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5 seconds of eye contact, Netflix’s most ridiculous rule.

Crews working on Netflix titles are being subjected to extreme anti-harassment measures.

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UK reports citing new workplace rules for crews on Netflix productions sound over the top.

New rules reportedly include no looking at anyone for longer than five seconds, no lingering hugs, no flirting and no asking for a colleague’s phone number.

An on-set runner currently working on the new season of Black Mirror told The Sun, “Senior staff went to a harassment meeting to learn what is and isn’t appropriate. Looking at anyone longer than five seconds is considered creepy.

“You mustn’t ask for someone’s number unless they have given permission for it to be distributed. And if you see any unwanted behaviour, report it immediately.

“It has sparked jokes,” they added, “with people looking at each other, counting to five, then diverting their eyes.”

It almost sounds like a Black Mirror script in itself…..

As anyone who works on a crew knows, collaboration and trust is central to producing creative work, which is also established with eye contact.

Netflix declined to confirm or deny the report, but told The Independent in a statement: “We’re proud of the anti-harassment training we offer to our productions. We want every Netflix production to be a safe and respectful working environment. We believe the resources we offer empower people on our sets to speak up, and shouldn’t be trivialised.”

I guess they won’t be picking up Look Me in the Eye anytime soon.

7 Responses

  1. All I can say is good luck with that, unless its written in their contract of course. I’m not sure what all those desperate PC advocates want, a world full of emotionless automatons. If you hate your sexual self it best to go and get some sensible advice from someone who has lived and experienced a full life and not listen to control freaks and psychologists.

  2. reminds me of a story from the Parkinson Show filming an episode with old time film star Gloria Swanson as the ‘special guest’: Barry Humphries was also going to be on as Dame Edna and was told of Miss Swanson’s ‘rules’ – no handshakes or kisses, no mention of her age or the money made from her movies!
    Edna enters, charges over to Swanson, grabs her in a bear hug embrace and says :
    “Little Glorie, just let me look at you; don’t you look wonderful for your age – you must have made a fortune from all those movies you’ve made till now – considering you started in the Silents!!!”
    Some rules are just made to be broken but good luck to Netflix.

  3. Try it. 5 seconds feels like a longer than long time. 4 is probably enough to think someone is creepy. Definition of Creepy, an implied but unknown threat.

  4. The way society is going, not surprised that big name companies are promoting things like this to use in most likely future lawsuits

    But then again, I avoid eye contact with my coworkers at all costs – so I’m clear

  5. “… told The Sun…”

    Wait, The Sun? Well it must be true! They’d never lie!

    On second thoughts – can I wait for confirmation from the Daily Mail?

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