By Vanessa Diaz
Director, Diamond View

In time for Women’s History Month this year, I hit another milestone in my career journey as a female director. We celebrated my son’s first birthday, and we’re preparing for the arrival of my second baby… yes, that was quick. Working as a director while expecting in an industry with a dubious past for representation means never a dull moment. But I wanted to take the time to reflect on how motherhood impacts my career, how far we’ve come in helping women succeed in production, and what we can still improve upon as an industry.

Let me start by saying, everything does change with the arrival of a baby, and I anticipate my world to be rocked again when the new baby arrives. Fortunately, I’m in a unique position as a director. Working for Diamond View has granted me an incredible support system. I’m surrounded by considerate and empathetic leadership and coworkers that understand that I have a new, and still very young, family. But this industry isn’t always conducive to family life.

In terms of being on set, the changes between expecting and already having a child are mostly internal rather than external. Externally, when you’re pregnant… it’s obvious. Long days on set can feel like really long days. Feet hurt, breath is labored, back is sore. I can’t thank the crews I’ve worked with recently enough for accommodating me and my growing belly!

After baby is born and you go back to work, back on set, no one sees your new concerns. The people around you don’t necessarily know that you’re trying to make it home by bedtime, or that you’re worried you didn’t leave enough diapers with daycare, or that you don’t want to do anything but scroll through baby pictures on your phone all day. No one can see those mental burdens.

Production is unique in that you can’t be remote or call in. You have to be there - physically and mentally. The biggest change is my new compartmentalizing mindset. At work, I have to know my baby is safe and give it my all on set. When I go home, I put work aside and give it my all at home. It’s not easy. Turning the mind off is a new concept to me - I will forever be working on this skill.

Creatively, parenthood has changed the way I look at things. I have parent vision now. I’m more emotional. I cry all the time. It’s a lot. But this emotion or empathy trickles down into my work. I find connection when I direct. Whether telling stories of mental health for Tampa Bay Thrives, or working with athletes for high energy sports branded content, the stories move me even more strongly than they used to.

*Director Vanessa Diaz on set for a shoot with the Atlanta Braves.*

As far as widespread representation is concerned, I see more female directors now than ever before. This is definitely progress. That said, this industry is far from perfect. I can recount many a story in which male crew members were mistaken for the director of shoots I was directing. Though it isn’t an intentional mistake, that it happens at all signifies an underlying expectation that the industry still carries. I look forward to a future where we don’t make assumptions about the identity of directors, camera department, G&E, etc., based on any preconceived ideas. A future where more underrepresented stories are told by the underrepresented.

*Director Vanessa Diaz on set for a shoot with MITER Brands.*

I also battle with the idea of being a female director. Yes, there is power in that and power in my perspective. But I would like to be known as a director. The need for representation, and yet the need to not be qualified by my gender, do collide. In that sense, we’re due for a two-step passing of the torch. We should continue to seek to close the gap between the number of women and men directors, but we also need to distinguish ourselves as women. Hopefully, once we’re completely caught up, we can shake off the qualifiers and keep working as creatives and as directors, simply regarded for our work.

*Director Vanessa Diaz on set for a shoot with Saint Leo University.*

Education is key. We need to expose young women to jobs they may not know exist or know they qualify for. But let this be your first sign - there are opportunities for you on set! DPs, directors, producers, gaffers, key grips, art department - the list goes on and on. In the Tampa Bay area, finding female crew for certain positions can be a challenge, but that can change. There is a place for you.

I’ll end on a positive note. I am seeing more and more that representation is improving. One of my favorite films of the last few years, Aftersun, was written and directed by a woman - her debut feature film, might I add. The Substance was Oscar-nominated and had a heralded run with a female director. As we continue to push for greater representation and equality in the industry, it’s crucial to recognize both the progress we’ve made and the work still to be done. With continued effort and a commitment to supporting and mentoring the next generation of women in production, I’m hopeful for a more inclusive, balanced, and creative film world.