Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1061165
2 2 P E R S P E C T I V E | J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 N E W S Gender Diversity in Film Production B Y D A V I D M O R O N G , E D I T O R The Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University, source of the annual Celluloid Ceiling study, has released employment numbers for the areas of Production Design, Art Direction and Set Decoration. The overall percentage of women employed in behind-the-scene roles has been surprisingly unchanged in the last twenty years. The top 250 films have women filling about 18% of the roles covered in the overall study, which counts directors, writers, executive producers, producers, editors and cinematographers. Female employment in the top 250 films has been slightly higher in the Art Department, and significantly higher in set decoration, an area that has traditionally employed high percentages of women. In 2017, women comprised 20% of Production Designers working on the 100 top-grossing (domestic) films, 29% of those working on the 250 top-grossing films, and 35% of individuals working on the 500 top-grossing films. Last year, women accounted for 23% of Art Directors working on the 100 top-grossing films, 26% of those working on the 250 top-grossing films and 32% of individuals working on the 500 top-grossing films. Women comprised 70% of set decorators working on the 100 top-grossing films of 2017, 71% of those working on the 250 top-grossing films and 73% of individuals working on the 500 top-grossing films. While it is hard to predict any trends in this area, if one looks at the participation of women in the ADG apprentice program over the last three years, there have been thirty-three women accepted to the program and eight men. This is an indication that there is an impressive pool of talented young women stepping into the profession and ready to move up the ladder. SOURCE: CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF WOMEN IN TELEVISION AND FILM, SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY Women Working as Production Designers, Art Directors and Set Decorators: 2017 73 32 35 71 26 29 70 23 20 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Set Decorators Art Directors Production Designers Top 100 Top 250 Top 500