The collection consists primarily of newsletters, correspondence, a manuscript of Behind the Lens founding member Alexis Krasilovsky’s book “Women Behind the Camera: Conversations With Camerawomen,” member documentation, meeting minutes, clippings, financial and tax records.

Behind the Lens was an American association of professional camerawomen established in 1984 and active until 1996. The association arose out of informal gatherings held in the summer of 1983, conducted partly with the intention of organizing camerawomen to film the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The number of working camerawomen had grown slowly since the film industry began and were still relatively uncommon. Many women felt isolated in the profession and appreciated the opportunity to commiserate and network with fellow camerawomen. The gatherings quickly evolved into a more official organization, and in April of 1984, the group drafted its first constitution and by-laws and elected a board of directors for what was now known as Behind the Lens. In 1987, it was incorporated as a non-profit in the state of California, by which time membership had grown to nearly 150 members.

6.7 linear ft. of papers 0.4 linear ft. of photos

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