A MANIFESTO FOR DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN THE ENTERTAINMENT AND BACKSTAGE INDUSTRIES

Be Seen: Be Heard – The Vision:

Imagine an entertainment technology and backstage industry where individuals from all backgrounds, identities, abilities, diversities and experiences can access, develop and thrive equally. 

The Be Seen: Be Heard community is committed to building an inclusive workforce that is more representative of the population at large, where every professional feels valued, heard, and empowered within the world of entertainment technology and the backstage professions.

Be Seen: Be Heard – The Mission:

To build a community of professionals, working in the entertainment technology and backstage industries, committed to understanding how the gatekeeping operates in our industry and making the adjustments necessary to give fair and equal access to alldismantling systemic barriers while celebrating and promoting diversity. To carve out spaces where everyone feels they can contribute and succeed, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, or socio-economic status.

Be Seen:Be Heard – The Values:

1. Diversity 

The Be Seen: Be Heard community stand for a wide range of perspectives, that echo every demographic of society. The collective want to create the space to build a more diverse workforce that will enrich industry, enhance creativity and innovate across existing working cultures and practices and in all sectors and disciplines.

2. Equity 

The Be Seen: Be Heard community aims to identify and share opportunities, resources, and support networks that enable people who feel excluded or marginalised in the entertainment and tech industries to find their way to the training and careers they want and need to thrive.

3. Inclusion as Action

The Be Seen: Be Heard community aims to identify and share existing pathways for professional growth across the industry, plus help develop new pathways. It hopes to foster conversations around bias, and highlight and address the systemic inequities within our industry.

4. Representation Matters

The Be Seen: Be Heard community will ensure that people from underrepresented groups are visible, their stories are shared, and their expertise is recognised across all industry communication channels.

5. Collaborate for Change

The Be Seen: Be Heard community will collaborate with industry in all its guises. From production companies to manufacturers, tech crews to creative teams, production to clients. It will identify, share and promote organisations, businesses and individuals that are pushing for systemic change.

6. Meritocracy

The Be Seen: Be Heard community will afford members, affiliates, participants and sharers the space that they need or desire based on merit, and not on age, experience, privilege, entitlement or status as perceived or otherwise.

7. Listening

The Be Seen: Be Heard community will be defined by how good it is at listening to itsit’s contributors. We understand that the success of delivering this manifesto will rely solely on its community advocates and their ability to share, to listen, to act and to uphold the values and ethos of our community.

Our Commitments:

• Advocacy & Awareness:

The Be Seen: Be Heard community will raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by underrepresented communities in entertainment technology and backstage roles. The community will advocate for new, fairer industry standards and working practices alongside working cultures that prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Mentorship & Professional Development:

The Be Seen: Be Heard community aim to iIdentify and make visible mentoring programs, skill-building workshops, and networking opportunities designed to support emerging professionals from underrepresented communities, helping everyone to equally succeed in the industry.

• Anti-Bias & Allyship:

The Be Seen: Be Heard community will visibly signpost people to organisations that can provide ongoing training to individuals and businesses to address unconscious bias, promote allyship, and ensure inclusive practices are embraced by business at all levels.

• Community Building:

The Be Seen: Be Heard community is a place where everyone can connect, learn, and grow. The community will continue to evolve, welcome new contributors, support events, panels, and discussions that facilitate meaningful conversations and encourage the provision of safe spaces for members to share their stories and experiences.

• Accountability and Transparency:

The Be Seen: Be Heard community holds itself and the entertainment technology and backstage professions accountable to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through regular reporting on progress and open dialogue with its community it will remain transparent and gatekeeper free in its efforts to create a more inclusive industry.Join the Be Seen: Be Heard community and help to reshape and reimagine the backstage and entertainment technology landscape. Collectively, we can create an industry that is attractive and welcoming to everyone. Whether you’re a veteran in the industry or just starting out, whether you are an individual contributor, business or industry organisation, your contribution is essential in creating a future where diversity and inclusion are the norm, rather than the exception.