Comments on: “All we can do, as a community, is to welcome anyone who wants to learn. ” An Interview with Fryda Wolff

By: Jaclyn Shumate

Jaclyn Shumate — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 19:02:19 +0000

Nice interview! I like your 5 year approach to impostor syndrome. Sometimes I have to think about my resume to remind myself I can make cool audio and to share something I’m working on if it seems a little too weird. I look better to myself on paper then I do in my own head, ha! In regards to inclusivity, I think it all depends on your personal experience. The departments I can think of today that have the highest number of female employees are all headed by men over the age of 35, and I’ve had many amazing work experiences with people who are already over the hump of finding their place in game audio.

By: Fryda Wolff

Fryda Wolff — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 07:14:48 +0000

In reply to Guy Whitmore. 35 is an arbitrary number. I'm 33. When I wrote that I was thinking in terms of the number of women who were working in games and game audio at the beginning of their careers for that age group versus adults who are just now entering the industry. Back in my day(tm) it was still strange, odd, the exception to see women or a number of women anywhere in games. So I pulled 35 out of a hat thinking people who were working in games at the turn of the century were still not as focused on inclusivity, diversity, or regarding women as peers as commonly as we're seeing today.

By: Guy Whitmore

Guy Whitmore — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 18:00:09 +0000

In reply to Guy Whitmore.

So thinking further about this, I think there may well be a generational component to inequality in general. I did find a survey (web-link below), which points to the link between generation and gender discrimination. And that could well be the case with the game industry as a whole. Yet, I’ve been so fortunate to work with audio teams along the way that have been mature and welcoming to all. And thinking back, the first game team I ever worked on (Sierra ’94) was definitely an exception to the rule: the lead designer, co-designer, lead programmer, producer (and my manager), animation artist, and co-founder, were all women.

http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2013/12/11/on-pay-gap-millennial-women-near-parity-for-now/sdt-gender-and-work-12-2013-4-03/

By: Guy Whitmore

Guy Whitmore — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 18:38:58 +0000

“Men over 35 could have a harder time being inclusive…”

Excellent interview! Encouraging.
But, as an audio director a full decade+ past 35, I feel obliged to call out the above quote. (Btw 35 doesn’t = old in my book). I find that it’s more about background and upbringing that determines attitude. (Momma raised me right:). My personal hiring record re gender equality has been quite good.
Thanks, guy

By: Adriane Kuzminski

Adriane Kuzminski — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 18:35:36 +0000

Great advice and quotes! Convincing yourself can be quite a battle, but Ira Glass’ quote puts that challenge into a productive perspective.

Peepee dance, haha! Working in or at least attempting many areas of development does instill an empathy that makes it easier to communicate and improve workflow (hey, the Myers-Briggs F and T aren’t mutually exclusive).

And I have to add that the site works great on mobile! I’d never seen it on my phone, but it comes out great. Easy to read!

By: Lost Chocolate Lab

Lost Chocolate Lab — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 17:30:05 +0000

Hear more of Fryda’s Origin story as part of this Game Audio Podcast from 2012:
http://www.gameaudiopodcast.com/?p=345

Truly a magical person in the community, so great to have these insights!