“This business can be a really great place for women, particularly when they can benefit from the knowledge and support of experienced female professionals excelling in the field,” SMPTE executive director Barbara Lange said. “Leaders and mentors like Wendy are doing wonderful work to attract more women to the business, and the strong interest in this sold-out event shows how inspiring and valuable the connections among women are for our industry.”
During the luncheon, SMPTE president Aylsworth, senior vice president of technology at Warner Bros. technical operations, joined Jacki Morie, CEO of All These Worlds, and Poppy Crum, senior scientist at Dolby Laboratories, in discussion about what it takes to be a woman working in the entertainment and media technology industry. Drawing on more than 50 years of collective experience, the three shared their perspectives on being successful in an industry that still lacks women.
“Women are a fundamental part of the media and entertainment technology workforce, and the future will rely on finding the best talent for technical and executive roles,” said Eileen Kramer, executive director of HPA. “SMPTE and HPA Women in Post offered a valuable array of insights to women who work, or will be working, in one of the most invigorating, challenging and rewarding careers in the media and entertainment industry.”
A number of important points arose from the event, including the need for focus on creativity and mentorship. Aylsworth spoke of the importance of thinking creatively to attract more women to a business that will continue to need the best and brightest talent, and Morie provided practical ideas for making it happen. Crum emphasized the importance of having a mentor in the process of exploring new ideas and possibilities.
