At our last Artists’ meeting, I promised a fuller update on the setting up of the CIISA (Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority). At the end of this email is a summary of the CIISA’s purpose and current structure. In the New Year, Jen Smith, CIISA interim CEO, will be joining us to talk about its aims.
But first I’d also like to ask for your practical support. Are you able to send me brief anonymised scenarios of bullying or harassment where you feel expert advice could support you? These will be worked through by the CIISA legal team (currently in set-up phase) and will inform the CIISA’s development of services. Scenarios can be as simple as:
– My client received repeated unwanted/hostile/bullying remarks made by a fellow cast member.
– Or more complex, such as examples where inappropriate behaviour has had a (perceived or actual) impact on a client’s ability to continue, or to find future work.
No example is too big or small. Please make sure your examples are anonymised. Do not include production titles or names. It would be helpful to identify sectors e.g. film/tv/theatre/commercials.
As agents, we tend to be the first call when problems arise. And often, since the issues can be complex, their resolution (or lack thereof) passes without any collective learning – in other words, we keep starting from scratch! Learning from anonymised scenarios will be crucial to the advice the CIISA team will be able to offer. The protection of freelancers, the self-employed, and those on short-term and informal contracts are areas where the CIISA can play a pivotal role.
Feel free to call if you want to talk further about any of these issues.
All best
CC
Summary of CIISA purpose and current structure
The purpose of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) is to uphold and improve standards of behaviour across the creative industries.
Time’s Up UK developed the CIISA in response and in deep consultation with the creative industries, led by Caroline Norbury OBE, Chief Executive of Creative UK. It is designed to ensure that anyone who has suffered bullying and harassment whilst working in the creative industries, starting with film and TV, can receive confidential advice, mediation, and crucially, investigation into the most serious and complex complaints.
The CIISA welcomes support from industry in the following areas:
• Supporting the CIISA’s profile and momentum during the set-up phases.
• Financial contributions towards set-up costs prior to the voluntary levy being established.
• Gathering scenarios that the CIISA team can work through with our legal team.
• Communicating our commitment to anti-discrimination as a key foundation of the ISA.
The CIISA has received financial support from all UK Broadcasters, BBC, Sky, ITV, Viacom, and C4, as well as Directors UK, The Production Guild, BECTU, F&TV Charity, the CDG, Spotlight, and other key stakeholders. It is currently in active set-up phase, with more detailed proposals being shared in 2023, and will be live in 2024, working across Film, TV, Theatre, and Music.
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