Women in Film

Hey everyone! Thanks for the welcome ;) And Charli said it perfectly...soul...it is who we are and that reflects in the work we put out.

As far as seeing more women in film? it's a tough subject. There aren't many women in the film program here. Maybe 10 out of the 50 which are accepted- which isn't too bad, I guess. But from what I've experienced so far- is gender bias when looking for crew. Esp. in certain positions- producing/editing not so bad, but when it comes to directing/dp- it's rough and frustrating. Because we are very capable but at times overlooked.
 
Alex - read the book, "Women Who Run The Show" and you will get a good gist why women directors and executives have such a hard time getting work. Some of the stories will truly make you want to kick someone (and no, I don't mean a man necessarily as I mean somebody that just irks you).

A man can say, but I know some women directors and filmmakers, okay, so you know a few, have you EVER talked to them to see what their story is like when they try to get jobs? A women has to work twice as hard in this industry to make it. Just like the business world, just like it is for minorities.

With the percentage of women directors out there at less than 20% in features, who the Hell are you kidding that things are good for women in this business? It's still a man's game, make no mistake about it. Read the book, Alex. It will really amaze you.

btw - only three women have been nominated for Oscars: Jane Campion for "The Piano" - Sofia Coppola for "Lost in the Translation" and someone else, I think way back in the day.

Here is a quote:
There's this misguided notion that things have gotten better each year for women in the business," said Dr. Martha M. Lauzen, a professor in the School of Communication at San Diego State University. "People outside of the business see someone who is very high-profile like Sofia Coppola and think it marks a big change. But the business remains a men's business."
 
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One last quote:

"Changing Hollywood has been likened to turning around a battleship," Lauzen said. "It will happen eventually, but it takes a long time."
 
Well said Charli... it's an uphill battle. Look at the ASC- what is there- maybe 5 women total?


"When you go to an interview or onto a set, as a woman you are incompetent until you prove you know your stuff. As a man, you are considered competent until you are proven totally incompetent. We're not given the same chance because we don't have a track record yet. If we had lots of female DPs winning Academy Awards, nobody would doubt us." ~Claudia Raschke
 
HVX - I think that quote is in that book I read. Yes, it's a man's game, and I really am ready to play the game. Did I forget to mention I'm a tomboy and I really like guys? lol
 
Hahah yea just roll with the punches. Keep working hard and you never know. Yeah, I grew up a tomboy as well... the guys always had cooler stuff! I mean, who didn't want a Transformer..instead of ..uh... Barbie house...hahhahah!!!
 
HVX - okay, I'm older than you. While my sister played with Barbie and Ken, I played with G.I. Joe. He got way cooler once I grew up. I also read comic books. Superman was my hero.
 
I have no doubt that the Hollywood system has some major biases built in. It's probably much like the rest of Corporate America in that regard.

Some part of the issue may be the practicality of going into the business. It takes a fairly significant degree of recklessness to try to make a career out of film, or any other art really. Women are generally more realistic at the age this decision is being made. I would speculate that the percentage of women who succeed in the business is similar to the percentage of men.

It's interesting that you see similar patterns in literature and painting. I don't think men are better writers than women, for my money Jane Austin is far superior to Charles Dickens, there have just been so more men that have attempted and failed.
 
I believe it was Barbra Streisand who said that a cameraman told her he could not get that shot she wanted, he just wasn't able to do it. Barbra then asked the dp if there was something wrong with the angle, or some difficulty she didn't forsee. The dp said there wasn't a problem. The cameraman just gave her a hard time.

Would this same cameraman give a MAN a hard time?

Prejudice takes time to overcome. In the business world things are much better. Women are now top executives. The idea that a woman can run a company is no longer far fetched.

In Hollywood, strides have been made. Women have run studios. You would be surprised however to know that many executives don't help other women out. Totally blew my mind.
 
Charli said:
I believe it was Barbra Streisand who said that a cameraman told her he could not get that shot she wanted, he just wasn't able to do it. Barbra then asked the dp if there was something wrong with the angle, or some difficulty she didn't forsee. The dp said there wasn't a problem. The cameraman just gave her a hard time.

Would this same cameraman give a MAN a hard time?
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I suppose it really depends on a couple of things. Like stories of Sybil Shepard demanding the camera be fitted with filters to make her look better, maybe Streisand was just expecting a miracle shot. And was there really "no problem", or was the DP just kissing butt to appease the star? (You know how... "cranky" some stars get)

It's really hard to comment on either argument, without having been there.
 
Capt - from the quip that I read, she got along fine with the dp. The angle, nothing unusual. Would it be so hard to believe that there's prejudice on a shoot with a female director?
 
Not at all, it's just that every story has two sides. In fact, it is very possible the camera guy just thought she was being a PITA, and blowing her off. On the other hand, I have heard stories about Striesand that are less than flattering, and many other folk in hollywierd too. However, I stand by my statement- unless you were there, how can you know what happened, and who to believe?

You could tell me "The guy who directed I Heart Huckabees is a total ass", and I would just nod and say uh huh. However, having seen the video, I can now say "You ain't kidding!" Unfortunately, not having been there for the entire event, I also can't say that Lily Tomlin didn't anything to provoke it. This doesn't make me a member of the HeMan woman haters club. It just means, who knows. Did she deserve to be treated that way? Hell no! Nobody does. If it were me, I would have busted him square in the mouth, and then really given him a piece of my mind. But that is me.
 
Ah yes, there is always two sides to every story... It's like listening to people debating about paintings and/or critical studies. Where everyone is putting in their assumptions as to how or what was done- when no one knows anything unless you WERE THERE!

I have read things about Streisand- not being one of the easiest people to work with. But again, who knows...I'll let you know when I get there (I'll bring a hidden camera with me as well lol!)

As for prejudice on set- for being a woman... All depends on who I'm working with. Worked with folks who had no problems and worked with folks who I had to do triple the amount of anything to just make a point. I have also worked with jealous women! Which is ridiculous- they're not helping the cause....But it is what it is and you just gotta keep working. I can give a bunch of personal experiences. Prejudice exists and its an issue worth discussing but in the mean time, it's not gonna stop me from trying. And like any other job, just hopefully meeting the right folks out there who are willing to give opportunities.

(btw- just got my Ogio Ty bag today!! and was notified that my film had made Official Selection at the 14th annual - 2007 Independents' Film Festival - sorry, just had to mention ...I just found out!! YAYAY!!!!)
 
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HVX -you go girl.

Capt - Yes, Babs is an interesting creature, but because it was her first time out of the box, and in the context in which the story was written, I'm going to have to lean toward that side of the coin. I saw that video on that guy, I would have kicked him someplace, you know?

I'm not sure if anyone can provoke such behavior?
 
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