PRP: Artefact 6 - The Idea

Artefact 6:

Idea:

- to set up a pilot mentoring scheme with existing multimedia students
- begin artefact early - tested over time
- Hold mentor meetings provide support where needed
- Provide training where necessary

Aim:

- to test and evaluate the effectiveness of a woman mentor studying the same subject area
- to evaluate how a mentor scheme for women multimedia students can encourage a positive transition into the working environment
- to explore the possibilities of expanding the mentor scheme into a more formal activity / group

PRP: Artefact 5 - The Idea

Artefact 5:

Idea:

- To create an environment involving women and men working on technology together
- Final year fashions show (roles - camera operator, live video feed and live video editor, runner)
- Test / observe confidence level when approaching new technology
- Alter circumstances i.e. change roles, provide support as a mentor / trainer
- Mentor subjects throughout the course of the practical test
- Record the test in a video diary format with stills


Aim:

- to explore women’s approaches to roles within audio-visual production that involve technology
- test how the confidence levels are affected (through observation)
- establish whether having a woman mentor / trainer affects the confidence levels or approaches

PRP: Artefact 4 - The Evaluation

For my 4th artefact I worked on a Bollywood film production and carried out various tasks as part of my job role as Assistant Co-ordinator. This enabled me to explore the representation of women in an audiovisual working environment. As a work experience student I had the flexibility to experience different aspects of the film production, which allowed me to fulfil a range of roles.

Having worked on the set as well as the production office I was able to develop a better understanding of the role of the director. In addition to this, after a week into the placement I was given the opportunity to shadow a woman 2nd Assistant Director (AD) who has had over eight years experience working as an AD.

Through observations, working practice and conversations with crew members I discovered that in order to achieve a vision it is important for the director to have creative and technical awareness. Therefore confidence around technology is an influential factor in implementing ideas effectively on film.

I also found that my confidence increased after the 2nd AD joined the production. She acted as a role model or a mentor for me and enabled me to learn skills and techniques quickly. This related directly to my previous artefacts which have highlighted the need for women in the industry to set an example for women studying multimedia subjects.

I feel that the idea of a ‘mentor’ could effectively increase confidence with technology. The role of the director requires an authoritative approach in both technical and creative terms, which is a characteristic that can be built upon with the support of a role model.
I intend to explore the confidence of women with technology for my next artefact by doing technology based exercises or focus groups with current multimedia students.

PRP: Artefact 4 - The Result

1st Week: Roles fulfilled by women
–Choreographer
–Hair & Make-Up
–Production Manager
–Assistant Co-ordinator
–Casting Manager
–Props Buyer




2nd & 3rd Week:
•Woman 2nd Assistant Director
•No Creative or Technical control but she has been 1st Assistant Director for over 8 years
•Knowledge about women in the film industry
•Conversations about the representation of women in Multimedia
•Acted as a mentor / role model

I found:
•Directing involves full creative control of the film and knowledge of the technical aspects
•Requires and authoritative character in order to achieve a vision
•Difficult to manage personal and professional life in order to be successful
•Having a role model can influence your attitude, approach and confidence within a role of authority
•Women tend to be good at organising and ‘paperwork’ (that’s what I did too)

PRP: Artefact 4 - The Test

Worked on a Bollywood film production (VEER) for 3 weeks and carried out the following roles:
»Assistant Co-ordinator
»Floor Runner
»Production Assistant
»2nd Assistant Director
»Tea/Coffee girl
»Junior Artiste Assistant




Tasks:
»Create Call Sheets
»Create Movement Orders
»Liaise with 1st AD, Line Producer, Producer, Production manager
»Lock off public for a take
»Co-ordinate Junior Artistes

PRP: Artefact 4 - The Idea

•Idea
•To work in an audio-visual environment where I can experience and observe the roles fulfilled by women
•Explore different attitudes and approaches to women working as directors or in a technical environment
•Examine my approach and understanding of how I could become a director
•Explore possible solutions or factors that could influence my confidence and approach to film making

•Aim
•To gain an understanding of the representation of women film directors and what the role entails (technical abilities, authoritative approaches)

PRP: Artefact 3 - The Evaluation

For my third artefact I visited the Birds-eye View Women’s Film Festival and used this to test the representation of women as directors. The under-representation of women as directors was highlighted as an issue at various sessions in the festival. However I found that there are women directors in the industry who are passionate about the role.

Through my findings I discovered that confidence, mentoring and parental responsibilities are three main factors that influence the role of directing for women. I found that the women that were able to manage their career and be a parent at the same time were able to progress in the industry and implement their career aspirations. However this is an element of lifestyle that would be difficult to test within the time frame and practicality of this research project.

After speaking to various practitioners in the industry it is evident that mentoring is an important and influential foundation that has enabled a sense of confidence in women. Therefore this is an area that I will be exploring.

In relation to this I will be setting up a mentoring scheme for first and second year Multimedia students. Mentoring is a concept that requires time to build a relationship. The effectiveness of this can only be tested over time. For this reason I am beginning to implement the idea from now so that I can fully explore the idea for an artefact further into my research.

For my fourth artefact I intend to concentrate on the idea of confidence. I will be exploring how this is related to technology and film directing. This is a subject that focuses on the psychology of practitioners. My aim is to test levels of confidence and evaluate how these levels are influenced.

PRP: Artefact 3 - The Test

I attended the film festival and had a conversation with:
Holly Gromasio – Pervasive Games Designer
Sarah Blow – Founder of Girl Geeks
Rachel Millward – Birds Eye View Founder
Mary Harron – Film Director
Kate Kinninmont – WFTV Chief Executive
Jeanie Finlay – Film Director

I watched screenings of:
The Age of Stupid – Franny Armstrong
Frozen River – Courtney Hunt
International Shorts – Various Women Directors
UK Shorts – Various Women Directors

I gathered the following quotes:
–“You have to pretend to be who you want to be before you become it” Mary Harron
–“How do I become part of this world?”
–“What matters is getting your way!”
–“I don’t think you should have to make a choice”
–“They’re not in the big time”
–“I’d like to think that I might make 4 feature films in a year. But whether I can or not …”
–“They have a single-minded unquestioning will to become a director”
–“You’ve got to have the balls to do something, make things happen”

I learned that:
6% of film directors in the UK are women
16% of games designers are women