“He Asked Why We Didn’t Have More Crew Diversity, I Was Embarrassed by My Answer”

Noelle Jones, executive producer from The Producers was on set with First Nations director, Wayne Blair when he asked her the tough question; “Why isn’t there more crew diversity?”

She remembers feeling embarrassed, she was only able to come up with excuses rather than an answer. She sat with the experience before she picked up the phone, and started a conversation with other production houses within Brisbane. 

Together, they came up with a hopeful solution. An initiative called ‘Shoot for Diversity’ was brought to life as a promise to be better and to do better. The Producers along with, Eric,Tom and Bruce, Compadre Picture Co, Light + Shade, Taxi Film Production, Kiosk Film and HAPPY have all dedicated themselves to providing more opportunities within the production industry. 

“A lot of us have great intentions but stumble because we don’t know where to start. This initiative removes that barrier,” said Eric, Tom and Bruce’s executive producer, Victoria Conners. 

Armed with an online database of freelancers and graduates who span across cultures, gender, sexuality, religion, and ability, the production teams will meticulously sort through upcoming shoots to find the perfect fit for the participants on the list. 

“Creating specific paid opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds is a great way to encourage diversity within any organisation” said Sara Taghaode, management committee member, Kiosk Film. 

Matt Bamkin, co-founder of Light + Shade emphasised the importance of listening to those who need to be listened to. “So often our industry people fall into roles based on a path of least resistance. We’re going to change that, but giving those who previously didn’t have the opportunity or the platform to say ‘this is what I want to do, this is my intention, I want to be…’ the chance to be listened to.” 

Shoot for Diversity aims to provide strong foundations for a long career, with ‘a wealth of opportunity available within this industry’ as described by Katherine Cooke, senior producer, Compadre Picture Co, this initiative offers direct access to production company decision makers, opening up opportunities for all. 

Angela Murphy, executive producer from HAPPY provided a practical example of this initiative already taking place with her production company. 

“HAPPY was shooting with Publicis Worldwide and we had the opportunity to hire a young man living with autism as on set crew for the shoot. Publicis was also at the time, encouraging and seeking out young writers and directors to include new authentic voices and viewpoints, that may not necessarily be part of the process otherwise. So steps towards diversity were initiated and implemented across this job from several organisations which benefited everyone involved including the end result for the client. There are no losers when we all work together like this. Certainly the receptiveness of Publicis to us bringing on someone who might not have previously found space on a film shoot was important to us”, she said. 

Angela also encouraged others to consider their audience when hiring employees. Regardless of whether they are strategising, writing, or producing for a diverse audience, if there is no diversity among the crew, she suggested that is something that ‘needs very deliberate attention to rectify.’ 

Kohbe Vela-Smith, general manager at Taxi Film Production also reflected Angela’s call out to diversify crew, noting that it makes for better creativity, “varied perspectives and experiences only strengthen our creativity, so diversity in the workplace enriches the work environment for all,” she said. 

Katherine as well as others involved reflected on the opportunities presented to them as young professionals and how they set them up for the successful career that they have today. Shoot for Diversity is their way of giving back to the industry that has supported them for so long. 

Over the next twelve months, a case study will be pulled together and provided to the public in order to monitor and maintain the traction of the initiative. As well as the opportunity to expand into other states around Australia, providing the hope that this isn’t going to be a one trick pony approach to diversifying the industry. 

Shoot for Diversity is a fantastic first step towards real change, too often many people get left behind fighting for a chance to show the world what they’ve got, while the same people are given every opportunity possible. Let us hope, Shoot for Diversity is the start of the production industry working as one unit.