MENTORS
Overview: If you have experience working in the screen industry and think that the knowledge you have acquired can help someone to take the next step in their career, this is for you. We don’t expect you to have won an Oscar or AACTA award. Sometimes working with someone who is only a few steps behind you can mean you have more recent knowledge of industry terrain. For example, someone who built their career twenty years ago may not know how to leverage an indie web series into a funded second season. MentorHer is about leading from where we are and slipstreaming the person behind you so she can have a smoother journey.
Mentors do NOT have to be members. We encourage applications from all genders, women, men and non-binary people from all areas of the industry.
If you still have unanswered questions you can contact us at MentorHer@wiftaustralia.org.au
MENTOR FAQ:
Am I experienced enough to be a mentor?
We find that many industry seasoned women do not think they have enough knowledge or experience to pass on to another woman. This includes women with broadcasting credits and independently produced work. We believe this comes from a male idea of what success and leadership is meant to look like. This is why we don’t ask what awards you have achieved or how much money you make in the industry. We are more interested in what experience, communities, friendships, craft skills and knowledge you have to share that may make it easier for the person behind you. We call this slipstreaming.
If you have experience working in the screen industry and think that the knowledge you have acquired can help someone to take the next step in their career and you genuinely want to champion other women in this industry, then becoming a MentorHer Mentor is for you.
How much time will it take?
We understand the hectic juggle required to work in this industry.
To make this as easy and pleasurable as possible, we have kept MentorHer to a simple structure of three meetings over three months.
We match you to a Mentee and then we’ll put you in touch to arrange the first (ideally) face-to-face meeting in April. You’ll then arrange a meeting, call or a Skype together in May and a final one in June. The Mentorship officially ends there, but it can evolve into something more regular or ongoing or even a working relationship - it is up to you.
What support will I receive?
WIFT Australia will provide a Facebook page for Mentors to chat and offer peer support. We will also be sending monthly check ins to see how you are journeying. We will also, from time to time, send through articles or other resources that we think may be beneficial to Mentors. At the end of the three months we will conduct a final check in and ask for feedback. Some chapters may also be able to run a July completion event, though this varies according to local capacity.
WIFT are also keen to promote our Mentors as a form of public acknowledgement. You can opt out of this if you wish.
If there are any problems we will do our best to negotiate these in collaboration with you and your Mentee. (See also FAQ ‘What if I don’t get along with my Mentee?’)
How will this benefit me?
Excellent question! Here are five benefits of being a mentor:
Become a better leader: you get to practice leadership,
Help shape someone else’s practice:
Gain fresh perspectives and new ideas: intergenerational, women entering from other fields (eg. police, social work, carers…)
Articulate and strengthen the lessons you have already learned - The best way to anchor knowledge is to teach. Articulating what you know and how you learned it helps to clarify your experience and strengthen your personal narrative.
It feels good
What if I don’t get along with my Mentee?
We understand that sometimes, despite the best intentions, people simply don’t click. If you sense this in the first meeting, please let us know as soon as possible and we will do our best to support including offering to rematch you. Even if the issue does not feel resolvable and there is mutual agreement to exit the program, this is preferable to continuing or leaving in a way that doesn’t feel good. We want to support nourishing relationships based upon care and not those based upon discomfort and unnecessary duty.
Will I be paid?
No. This is not a paid mentorship position. MentorHer is specifically about freely giving back. We know that you have spent a career learning the lay of the land, building networks, celebrating successes and making mistakes. MentorHer is an opportunity for you to pass your accumulated knowledge on. We believe that it is important to help the next generation build upon your wisdom.
In addition, many mentors say they have learned a lot from those they have mentored. For 5 reasons why mentoring can be good for you, read the FAQ ‘How will this benefit me?’
Can I have more than one Mentee?
Yes! We are happy match you with up to three Mentees if you have capacity and are comfortable with multiple mentoring relationships.