Jewellery Industry expert Karin Paynter speaks at BAFTA on campaign she co-created

Currently, whilst women make up 51% of the population, there are 2 men for every 1 woman across film, television and theatre. Even in crowd scenes, men vastly outnumber women by more than 4 to 1. In fact, there are proportionately fewer women represented in film today than there were in 1913.

Celebrity Backed Campaign

The event, hosted by the ERA 50:50 Campaign, which has now become affiliated with the international based Times Up movement, saw its guests include Olivia Colman, Gemma Arterton, Emily Berrington, Lily James, Gemma Chan, Miles Jupp, Doon Mackichan, Ophelia Lovibond, Amanda Redman, Tobias Menzies, James Nesbitt, Philip Glennister, Stephanie Cole, Imelda Staunton, Shazad Latif, Jim Carter, Jess Phillips MP, Tulip Siddiq MP, Tracy Brabin MP, and Founding Leader of the Womens’ Equality Party, Sophie Walker as well as the major decision makers and influencers in the UK's media industry.

Famed Broadchurch actress Olivia Colman introduced the evening before handing over to ERA 50:50 who presented a series of alarming statistics illustrating the serious under-representation of women in UK media and the damaging effect this has on society at large.

Jewellery Industry Professional Designs Internationally Worn Badge

Founding Committee Member and Creative Director of ERA 50:50, Karin Paynter, a jewellery and silversmithing professional with over 20 years industry experience, was applauded whilst taking to the stage at BAFTA for bringing the campaign to life and for creating the visual identity of the movement. 

Paynter, who is a RCA trained Jeweller and Silversmith, also designed the ERA 50:50 badge that has been worn by over 3,500 actors and actresses including James Nesbitt and Phoebe Waller Bridge at the BAFTAs, Claire Foy and Emma Watson at the Golden Globes and most recently, Suranne Jones at the National Television Awards.

The badge is being worn all over the United Kingdom and beyond by both men and women to symbolise the desire for gender equality on stage and screen. 

Silver Speaks Director takes to BAFTA Stage

As one of the ERA 50:50's Founders, Paynter was invited to speak at BAFTA about her work with the entertainment industry to try to rectify on screen representation of women, which has a well-documented detrimental impact on young girls and women. She outlined her own early career experiences of the consequences of the power imbalance that comes from gender inequality in the workplace and her hope that her own child will not have to experience the same issues. The Time’s Up movement has highlighted the need for this work across all industries and the ERA 50:50 campaign has recently announced it will form the 50:50 by 2020 pillar of the Times Up movement.

Karin Paynter said: 

“Since we introduced our badge in 2016, it has been bought by over 3500 actors and actresses and become a symbol of equality in the UK and beyond. I have been really bowled over by how proactive the entertainment industry has been in getting behind our campaign and I hope this positive way of approaching a recognised issue and the solutions we have created could be replicated in other industries to accelerate change.”

BAFTA & Equity Support Equality

The landmark event at BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly was aimed not just at challenging but changing the status quo. ERA 50:50 - It’s Time was sponsored by Spotlight Casting and with the full backing of Equity, Times Up and the Mayor of London.

Actress Ophelia Lovibond said:  

“It is happening, I feel there is a seismic change and it is so exciting. I feel so invigorated and honoured to be a part of it.”

Speakers included Olivia Colman, Polly Kemp and Elizabeth Berrington, Co-Founders of ERA 50:50, Karin Paynter, Founding Committee Member and Creative Director of ERA 50:50, Lucy Wales, Information Manager at the British Film Institute, Actress and Comedian Doon Mackichan, Sophie Walker, Founding Leader of the Women’s Equality Party and Comedian and Actor Miles Jupp.

Presenter and actor Miles Jupp said:  

“On the News Quiz, over 8 series, half of our guests have been women, half men. We made a decision, we stuck to it - so could everyone. Even if you only have a little bit of power, make positive use of it.”

ERA 50:50 Campaign Video

According to Paynter guests in the room were 'incredibly responsive' to the presentation and keen to take action where they can to bring about change.

Jess Phillips MP said: 

“In 2018 it seems bizarre that we don’t have a representative media. It’s not even a woman thing it’s a society thing.”

The evening ended with a toast to equality sponsored by Averys of Bristol.