Editing the narrative: How to support women in post production
While the tech industry created initiatives to encourage more women into it, post production has yet to attempt the same outreach. But, says Madi King, Studio Manager at Transmission, there are plenty of talented and ambitious women looking for opportunities, and who will only make the sector creatively stronger.
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Post production is typically a male-dominated space, with 68% of the workforce made up of men. But that narrative is changing.
The gender imbalance in post production isn't due to a lack of talent or capability – women are just as technically skilled and creatively brilliant as their male counterparts – the issue is more about visibility, accessibility and long-standing industry habits.
The gender imbalance in post production isn't due to a lack of talent or capability.
Historically, post production, with its tech-heavy roles and behind-the-scenes nature, hasn’t been marketed as a space for women. It's not so much that we've been actively excluded, but that we've never been intentionally included.
Above: Initiatives like 'Girls Who Code' and 'Women in Tech' raised awareness of opportunities for women within the tech sector.
What are we getting wrong?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that women aren’t applying for these roles.
While application numbers may be lower in some studios, that doesn’t mean the interest or potential isn’t there. It often comes down to outreach. If companies were to broaden the scope of where and how they recruit, and actively encourage women to apply, we’d start seeing very different numbers.
If companies were to broaden the scope of where and how they recruit, and actively encourage women to apply, we’d start seeing very different numbers.
Compare this to the tech industry, which faced similar issues. Initiatives like 'Girls Who Code' and 'Women in Tech' didn’t just raise awareness, they created communities and pipelines. Post production needs the same kind of momentum. Without it, many talented women won’t see this as a viable or welcoming career path.
How can we make it better?
Representation matters. Seeing women in leadership roles within post production isn’t just about optics, it’s about inspiration and relatability. When young professionals see someone like them excelling in a space, it makes that space feel accessible.
In my own career, I’ve rarely worked with senior women in post. Often, I was the only woman in the room. But I’ve also been lucky to work in production management, where women are more represented, which has allowed me to grow in a supportive environment. Still, we need that same visibility on the technical side of post.
Above: Seeing women in leadership roles, flying the flag for the post production community, can only be a positive.
That visibility can start with introducing initiatives where women are mentored from junior roles through to leadership positions. It’s not about ticking boxes, it’s about nurturing talent and creating real pathways for growth. Job adverts should also include inclusive messages encouraging people from all backgrounds to apply. These subtle cues matter. By forging an inclusive environment from the early stages of recruitment, it's a message that can ripple through the rest of the industry.
This isn’t just about equality. It’s about creating stronger creative outcomes.
Beyond hiring, we need to celebrate women for their talent, not just their gender. Championing someone because they’re the best at what they do, and just so happen to be a woman, sends a powerful message. Visibility at events, on panels, in client meetings – it all contributes to building a more inclusive industry.
Where will this lead?
This isn’t just about equality. It’s about creating stronger creative outcomes. Post production is collaborative by nature. We don’t just work with colleagues, we work with clients. A diverse team is better equipped to understand and reflect a client’s needs and perspectives. If we pigeonhole talent, we limit our potential to connect, innovate and produce work we’re truly proud of.
If the industry doesn’t evolve, it risks becoming outdated, but I believe we’re moving in the right direction. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but every intentional step counts. Mentoring, inclusive language, championing talent and, most importantly, listening.
To anyone reading this who’s considering a role in post production, know that there’s a place for you. Whether you’re technical, creative, managerial or something in between, the path is there. You don’t need to fit a mould to succeed here. In fact, the industry needs people who break it.
Let’s keep editing the narrative and support female development in post.
