wow, thanks for reminding me why i got out of the entertainment industry.
i've been doing live and studio sound for thirteen years. i have a degree in audio technology, and i've worked in studios, listening rooms, ballrooms, major festivals, and club booths all over the country.
for thirteen years i got used to being sexually harassed on a weekly, if not daily, basis. most men in the industry can't deal with having a woman at the console. "chicks can't mix;" sound familiar, gents?
the reason there aren't more women in the industry is because it's a hostile work environment. 60% of the men you work with sexualize the working relationship. they make comments about your appearance, they hit on you when you're trying to set up a mic, they try to touch your ass or tits, and when you're not interested, they call you a bitch and complain to the manager.
imagine that, guys, if you can. imagine that, at least once a week at the studio or club where you work, a man tries to "accidentally" brush against your crotch. if you say anything, you're being "difficult to work with."
of the three women in my college audio course, i was the only one that didn't drop out, due to sexual harassment from the instructor.
it takes a tough lady to deal with all this. plus, a woman has to be three times as good as her male peers to get accepted. the women who have made it in the field are * exceptional. * and there are plenty of great ones, especially in studio settings (where alcohol isn't usually involved
)
that's why there aren't more women in audio, despite the fact that
many of us love to solder and read circuit board diagrams, and can tell instantly where in the signal path your short is, by the sound.
i'm doing audio restoration now. i get to geek out, make shit sound better, troubleshoot, and find creative solutions to audio problems, and no one's called me a bitch at work, or told me i'm "much hotter than the last engineer" in 9 months. ladies who are still in the entertainment industry: i salute you. you love what you're doing, or you wouldn't be doing it.