Precarious employment, hiring discrimination and a toxic workplace: what work looks like for Australian cinematographers

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 19:21:18 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/precarious-employment-hiring-discrimination-and-a-toxic-workplace-what-work-looks-like-for-australian-cinematographers-187080>

"It has been a fantastic year for Australian cinematographers in Hollywood.

Australian directors of photography represented two of the five nominees for
best cinematography at the 2022 Oscars. Greig Fraser won the Oscar for his work
as cinematographer on Dune. Ari Wegner became the second woman ever to be
nominated for best cinematography in the 94-year history of the Oscars, for her
work on Power of the Dog.

Now, the work of Aussie director of photography Mandy Walker is being seen by
audiences around the globe on Baz Luhrmann’s film Elvis, grossing more than
US$210 million (A$304 million) at the worldwide box office.

The director of photography or cinematographer is responsible for the overall
look of a film. This key creative leadership role demands advanced artistic and
technical expertise. Our new report, A Wider Lens: Australian camera workforce
development and diversity
, looks behind the red carpet glitz to analyse the
workforce, the work model and the work culture of Australian film and
television camera departments.

We have found a workplace lacking in diversity and a toxic work culture rife
with discrimination, stress and precarious employment.

Our findings suggest Australian cinematographers are succeeding on the
international stage in spite of – rather than because of – labour markets and
working conditions in the Australian film and television production industry."

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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