CYBERSPACE — Australian production label Lightsouthern has implemented a “professionalism agreement” for its performers and producers.
"After issuing the company’s annual performer feedback survey to ensure continuation of better on-set standards, Lightsouthern has created a lengthy professionalism agreement to assist performers in knowing their rights and expectations on-set, as well as helping to reduce unsafe work practices, miscommunications and unethical conduct by performers and producers alike,” a label rep said.
"It has been something we have wanted to implement for a long time; after our feedback, it became clear that it (had to be) a priority moving forward,” said Michelle Flynn, director for Lightsouthern.
"We will also be employing a safety officer for our larger productions. This person will be responsible for managing consent between performers, ensuring a safe workplace where communication and safety is paramount, where no consent lines can be blurred."
The newly implemented agreement includes the following clauses: Performers “have the right to shower alone before and after (a) scene, be provided with fresh towels, and have a space on-set to relax alone if (they) need it,” and “the right to access a first aid kit, safer sex barriers” and sexual health “accessories” such as lube.
The move by Lightsouthern came about at the end of a prolific period of production in 2018. “We had some issues we needed to resolve; we also needed to formulate a system so they don't happen again,” Flynn said.
'A large part of being ethical is being able to see where things went wrong, be accountable and fix them; ethics need to evolve.” Flynn encouraged “other producers in Australia, and worldwide, to follow suit. There are no on-set safety standards for porn in Australia,” she said. “We need to self regulate.”
In related news, Lightsouthern has wrapped production on a film for the XConfessions label with Erika Lust (click here for details). Their two-part feature “Super Host,” featuring Blake Wilde, is pending release.
Click here for Lightsouthern’s website and follow them on Twitter.
