DIVERSITY INITIATIVES AND RESOURCES
BrownBag Pictures is dedicated to showcasing diverse stories about women, love, family, and friendship for a multicultural global audience. What sets BrownBag Pictures apart is its unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusivity as it brings together a diverse range of talent, both in front of and behind the camera, to create authentic and relatable content.
Our commitment to diversity is reflected in our productions. We’ve learned that the best way to promote diversity in the workplace and in our productions is to SHOW diversity. In doing so, we hope to show other companies the value of a diverse working environment in building community, as well as increasing the employment opportunities for underrepresented groups and thereby growing a richer, more inclusive industry.
To that end, BrownBag Pictures consistently seeks to hire diverse department heads, mid-level and entry level crew, using its deep industry contacts, referrals, pipeline programs and organizations that promote access and empowerment in underrepresented communities to make this happen. The company adheres to and adopts the Inclusion Standards set forth by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In addition, seeks to attain gender-balanced hiring with every production and receive a ReFrame Stamp.
EMPLOYEE/CREW REFERRAL PROGRAM
As an equal opportunity employer, a key part of BrownBag Pictures’ talent acquisition strategy is hiring through referrals. We’ve determined this is a great way to attract and hire the most qualified candidates including from underrepresented groups in the industry. We establish a diverse workforce so we encourage crew and employees to recruit and bring their friends and family to our attention. A best practice for us is to source approximately 30% of our crew/employees through referrals. Going below that we believe would be to miss an opportunity for innovation and creativity.
MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS
National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC)
As a member of the Advisory Board of NAMIC SoCal and former Membership Committee Chair, CEO and Producer Beverley Gordon works with the current leadership of NAMIC SoCal to recruit from the diverse membership to offer opportunities to gain development and production experience
BrownBag Pictures Accelerator (In Development)
Early-stage fund raising and development of a non-profit content accelerator dedicated to supporting mid-career POC Independent Producers to create commercial film and television across various genres.
This is conceived as a year-long fellowship program, including a monthly stipend, where POC would work in a supportive and collaborative environment with access to advice from notable industry producers and experts, and one to one mentorship
PIPELINE PROGRAMS
BrownBag has relied on its relationship with established organizations and groups, to create crew lists for recruitment and promoting diversity. Those organizations and groups are updated regularly and include:
Streetlights
Offers free production training for participants who gain the necessary skills to be staffed as production assistants. https://www.streetlights.org/
Jazz Hands Music Place
Creates pathways for musicians on the autism spectrum to expand, share and be compensated for their musical talent.
https://www.jazzhandsforautism.org/ or https://www.jazzhandsmusicplace.org/home
Hue You Know
A production resource of BIPOC media professionals ranging from Executive Producers, Make-up Artists., Directors, Social Media Marketers to assistants.
Edit Girls
Source for discovering female and non-binary editing talent
Free the Work
Talent discovery platform for finding underrepresented creators
https://www.nowness.com/contributor/200113/free-the-work
Array Crew
Platform offering access to diverse below the line crew
**Diversity Information is distributed to all employees/crew in their start work prior to their employment**
To learn more visit: www.brownbagpictures.com/policies-guidelines
