Once a Job becomes profitable then it becomes a Man’s Job
“ Once a job becomes profitable, then it becomes a man's job” (This Changes Everything). This is a statement that has been true throughout film history. In the early days of Hollywood actors and actresses were treated more fairly, but as time went on and the industry grew, a shift was made. As the movie industry grew so did the disparities between men and women within the industry. Just between 1998 and 2017, women only made up around 20% of behind-the-scenes jobs in film. Even today women make up less than one-quarter of directors working in the field, and 85% of writers in film are men.
In a film titled This Changes Everything, on Netflix, it is talked about how Hollywood's gender discrimination goes deeper than just actors and actresses, even agents participate in this long-standing disparity. When we live in a world where male actors get paid more, then agents and film studios push them to get more roles because they receive a bigger cut.
The film industry has a long and complex history of gender inequality, with women facing numerous barriers to entry and advancement in the industry. Here are some key moments and trends in this history:
- Early years: During the early years of cinema, from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, women were heavily involved in filmmaking as producers, writers, and directors. However, as the industry became more commercialized and professionalized, women were gradually pushed out of these roles and relegated to less visible and powerful positions.
- Studio system era: In the 1920s and 1930s, the Hollywood studio system was at its peak, with a handful of large studios controlling the vast majority of the industry. During this time, women faced significant discrimination and harassment, with few opportunities to rise through the ranks. Female actors were often paid less than their male counterparts, and female filmmakers were nearly nonexistent.
- Post-World War II era: In the years following World War II, Hollywood experienced a brief period of greater gender equality, with more female filmmakers entering the industry and some important films directed by women, such as Dorothy Arzner's "Dance, Girl, Dance" (1940). However, this progress was short-lived, and by the 1950s, women were once again relegated to the sidelines.
- Second-wave feminism: The 1960s and 1970s saw a resurgence of feminist activism in the United States and around the world. This movement had a significant impact on the film industry, with women beginning to demand greater representation and better treatment on and off screen. Some of the key feminist films of this era included Shirley Clarke's "Portrait of Jason" (1967) and Barbara Loden's "Wanda" (1970).
- Contemporary era: Despite some progress in recent decades, women still face significant barriers in the film industry today. Women are still vastly underrepresented in key positions such as directors, writers, and producers, and they often receive lower pay and fewer opportunities than their male counterparts. The #MeToo movement, which began in 2017, has brought renewed attention to these issues and sparked a broader conversation about gender inequality in Hollywood and beyond.
Workers at Google have been able to analyze women's lines in movies and find out that they, on average are given significantly less speaking time than their male counterparts. Furthermore, for the past several decades, women have been pinged-holed into one type of role, the girlfriend, the love interest, the damsel in distress, etc., used only to be an ornament in film.
There have been many leaders in the fight for women's equality in the film industry, both historically and in more recent times. Here are a few notable examples:
- Alice Guy-Blaché: Alice Guy-Blaché was a pioneering filmmaker who directed hundreds of films during the early years of cinema. She was the first female director in history and is credited with inventing some of the earliest narrative techniques in filmmaking. Despite her significant contributions to the industry, Guy-Blaché's work was largely forgotten for many years, and she is only now being rediscovered and celebrated.
- Dorothy Arzner: Dorothy Arzner was a groundbreaking director during the studio system era of Hollywood. She was the only female director working in Hollywood in the 1930s and directed several successful films, including "Dance, Girl, Dance" (1940). Arzner was also an outspoken feminist and advocate for women's rights.
- Jane Fonda: Jane Fonda is a legendary actress and activist who has been a vocal advocate for women's rights throughout her career. She has used her platform to speak out about issues such as equal pay and representation for women in the film industry and has also produced and starred in several feminist films, including "Nine to Five" (1980).
- Ava DuVernay: Ava DuVernay is a director, writer, and producer who has become one of the most prominent voices in the film industry in recent years. She has directed several critically acclaimed films, including "Selma" (2014) and "A Wrinkle in Time" (2018), and has been a vocal advocate for diversity and representation in Hollywood.
- Geena Davis: Geena Davis is an actress and founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, which works to increase the representation of women in media and eliminate gender bias. Davis has also produced several films and TV shows with strong female characters and has been a vocal advocate for women's rights both on and off-screen.
- Additionally, many other well know actors are taking a stand to speak up about their experiences as women working in Hollywood, such as Emma Watson, Reese Witherspoon, and Sandra Oh.
Even with these steps toward progress, the industry still has a long way to go, and as viewers it is important to make sure that it is known we want to see more representation in the media we consume, the industry relies on us.
Several film studios and television networks have made efforts to promote women's equality in the industry. Here are a few examples:
- Disney: Disney has made a commitment to increasing representation and diversity in its films and television shows. The company has launched several initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality, including the #DreamBigPrincess campaign, which features inspiring stories of real-life women and girls.
- Netflix: Netflix has been a leader in promoting diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. The company has made a commitment to increasing representation both in front of and behind the camera and has launched several initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and increasing opportunities for women in the industry.
- Warner Bros.: Warner Bros. has launched several initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry, including the Warner Bros. Emerging Film Directors Workshop, which provides opportunities for women and people of color to break into the industry.
- Universal Pictures: Universal Pictures has made a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in its films and television shows. The company has launched several initiatives aimed at increasing representation and opportunities for women in the industry, including the Universal Filmmaker Fellowship, which provides mentorship and support for emerging filmmakers.
- Amazon Studios: Amazon Studios has made a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. The company has launched several initiatives aimed at increasing representation both in front of and behind the camera and has also made a commitment to achieving gender parity in its hiring practices.
These are just a few examples of film studios and television networks that have made efforts to promote women's equality in the industry. There are many others that have launched similar initiatives, and their work is essential to creating a more inclusive and diverse entertainment landscape for women and other marginalized groups.