Way back in the days of dial-up modems, Furbies, and CDs, The New Yorker ran a 1998 story featuring seven women who were in top decision-making positions at Hollywood studios. At the time, Sherry Lansing was chairwoman and CEO of Paramount. (She previously became the first woman to lead a major studio when she became president of production at 20th Century Fox.) Amy Pascal was president of Columbia Pictures, Stacey Snider was a co-president of production at Universal Pictures (she would become chairman in 1999), and Laura Ziskin was running Fox 2000.
That era feels a million years away for many reasons, including the complete obliteration of the moviemaking landscape. With the Disney-Fox merger, the historic Big Six studios shrunk down to five, and now, with Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros., down to four. Meanwhile, the streamers—Netflix, Apple, Amazon—entered the game and changed all the rules.
What has also changed just as dramatically is who sits on top. Amid a flurry of cuts the past couple of years, the number of women in the highest ranks at the major studios has dwindled, and grows fewer by the day. And in just the past few weeks, it’s been a bloodbath.
“It is hard to see so many accomplished women being let go. Yet this is bigger than any one executive’s departure. If you look beyond individual headlines, there’s a larger pattern,” Women in Film CEO Kirsten Schaffer tells Vanity Fair. “We’re deeply concerned that with all of the consolidation we’re losing ground for women and people of color to attain and retain decision-making power.”
Last week, Netflix launched its largest round of job cuts since 2022, laying off about 1,000 staffers, 6% of its global workforce. The most surprising sack was chief content officer Bela Bajaria, who had been with the streaming giant since 2016. After being promoted to the role in 2023, she oversaw Netflix’s TV series, movies, and live events globally. She will be replaced by former Disney and Fox executive Peter Rice.