Let's Talk Film

Make a film. Do it. There is nothing more exciting than stepping into this creative battlefield. It’s a battlefield because there is always some danger (even if not life threatening) awaiting when you write and film a piece of art.

Females. You should be leading the charge.

This is not ragging on male filmmakers. I work closely (as the picture above shows) with males on sets all the time. Guys that I share the same level of respect. On set we fight together in this battle of cinematic artistry. On set we are energetic about the same shots, we face the same problems, and we work for the same vision. Females need to lead the charger for many reasons. I will give you one right now.

Their stories are important.

I have worked closely with a lot of males who don’t see me with an important story. They see I can help them, and don’t realize I have something to say. This is not malicious, but out of cultural norms they grew up with that have told them for years, “men you should lead the charge.” I know some guys who don’t actually want to lead the charge. They want to follow, but are forced to lead because society has told them their worth as a man. Just like society tells me as a woman to follow.
This isn’t always a high raised flag in our faces. This gender discrimination. You wouldn’t realize it existed until you thought about it. But it exist so heavily in the film world. Females are sometimes haphazardly put on sets for ‘diversity’ or to have a ‘female perspective.’ The truth is some men don’t know what to do with a girl on set. They don’t actually want a girls’ opinion on a script. We are suppose to nod along and say things like “What a great angle,” or “I love the actress you chose,” and my favorite “Wow! How did you make the camera do that thing?”

But we females are guilty of the same discrimination. It comes out as feminist repeals. We assume the ‘man’ is keeping us ‘down’ and we need to fight against them on set. These woman are usually what you call a ‘bitch’ under your breath as you men lift the boom higher. Because, why should the strong feminist subject herself to that? I have done my fare share of fighting guys on set. I have been offended when a man calls me ‘sweetheart’ or ‘doll’ and wanted to burst into a feminist outrage. I have rolled my eyes at dialogue written for females and wonder if these men have ever heard a woman talk.

We are all guilty of this. But females… I encourage again. Lead the charge. Not just for filmmaking, but in life. Lead when you see the need for a leader. Lead when you know something could be better.  Lead when you know that no one else will. Lead even if it humbles you.

Men. Follow the charge. Follow to change the world. Follow when you know you will look weak. Follow a woman when society tells you to lead. Follow when you know that is your job. Follow to support your fellows in the same battle.

Females, you too should follow.

Men, you too should lead.
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Do it together. I promise if you do everyone will win this battle in filmmaking. And the product will be glorious.