The Status Quo in the Film Industry Hurts Us More Than You Think

The Status Quo in the Film Industry Hurts Us More Than You Think Recently, with respect to Oscars So White, several prominent members of the Industry commented that it was embarrassing that we were so far behind the rest of the country in this respect.

While it’s great that we’re in a close-knit “film family” which draws on the 100+ years of movie tradition, we need to be vigilant for instances where being in that insular world blinds us and puts out out of step with the Real World.

Tradition can be a fine thing, but simply doing things “the way we’ve always done them” without thinking about whether it's right or not can lead to outdated practices, which cause problems both in terms of social justice and safety. Issues that need to be addressed are not and circumstances that should change can more easily be swept under the rug.

As an example, for years in special effects, there has been concern about the lead in bullet hits/squibs. When detonated, the lead dust becomes airborne and can not only be inhaled but settles on props, costumes, sets, equipment and shooting locations. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Science, no amount of lead is safe.

Recently we have become more educated on the dire health effects of lead exposure due to the Flint tragedy and in the Excide plant in California. Has the film industry stopped using lead even though they are aware of the risks? Primarily no, leaded bullet hits/squibs are still predominately used.

Is cast and crew or anyone on set subject to this exposure made aware of these risks? The answer is almost always no. This practice must stop. But it will take the outcry from those in the industry as well as the public to change the attitudes and habits of the status quo.

To learn more go to www.no-more-lead-in-movies.com