Fox Searchlight Abuses Intern's Rights
A lawsuit was filed against the Fox Searchlight, by two interns, because the studio violated the employment laws. Interns hired to work there were not paid, even though they were required to fill out I-9 forms, sign confidentiality agreements and were deemed "employees" covered under workers' compensation laws. The interns are looking to expand the lawsuit to the 20th Century Fox as well.
This article appealed to me because an intern may not be doing the most glamorous work, but they should at least be treated respectfully. They should be paid what the law requires for their work . If they aren't payed for it, then it is free labor and against the law.
There could possibly be a humongous impact on me as a student/ future filmmaker because eventually I will be an intern. I don't want this mistreatment of my rights if I have an internship with one of the various film studios. If they are going to treat me like an employee then I should be at least be paid minimum wage for it.
This information really makes me wonder what the film industry thinks of interns and new faces in the business. What if other film companies mistreat their interns? I personally believe they should look into the other studios and crack down on them.
This information really makes me wonder what the film industry thinks of interns and new faces in the business. What if other film companies mistreat their interns? I personally believe they should look into the other studios and crack down on them.
I Totally Agree with you Spencer. Soon you me and others will be interns and if we are required to get paid but are not paid then thats violating the law like you said. Its good that the people who sued are "stepping-up to the plate" and doing whats right not only for them but for the rest of the inters present and future.
ReplyDeleteThis is true! No one would want to be a intern and not get paid for what they do. They should at least get paid minimum wage. It's a good thing that these interns are doing something about it because if they didn't then no one would have. This will not just teach the film industry to not do this but any other places that have interns.
ReplyDeleteIf these people are giving up time, and not learning anything in the process then what's the point in internship programs if they learn nothing and drive away some interns. What Fox believed they could do with those interns and believed no one would care or even notice is just wrong. Long hours of work and jobs causing so much stress to the inexperienced interns. This just sets a bad image for the whole filmmaking industry.
ReplyDeleteThe sad fact is that many internships are unpaid. You get college credit but no cash. The fact that they paid their interns, even after the fact, is probably some small admission of guilt.
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