Chapter 1: The Urgency of Accountability

This piece is written amidst a wave of frustration. I feel compelled to express this anger, and so, here I am on the internet.

The ongoing injustices and the lack of responsibility taken by companies have reached a new low for me today.

In my spare time, I enjoy working as an extra in television and film. I find the industry thrilling, and I aspire to delve deeper into acting.

However, my primary concern lies in the apparent disregard for the safety and welfare of individuals within this realm. Although this issue permeates various sectors, it feels particularly acute in the acting world. There’s a prevailing notion that one should be grateful for any opportunity, which leads to the expectation of compromising one’s own standards—just as many successful actors have had to do before.

This culture enables companies to make unreasonable demands, such as:

• Meeting in secluded areas with unfamiliar individuals for explicit scenes.
• Auditioning in compromising attire in unprofessional settings.
• Engaging in productions heavily focused on sexual content without any proper oversight.

If one is reluctant to comply, they risk being labeled as uncommitted and are often replaced by someone more amenable to such conditions. It’s alarming to note that many do not receive payment, and in more severe instances, they face potential harm. Yes, these requests are alarmingly common.

Platforms like Mandy, Backstage, and Star Now fail to vet the postings, creating a fertile ground for predatory behavior.

Recently, a disturbing incident came to light involving a reputable extras agency that supplied several young individuals—some minors—to a production featuring a lead actor who is a convicted paedophile. This individual had a history of using similar tactics to exploit his previous victims prior to his conviction, which unfortunately resulted in an insufficient prison sentence.

I was not present, so I’m sharing second-hand accounts while being cautious not to interfer