New Girl In The Office, The

Creator: On Film Inc.

Format: 16mm

Sound: sound

Description: Drama about the hiring of the first white-collar African American worker at a manufacturing plant.; 00:02:41 CU woman's face, laughing. Group of women talking, they turn; look left. Two men talking, also turn. conversation ends, CU; woman's face, smile fading. Black woman faces them.; 00:34:24 Woman hanging up coat at work, faces camera, she fixes hair in; mirror. Hands put paper cups of coffee on table, MS. Man tells; woman secretary to hurry because his coffee's cold. She replies; sarcastically "No wonder I love to get up in the morning... I've; got such a nice boss to look forward to". WORKPLACE. SEXISM.; 01:48:45 Office meeting. Woman / secretary takes notes, men argue; about hiring black woman. One man says "We are inventing problems; to hide our own prejudices", bigot says "I'm don't think I'm a; bigot". Boss says no government contracts unless companies show; they are non-discriminatory. "She's got to be so likable that; any white girl will think twice before she starts any trouble".; Meeting ends, men suddenly notice the woman taking notes.; RACISM. HIRING PRACTICES. MANAGERS. SEGREGATION.; EQUAL OPPORTUNITY.; 05:49:29 Group of women argue about hiring black woman, a few say they; will quit.; 07:18:66 Black secretary, pegboard in bg. Black man / boss invites; woman into office. Venetian blind lighting. Woman explains difficult; time her family had when she went to school at night, working; during day. Face falls when she hears of her new job; possibility. "Maybe things are changing", says encouraging but; naive boss. CU woman's eyes, tense. Woman expresses fear at; being HUMAN GUINEA PIG. "I have nothing to lose... except a job; and about 10 feet of pride".; 12:18:95 (expressionistic bar scene, men with backs to camera reflected in; mirror.) One man convinces other he has to hire black person; it's policy. Man afraid popular white women will resign. "If; she quits, we'll see an exodus that makes the one out of Egypt; look like a quiet Sunday afternoon.; 15:37:71 Black woman in office, man is patronizing. Asner / man on phone; introduced to new black worker, man freezes. CU.; 17:33:80 Black family at home. Woman explains to brother and mother; about racism at work. Mother suggests woman imagined racism; brother says mother is crazy. Mom says "What you are going through; isn't new... Nobody ever heard of a nigger working in a shop where; white girls and white women came in to buy things". Mother tells; of her lack of job opportunities growing up. Woman and mother; hug.; 20:54:72 Coat rack in office, black woman says good morning but white; woman walks away. Exchange takes place in mirror. White woman; resigns. President of company's secretary feels "people need to; wake up" and move forward. Resigning woman says "I think you; understand my position", President says "I know your position, I; don't understand it". Boss's mouth slightly twitches (tic). CU; angry faces. Blinds, plants and couch in bg. Man convinces; woman to think about it, she says she is afraid she will do all; the wrong things.; 26:45:27 Workplace cafeteria. President and man watching table of; women, smoking cigarettes. Chatter dies down, people turn heads; and African American woman with tray of food appears. Popular; secretary stands and glares at her, new woman passes by them; about to cry when president of company's secretary rushes over; and greets her, invites her to eat with the other secretaries.; Woman says thank you with immense gratitude. Some mad, some; chat with new woman.; 28:19:49 CU hand typing on typewriter, superimposed over chatting; women. No one quits. THE END.