Jenny Carchman Explores ‘Very Crazy Story’ of eBay Harassment Campaign in Fremantle’s ‘Whatever It Takes: Inside the eBay Scandal,’ Debuts Teaser (EXCLUSIVE)

by

In 2019, the Steiner couple experienced a cyberstalking ordeal. This included menacing threats, unusual deliveries such as a macabre pig mask and unexpected late-night pizzas, along with alarming messages. They soon discovered that this was not an angry individual disgruntled by their reporting on EcommerceBytes website, but rather eBay itself.

“It’s a very crazy story,” director Jenny Carchman told EbMaster.  

In “Whatever It Takes: Unveiling the Dark Side of eBay,” she reveals the unethical aspects of a corporation, contradicting their motto that suggests humans are inherently good.

As a movie reviewer, I can’t help but empathize with the Steiners’ plight when I spoke to them. The uncertainty of who was causing the harassment and being powerless to put an end to it was truly exasperating. They were pushed to the brink psychologically, to such an extent that they found themselves confined within their own home.

Occasionally, David would take Ina with him to the store, as she preferred to rest in the back seat due to their concern about being observed. I aimed to capture that unease and constant vigilance through my writing.

In 2020, Carchman found out about the story, primarily due to an article published by The New York Times that spotlighted various individuals, including eBay’s security director, Jim Baugh.

She remembers that one topic discussed was the selection of movies he would screen for his employees, which included titles like ‘American Gangster’, ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ or ‘Johnny Be Good’. Reflecting on it, she thought, ‘Wow, these stories would make fantastic films.’

Although it created quite a stir – even former CEO Devin Wenig was provoked by Ina Steiner’s post about eBay’s lawsuit against Amazon – the article’s disclosures were largely overlooked, she acknowledged, buried amidst the tidal wave of COVID news and the November election.

As a dedicated cinephile, I tirelessly sought connections and conversations, hoping to expand my network. To my dismay, it seemed like every lead I pursued led nowhere. Fortuitously, our producer Allyson Luchak had crafted a movie titled “Trial 4,” shedding light on the pervasive corruption within the Boston Police Department. Intrigued by this powerful narrative, The Steiners sought legal representation based on that gripping film, taking a step closer to their quest for justice.

Whatever It Takes,” initially inspired by a phrase from ex-PR head Steve Wymer, is brought to you by Big Pond Films, in collaboration with Undeniable, a brand under Fremantle, and Concordia. The global distribution rights are managed by Fremantle.

It has shared a clip with EbMaster in exclusivity.  

There’s been a significant change in workplace behavior norms that we’ve witnessed over time. This transformation became more pronounced with movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter. However, currently in the U.S., under this administration, there’s a noticeable surge of division. It seems people are increasingly keen on preserving their interests and maintaining the company’s operations as they see fit.

As a devoted movie-goer, I’d say it goes like this: “I, along with many others at eBay, including Veronica Zea who was interviewed by Carman, felt that any actions we took were endorsed by the company. Little did we know, we would soon find ourselves entangled in an FBI investigation.

She was filled with fear. This was the environment Baugh cultivated: ‘Disobey me, and you’ll struggle to find employment elsewhere.’ It’s startling this behavior occurred in 2019, given that the #MeToo movement had already emerged. Yet, they were still screening these films and hiring young women, nicknaming them ‘Jim’s Angels,’ a reference to that popular TV show.

Carchman also had to figure out how to show the cyberstalking in an engaging way.  

Pondering over this film’s unique narrative, I found myself grappling with the challenge of translating an online story onto the big screen – a tale unfolding on screens big and small. The key lay in creating a chilling atmosphere, something that demanded a careful blend of music and visual elements. We aimed to capture the subtleties, to make every frame visually thrilling.

Carchman wasn’t afraid of eBay’s retaliation, she said. 

I must admit, the thought did cross my mind. I can’t deny that there might not be risks involved, but I feel strongly about standing up because I believe what occurred was unjust. It seems wrong to me, and I don’t think any company should misuse their power in such a manner.

She stated: “It’s really about determination. It transforms into a puzzle you’re compelled to solve. You can’t help but continue: you can’t stop reading or conversing with people. The vendors were the ones who were most apprehensive, fearful that eBay might take away their means of living or harm them in some way. That, in my opinion, was the most intriguing aspect. Since eBay relies on the sellers, their absence would make it cease to exist.

The film might be complete, but the story isn’t. 

Carchman expressed that he intended to end it on a bittersweet note due to its human aspect. It’s about personal values, ethics, and one’s sense of right and wrong. Devin Wenig suggested removing it, but the reason was unclear as it was just a minor blog, seemingly driven by ego.

Seven workers from eBay found themselves under FBI investigation, potentially facing prison time. Meanwhile, Devin Wenig stepped down, receiving an exit package worth $57 million, and maintained his innocence regarding the allegations.

Currently, the Steiners are engaged in a civil court case. If this case proceeds to trial, further details may emerge.

Read More

2025-02-28 15:20