International Women's Day (IWD) is an annual international holiday celebrated on 8 March to commemorate the cultural, political and socioeconomic achievements of women around the globe. It also brings attention to women's rights, including issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
On this day, we meet Head of Production Cherri Arpino and Studio Coordinator Ruby Hornsey. They give us their top tips on why they entered the film industry, how they look after themselves in a fast-paced environment, and what their favourite films are.
Could you introduce yourself?
Cherri: My name is Cherri Arpino and I am the Head of Production at TFS.
Ruby: My name is Ruby Hornsey and I am a Studio Coordinator at TFS. I sort out bookings and client services at the studio.
Why did you get into film and how did you enter the industry?
Cherri: I was very young when I decided I wanted to get into the film industry. I loved movies, I started watching them from a very young age — as we all did. I just decided I wanted to be a part of that life; I thought it was exciting and I wanted to be involved in the filmmaking process. I decided I wanted to become the best film director in the world. Instead, what ended up happening was I found my way into post-production and I've stuck at it ever since, and I've loved it.
Ruby: I got into media in year nine. I picked it because it looked like fun and a less serious course than other subjects. Since then, I studied it at college and university, which was fun. I like to perform as well, so studying media allowed me to perform as much as I could — and again, it was creative.
Ruby, how did you join TFS? Was there something that really surprised you about the famous film studios?
Ruby: After finishing university, I was looking for work and did a few jobs here and there. I joined TFS as a part-time Pool Runner, doing other jobs on the side. I started to do more and more at the studio, I came full time and got my position as Studio Coordinator during lockdown. I have been learning since last summer and I am absolutely loving it.
What really amazed me at TFS is just how everyone gets along. I know it sounds really cringe, but everyone is so close here. And I get to meet so many people in the TV and film industry, which is very different from any other job I've done. I'm the first and last person people talk to, so I get to be part of the whole process, from beginning to end.
If you had a top tip to give to other women who wanted to get into the film industry, what would it be?
Ruby: The industry is actually not as divided into 'men and women' as I think people make it out to be. So my top tip as a woman is to not come in scared that you're going to be the only girl and that you're going to be overshadowed by men, because that's not how it is anymore. Just go in with confidence — it's because of my personality that I got the job that I got. So just go in and be you! And always have snacks.
Cherri: Be respectful, but also make sure you receive respect. As long as you keep those two things, it's going to put you in a situation that sets you above a lot of people, and make sure that the people around you are looked after. You keep your integrity and you make sure you're respectful.
So many women are told when we first start out that you have to be a shark to succeed in this industry. It took me a few years to realise that's actually not the case. Just stay true to yourself, work really hard, and people around you will understand that. Nobody needs to be a nasty person just to survive in this industry. This is a creative industry; it's fun, it's collaborative and it's full of amazing people.
In terms of the physical side of getting into production, it's just about staying on it and building those relationships. Whatever job you go into, make those relationships, because the film and TV industry is actually a very small world. Who you work with on the first film could very well be who you work with on the fifth, sixth and seventh. So it's about being humble, hardworking, and building those relationships.
If you had to pick one female working in the film industry?
Ruby: I would probably have to pick Julie Walters. What an amazing person. She's done everything, and she looks great in her boilersuit in Billy Elliot — I love my boilersuits! She just seems like so much fun to work with. Julie Walters, I love you!
Cherri: I'm a big fan of the Soska twins — Jen and Sylvia. They are sisters from Canada and horror directors. There's a film called American Mary which is amazing — a great story, very stylised, different and quirky but also quite respectful. They do what their passion is, and that really shows through. I love it.
Cherri, what's your favourite film?
Cherri: I'm a big horror film fan. I remember a defining moment (it was the 80s) watching Hellraiser — a classic horror film. That's when I decided I wanted to be a part of that. Ever since then, I've watched horror films and I love them. It's just the story, the mystery — I'm a big fan of fake horror like The Wicker Man, Hostel, Sharknado. I love anything that throws back to a B movie. The idea of going into a cinema, having a laugh or being a bit scared, that's part of the magic of film and TV for me. It's escapism.
How do you manage your mental health while working in such a demanding and fast-paced environment?
Ruby: I worry about and rush into a lot of things. So the best piece of advice I ever had from my own TFS manager is to just take a moment to breathe and think. As simple as that advice sounds, just having a moment to breathe was the best advice anyone has ever given me. I also like to move location a lot — I'm not a sit-at-your-desk person. And we've got The Terrace at TFS.
If you had to name your biggest female inspiration, who would that person be?
Ruby: Sounding very cliché, I would pick my mum. I got to where I was because of my personality and I owe this to my mum. She's taught me to be nice to everyone. She's liked by everyone, and it seems like everyone compares me to her, which is really flattering.
Cherri: This is probably going to seem a bit obvious, but I'm going to pick my mum. She grew up with severe hearing impairments, so she's been deaf her whole life. She's raised three kids and worked really hard all through her life. She brought me up with a view to respect people — to care about the people around you, to really listen. She really is an inspiration to all of us.
Happy International Women's Day! #BreakTheBias