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Behind the Camera: Are Women Gaining Ground in Hollywood?

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by Michele Pearson:

We have known for years that Hollywood is an Old Boys Club.  They’ve been more than happy to put women on screen but none too thrilled when they tried to break into writing, directing or much of anything on the other side of the camera.  In fact, women directors in Hollywood are few and far between.  Sure, Kathryn Bigelow won the Oscar for Best Director in 2010 but since then we’ve again gone yet another two years without a female director among the list of nominees.  Women only made up 5% of the directors in 2011 and, in the top grossing films, only about 18% of behind the scenes jobs (from producer to writer to editor).  Women are also less likely to work behind the scenes in horror, more likely to find work in comedy.  (All statistics are pulled from a report compiled by Dr. Martha M. Lauzen, Executive Director, Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, School of Theatre, Television and Film, San Diego State University)

This situation has not gone unnoticed.  The New York Times published a discussion on how women can gain influence in Hollywood in Aug 2012.  Among some suggestions: setting regulations and hiring mandates as well as tax incentives to hire women.  I’m sorry but that pisses me off as a woman and as a Libertarian.  Number one: government should not have to establish new regulations when they have Title VII of the Civil Rights Act already on the books.  They just need to enforce it.  Number two: I want to be hired because I’m the best there is, not because I’m filling a quota.  If I have to work my ass off, then I’ll work my ass off…and I’ll probably be better in the long run because of it.

The New York Times article prompted a response from Forbes later in August.  Writer Liz Garcia admits that while the Times offered a few interesting bits of advice and ideas, it doesn’t change the fact that women don’t look like directors because they don’t look like men.  And since male executives are the ones who decide what films will be produced and often who will hold the reins on these projects, they are more likely to go with a man.  Well…that’s discouraging.  So this means I can work my ass off to be the best and STILL not get the job because I’ll be looked at as the little woman?  Now I understand why women writers used to write under masculine pen names to hide the fact that they were women so they could actually get published.  Oh no, my Libertarian principles are tumbling…something has to be done but I still don’t believe that it’s the government’s job to create new regulations and monitor the entertainment industry when it has far more pressing issues at the moment.  Real change will have to come from within the industry itself.

What saddens me is the fact that women are apparently unable to find a place behind the camera in the horror industry.  I am assuming that this refers primarily to the mainstream Hollywood horror scene because I have met the people of the indie horror world and they are among the nicest, most welcoming people I have ever met.  They support each other, provide connections, and are a family, welcoming newcomers in with open arms.  Perhaps that’s my real point.  Hollywood needs to look to the indie world, not just to see what they should be putting on the screen but also to make changes off camera.

I hope that this does not come off as a “woe is me” feminist rant.  It’s not just the men  who overlook women but the women in power do it too.  Jodie Foster even admitted that when placed in the hiring role, women will more than likely hire men because men are considered safe.  We as women need to do our part so when we are put in those roles, we will judge all candidates on their ability rather than by their gender.  Because really, if women execs aren’t going to hire women to fill these roles simply because they are women, then how the hell can we expect a male executive to change his way of thinking?

I think about the women that are making their own way in the industry, (Jen and Sylvia Soska, Denise Gossett, Brooke Lewis, Amber Benson and Felicia Day to name a few), are quite successful at it and have turned their noses up at those who doubted them.  These women, and others like them, have refused to take no for an answer.  They are definitely gaining respect and paving a road that has been under construction by the women that came before them.  They have created their own work and means of getting their work out and proving that women can, in fact, run the show.  This is a move in a positive direction and I believe over the next few years, things will get better.  The website Women Directors In Hollywood has called for a revolution.  These women, and others like them, are leading the charge to break through the Celluloid Ceiling and ensure that future generations of female writers, directors, producers, cinematographers and the like will have their voices heard on equal standing as the men.

Michele Pearson is a contributor for DarkMedia. She covers Vampire Diaries and any other films, books, etc that come her way. She reads everything from Lonesome Dove to Game of Thrones and loves epic tv series like Doctor Who and Star Trek: TNG. Michele also loves a good horror film and was able to channel that love as a judge for Shriekfest 2012. Follow her on Twitter at @GirlInRowB and check out her blog at http://www.girlinrowb.com.

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About The Author

Michele Pearson covers Vampire Diaries and any other films, books, etc that come her way. She reads everything from Lonesome Dove to Game of Thrones and loves epic tv series like Doctor Who and Star Trek: TNG. Michele also loves a good horror film and was able to channel that love as a judge for Shriekfest 2012. Follow her on Twitter at @GirlInRowB and check out her blog at http://www.girlinrowb.com.

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