How many women on these boards?

Dennis Wood · June 24th, 2005, 12:09 PM

So Stephanie, what's your theory on why there are so few women slinging cams?

And I do read instructions ... if:

A. It doesn't work right after assembly
B. There's important looking parts left over.

Lorinda Norton · June 25th, 2005, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis Wood

what's your theory on why there are so few women slinging cams?

I'll bite. My aching back may tell some of the tale. :)

Truly, the hauling of all the gear may be a hindrance, although in my case, wasn't a consideration because I'd been hefting bulky 80's Crate audio gear for years.

"Wiring" may have a lot to do with it. Can't speak for Stephanie or anyone else here, but I never did play with dolls and stuff like that. And the conversation in which most women engage? Well....

I finally decided that a woman can enjoy working with boys toys and still be feminine. (At least I hope that's the case. :) And at my age (45) who cares what other people think, anyway? But schlepping* gear to and from special events in 4-inch heels can be a pain sometimes. I'd love to be able to work on creative projects (like Mark's allusion!) but besides not being good enough, there are those pesky bills...

As for the importance of these boards, I'll add one thing unconfessed to this point--I really do like talkin' with the boys. By and large, they're good-hearted, SMART (love geeks!) and know how to have fun. When you like laughin' as much as I do, ya just gotta be around tech guys, that's all there is to it!

*thanks for the word, Ken T.!

Charles Papert · June 25th, 2005, 12:50 PM

On a related note:

http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.ph...246#post278246

Stephanie Wilson · June 26th, 2005, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis Wood

So Stephanie, what's your theory on why there are so few women slinging cams?

And I do read instructions ... if:

A. It doesn't work right after assembly
B. There's important looking parts left over.

Hey Dennis,

Your'e very funny! Here's my two penny response:

My theory about why so few women are camerapeople is that it just never occurred to them to do so. When I was studying film and television production at SDSU every girl who arrived at the production classes in skirts and high heels never had any intention of climbing that 14 foot ladder to hang a 1K or haul heavy production gear on location. They were there to learn how to be IN FRONT of the camera, not behind it.

It's just that pesky stereotype imprinting. I believe the same reason that men with athletic abilities don't usually become ballet dancers or men with an interest in physiology don't consider becoming nurses is the same reason that women with interests in journalism don't even think about slinging cameras. "That's a man's profession, don't ya know......"

Thank you Lorinda for also mentioning the weight issue. My herniated disc from 1998 SO recognizes your insight into this matter. It's not just a "girl" thing however. 3 of the 12 guys that I worked with also have herniated their discs. I guess discs know no gender. Everyone try to keep to those stomach muscles tight.....

Thank you all for this wonderful board. Much success to everyone.

Stephanie

Carlos Barbot · June 26th, 2005, 12:27 PM

Just skimming the boards and found it to be a rather interesting topic. I am a newbie when it comes to being a mini DV camera operator -- something I picked up while being a field producer on a doc program. Love it.

Just did my first full fledged gig as an operator--one of ten-- and FOUR of the operators happend to be women, which was a pleasant surprise. I was tired and sore after shooting roughly seven hours of footage. Granted I was using the most unwieldy camera (XL 2 w/ anton bauer battery pack --everyone else had a panasonic and one pd 150) but it might have someting to do with being out of shape!

Owen Dawe · June 26th, 2005, 11:55 PM

There are plenty of women working in tv in New Zealand. Walk into any studio or control room in the three major networks and you'll see heaps of them. Producers, directors, vt, graphics, floor managers, make up, camera operators. Crikey!! they're everywhere in production. Have yet to see a female tech though. No doubt there are some.

Dennis Wood · June 27th, 2005, 11:37 AM

Well I guess I'll just have to do my job and make sure my 23 month old daughter gets a good helping of camera imprinting. I guess I could have laid the camera beside her right after she was born for some wholesome imprinting...wait that only works with geese...

But really, I guess it's what we grow up with, and how we raise our kids. My daughter is already very adept at removing the adjusting knobs on my manfrotto gear (aack!) and is very familiar with what does on behind the viewfinder....these days there's a lot of her there. She's also a big fan of "Daddy's garage", where all the fun projects happen. With so much more film production happening out of people's homes, I'm guessing the same is happening everywhere...and that's good news for a bit more balance in the ranks.

Kris Holodak · June 28th, 2005, 03:16 PM

My sister started college the same time I started kindergarten. She went to a polytechnic institute and studied architecture. It never occurred to me that there were women's jobs and men's jobs. Thinking back on college now that you mention it there were far more girls in front of the camera than behind. But I wasn't the only techy chick and I always thought playing with the gear was more fun.

In fact, I think I've got the best job now because I'm both technical and creative. I haul my own gear (bought a trolly) set up the camera, lights, microphones, etc. I also do my own editing, am generally left to my own devices about determining the best stories to tell from a given set of interviews, and the committee doesn't get involved until it's time for review.

As for active posting on the boards, I read more than I post. Being a one woman show I'm constantly swamped so I don't generally have time unless I have a question that I'm trying to find the answer to. On the other hand, when I see a discussion or question that I have an answer to I don't hesitate to jump in. I don't know that that says anything at all about other women who might be out there since I never really thought of myself as typical.

At least you can tell your friend that the boards aren't guys only.

Matt Champagne · June 30th, 2005, 02:02 AM

Though I don't know really how many women are on this board...I must say that I'd contribute one of the main reasons I'm on this board posting almost every day can be traced back to a reel done by Laura Beth Love. Prior to seeing that reel I sorta fumbled around the forum once or twice...but after seeing her miniDV reel I was inspired...

I just had to find out how someone could shoot something like THAT on minidv (it had a mini35 on it)...and so I ended up pouring over the mini35 forum for weeks....then all the sudden i noticed up there at the top of the page --- the mini35 forum was just a subforum...so I click and I'm in shock at just how much info is before me...and then I found the alternative imaging forum and they were building their own mini35's....and I was hooked.

So even though there may be more men than women here...I can definately say if it wasn't female cinematographers I wouldn't be here.

Funny...that makes it sound almost like ladies night at a bar...there are 5 times as many guys, but the only reason they are there is because of women.

Tommy James · June 30th, 2005, 02:07 AM

I am thinking about getting my Mom one of those new ultra compact Sony HDV cameras the one that weighs only 1.5 pounds. I want her to have something that totally outguns those big standard definition shoulder mounted ENG camcorders yet I want it to be compact so that it will fit in her purse and I want the look to be so unintimidating that even a child could use it. In other words I want it to be user friendly. When I bought my first bigger HDV camcorder my Mom thought that I was trying to shoot the Moon but with this ultra compact version it looks like now I'm getting Mars.

Eugene Presley · June 30th, 2005, 11:58 PM

Mathieu,

How can I contact you? Please send me an e-mail. I'm a filmmaker from Antwerp.

Thanks!

Eugène Presley

Meryem Ersoz · July 1st, 2005, 10:52 AM

it ain't rocket science why more women don't shoot film and video...

after all, look at the astounding number of role models out there for women in the field!

NOT!

i grew up with a girl who, last i heard, is now a 1st assistant director for a tv series and, from all reports from her through mutual friends, there is a huge glass ceiling to wallop your head against in career advancement. just to even join the union was supposedly a huge deal.

i actually wish i could meet more women in the field. a friend and i started a women-only video production group in colorado to help each other learn and refine our techniques, and it is huge fun.

p.s., if there are any other video girls and women in colorado lurking about who might want to join a fun group, shoot me an e-mail.

tommy, after you get your mom her camera, be sure to encourage her to post to dvinfo.net, so we can swell the ranks.

Mathieu Ghekiere · July 1st, 2005, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eugene Presley

Mathieu,

How can I contact you? Please send me an e-mail. I'm a filmmaker from Antwerp.

Thanks!

Eugène Presley

I sent you an email, but in the case you shouldn't read it: you can mail me at sidderke@hotmail.com.
Best regards,

Tommy James · July 1st, 2005, 04:10 PM

Well its going to be a long uphill battle. The perception in the industry is that you need a big shoulder mounted camera or you are not a professional. So a lot of the television networks would not even consider a woman thinking that she could not handle a big camera. With recent advances in technology small and lightweight High Definition single chip camcorders have been invented. Both Sony and JVC make these products. These cameras are so lightweight that even the most petite woman could operate them and the performance of these high definition camcorders simply blows away any shoulder mounted standard definition camcorder. The response of the industry was simply to ban the use of these cameras. Citing that these cameras were not 3CCD they were deemed to be of no professional value because they could not accurately reproduce colors. However the truth was that the cameras did an excellent job of reproducing color sometimes even exceeding their standard definition counterparts. But it was no use. "Ban the junkcorders" the television executives said. Every executive said this except Paula Abdul who allowed the use of the "junkcorder" as a audition camera for the broadcast of American Idol in stunning High Definition.

Marco Leavitt · February 23rd, 2006, 01:29 PM

Whatever happened to Helen Bach? I haven't seen her post in a while. Too bad. She's one of the most knowledgeable members of this forum.

June 25th, 2005, 12:50 PM	#18
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	On a related note: http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.ph...246#post278246 __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

June 26th, 2005, 11:55 PM	#21
Owen Dawe Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lake Tarawera, Rotorua, New Zealand Posts: 244	There are plenty of women working in tv in New Zealand. Walk into any studio or control room in the three major networks and you'll see heaps of them. Producers, directors, vt, graphics, floor managers, make up, camera operators. Crikey!! they're everywhere in production. Have yet to see a female tech though. No doubt there are some. __________________ Owen

June 28th, 2005, 03:16 PM	#23
Kris Holodak Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 302	I never wanted to be in front of the camera My sister started college the same time I started kindergarten. She went to a polytechnic institute and studied architecture. It never occurred to me that there were women's jobs and men's jobs. Thinking back on college now that you mention it there were far more girls in front of the camera than behind. But I wasn't the only techy chick and I always thought playing with the gear was more fun. In fact, I think I've got the best job now because I'm both technical and creative. I haul my own gear (bought a trolly) set up the camera, lights, microphones, etc. I also do my own editing, am generally left to my own devices about determining the best stories to tell from a given set of interviews, and the committee doesn't get involved until it's time for review. As for active posting on the boards, I read more than I post. Being a one woman show I'm constantly swamped so I don't generally have time unless I have a question that I'm trying to find the answer to. On the other hand, when I see a discussion or question that I have an answer to I don't hesitate to jump in. I don't know that that says anything at all about other women who might be out there since I never really thought of myself as typical. At least you can tell your friend that the boards aren't guys only.

June 24th, 2005, 12:09 PM	#16
Dennis Wood Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 916	So Stephanie, what's your theory on why there are so few women slinging cams? And I do read instructions ... if: A. It doesn't work right after assembly B. There's important looking parts left over.

June 26th, 2005, 12:27 PM	#20
Carlos Barbot New Boot Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6	Just skimming the boards and found it to be a rather interesting topic. I am a newbie when it comes to being a mini DV camera operator -- something I picked up while being a field producer on a doc program. Love it. Just did my first full fledged gig as an operator--one of ten-- and FOUR of the operators happend to be women, which was a pleasant surprise. I was tired and sore after shooting roughly seven hours of footage. Granted I was using the most unwieldy camera (XL 2 w/ anton bauer battery pack --everyone else had a panasonic and one pd 150) but it might have someting to do with being out of shape!

June 27th, 2005, 11:37 AM	#22
Dennis Wood Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 916	Well I guess I'll just have to do my job and make sure my 23 month old daughter gets a good helping of camera imprinting. I guess I could have laid the camera beside her right after she was born for some wholesome imprinting...wait that only works with geese... But really, I guess it's what we grow up with, and how we raise our kids. My daughter is already very adept at removing the adjusting knobs on my manfrotto gear (aack!) and is very familiar with what does on behind the viewfinder....these days there's a lot of her there. She's also a big fan of "Daddy's garage", where all the fun projects happen. With so much more film production happening out of people's homes, I'm guessing the same is happening everywhere...and that's good news for a bit more balance in the ranks.

June 30th, 2005, 02:02 AM	#24
Matt Champagne Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New Iberia, LA Posts: 229	Though I don't know really how many women are on this board...I must say that I'd contribute one of the main reasons I'm on this board posting almost every day can be traced back to a reel done by Laura Beth Love. Prior to seeing that reel I sorta fumbled around the forum once or twice...but after seeing her miniDV reel I was inspired... I just had to find out how someone could shoot something like THAT on minidv (it had a mini35 on it)...and so I ended up pouring over the mini35 forum for weeks....then all the sudden i noticed up there at the top of the page --- the mini35 forum was just a subforum...so I click and I'm in shock at just how much info is before me...and then I found the alternative imaging forum and they were building their own mini35's....and I was hooked. So even though there may be more men than women here...I can definately say if it wasn't female cinematographers I wouldn't be here. Funny...that makes it sound almost like ladies night at a bar...there are 5 times as many guys, but the only reason they are there is because of women.

June 30th, 2005, 02:07 AM	#25
Tommy James suspended -- contact admin Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 214	I am thinking about getting my Mom one of those new ultra compact Sony HDV cameras the one that weighs only 1.5 pounds. I want her to have something that totally outguns those big standard definition shoulder mounted ENG camcorders yet I want it to be compact so that it will fit in her purse and I want the look to be so unintimidating that even a child could use it. In other words I want it to be user friendly. When I bought my first bigger HDV camcorder my Mom thought that I was trying to shoot the Moon but with this ultra compact version it looks like now I'm getting Mars.

June 30th, 2005, 11:58 PM	#26
Eugene Presley Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Antwerpen (Belgium) Posts: 220	Mathieu, How can I contact you? Please send me an e-mail. I'm a filmmaker from Antwerp. Thanks! Eugène Presley

July 1st, 2005, 10:52 AM	#27
Meryem Ersoz Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 3,015	it ain't rocket science why more women don't shoot film and video... after all, look at the astounding number of role models out there for women in the field! NOT! i grew up with a girl who, last i heard, is now a 1st assistant director for a tv series and, from all reports from her through mutual friends, there is a huge glass ceiling to wallop your head against in career advancement. just to even join the union was supposedly a huge deal. i actually wish i could meet more women in the field. a friend and i started a women-only video production group in colorado to help each other learn and refine our techniques, and it is huge fun. p.s., if there are any other video girls and women in colorado lurking about who might want to join a fun group, shoot me an e-mail. tommy, after you get your mom her camera, be sure to encourage her to post to dvinfo.net, so we can swell the ranks.

July 1st, 2005, 04:10 PM	#29
Tommy James suspended -- contact admin Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 214	Well its going to be a long uphill battle. The perception in the industry is that you need a big shoulder mounted camera or you are not a professional. So a lot of the television networks would not even consider a woman thinking that she could not handle a big camera. With recent advances in technology small and lightweight High Definition single chip camcorders have been invented. Both Sony and JVC make these products. These cameras are so lightweight that even the most petite woman could operate them and the performance of these high definition camcorders simply blows away any shoulder mounted standard definition camcorder. The response of the industry was simply to ban the use of these cameras. Citing that these cameras were not 3CCD they were deemed to be of no professional value because they could not accurately reproduce colors. However the truth was that the cameras did an excellent job of reproducing color sometimes even exceeding their standard definition counterparts. But it was no use. "Ban the junkcorders" the television executives said. Every executive said this except Paula Abdul who allowed the use of the "junkcorder" as a audition camera for the broadcast of American Idol in stunning High Definition.

February 23rd, 2006, 01:29 PM	#30
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	Whatever happened to Helen Bach? I haven't seen her post in a while. Too bad. She's one of the most knowledgeable members of this forum.