Fair Play Film + Culture is a new, funded network of ten coaches and trainers whose aim is to ensure that the film industry becomes a fairer workplace for everyone, and will be a partner of the Fair Film Award on Sunday 16 February at the Berlinale. German curator and facilitator Christine von Fragstein is one of the initiators. We spoke to her about the status quo in Germany and about her approaches to try and shape a respectful and valorising industry in the medium and long term.

Cineuropa: How and from what need did Fair Play come about? 
Christine von Fragstein: After a long career in the film industry for Christine Tröstrum and myself, which took us through decades of practical and leadership experience in the industry (including major international projects such as Berlinale Talents, film productions and film funding), we founded Fair Play Film + Culture to offer our expertise in terms of working conditions combined with our know-how in systemic consulting and organisational development. Christine Tröstrum suddenly passed away last year. She was succeeded by Thomas Biniasz. The #MeToo scandals and escalations during filming involving directors such as Til Schweiger provided a decisive impetus to start work. The time has come for the industry, for production companies and for filmmakers to apply tools and methods that enable better collaboration. Our film industry consists of very hierarchical and traditional structures, with very entrenched processes. We also have a cult of genius around directors and artists. There is a lack of professionalisation compared to other industries and a lack of understanding for collaboration on an equal footing. The special thing about the film industry is that small teams have to deliver a high level of performance in a very short space of time. 

How can trustful cooperations be achieved?
When conflicts, mistakes or crises occur, you need to have a basis for overcoming them. There are many methods for bringing these teams together. Nothing beats working together on an eye-to-eye level in a spirit of trust, appreciation and respect. If you can't always work with the same people, i.e. the teams are always made up of new members, there is hardly any time to build trusting relationships before the shoot. In many interviews with the Fair Film Award winners of previous years and through observation on sets, we have come to the following conclusions: 1. Everyone bears responsibility and no film can be made without everyone working together. The “warm-up phase” – recruiting, preparation and onboarding – is essential for success. 2. There are no “important and less important” jobs on set. Everyone, from interns to lead actors, deserves the same appreciation. 3. Even if there are formal hierarchies, they should remain invisible. Everyone has to take over responsibility, decisions can be made respectfully and jointly. 4. The enthusiasm of the leadership is transferred to the entire team 5. Mistakes can be seen as an opportunity and a learning experience - this gives employees security and promotes open communication and a culture of error. 6. It is about talking openly, addressing problems directly and finding solutions together. 7. Creative freedom is established through trustful relations. 8. Warm-up and team-building measures. 9. Everyone should know that problems can be addressed openly and that there is a – ideally external – trusted person in stand-by mode, who is approachable and supportive and knows the processes. 10. Parties and small celebrations are not just a nice tradition, but an integral part of the working culture at the firm. We tend to forget to praise ourselves!

Who are your most important partners? 
We work a lot with producers and heads of departments, because the attitude of those who make the most important decisions plays a key role – they have role model function for leadership. We have first overarching partnerships, such as with the Crew United platform for monthly workshops for film creatives. And luckily also with the German Production Alliance, with whom we are carrying out an intense Leadership in Motion programme. We are present at festivals such as those in Berlin and Hamburg in order to provide impetus.

The German film industry has developed a “Respect Code Film”. What exactly is it?
The “Respect Code” offers a framework for how things can be done in production. It is an industry agreement for production companies, broadcasters and funding institutions. The code provides important information, offers a definition of terms and their classification. What is bullying? What is discrimination? What is verbal abuse? What is non-verbal assault? What is sexual assault? It clarifies, and it also clarifies responsibilities. The code is a guideline for e.g. complaint procedures or trusted persons and outlines possible measures under labour law, from warnings and transfers to dismissal. Our mission is: We have to educate and encourage people to speak up when injustice occurs.

Can productions cope with this effort and the corresponding additional costs?
German funding organizations such as Medienboard Berlin Brandenburg and the FFA have participated in the development of the “Respect Code Film”. Here we are talking about a long-term step-by-step change process. It will gradually be possible to include specific measures such as a trusted persons, warm-ups, team-building measures, support from coaches in the calculation and to apply for a grant for further training in, for example, leadership skills. This is already possible at the Medienboard Berlin Brandenburg and the Moin Foundation Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein.