We tell women’s stories.
Women are half of this world’s population but we’re just 29% of the world’s senior managers and only 5% of Fortune 500 CEOs. From 2018-2019 in the US film industry, women represented only 15% of directors, 17% of writers, and 18% of studio heads. Fewer than 9% of Members of the US Congress are women of color. The statistics on LGBTQ+ representation are even more alarming.
From limited reproductive freedoms, gender bias in the workplace, and lacking paid family leave, there are countless forces that perpetuate these statistics. The COVID crisis only makes the challenges harder to overcome. We need to work together more than ever!
the problem:
I was looking to hire a crew for an original video series sharing birth stories. After years of making late night television (woof, what a man’s world), then big box office films and viral video for TED, I know how to make compelling content. It was important to me to foster a safe space for sharing our incredibly intimate birth experiences in interviews. Finding birthing people to tell their stories was fairly easy, but my goal of hiring female and non-binary crew was much, much harder. And so the idea for Cosyne was born.
our mission:
We believe telling our stories, honestly and openly, is the greatest catalyst for change. Cosyne is a creative content collective for women, by women. Utilizing compelling film, video, photography, graphic design, and much more, we are the creatives to help amplify your ideas.
phase one: original content
Cosyne's first original series is coming in 2021 - short-form video and social content where we speak openly and honestly about women's experiences, in birth and throughout this pandemic.
We are already sharing stories from women on the front lines of health care, pregnant women facing the anxiety of a birth experience in an overcrowded hospital, and families that have faced the loss of a loved one from COVID-19.
We are raising money to complete post-production on the original pilot interviews, featuring a full range of experiences and themes. Full episodes will be found on our website and shorter, easily digestible snippets will be featured on our social destinations. These are hopeful, honest, and captivating stories that we can’t wait to share with you.
phase two - membership directory
We’re also raising money to launch a membership directory for all types of creators - designers, copywriters, editors, photographers, audio engineers, cinematographers, etc - to showcase our work and passions. Together, we’ll share jobs and other resources, events, inspiration and more.
Need great content? Cosyne will help you make it with the best and brightest talent around. By mid-2020 we’ll launch our reimagined creative agency model. Nimble, without the traditional agency bullshit, designed to support all of our endeavors, creators and clients alike.
Please join us in supporting a future where a greater range of stories are told by women and non-binary people. There's incredible value in sharing our experiences and encouraging others to speak up too.
our founder:
Gwen Schroeder is a content creator and digital strategist. She recently served as a digital team lead for the Biden / Harris campaign, including the production of the closing video which as been viewed over 75 million times around the world. She's also worked with Michelle Obama, the Clinton Foundation, The Michael J. Fox Foundation, PBS / Frontline, TED, YouTube, Vox, and more.
our team:
Janeen Ritson - art director / partner in crime
Allison Yarrow - journalist / co-creator birth story video series
Sara Cohen - design / messaging & positioning
Jamie Farnsworth Finn - strategy / messaging & positioning
our partners:
Ampersand - branding agency
Ancient Song Doula Services - education and community
Baby Caravan - birth and postpartum doula collective
Afterthird - guides for new parents
