The following are my terms for the people I work with on the movie project "Raymond." This is for everyone that works with me to see this project come to fruition - producers, cast members, and crew members. These terms are written with the intent to help foster an enjoyable and safe work environment.
The work that I like to do is work that is enjoyable. If it is not enjoyable then either I have some issues to work out in myself or I just have to find something else to do. I wish the same for the people that I partner with. I wish for you to find work that you enjoy. If this venture is not interesting to you, ask yourself why you're doing this. If, at a certain point, you know for sure you don't want to be a part of this project, please do yourself and everyone else a favor by finding a better use of your time.
This project is about portraying the story of a young man and his relationship with his Creator. First and foremost it is about that. If you have issues with that context and those issues prevent you from being involved in this project, find something else that interests you. Secondarily this movie deals with issues of race, incarceration, violence, sex, and family issues. If you would like to avoid these issues, find something else to do.
I'm looking for people who are passionate about changing the world for the better. You and I and everyone else involved will be able to see those who are passionate and those who aren't. Your passion will be reflected in the work that you do. In this project there will be deadlines. You will be asked to complete certain tasks in a timely fashion. You will be asked to come to meetings and your punctuality is required. The issue here is passion. Everybody slips up. However if you keep on slipping up and then you slip up some more, then there's other issues and circumstances within your control that prevent you from fulfilling your duties. You need to deal with those things and you will not be able to work with us until they are dealt with.
Taking initiative or going above and beyond is an act of generosity and it will always be rewarded. You are encouraged to use all your skills to the best of your ability.
At any time and for whatever reason, the producers of this film reserve the right to ask you to leave the team.
Violence will not be tolerated. My definition of violence is broader than the norm. Violence will be considered to be any act motivated by hatred, anger, or rage. Violence is also any action designed to control, manipulate, or coerce another. It must be said that you are here out of your own volition. No one is demanding that you work here.
A poor attitude can be seen from a mile away. People who bully, insult with contempt, intimidate, coerce, or are overly sarcastic are not desired for this project. Any form of harassment will not be tolerated. If your sexual advance at someone is rebuffed, please honor that and don't hound the person you are attracted to. Please do not project sexual emotions to anyone who does not return your feelings. People who frequently sexually project harm the atmosphere on set and make the environment unsafe and unfriendly.
Because sexual harassment is among the most heinous of actions, it is worthwhile to define it here. Sexual harassment is any sexual activity that is non consensual or coercive. This includes flirtations, advances, requests for sexual favors, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, subtle pressure, unnecessary touching, graphic or verbal commentaries about an individual’s body, sexually degrading words used to describe an individual, a display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures, sexually explicit or offensive jokes, or physical assault.
Please be responsible for your own emotions and do not project your problems on someone else. Every member of the team is expected to handle their own problems responsibly. Enabling others in strongly discouraged. An example of enabling is to agree with someone who constantly complains. No one is being forced to do their work.
No one is required to be friendly. If you're angry or scared or sad, you may need to take a break and deal with your issues. This will be allowed as much as possible unless this policy is abused excessively. Addictive behavior will not be tolerated on set.
Taking breaks and time out for yourself to work through something is strongly encouraged. No one wants you to be exhausted or go hungry or not deal with a pressing medical issue. If something takes you away from the task you're working on, deal with that issue and come back and finish your task. Self responsibility is a big virtue here. Everyone is asked to bring their own passion to the project. People who need constant encouragement or approval need to find value in the work they are doing. Again, we are looking for people who want to change the world for the better.
Ultimately, I want to help create and foster a safe and enjoyable atmosphere. This project should be fun, exciting, and educational on many levels. This is a time to challenge yourself. Jokes and laughter are great as long as they're not mean-spirited, or sycophantic. You will never be asked to leave because you are being too emotional. In fact we want people who are passionate and passionate people often show emotion. We just don't want that emotion to be mean-spirited or violent. Again, to emphasize, if you have some issues to deal with, take some time and go off by yourself.
Honesty and integrity will be rewarded. I will do my best to be honest with you at every possible occasion and I ask you to be honest with me and the rest of the team. That being said, you are not required to share information that you wish to remain private. What we are talking about here is, if you feel you need to walk away every time to avoid a confrontation, it's probably better to just confront the issue and deal with it head-on. People who have the courage to do this will be rewarded and not criticized or belittled.
The hours that you work will not be carefully tallied and marked down. I hope that a certain level of passion will encourage you to work with gusto and exuberance. Again, a negative attitude can be seen from a mile away. If you work with resentment, what you produce will be junk. People are encouraged to make their own schedules and to make time for regular meetings and keep deadlines. Frequent tardiness or absence from meetings and assignments is obvious cause for dismissal.
If there is a problem between yourself and another producer, cast, or crew member, it is encouraged that you take initiative with the person first and address the issue head on. Be honest with that person about your feelings and do not engage in anything against your self-interest. If you find that you are unable to address a certain behavioral issue with this member of the team, please seek me or another authority figure you trust and the issue will be dealt with.
At any time, these terms are subject to change.
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