ASC President Mandy Walker Honored at Women in Media Holiday Toast

Women in Media raised a glass to ASC President Mandy Walker during the Women In Media Holiday Toast on December 6 at Hotel Sofitel in Beverly Hills. Walker was feted along with writer/actor Ashley Nicole Black and best-boy grip/matrix head tech Krystina Figg.

Nancy Schreiber, ASC, who was previously honored during WIM’s inaugural Holiday Toast in 2017, spoke during the event, urging women to support one another. “I’m profoundly moved to be seeing women and other marginalized voices truly taking center stage within this organization and in our industry,” Schreiber said, emphasizing the “vital need” to educate and support these working women. “Women often face the greatest obstacles in even getting a toe — let alone a foot — in the door.”

Schreiber recalled the early days of WIM, when founder and executive director Tema L. Staig attended NAB Show and Cine Gear Expo, "going to vendors, where these women — quite a diverse group — could see, touch, feel and pick up the gear, really demystify it. And that's what we really needed.” She also acknowledged a number of vendors who have helped contribute to educational initiatives.

Rallying the group in attendance, Schreiber asserted, “We are out there. We are competent, committed, talented, and more than ready, willing and able to work, and work hard — work well. We have to be better than everybody, because we are under the microscope, to this day.” Schreiber was among the first few women to become an ASC member, and reported that the Society now has 44 members who are women, including its first woman president. She added, “Mandy’s exceptional work has been an inspiration to us all for decades. And what a brave leader she is.”

Director Niki Caro led a toast to Walker, describing how they worked together on Disney’s 2020 live-action re-telling of Mulan. “That shoot was immaculately prepped," Caro said. "It was executed without fuss, and with a spirit I can only describe as joyful — much of that to do with Mandy. She’s a leader, she's an artist, she's a visionary, and she's beloved by all who work with her.”

Chelsea Devantaz toasted Ashley Nicole Brown, saying that Brown holds the doors open for other women. “She has always made sure it's not 'woman in media' — it’s women in media,” Devantaz said. Scott Howell toasted Krystina Figg, saying, “The best best boy in the business is a girl!”

Staig moderated a discussion with the trio of honorees, which included how they started in the business. Walker credited her mother with sparking her early interest in the arts and going to the cinema at age 14, before she had decided on her career path. "I was interested in the art of storytelling, and I was interested in photography," Walker said. "So, for me, it was a natural place to go. I just knew that I had a passion for this job.”

Asked about the ASC, Walker said she was very proud to take on the role of president, for which she was elected last spring. “[Past president] Shelley Johnson did an amazing job, and we have such a great staff,” she said. “They’ve made the place very inclusive, diverse, happy and well run.” Citing Society initiatives, including education and the work of the ASC Vision Committee, she added, “It's a place where cinematographers come together to meet and talk, and to exchange ideas and educate one another. To me, that's a very important part of the organization.”

Looking ahead, Walker received applause as she said, “I'm hoping that more people go back to the cinema. So many films are being shot on film again, and Imax is huge. There’s such an array of different types of genres of movies that play really well in the cinema, and [moviegoing] is a social outing.”

During the brunch, WIM also hosted a a silent auction, whose prizes include consultations with industry professionals, memorabilia, production gear and more. Event sponsors included the ASC (Silver Partner) and American Cinematographer (Media Partner).