I really should take the time to write up Saturday’s women’s panel here in Santa Barbara, not least of all because it seems to have been neglected in most outlets. It’s an undervalued annual program, always moderated with class by Madelyn Hammond and featuring some of the most formidable female talents working in the industry.
This year’s group consisted of “Toy Story 3” producer Darla K. Anderson, “Alice in Wonderland” costume designer Colleen Atwood, Skywalker Sound Vice President and general manager Gloria Borders, “Waiting for Superman” producer Lesley Chilcott and “Winter’s Bone” producer Alex Madigan.
The immediate thing that sticks out is how so many of the panelists are producers, and Borders was quick to note as much. “You don’t see that many women that are visual effects supervisors or editors or sound mixers,” she said. “Women are really good producers. We’re really good at getting people to get along and walk in the same direction.”