MODULE OVERVIEW

Assertiveness is the communication skill that involves expressing your thoughts, needs, and opinions confidently and respectfully. Lacking this aptitude can not only jeopardise the completion of a project, but also strain professional relationships and harm industry reputations. Being assertive enables you to  navigate the collaborative and creative aspects of the industry effectively, ensuring that members of your team can communicate and advocate for their ideas, contribute creatively and meaningfully to projects. During conflict resolution, assertiveness is key to address concerns confidently and without compromising your professionalism. Let’s recap on how the characters applied these competencies throughout the game:

In the scenario Inappropriate comments, Hazar (Sound Assistant Trainee) went through an ongoing problematic situation where Nick, the camera operator and a senior member of staff made sexist comments about the talent. This type of behaviour is, unfortunately, still quite common within the unhealthy culture of a male-dominated industry. In this case, the player had three choices that, in real life, can lead to numerous different consequences. When a younger member of staff confronts a senior colleague – especially in public -it is not uncommon to meet defensive attitudes and receive backlash for this, resulting in potential tension in the workplace. However, as more people gain awareness of intersectional diversity, equity and inclusion, speaking up can model firm, healthy boundaries that, slowly but steadily, make the industry a safer space for all. Naturally, people do not always feel safe or confident to confront the situation in real time, so speaking to a senior member of staff that you trust can be a good step towards raising awareness of these issues.

Can you think of other examples of assertive communication portrayed in the game?

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LEARNING OUTCOMES

In this module, learners will grasp the fundamental principles of assertive communication, reviewing practical strategies to express their ideas confidently and diplomatically. Learning to navigate conflicts, the module emphasises assertiveness as a key tool for effective conflict resolution, enabling participants to address disagreements or compromising situations constructively while preserving professional relationships. Through industry-specific scenarios and case studies, participants will improve their assertiveness skills, gaining the ability to advocate for a safer and healthier work environment, and contribute to collective awareness.

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OUTLINE

Section 1: Assertive vs Passive vs Aggressive (15 min)

When working with a team, it is crucial to nurture trust whilst also projecting your autonomy. Keeping these in  balance is a useful mechanism to develop healthy boundaries in the workplace to prevent younger or less experienced people and those from marginalised groups, being disadvantaged, through power dynamics. Having said this, it is important to comprehend what being assertive can look like and how it differs from passive and aggressive behaviours.

Assertive communication involves expressing thoughts and needs confidently while respecting others, fostering open dialogue. On the other hand, passive communication is characterised by a reluctance to express oneself, often leading to unmet needs and potential frustration – this is popularly known as people pleasing. In contrast, aggressive communication entails forceful expression at the expense of others, often resulting in conflict and a negative interpersonal environment.

 

Activity: Read the following example on Hazar’s experience while addressing sexist comments on set and reflecting on the choices you made throughout the game. Do you agree with how the choices are perceived in the example? Write down two hypothetical situations and a potential assertive, passive, and aggressive response for each of them.

Example

Situation	Response
Hazar overheard an inappropriate comment by a senior member of the team on set.	Player’s response
What did an assertive response look like?	Don’t respond but talk about it later to a friendly crew member.
What did a passive response look like?	Laugh along, its only banter.
What did an aggressive response look like?	Challenge Nick’s comments immediately.

 

Prompt 1

Situation	Response
What did an assertive response look like?
What did a passive response look like?
What did an aggressive response look like?

 

Prompt 2

Situation	Response
What did an assertive response look like?
What did a passive response look like?
What did an aggressive response look like?

Section 2: Choose your battles (15 minutes)

In the dynamic landscape of the Screen Industries, conflict resolution is an essential skill for young professionals. Collaborative storytelling often involves diverse perspectives and creative tensions. Learning to navigate disagreements with tact and open communication is not only crucial for maintaining a positive work environment but also for fostering innovation and producing high-quality content. Embracing effective conflict resolution empowers young professionals to transform challenges into opportunities for growth and collaboration in the vibrant and competitive realm of film and television production.

 

Case study - The Director’s Dilemma

You've recently been hired as an early career film director for an independent production company. Your first project is a low-budget indie film with a tight shooting schedule. The project has a diverse cast and crew, each with their unique talents and opinions. You're tasked with leading the team and ensuring the project's success.

 During the filming of a critical scene, two lead actors, Bobbie and Ash, start having creative differences. Bobbie believes the scene should be played with more emotional intensity, while Ash thinks a lighter approach is better. The tension escalates, and it's affecting the overall atmosphere on set. 

Activity: Discuss ideas to resolve this conflict and lead the team towards a successful shoot. How would you.

 

 

 

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CALL TO ACTION!

Assertiveness journaling

During the following week, maintain a journal documenting real-life scenarios where assertiveness played a role, reflect on your and other people’s responses, and identify areas for improvement. Adopting journaling as an ongoing practice will help you foster self-awareness and reinforce the application of assertiveness principles in your professional and personal interactions.

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EXTERNAL RESOURCES

ScreenSkills’ High-end TV encouraging good working: in practice training session is free to join and designed for industry professionals from entry to expert levels to develop skills for conflict resolution.

 For more information on ways to combat sexual harassment in the UK Film and Television industry, you can refer to Dr. Anna Bull’s recently published Safe to Speak Up policy brief.