GENDER: CONTINUING TO ACT AS A BARRIER FOR CAREER DRIVEN WOMEN

EXPLORING THE GENDER BIAS IN NEWCASTLE’S MEDIA THROUGH THE EYES OF FOUR DIFFERENT WOMEN WITH FOUR PECULIAR STORIES.

By TIA THOMAS

A majority of women from all corners of the world are coming together in spite of their differences in shape, colour, religion or culture to overcome the challenges they face as females. A traditional system of social values continue to oppress and strip many women of their voices. Although complete gender equality does not seem to be achievable in this generation, there are plenty of strong women making progress as professionals and activists. These women that we may know and wish to be do not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. 

Women both in-front and behind the scenes of productions for popular television shows and films are constantly facing the gender bias that has continued to oppress women through the decades. As viewers, we often hear the stories of women in-front of the camera, but the stories of female crew members working hard behind the scenes have been forgotten. These women are taking charge of large companies, organising pre-production, lifting heavy equipment and interviewing people with a high sense of arrogance. Females in the media industry are working to make micro and macro connections that will transform old fashion attitudes and create a better future. Without the representation of women in the media, people will begin to have a limited understanding of the events happening around the world.

But in a male dominated industry, the number of women working in the industry is abysmal and do not appear to be improving in the near future. According to the 2014 report by Stephen Follows Film Data and Education, in the past 20 years women have compromised 23% of crew members in the top 2,000 grossing films.  Even less females have been celebrated for their creative talents as film director. The New York Times discovered that in the 91 years of existence, the Oscars had a history of only five women received nominations for best director. With Kathryn Bigelow being the only winner for her film ‘The Hurt Locker’ in 2010. Perhaps not enough women are interested in the industry or feel discouraged by the dwindling numbers of females. But it is no coincidence that a woman’s role as a professional has influenced job prospects within the journalism industry. The Women’s Leadership Institute Australia discovered that in October 2018, only 40% of female journalists covered politics; meanwhile 76% wrote about celebrities. The findings made by a variety of sources bring into question how societies traditional beliefs placed on gender continue to influence women as professionals. The types of stories covered by women is limited, but further so by gender equality. 

However, making an impact on society’s gender values is nothing without smaller women making big changes in everyday life. As country towns are stereotyped for having a ‘backwards’ way of thinking, it creates a foundation for all woman to take the steps necessary to make progress. But not to judge a book by its cover, a woman for her gender or a town for its stereotypes. Brave working women come forward to shed some light on the truth about working in the media industry. As more scandals are creating a negative depiction about the relationship between females and male co-workers, these women will reveal what really happens behind closed doors. Being a controversial topic, the women involved will remain confidential to allow them to speak freely about the challenges they face daily without repercussions.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

In a male dominated industry, it is important for women to empower each other rather than compete as society would expect. This philosophy has been taken on board by the two hard working women from Newcastle. Being the first and only two females in the local production crew, the girls have come a long way in the industry in a short amount of time. Working on completely different spectrums of the production industry, both females have had their fair share of inspiring stories during their career.

Two years ago after being a client, the 35 year old Production Manager decided to pursue her passion for the production industry. Despite having little education, through persistence she was given the job and earnt her title as the first female member in the crew. Roughly six months later, 24 year old skilled cinematographer and editor made her way onto the team. The gap of male to female employees is impossible to ignore, the two females have become undoubtedly an advantage for the company and fellow co-workers. With a welcoming relationship and open environment, the two girls have been given the opportunity to develop their skills. Growing past their gender, cinematographer says “in this team there is no bias, there is nothing, we are all just one team – the guys here are more in touch with females, more sensitive and understanding.”

The progress made within just one company in the matter of two years brings attention to what could be possible if more women are hired in the field. But this progress is not without its challenges. The 35 year old Production Manager commonly works with clients from male dominated industries, she has found herself in some difficult meetings; “if there is a room full of men it is quite hard to get your point across – men aren’t afraid to dominate the conversation a bit more.” Having a naturally powerful personality, she feels concerned for other woman in her position. But rather than be deterred, she says “it’s kind of really good for us to see that and be able to help them get that [gender equality] message across.”

As a young woman, working in a male dominated industry is no easy plight. The 24 year old cinematographer has had to overcome many issues that has come to face her during her two years as a professional. A particular hurdle that continues resurface is the fight for dominance and respect during interviews. Whether her age or gender be the primary issue, there is no denying that the 24 year olds skills in production are constantly second-guessed. As men are the primary interviewee, she says “there is some people that won’t give me the time of day – sometimes their like why are you interviewing me?” Being an industry that relies on either luck or hard work, seeing a young person in a position of power could be threatening. Yet gender seems to play an obvious role as the interviewee’s often maintained eye contact with the male camera operator rather than the woman asking the questions. Anyone working in the media industry would understand that this is not the appropriate interaction method when answering questions in-front of a camera crew. Despite only being new to the field, the 24 year old says she is not concerned by the interviewee’s lack of attention. Developing thick-skin has become an important process in remaining resilient and working harder to earn their respect.

29 WEEKS

After graduating from the University of Newcastle in 2007, the future held so many possibilities for a young woman entering the production industry. But little do people understand the role something as seemingly minor as gender can have as a professional. It was the defining aspect that influenced her career from graduation until current day. Having 12 years working in the industry, a young mother from Newcastle has experienced the best and worst encounters. Shaping the strong, warm and positive woman that sits in front of me. Her advice during the many struggles can carry forth many young girls aspiring to enter the media industry. Be prepared, any hard working woman can tell you some difficult stories that have been influenced by gender and this woman is no different.  But it through these challenges, can any woman begin to excel.

From producing audio, animation to visual effects, this Novocastrian has a wide range of skills across the production industry. Her story begins in Sydney, working amongst the most competitive in the business but being the career driven woman she was prepared for the challenge. During her time as a professional, she quickly discovered how to navigate around the subtle sexism that is destined to become the permanent undertone of any woman’s workplace. One of such methods is to develop thick-skin and fast. Although the mother has not experienced direct gender discrimination, it is rather the female presence in a male dominated industry that inspires challenge. The mother warns “you have to be twice as good as the guy to be considered half as good – as a guy you can walk into somewhere and it’s accepted but as a woman it’s like ‘what is she doing.’” Perhaps young females aspiring to enter the industry hear warning signals in their head, saying ‘RUN!’ but it is this challenge that makes a successful woman.

For some women, there is a day that will come when you decide to slow down and have children. Whether it’s planned or not, questioning if and when you’ll have children is a choice that can impact your journey to becoming a successful working woman. The Novocastrian made the decision with her boyfriend to not have kids during their 20’s, but rather enjoy the time they have together. Her life dramatically changed three years ago when discovering she was pregnant with her daughter. Balancing her new born child and her career became almost impossible as she struggled to secure a return date with her employee after maternity leave. This was another sign for her to leave as overtime she had begun to lose passion for her secure job and made the decision to walk away. Now 29 weeks pregnant with her second child, she began her freelance career earlier this year. Despite never considering freelance before, she is dipping her toes in each field, from social media marketing to a brand producer. Reinventing her ideas as a professional was not without its challenges, but through her experiences and overcoming the boundaries as a woman, she has never been more driven.

BEHIND THE CLOSED DOOR

Getting hands on with the camera equipment and working behind the scenes editing hours of work was what dreams were made of for this young girl from Newcastle. Now 24 years old and the dreamer has turned her goals into reality. Down a long corridor, working in a dark editing room lives the dedicated woman loving every moment of her job. She began her successful journey into the industry at just 19 years of age with her first full time job in Sydney. Now looking back at her ability to balance education and career, it seems impossible to achieve. But it is incredible what can be achieved when a passionate woman is involved. Five years later, she is working a secure job in Newcastle where her skills are continuously tested through long hours spent editing.

Working in a well-established company is not without its challenges, as some traditional values towards gender roles that have been carried through the decades. Being a young female surrounded by men in power over 50’s of age has made her subject to her skills being continuously second-guessed. She found it hardest to prove her talents within the first six months, saying “it’s a very much boys club when you come in anywhere – it’s a male dominated field.” But she felt that the environment drastically changed when the crew got a female manager three months ago. After working with male managers for three years, the 24 year old felt that she was more supported and given creative freedom with the edit. Unlike the previous years working with male managers that would pace in the edit room or control every aspect of the edit. In fear of having her male co-workers not taking her seriously, she removed emotion and continued to remain professional.

Being a male dominated industry, gender has become a disadvantage for the Newcastle local, saying “they assume that you can’t do the things that they can do – especially when it comes to really long edits and really long days on camera.” Perhaps the misjudgement is due to the large age gap between her and her fellow co-workers. But even after three years, gender bias continues to obstruct her as a professional, feeling that her suggestions are ignored and yet her male cohorts are valued. Despite the obvious challenges she faces being a young female in a meticulous industry, this woman shows the possibilities that a little resilience and confidence can have as a professional.

Four remarkable women sharing very different experiences during their time working behind the scenes of local productions. Through their stories, we see how gender bias slips into every setting of a professional in the media. However, through persistence, womanly support and time these women show that anything is possible. Because women who empower women, are always building a better future for us all.