Kristi Gilligan and Bronte Charlotte have an intimate and empowering chat about working both in front of and behind the camera as female presenting creatives. They discuss gender equality and gender stereotypes in the film industry, the lack of diversity behind the camera and how we can start to make active changes even lower down the chain, Kristi’s transition from pursuing acting to becoming a successful 2nd Assistant Camera, and what a 2nd AC actually does!

During this episode we discuss:

• [02:48] How being vegan on set became impossible, The Warehouse Workshop, and the start of Kristi’s interest behind the camera
• [06:18] Kristi’s history as a second camera assistant, how COVID-19 affected the film she was working on at the start of 2020, and what does a 2nd AC actually do!?
• [10:18] An agent's advice on how to move interstate for acting, how Kristi fell out of love with acting, and how working behind the camera compares to acting in terms of career stability
• [15:57] The pros and cons of being in the film industry, social lives and how they can become non-existent when working, and the expectation on you as a part of the crew
• [20:06] Kristi’s first gig: how she got it and where it took her
• [22:40] Women working behind the camera in film, classic ‘gender-roles’ on set, and why people comment on the fact a woman is working as a 2nd AC
• [27:59] Diversity on set, and how can we create a greater support system for ALL minorities - racially-diverse  and gender-diverse people - to be succeeding in their chosen careers paths
• [33:55] Recognising when you are consuming female and non-binary driven stories, films, TV shows, and how the content, characters and relationships will be different to male driven media
• [35:30] The transition from being an actor to a crew member and how expectations in your appearance and attitude change, Bronte’s personal experiences of body politics as a female presenting actor, and the people who are actively hiring and casting people of diverse backgrounds and genders
• [42:55] Habits, Ladies in Black, and the joy of creativity
• [46:20] GET ON IT: The Guilty Feminist Podcast

RESOURCES 

• The Warehouse Workshop, now a screen acting studio on the Gold Coast
  https://www.warehousestudio.com.au
• AFTRS Film School
  https://www.aftrs.edu.au/
• Ladies in Black
  https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/screen-news/2018/09-20-ladies-in-black-behind-the-scenes
• Bonny Elliot, an award-winning cinematographer who works across drama, documentary and video art.
  https://www.bonnieelliott.com
• The Guilty Feminist Podcast
  https://guiltyfeminist.com

Head over to the @chats.w.creatives instagram page to stay up to date with episodes and guests we have coming up!

Follow our host Bronte Charlotte on Instagram @bronteandsunshine

Follow this week's guest Kristi Gilligan on instagram @_k.r.i.s.t.i_._

Produced by Anahata Collective

Music by Rick Scully