Women in Film & Television – Screen Based Workforce Report

Women in Film and Television – Toronto (WIFT-T) have released Frame Work II: Canada’s Screen-based Workforce, a snapshot of the current employment of equity groups in the context of today’s business and technological developments.

The study’s results show that while there has been some progress in the representation of most designated groups in screen-based industries, such progress does not always keep pace with Canada’s overall workforce. The study looks at workforce trends in film and television production, film and television distribution, broadcasting, and interactive digital media, with a particular focus on women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups.

The report brings to light challenges and opportunities for employers, emerging professionals, educators, and key decision-makers.

Selected Key Findings:

• The “old-boys club” still commands authority, particularly in the film and TV production, film and TV distribution, and broadcasting industries. The “glass ceiling” for women continues to exist but it has moved up a level of seniority.

• Women have made some progress in the decision-making and creative positions in film and television production and broadcasting but remain underrepresented in the technical roles across the screen-based industries.

• Gender-based disparities in average earnings persist across the screen-based industries, which may be the result of a greater proportion of women in lower paid positions.

• Training is not a panacea for hiring or for progressing further in one’s career in the relationship and project experience-driven screen-based industries. Designated groups must work proactively to improve their career management skills.

• The market is an effective driver of change when a compelling business case can be made about the connection between a more diverse workforce/more diverse content and an increase in sales and enhanced competitiveness.

• “Work-life balance” is the workplace issue identified as the most significant in terms of its impact on recruitment and career progression across the screen-based industries.

• Members of designated groups still face great challenges in overcoming negative perceptions about their abilities in the workplace.