Shooting Women:
Behind the Camera, Around the World

By Harriet Margolis, Alexis Krasilovsky, and Julia Stein.
Intellect Press / U. Chicago 2015.
For US orders, please visit Chicago Press:

Shooting Women celebrates camerawomen who film in Hollywood, Bollywood and beyond -- from camerawomen in the 1910's to women who are filming studio features, independent films, TV movies, webisodes, news and experimental digital projects -- and fighting for gender equity behind the camera.

It's available as a book and Print on Demand, both on Amazon, and through the publishers at intellectbooks.co.uk in the UK, and press.uchicago.edu in the US.

"Shooting Women: Behind the Camera, Around the World offers a comprehensive look at the rich and largely unexplored history of camerawomen from all across the globe. In addition, Krasilovsky, Margolis, and Stein provide a detailed account of how unions have often failed to recognize discrimination against women in the workplace--and even within the union itself. Historical overviews as well as first-hand accounts of these women working behind the scenes make for a boo that is both educational and engaging."
— Melissa Silverstein — Founder and Editor of Women and Hollywood

"Shooting Women: Behind the Camera, Around the World... is a fascinating look at the history of the women who pioneered and excelled behind the camera. The book shares insights into what it takes to succeed as a camerawoman and examines women's stories from the United States and around the globe... There are heartbreaking stories of loss and bravery and the very real dangers involved with shooting in some circumstances, and stories of women who have been (or were) positively fearless throughout their careers.
For instance, Director of Photography (DP) Mary Ayubi was stoned by the Taliban for filming a documentary about the lives of women in Afghanistan. Many women interviewed in the book have filmed in war zones, including Sandi Sissel, Lisa Siedenberg, Nancy McKenna, Joan Churchill, Jan Kenny and Margaret Moth, whose face was blown off while filming in the Balkan wars. Other DPs interviewed for the book have faced bears while filming in the wilderness, or have had to contend with abusive men while filming on Hollywood sets.
The courage and perseverance of all of these women in the face of danger an discrimination is not only deeply moving but also a revealing look at the realities of the business. As Alexis Krasilovsky said, 'this is a challenging field with sometimes inadequate protections, but women have been facing challenges in this business for over a hundred years.'
...The scope of coverage is magnificent -- everything from shooting in helicopters, to music videos, to Hollywood features, to shooting the Balkan wars, etc."
— Anna Weinstein, "Documenting the Women Behind the Camera", Film International Vol.14 No.3&4 / 2016, 161-168; www.filmint.nu.

"A must-read for any woman interested in film-making. If you are looking for an invaluable gift to give a women interested in film-making or already working in the industry, this book could transform her life and career.
I took two days this week and read Shooting Women cover-to-cover. I was fascinated and very moved by it. What a gift these three authors have given to women filmmakers everywhere. This book is not just for women interested in cinematography, it's truly a must-read for anyone interested in women in film, film-making, and working in this industry.
When I put the book down I felt like I had spent two days at a retreat with a big, wonderful group of women filmmakers who deeply care about each other, and who really want to help support each others' careers.
It is easy to read, and phenomenally rich in information and wisdom. A priceless book that should be included in the curriculum of every film school around the world.
Belongs on the bookshelf of anyone interested in film-making or women in film."
— Maria Giese, Writer/Director, Hunger on November 4, 2016

"One of the most important books I have read in years. I have been a devoted fan of Alexis' book Women Behind the Camera, Conversations with Camerawomen. This new book takes that research and expands it to the global level to let us know how hard it has been for women around the world to break into technical fields. Film is often pushed out of formal STEM conversations in education, this book brings to light that women in film have the same struggles as those in engineering and computer science. In some cases the US film industry has lagged far behind other industries remaining almost unaffected by the feminist movements of the 1970s. I encourage union leaders who have seen recently tough years of scrutiny to study this text to understand why the marginalization of one population in their ranks is leading to their own dis-empowerment.
The work of these authors is so important to the discussion of how we move forward, how we heal from past wounds and how we provide women the equal opportunities. Twenty-five years ago when I entered the film industry these stories were not easily shared. Though small, this book is its own revolution. Read it."
— Monique Anair on August 31, 2016 (5 Stars on Amazon.com)

"Important book on gender studies. This book may be about women cinematographers but the resonance is far wider. it is a great study about women professionals regardless of the choice of career."
— Priya Rao on August 7, 2016 (5 Stars on Amazon.com)

"For any young woman contemplating a career in film production… this book will help to provide a clear-eyed view of what that career may look like."
—Cynthia Close, "Women Who Shoot: More Cinematography Opportunities in Docs", Documentary magazine, Fall 2016
documentary.org