In case you’re a woman who interested in working on set as part of a production team creating movies, TV shows, or other visual content, look no further. TIME’S UP Foundation has launched an awareness campaign to encourage more women to pursue their careers in film production. Explore more below.

TIME’S UP Foundation and Women’s Production Group

The idea for the PSA (Public Service Announcement) came from the Women’s Production Group, which is a self-organized sector of TIME’S UP foundation that includes executives, cinematographers, casting directors, film commissioners, below-the-line agents, line producers, production designers, union reps, and more. The goal of the TIME’S UP movement is to help fight systemic sexual harassment in Hollywood and beyond. The foundation has raised over $20 million for a legal defense fund by some of the biggest names in the industry, like Steven Spielberg, J.J. Abrams, and more prominent actresses and actors. The Women’s Production Group, which is a self-organized community within TIME’S UP, founded and led by Dana Belcastro, head of physical production for Solstice Studios; Sara Fischer, head of the production for Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland production company; and Debra Bergman, Executive Vice President & Head of Production, Paramount Television Studios. This organization has created this PSA to educate women everywhere who are unfamiliar with the entertainment industry about job opportunities in hopes of moving the industry closer to gender and racial parity. 

We’re so pleased to see the attention paid to the need for more women directors and cinematographers, but let’s be clear: when it comes to diversifying our sets, you have to also focus on the production roles on set

Sara Fischer – Women’s Production Group

Women in the film industry

In recent years, women made a decent progress for getting key roles in filmmaking. That means we see a more significant number of women DPs and directors. Read our article from last week, which deals with women cinematographers and the Oscar (Women Cinematographers and The Oscar: Time to Break the Ceiling Glass). However, there is still a significant gap regarding other roles within the film set. In January 2019 the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative released its Inclusion in the Director’s Chair study, which revealed that across 265 top films released between 2016 and 2018, women working in the camera department totaled only:

• 5 camera operators
• 0 gaffers
• 1 female best boy electric
• 4 female grips
• 8 female best boy grips

“We’re so pleased to see the attention paid to the need for more women directors and cinematographers, but let’s be clear: when it comes to diversifying our sets, you have to also focus on the production roles on set,” Fischer said. “On any given project, there’s only one director and one director of photography, but there could be 10 grips, 10 electricians, 20 drivers, and 15 carpenters,” Bergman said. “These are good, well-paid jobs that more women should know about and be hired for.”

On any given project, there’s only one director and one director of photography, but there could be 10 grips, 10 electricians, 20 drivers, and 15 carpenters…These are good, well-paid jobs that more women should know about and be hired for

Debra Bergman, Executive Vice President & Head of Production, Paramount Television Studios

It’s time for a change

The idea of the campaign is to encourage and expose the possibilities for women in film production. From lighting to sound to stunts, costumes, sets, and beyond. The campaign provides essential information regarding job summaries, union requirements, and links to programs and communities that support those who want to build a lasting career in the entertainment industry. Furthermore, the campaign emphasizes that every person’s path is different, and production roles don’t necessarily require a degree or prior professional experience in that field. For instance, some people start as a production assistant to get their foot in the door, while others may already have particular interest or experience in specific crafts, like a set dresser, second assistant director, makeup artist, and more. Click here to learn about the potential roles on set. Watch the PSA below: 

Wrapping up

This PSA is truly inspiring since it sheds light on the tremendous opportunities for women in the film industry. For those who dream of being a DP or director, this initiative helps you have a foot in the door, which can create your pathway to a fascinating career in making movies. Go to the campaign page to explore the many job opportunities available for women in production.