Collection Guide
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Behind the Lens records
570
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Table of contents
Abstract: 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.
Collector:
Behind the Lens
Dates: 1983-1996
Dates: 1984-1994
Collection number: 570
Collection Size:
6.7 linear ft. of papers
0.4 linear ft. of photos
Repository:
Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Available by appointment only.
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are responsible for obtaining all
necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies or individuals before quoting from or publishing
materials obtained from the library.
Behind the Lens records, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Gift of Alexis Krasilovsky, 1998, with additions from Kate Butler, 2004, and Kelly Uchimura, 2005
Collection Scope and Content Summary
The Behind the Lens records span the years 1983-1996 (bulk 1984-1994) and encompass 6.7 linear feet. The collection consists
of correspondence, subject files (general and Krasilovsky, Alexis), and financial papers. The collection covers the activities
of the organization and includes financial documents, meeting minutes, membership records, and newsletters.
The correspondence series includes correspondence regarding the organization's participation in various conferences and seminars,
as well as communications sent to and from members of Behind the Lens. Notable correspondents and recipients include Beth
Brickell, George Spiro Dibie, Georgia Jeffries, Martha Nelson, Woody Omens, Harriet Silverman, and Haskell Wexler.
The subject files (general) contain clippings, legal documents, meeting agendas and minutes, surveys and guidelines regarding
the organization's mentor program, and programs and notes for seminars and conferences the organization participated in. There
are newsletters covering every year the organization was active as well as issues of the Behind the Lens annual magazine for
select years. There is extensive documentation of the organization's membership, including membership applications, directories,
and member surveys. Of interest is the constitution and bylaws of the organization as well as documentation regarding the
dissolution of Behind the Lens in 1996.
The subject files (Krasilovsky, Alexis) contains writings by Krasilovsky, a founding member of the organization. The series
primarily consists of the manuscript for Krasilovsky's book "Women Behind the Camera: Conversations with Camerawomen," which
was published in 2007. Also included are various other writings by Krasilovsky, including poetry and a brief history of Behind
the Lens.
The financial papers include invoices for advertisements placed in the Behind the Lens magazine, bank statements, petty cash
documents, and tax documents.
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.
The mission of Behind the Lens was to improve opportunities and working conditions for camerawomen, and it did so in a variety
of ways. The organization offered workshops and seminars to educate its members about technological developments in the industry.
It held monthly meetings to encourage networking and offer support. It also hosted screenings to celebrate the work of its
members. Additionally, Behind the Lens distributed a monthly newsletter to provide information to camerawomen wherever they
might be working. The organization also formed relationships with other industry organizations, including Interguild Women's
Caucus, Independent Feature Project, Women Make Movies, Films de Femmes, and Women in Film, who relied on Behind the Lens
for all-women camera crews for its film festivals and awards shows. To promote employment of women in the field, the organization
compiled a directory of its members which was sent annually to studios, production companies, and unit production managers,
among many others. Behind the Lens also offered student memberships and arranged apprenticeships with mentors working in the
industry.
The organization was run by volunteers and relied on the efforts of numerous working camerawomen. Members included directors
of photography, camera operators, camera assistants, still photographers, and film loaders who were active in IATSE Locals
644, 650, and 666, NABET Locals 15 and 531, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the American Society of Cinematographers,
and the Society of Operating Cameramen. Founding member Alexis Krasilovsky, a filmmaker and professor in the Department of
Cinema and Television Arts at California State University, Northridge, acted as assistant newsletter editor and secretary.
Krasilovsky also wrote "Women Behind the Camera: Conversations with Camerawomen" and co-wrote "Shooting Women: Behind the
Camera, Around the World." Cinematographer and first assistant camera Kate Butler joined the organization as an apprentice
member and later served as chief executive officer. Kelly Uchimura, assistant camera, joined on an apprentice membership early
in her career. Unfortunately, by the mid-1990s, many of Behind the Lens' members were too busy to keep the organization afloat.
After some effort at revitalization, the organization officially dissolved in 1996.
Organized in the following series: 1. Correspondence; 2. Subject files – General; 3. Subject files – Krasilovsky, Alexis;
4. Financial papers.
Behind the Lens
Camera operators
Cinematographers
Organization records