The Stable’s series of powerhouse women in adland-Aus for International Women’s Day continues. These women are not all CCOs or CEOs although some are leaders. The Stable, and the people who nominated them, want to applaud the grit, guts and gumption that exist in women at every level. We hope our powerhouse women will inspire everyone to see people, not their gender, in their colleagues, clients, friends and partners.
Until the pervasive stereotypes, gender pay gap, unequal parenting…the idea that women are less than…disappear. Until a person’s sex doesn’t affect their choices or their standing, let’s make sure that International Women’s Day continues to its job.
This edition features Photoplay director, Jasmin Tarasin, who was nominated by Oliver Lawrance, managing director & executive producer, Photoplay. He commented, “Jasmin has been a real powerhouse for female film directors in Australia. She was instrumental in setting up Free the Bid in Australia (now Free the Work) and is mentoring countless young female directors and helping them get a start in our industry.”
Here is a snapshot of why Jasmin Tarasin is a powerhouse woman:
The Stable: What is your aim as a director?
Jasmin Tarasin: As an overarching theme I like to tell stories about women when they are missing. All of my long form work leans into this for example my upcoming feature is the untold story of one of our most famous female bushrangers and I am also working on a piece about a white collar domestic violence story and the impact that has on a mother and so. I have a TV series that I created entitled, Family Happiness, which is centred around a matriarchal near future eco commune.
When I am working on short projects and commercial projects I am very conscious of my female gaze. I always start a project asking myself, “How is this going to make someone feel?” This is my start line and every element is decided around this feeling. All of my crew are handed a blueprint of the world and emotional arc that I am creating and they can work towards a common goal. This can work with something that is very moving and emotional, a music video or a Milo commercial. It’s the same method.
I think telling stories about women and seeing the world through a female gaze creates unconscious movement towards gender equality. Weirdly, we are all still in a gender bias and I feel like I am spending my whole life trying to understand why.
TS: What challenges have you had to conquer to get to where you are today?
JT: I think choosing to be a director and not having a “ real job “ is always a reality check in between projects. I still find it challenging and so stressful working project to project. Even after more than 18 yrs working full time as a director it’s not something you get used to.
Also juggling a family in the film industry is challenging. It was only a few weeks ago that I was shooting on set when my son had his first day of high school and had a really bad time of it. That old mother guilt sunk in. I have tried to integrate my children and family as much as possible. Both my kids are now such an asset on set. My son floats from dept to dept helping everyone as he goes. I love. One of my producers at Photoplay, Florence Tourbier. always asks, “What child do you have in tow this time?”
I would like to see a more family friendly environment in the film industry moving forward as it takes such a toll.
TS: What skills and abilities have you relied on, or learned to acquire? What or who else has helped?
JT: I feel my upbringing really shaped my ability to see different perspectives in a really broad scope. I grew up in a working class single mother house in Newcastle with a lot of challenges and pressure to just keep things moving forward but I had a dual life with my father’s family that is full of big thinkers, artists and writers. I was always questioned about why I thought the way I did, asking what else?
When I was a teenager I went to a private school and swam around in privilege but spent my nights as part of a community theatre company creating plays and making meaning to absolutely anything with a bunch of friends who became my life long family. This is what I bring as a director – all these layers and perspectives. I feel with every world I create and every character I work with, I have a sense of knowing this perspective. Understanding the world.
TS: Tell me about founding Free The Bid in Aus
JT: When Free the Bid launched in the S,tates I felt I needed to check myself and my place in the industry. I have always worked surrounded by equal amount of men and women. When the statistics came out about how low the percentage of work was awarded to women in the industry, I was genuinely shocked. I felt that I could help from my experience and networks. So I put my hand up as ambassador in Australia I created masterclasses and networking events; mentoring and support to a new generation of female directors. What I wasn’t expecting is that I created a community and a support group for women and also myself. I reach out daily to women I met through this process and it’s been a really great process. I am no longer an ambassador but I am working with the Australian Directors Guild on trying to address issues directly relate to our marketplace.
Unfortunately, the statistics haven’t changed much. Production companies have a lot more signed female directors. A lot more!! BUT agencies are still not awarding jobs to female directors in an equal fashion. It’s about 15%.
I was recently a judge for a commercial award. There were 45 entries and just 5 of those were from female directors. I just don’t get it.
TS: gets you out of bed in the morning?
JT: Ha ha …kids
But mostly my annoying ambition to tell and create!
I kinda want a real job so I can have holidays for real.
TS: What are you most proud of?
JT: I always try and find something that I am proud of in everything I do but here are a few things I quite like:
