Working with Film: Advice for Women

Working in any business where you may be the odd one out, whether for gender, ethnicity, or religious views – it can be tough to assert your ideas, stay confident, and be delighted with the work you love. I am a recent college undergraduate in digital film and am working toward a masters in creative writing. My goal is to be a director and screenwriter because I love stories and I think they are an integral part of our lives. Being a woman in this business is not exactly the easiest task. In working with a business primarily run by men, women need to be careful so as to bring their world of ideas into one of the forerunner artistic mediums; if women are not rising to the call of film, then what ideas could be over shadowed? In production, easily the film crew could be working 16-18 hour shifts with one day off in the week. In these stressful work hours, people’s guards come down and sometimes the choices people make could end in terrible results: anger, depression, sexual harassment, and self-loathing. Women need to know how to work in this community while also remaining safe and knowing how to share their ideas with class.

Here’s a few suggestions on what to do if you find yourself in a film production:

1. Expect that men will flirt with you and that you need to set boundaries otherwise you may end up more of a joke than actually serious about your job.

2. Don’t let any uncomfortable advances toward you prevent you from your job and report this information to someone you can trust. You need to feel like you can do your job without being someone’s doll.

3. Be careful with how you present yourself. You don’t want to come off as the femi-nazi because no one will want to work with you and if you want to be the film tart, go ahead, but most likely you’ll lost the respect of many. You need to be serious and keep your head on straight while also enjoying what you do.

4. Be patient. Don’t tear into someone just because of an accident. Any unnecessary words on a film set can add more time to actually getting done and finally being able to sleep.

5. Be on your guard. You need to be conscious of what’s going on because many things on a set are dangerous including fires, heavy equipment in every direction, and sets with parts that are not finished – if you’re not paying attention, easily the objects of the set and the people can take advantage of you whether emotionally, physically, or mentally.

6. Communication is key so if there is something that needs to be said, think it over, talk to the person directly, and make sure everything is cleared before moving on. A tiff on a film set can be magnified to paramount size if not handled appropriately.

7. Try not to be intimidated. Jump in and help with whatever you can and don’t be afraid to ask questions. 

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