Don't Be Afraid to Be Bitchy
What I learned from 50 women in a room at the SVG Europe Football Summit
This week I went to Liverpool for the SVG Europe Football Summit, held at the brand new and beautiful Hill Dickinson Stadium.
I had the opportunity to talk about the work we are doing for this summer’s World Cup. But that was not the experience that impacted me the most.
Earlier that day, as part of the Summit, there was a Women in Broadcasting workshop. An opportunity to share time with three very successful women who are leaders in our industry in the UK.
Lowri Davies, Director of Broadcast Services at Premier League Productions.
Nia Wyn Thomas, Football Senior Producer at Sky Sports.
Alison Lombardi, Head of Production and Executive Producer at FilmNova.
The workshop gathered over 50 women from our business at different levels. Production managers, production assistants, executives, talented directors. Women who are building their careers and women who have already built them.
Lowri, Nia, and Alison shared their stories. Full of successes, but also full of self-doubt at different moments in their careers. And still, they pushed through and got to where they are today.
We were about 4 men in the room who were lucky enough to witness the conversations and participate.
It was amazing to see the flow of conversation. Opportunities, challenges, visibility, lack of respect, support, growth. All of it, out in the open.
The “Bitchy” Label
One thing impacted me more than anything else.
Most of the women in the room, if not all of them, agreed on this: a woman is easily labeled as “bitchy” if early in her career she shows a strong character. Or even if she simply fights back when a man is being disrespectful.
The best example came from a young director who walked into the truck and the “boys” around her asked if she was the graphics operator. When she said she was the director, one of them responded: “And do you know how to do that? I am not sure I want to work this show.”
While extreme, this kind of experience is still part of what our colleagues face in many productions today.
We Men Are Bitchy Too
My question to the ladies at our table was simple.
Why are you so concerned about showing up as bitchy, when we men are not concerned about it at all? We overuse confrontation. We push back without thinking twice. In short, we men are bitchy and we don’t lose a second of sleep over it.
This is not about being disrespectful. It is about showing up for yourself.
I get it. You don’t want to fight with the crew you are working with. But sometimes, showing up strong while remaining respectful is the first step to earning their respect.
You have the talent. You have prepared to do your job. You have the same rights as any of the guys in the room. Why would you tolerate being disrespected when none of them would?
It is not about being feisty. It is about showing up for yourself and caring zero about the “bitchy” label.
This Should Not Be a Conversation
I think that under normal circumstances, we should not even be talking about this. We would all be treated the same no matter our gender.
Our industry has improved. A lot. But it is still not equal and fair to all the women out there. Those who already are in the room and those trying to get into the business.
Part of that improvement is women feeling safe enough to be themselves. No matter if this is still a boys club in many places.
And no matter how much you need the work, don’t tolerate disrespect. You can be respectful, but if you need to protect yourself, don’t be afraid of being bitchy.
If You Need Support— risewib.com
SVG Women in Sports — svgeurope.org/women and sportsvideo.org/svgw
Gals n Gear — galsngear.tv
Participate in one of their programs or simply talk to people in the same situations you are. You will find support and guidance to navigate this complex business we love, and where we need all of us.
If you know a woman in broadcasting who needs to hear this, forward this edition to her.
Sometimes knowing that someone else went through the same thing is all the push you need.
Talk soon,
Oscar S.