From 2018 to 2020, Dr. Kathleen Cummins and Maureen McKeon conducted a survey among female-identifying film students at Sheridan College across three cohorts in order to gain a deeper and timely insight into their unique experience as women in film school. They also met with numerous female alumna who each helped to reinforce the overwhelming truth that there is a celluloid ceiling in film schools.

Project Overview

Leaning into the Lens is a SRCA (Sheridan Research and Creative Activities) funded and REB (Research Ethics Board) approved project that examines the role gender plays in shaping the experiences of female-identified film students who are enrolled in film school programs. Currently, student admissions in these programs at Sheridan do not achieve male/female gender parity. Once admitted, a small percentage of female students become strong performers, while the majority opt not to engage in creative leadership and/or key technical roles traditionally occupied by males, like Director and Director of Photography. Deploying various research methods this study examines both the role gender plays in creating different experiences within the two programs, and the students’ reactions to those experiences. The hope is that this research will help develop changes in admissions, curriculum, pedagogy and culture that could help break down gender barriers.

The Leaning into the Lens research study is important since Sheridan is a leader in creative post-secondary education and mandates support for both gender equality and the very diverse aspirations of its students in its Academic Innovation Policy. Since there is a “celluloid ceiling” in effect at Sheridan, the College faces an important opportunity for institutional reflection and change.

This work is innovative as no current research is known to exist in this area. Although there have been several recent studies and reports on the state of gender exclusion in the film and TV industry itself, there has been little scholarly attention paid to the experiences of women enrolled in film programs, where they are still under-represent.

Project Description

There are two parts to the Leaning into the Lens study: an on-line survey and a short educational documentary.

Leaning into the Lens Survey: This part of the study includes data from surveys of female-identified students enrolled in Bachelor of Film and Television and Advanced Film & Television. The surveys determined what barriers, if any, respondents describe and whether, among other things, strong feelings of self-efficacy and inclusion affect respondents’ approach to their film studies. The objective was to collect first-hand experience in order to render visible any gender barriers that currently exist. The researchers then have a clearer idea of what measures need to be taken to erase those barriers in the areas of admissions, curriculum, and program culture and how to strengthen feelings of self-efficacy and inclusion. This survey was approved by the REB (Research Ethics Board), and is administered by Mokhtar Noka at Institutional Research, Sheridan College.

Leaning into the Lens Documentary: The researchers are producing a short educational documentary film, with supporting web-based transmedia that will address the research questions and provide a useful tool for educators who aim to create more inclusive and diverse media programs and pedagogy. Although it will air the issues, overall the film will be aspirational in tone. It will feature interviews with film school alumni, industry professionals, and scholars (experts in the field of gender studies). In addition to interviews, the documentary will also include material from interviews gathered during the “context” phase of research, behind-the-scenes student film footage, statistics, and possibly excerpts from student films. The Transmedia portion will use data visualization to display survey results, display links to relevant research studies, and include documentary excerpts not featured in the final film.

Research Methods:

Leaning into the Lens is a primary qualitative study that has been approved by the REB (Research Ethics Board). The study deployed a feminist intersectional lens of analysis. The study used for its model various gender studies conducted in post-secondary STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs, where there is no gender parity and a lack of diversity. This study adhered to Sheridan’s Research Integrity Policy and Human Participants Policy (https://www.sheridancollege.ca/research/resources/policies).

Potential Impact of Study:

The survey results suggest opportunities for beneficial change in several areas of the College (admissions, curriculum, and film program culture). Ultimately, it is hoped that adjustments at the educational institution level may cause more young women to enter the film industry seeking creative leadership and/or key technical roles.

Student Benefits: The study provided current female-identified film students with a much-needed acknowledgment of their concerns and faculty the ability to track whether any changes made result in more female students proposing themselves for leadership roles.

If you would like access to any of the data and outcomes collected from this project, please reach out to (email address).

Links to resources:

Bibliography
Resources for Educators
Resources for emerging filmmakers & film students