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, trans, or 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, trans, and non-binary people. 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 - Birthing People - is coming in 2021. It's straight-to-camera testimonials where we speak candidly about our experiences, in birth and throughout this pandemic.
We are already sharing stories from folks 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.
our founder:
Gwen Schroeder is a content creator and digital strategist. She recently served Video Director for the presidential transition team, and 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, Democratic National Committee, 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
