Press Release
All women cinematographers and assistants, including student cinematographers, are invited to apply to join the facebook information exchange group “ACS – The Ladies Lounge”: www.facebook.com/groups/357831320932344/.
Publicising this invitation was one of the decisions of the May 24th meeting of cinematographers attending the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) Women’s Advisory Committee held in Canberra on May 26 at the National Film & Sound Archive as part of the ACS National Awards weekend. The meeting applauded the increasing participation of women in the Society’s activities and discussed the importance of increasing women’s awareness of opportunities for mentorship and skills training. Sue Greenshields of Lemac noted that relatively few women take advantage of Lemac’s open invitation to test out equipment. She reiterated the hope, likewise mentioned at the last WAC meeting by Ali Peck of Red Apple, that more women would join their male colleagues in dropping in to equipment hire facilities in order to gain confidence in using a wide range of new cameras.
It was also noted that some younger women cinematographers are not aware that membership in the Australian Cinematographers Society (http://www.cinematographer.org.au/) is open to them. This includes students, assistants and the small but growing number of documentary makers who are shooting their own films to a very high standard. The ACS provides a forum for cinematographers working in every genre to further develop their skills through mutual co-operation and holds events and workshops for members.
The ACS – The Ladies Lounge facebook page is likewise open to women cinematographers at all levels as a place for exchange of information and job opportunities – as well as a virtual G & T every so often. Invitations to attend the annual Women’s Advisory Committee meetings are issued to all who are admitted to the page.