Virtually inclusive: The promises and experiences of women and gender diverse people in virtual production workplaces

The virtual production industry has grown recently, driven by advancements in software capabilities, new mechanisms for special effects, editing and production in the screen sector, as well as the need to adapt to pandemic conditions. Although these changes are seen as an opportunity to promote inclusion for women, the industry still faces challenges in gender equity and career pathways. While there is much research about the screen sector more broadly, limited research exists on gender equality in the virtual production sector, particularly in Australia. This article presents findings on the experiences of female and gender diverse workers in the Australian virtual production sector, to understand how the sector might perpetuate or challenge these patterns. We interviewed 13 people in virtual production or screen education, exploring the influence of gender on workplace experiences and whether these experiences in virtual production environments align with or deviate from those in traditional screen industries.