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The allegations of recent months have had colossal impact on the Hollywood system and the scrutiny directed towards it, but how has it affected the general public? I recently circulated a survey which aimed to capture the public's attitudes towards what they watch and whether or not those attitudes have changed in light of the sexual harassment scandal.
The survey
This survey was circulated through Facebook, both to my own friends and family and to film/writing groups with members from around the world, and through readers of this blog. It received 45 responses in total and can only provide a snapshot of current opinion. Most respondents were based in the UK, and 62% were in the 18-24 age bracket, though respondents did range from Under 18 to 50-70.
Initial findings
The first part of the survey concerned participants' watching habits before the break of the scandal in October 2017. Many of the respondents, when asked about their choices to watch actors who had been accused of misconduct before the scandal, such as Mel Gibson, simply "didn't really think about it" or did not know there had been allegations. This recent scandal has meant that allegations have been reported much more rigorously, so much so that those not invested in the film industry are aware of high-profile cases because it is in the headlines regularly. Others would not watch "if [they] knew of any allegations", which shows that some made active decisions morally, but many more thought that one should "judge the art rather than the artist".
This was a theme which occurred regularly throughout the survey: "I don't care who's in a film, I care about the story" ... "Very aware that these people will make money from that and not okay" ... "It depends if they are good films" ... "I refuse to contribute to their lifestyle by supporting their art in any way" ... "Great art often comes from unpleasant people… If we boycotted every piece of art from someone unlikeable, we wouldn’t have much art left.”
The private lives or artists, in some respondent's view, was separate to the interpretation of an artist's work, particularly in relation to actors as they were only playing a part on screen: "Their performance in my view is not linked to any allegations of misconduct and the film or TV show has a character played by them, it is not endorsing their behaviour to watch a film they are in."
This was a theme which occurred regularly throughout the survey: "I don't care who's in a film, I care about the story" ... "Very aware that these people will make money from that and not okay" ... "It depends if they are good films" ... "I refuse to contribute to their lifestyle by supporting their art in any way" ... "Great art often comes from unpleasant people… If we boycotted every piece of art from someone unlikeable, we wouldn’t have much art left.”
The complexity of the issue
The private lives or artists, in some respondent's view, was separate to the interpretation of an artist's work, particularly in relation to actors as they were only playing a part on screen: "Their performance in my view is not linked to any allegations of misconduct and the film or TV show has a character played by them, it is not endorsing their behaviour to watch a film they are in."
Others found it more difficult to watch an actor whose accusations they were aware of, such as Kevin Spacey, because the nature of acting is to be on the big screen, and faces become easily associated with misdeeds when reported upon: "Although I hate to admit it, it is easier to watch something if a creative is accused of sexual assault, harassment and abuse than an actor, as you usually never see the creative's face. You begin to separate the person from their film.”
Some found it more difficult to watch the work of a creative due to their influence over the tone and message of a film and potential to push their own ideals on the work: “Watched Woody Allen stuff... but the more I learned about his allegations the more I struggled to
watch and felt discomfited watching it particularly when the gross misogyny is
clear within his films.”
Others struggled with the thought that there are many hundreds of people who work on a film or TV show and most will not have their private lives scrutinised like the higher-ups, so there is no way of knowing if someone who behaves in a way the viewer finds morally wrong is profiting from their watching of the film: "I am sure I have inadvertently watched hundreds of shows with sexual harassers as members of staff. It is so widespread no one could possibly rule it out.”
Then again, it is important to remember that on films on which a prominent accused person worked, those hundreds of other workers did their utmost to make the film the best it could be: “One specific abuser should not ruin the work of a team of dedicated people.”
Final thoughts
From this sample, it is impossible to know just how much of an impact this scandal has had on people's viewing choices, but some things are clear; the world is more aware of the misconduct that has permeated Hollywood than ever before, and it is a personal and moral decision on whether or not to watch the work of those accused. Only once the accusations slow and things settle down again will we know what kind of difference to viewing choices the scandal has truly made.
Have you thought more about what you watch since the scandal, or do you just watch what appeals to you? I'd love to hear more of your thoughts, so comment with you personal experiences to keep the conversation going!
See 'Bibliography' tab on home page for all references.
Have you thought more about what you watch since the scandal, or do you just watch what appeals to you? I'd love to hear more of your thoughts, so comment with you personal experiences to keep the conversation going!
See 'Bibliography' tab on home page for all references.
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