposure; when I review a script as a Consent-Forward Artist (CFA), I also look for scenes and actions that involve consent, boundaries, power dynamics, bystander intervention, and trauma-informed practices.
The Consent Audit process works best when I can review the screenplay or audition pieces (ex: monologues, scenes, or “sides”) before casting notices are sent. This way the creative team has time to integrate my notes and amend the script and the casting process to make it consensual. This also sets the tone for other consent-forward practices throughout the production.
A typical Consent Audit involves three parts:
Discussion:
Meet with the Producing Team, Director, and Writer to discuss the creative vision, themes, and how they envision using intimacy and consent to propel the plot. (Time: approximately 30-60 mins)
Script Review:
- Read the identified scenes first and look for the action (i.e. stage direction) and dialogue, while noting my questions. (Time: approx. 30mins)
- Read the full screenplay looking for context, noting if any of my questions are answered and if other scenes could benefit from a CFA. (Time: 30 mins – 2 hours based on the length of the script).
Debrief:
Discuss my notes with the Producing Team, Director, and Writer and answer any questions they have. (Time: approx. 60 mins)
The total process takes approximately 2.5 – 5 hours, depending on the length of the script and the nuances of the scenes.
Pricing
How much would you expect to spend if your production was #MeToo’d? Add up all the legal fees, crisis communication fees, and publicity fees. Add in reshoots, re-edits, and distribution delays. And don’t forget to add in the mental and physical stress on the producers, directors, writers, and lead actors involved.
Do you have that number? How many commas does it have?
Now what would you pay for the peace of mind of knowing that your script matches your intentions?
The cost of a Consent Audit is a small fraction of what you will pay if you get #MeToo’d.
The price varies depending on the:
- Length of the screenplay or treatment (short vs. feature length)
- Size of the budget (Commercial, Indie, Ultra-Indie, Student Film), and
- Phase of the Production
Most clients spend between $250.00-$500.00 for a Consent Audit, but the takeaways are priceless.
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