Women’s Cinema is a new series by Y.M.Cinema Magazine with the goal of encouraging women to pursue after filmmaking career. This time, we interviewed 1st AC Amanda Wojtaszek which has worked on films like “The Incredible Hulk”, “Workin’ Moms”, “Anne with an E”, “xXx: Return of Xander Cage”, “Suicide Squad” and many more. In the discussion below, Amanda describes from her personal view the progress women made in our industry, and what is the best way to start a career in movie making. 

Women in the film industry

In recent years, women have made decent progress in getting key roles in filmmaking. That means we see a more significant number of women DPs and directors. However, there is still a notable gap regarding other roles within the film set. Dedicated campaigns were initiated to support and encourage women to pursue careers in filmmaking. For instance, The TIME’S UP campaign with the slogan: “Shining a Light on Women in Production” in order to encourage and expose the possibilities for women in film production, from lighting to sound to stunts, costumes, sets, and beyond. (Read our article: TIME’S UP PSA Encourages Women to Pursue Careers on Film Set).

Rachel Morrison, ASC: The first to break the glass ceiling

It happened but only after 90 long years. Rachel Morrison, ASC, made history by being the first woman ever nominated for the 90th Academy Award for Best Cinematography. In 2018, Morrison also was the first female cinematographer nominated for the feature category of the American Society of Cinematographers Outstanding Achievement Awards. Furthermore, the most recent achievements of women in the filmmaking industry are made by Kathryn Bigelow which became the first and, as of 2020, the only woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director, and Natasha Braier, ASC, ADF, being nominated for the 34th ASC Awards with “Honey Boy.”

ASC: 390 members, only 18 are women

The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), which counts Morrison and Braier as members, was founded in 1919. However, It didn’t invite a woman to join until 1980. Nevertheless, as time passes by, another crack in the glass has been formed. In 2017 Nancy Schreiber ASC was the first woman to be honored with the ASC Presidents Award for her contribution to the art of cinematography and service to the industry. Morrison said in an interview for the Irish Times that: “I can’t wait till the day that we’re just DPs, like the way teachers are teachers and doctors are doctors and lawyers are lawyers. I think as soon as we represent more than 2 or 4 percent, and we’re not such a crazy anomaly, then hopefully people will start referring to us as DPs”. However, as of 2019, only 4% of ASC members are women. (Read: Women Cinematographers and The Oscar: Time to Break the Glass Ceiling).

Women’s Cinema series

The Women’s Cinema is a series of articles that are aimed to provide s stage for women in the content creation industry, regardless of their role on set. The goal is to encourage more women to pursue after filmmaking career. This time we interviewed 1st AC Amanda Wojtaszek which has worked on films like “The Incredible Hulk”, “Workin’ Moms”, “Anne with an E”, “xXx: Return of Xander Cage”, “Suicide Squad” and many more. Read the interview below:

I started to work on freebie short films until I got enough experience to join IATSE 667 as a camera trainee. I’ve been a camera assistant for almost 20 years. I’ve worked on everything from music videos to some of the biggest features that have come to Toronto.

Amanda Wojtaszek

Initiating a filmmaking career

Y.M.Cinema Magazine: Tell a bit about yourself and how did you choose filmmaking as a career.

Amanda Wojtaszek: I was a kid when I fell in love with movie magic. My grandparents bought a video camera when I was nine years old and that was it for me. The second I was old enough,  I left my remote home town, Red Lake, ON, to go to film school in Toronto. After school, I started to work on freebie short films until I got enough experience to join IATSE 667 as a camera trainee. I’ve been a camera assistant for almost 20 years. I’ve worked on everything from music videos to some of the biggest features that have come to Toronto.

Roles on set

Y.M.Cinema Magazine: Describe your roles on the set, and what do you like most.

Amanda Wojtaszek: My role as a focus puller or 1st AC onset is to run the camera department. I build the camera into its various modes. Also, during the take, I pull focus. The lens is marked with focus distances and my job is to match those distances with the object that we want in focus. Sometimes it helps to tell the story by telling the audience where to look. And that’s my favorite part, storytelling.

I do not feel like there is a glass ceiling, no, but there is definitely more of a climb. The climate is much better now for women….The tides have turned so much, I honestly don’t think it’s that hard anymore. Not for the lower positions, and that’s where you have to start anyway.

Amanda Wojtaszek

Is there a glass ceiling?

Y.M.Cinema Magazine: What’s like to work in a professional environment dominated by men? As the majority of the filmmaking industry are men, do you feel that you have a glass ceiling above you?

Amanda Wojtaszek: I do not feel like there is a glass ceiling, no, but there is definitely more of a climb. The climate is much better now for women. I am getting so many calls for work because they want to include women in the camera department. I still get the comments “Oh, you’re actually pretty good.” from people. Most of the time I want to ask them why they seem so surprised. If I have a male second and I am carrying the camera and he is carrying his ditty bag, sometimes random guys will ask why the guy isn’t carrying the camera. My answer is always “because it’s my job.” They are never quite sure what to say after that. Years ago, though, it was a different vibe on set. Pets on the butt, inappropriate “compliments”, being touched all the time. Some of the guys talking about their conquests and if you said something you were told to just go somewhere else. My all-time favorite comment was someone in my own department who looked at me and said: “If you were under my watch, you’d be getting your nails done, not lugging camera gear around.” As if I was property.

If I have a male second and I am carrying the camera and he is carrying his ditty bag, sometimes random guys will ask why the guy isn’t carrying the camera. My answer is always “because it’s my job.”

Amanda Wojtaszek

Tips and tricks

Y.M.Cinema Magazine: Would you recommend other women to pursue a filmmaking career? If so, what’re your tips and tricks to do so?

Amanda Wojtaszek: Absolutely! Honestly, right now is a great time to get in as a woman. Productions are really pushing to have more women on set. Start with the freebie or indie stuff.  Get some experience and then work your way up. If your union has a trainee program, take advantage of it. Take the time to learn and don’t jump straight into the focus puller or operating positions. There is so much to learn by working with someone else with a lot of experience. Ask questions at the appropriate time. Ask lots of questions. If the person you’re working with doesn’t want to answer them, save them for the next one.

Start with the freebie or indie stuff.  Get some experience and then work your way up…Ask questions at the appropriate time. Ask lots of questions!

Amanda Wojtaszek

Wrapping up

Y.M.Cinema Magazine: Anything to add? Talk freely.

Amanda Wojtaszek: I have built my rep to be a good focus puller and team player, I don’t generally try to play the female card to get work. I am happy to be a big sister to other women coming up in the biz, answering questions, and helping them deal with situations. The tides have turned so much, I honestly don’t think it’s that hard anymore. Not for the lower positions, and that’s where you have to start anyway. I see way more female grips, electrics, sound people, directors, DPs than I ever have before. It’s great!