Local 600, Universal Discuss Solutions to Diversify Industry Workforce
Creating more diversity in the Hollywood industry is a key goal for Universal, Keith Gorham, the studio’s senior vice president of labor relations, told the group of 30 or so who had gathered at the local and via teleconference from across the country. Gorham said a partnership with Local 600 would play an important role in making that happen. Billed as “Hiring and Promoting for Diversity,” the event featured Directors of Photography Russell Carpenter, ASC, Rodney Charters, ASC, Michael Goi, ASC, Nate Goodman, John Lindley, ASC, John Aronson, Gary “Gee” Bevans, Jerry Sidell, Geary McLeod and John Toll, ASC. Baird Steptoe, chair of the Local 600 diversity committee, moderated the event. President Steven Poster, ASC, called in from Boston, where he was on a shoot. Camera crews have the ability to help make important changes in creating a more diverse union, President Poster said. “We serve as examples to America and the rest of the world. “We have the opportunity to get things done or just pay lip service.” Besides Gorham, other Universal executives who attended included Gary Wordham, vice president of physical productions and Paula Madison, executive vice president and chief diversity officer of NBCU Diversity. “Camera locals are looked to as leaders on the set. On the feature side, the camera local and the DP are a very powerful creative force,” Gorham said, noting that the Director of Photography is often responsible for hiring up to 30 crew members. “On the television side, the DP is possibly the most powerful force on the set and maintains creative continuity. We’re talking about a very powerful union; that’s why we’re interested in creating a partnership with you.” The directors of photography discussed the challenges of creating more diverse camera crews. The decision to hire minorities or women is sometimes met with skepticism. And insurance issues create obstacles to even get trainees on the set to get a feel for the work. Many directors of photography credited training programs like Hollywood CPR or Inner City Filmmakers in training minorities with the skills they need to work on a camera crew. With long hours on the set, it’s often hard to become familiar with new, talented crew members, and the training programs create that opportunity. Hollywood CPR founder Kevin Considine, who also attended the roundtable, said a contract giving roster status to the program’s graduates is in the process of being completed. Beyond the challenge of creating more opportunities for women and minorities to break into the industry was the reality that Local 600 members who are women or minorities face added challenges in moving to the next level. Baird Steptoe, chair of the ICG Diversity Committee, said plans are under way to help members address some of the barriers they face. Local 600 executive director Bruce Doering said that events like the ICG Emerging Cinematographer awards were one way to get members’ work seen and the Guild’s career coach program also helped open up networking opportunities. Member Hilda Mercado, who attended the roundtable, said being an honoree in the Emerging Cinematographers event helped gave her a platform to show her work. Geary McLeod emphasized the need to have institutional support for diversity in the industry. The intention by Directors of Photography to be aware of diversity was necessary but not enough, he said. Steptoe said diversifying the union was especially important in preparing for the film tax incentives being introduced around the country. Many of these opportunities are open to crews that have some level of diversity. “We need to be prepared for these incentive packages,” he said. Local 600 member Kirby Washington said valuable ideas had come out of the roundtable. “One of the most important things to come out of the discussion was the need to have institutional support for these programs,” he said. Member Xiomara Comrie rated her first diversity meeting as very positive. “I think it was really important to have both sides of the spectrum, the production side and the DPs, who have the true hiring power,” she said. “I thought everyone was being pretty honest and straightforward. It’s certainly a good start.” |
A roundtable discussion Dec. 8 at Local 600’s national office brought together leading Directors of Photography, members of the guild’s diversity committee and Universal executives to explore ways to create more opportunities for women and minorities to break into and move up in the industry.