Hi there! You may know me from such websites as Bang2write, plus I’m also available via London Screenwriters Festival, or such social media platforms as Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and basically *anywhere* on the interwebz that offers an opportunity to shoot my mouth off about those things I’m passionate about, such as:
- Screenwriting
- The Industry
- Filmmaking
- TV
- Submissions
- Competitions & initiatives
- Novels
- Genre & drama
- Social media
- Networking
- Inclusivity
Wait a cotton pickin’ moment – inclusivity??? Is that a *real* word?!
OK, you got me. Whilst “inclusivity” may or may not be a “real” word (what is a “real” word, really??), its spirit is very much REAL – or should be.
“Inclusivity” is a notion taught in teacher training in the UK. The idea is basically: we need to INCLUDE as many students as possible. Well, durr. Except: “Equal opportunities” they will say, “is NOT about treating everyone the SAME … Instead, it’s about giving everyone the SAME ACCESS to those opportunities.”
This is a great philosophy as far as I’m concerned and one that everyone (unless they’re complete arseholes) SAYS they agree with … Yet all too often, we’re found wanting when it comes down to the nitty gritty, especially when it comes to gender. Yet inclusivity is something we would ALL do well to put “up front” in our dealings with the industry and with one another, even if we’re female ourselves.
Sounds obvious, no? That’s because it IS.
Yet I am forever finding myself explaining the idea of inclusivity, even to people who would NEVER stoop to saying crap like, “Oh I don’t like black/ gay/ Islamic writers or filmmakers.” Yet latent sexism gets a free pass!
“Women don’t write good [genre]” or “Women write too much about childbirth or losing your virginity” are two I’ve heard a lot over the years … Or even, “I don’t tend to like female writers or filmmakers”. WTF? Yes, admittedly women are lesser in number than men in this industry, but you can’t find a SINGLE ONE you like? Riiiiiiight!
Too often, those commentators will insist they’re NOT being sexist – and they will cite all number of spurious reasons as to why women “can’t” do as well as men in their fields. Because, you know, having a pair of tits and a vagina means you JUST CAN’T DO AS WELL AS MEN CAN, LADIES! But it’s okay: there are apparently loads of things women can do well that men can’t (?? Perhaps the most spurious argument of them all. Since when does gender dictate what *anyone* can do, especially on a professional level??).
But that’s the crux of the matter: these conversations will be framed as it being WOMEN who have the problem … WE’RE the uppity ones; WE’RE the ones being obnoxious and complaining; WE’RE the ones who shoot ourselves in the foot.
Ugh.
And it’s not just men who perpetuate this myth of “obnoxious women” either. Some of the most unbelievably dogmatic and sexist commentary I’ve heard in my time has come from my fellow women! Or it’s complacency in the form of, “I’m okay, so you must be okay, quit whining”.
No!
And then there are the apologists. You know, the ones who find all manner of reasons to supposedly excuse *why* there is an inequality here. This brand of sexism is pervasive and quite literally everywhere, presented as simply, “the way it is” via the likes of: “It’s not sexism, it’s …
… Women aren’t funny.”
OMG. I cannot believe this one is still doing the rounds. I could point out the “funny women” there have enjoyed long and lauded careers in comedy, but I won’t. Women are underrepresented in comedy. That’s a fact. By saying women are not funny, people are actually undermining those funny women and girls out there and potentially stopping them from believing in themselves and even starting careers in the first place. Why would *anyone* want to do that? What is it about men, which is apparently automatically funny, anyway?
“… Men don’t watch films with female protagonists.”
Don’t they? On this basis, there would be no female Hollywood stars for starters with that mythical notion of the “name above title” – that is, A List. But there are! Fancy that. Besides anything, men are only half the audience anyway, more of this in a sec.
“… Women don’t hold the purse strings.”
So women only go to watch movies their boyfriends, fathers, brothers and male friends want to see? Seriously? What planet are the people who say the above living on … and what YEAR: how can Box Office for a theatrical release be the *only* way of measuring “desirability” in a film’s story and characters, now we have DVD and streaming? Plus labelling any story “male” or “female” is at best, short-sighted: take to social media and you will see huge swathes of women declaring their love for movies “traditionally” associated with their male counterparts, such as Horror, Science Fiction and Thriller in particular. Movies like the brilliant SOURCE CODE reveals that women WILL watch so-called “male-orientated” genre movies with well-rounded female characters. ‘Cos, you know, a great story with great characters is important to them – just like it is to men. Quelle Surprise!
“… Men make the “commercial” stuff.”
Again, there is absolutely no reason women won’t get behind movies with believable and authentic characters – whether that means writing and making them (Kathryn Bigelow, anyone? Diablo Cody? Nora Ephron? Need I go on??) or watching them (me and countless other female movie fans).
But like men, potential female writers, filmmakers and audience members want to see their own experiences and ambitions reflected back at them, too. Imagine a role reversal: all the men in about 90% of produced movies were vapid eye candy, jogging in slow-mo with obligatory close ups of their crotches? Or they’re represented as emotionally available 24/7, smiling and dying to facilitate the female lead’s “revenge” or “rescue”? Or they were simply a woman, with their gender changed?? YAWN!
“… Women don’t write the “right” content.”
Right, ‘cos having a penis means fellas are magically able to write “right”? Puh-lease! From my work as a script reader and editor, working with hundreds male and female writers over the years, I can confirm there is NO difference between the genders on those fabled “great” ideas or methods of writing or filmmaking. None whatsoever. Great ideas are great ideas … and those people who get things done and get their films made? It’s down to their personality and not taking “No” for an answer.
“… Men make the most of their opportunities.”
**IF** there is any grain of truth in this, I would venture that generally, less women enter contests, initiatives and various other opportunities because of a lack of confidence due to a perceived belief their expertise and talents are not equally valued. Yet London Screenwriters Festival places inclusivity at the heart of its ethos and guess what: more often than not, there’s a 50/50 split of male/female entrants to the contests and delegates at the event itself … And occasionally, the women have outnumbered the men!
Obviously no one wants to go down the route of positive discrimination: what’s important *should* ideally be the writing or work, not the gender of the writer or maker. But by being inclusive, you can sidestep the thorny issue of quotas, because when you are inclusive, those who have been previously marginalised will respond. “Build it and they will come”: LondonSWF proves this and then some.
“… Women aren’t visible enough.”
Ambitious women are frequently ridiculed or subjected to overly harsh analysis, whereas ambitious men are more often admired: the “What’s SHE going on about??” vs. “Look what he’s BUILDING” dichotomy. Having been on the receiving end of the former many, many times I can see why some women are afraid of sticking their heads above the parapet. But I disagree with those commentators who say women should simply weather the storm of disdain. Why should one gender be favoured over the other like this? The emphasis should be on us to create a less hostile environment, not expect women to grow a thicker skin!
Concluding, too often it IS sexism at work … even when we don’t think it is. And that’s the most dangerous kind.
Yet by being inclusive and placing this ethos “upfront” in our dealings with the industry and one another, we CAN make all the difference. We needn’t resort to so-called “positive discrimination” either – it doesn’t have to be either/or. To offer equal opportunities, just be aware … and offer that same ACCESS.
That’s all *anyone* can ask.
Lucy V. Hay is a script editor, author and blogger who helps writers. She’s been the script editor and advisor on numerous UK features and shorts & has also been a script reader for 20 years, providing coverage for indie prodcos, investors, screen agencies, producers, directors and individual writers. Lucy is also an author, publishing as both LV Hay and Lizzie Fry.
4 Responses
Male who like bigelow movies checking in, ahh not cause of hurt locker though… Actually i thought point break was a good 90’s action movie.
You make a great series of points. In modern times it’s a wonder that anyone disagrees with your points. Surely it’s all about good/great writing that counts? I don’t ever look to see if the writer/director/etc was male or female before deciding what to read/watch.
Looking forward to seeing Freema Agyeman as the next Bond.
Can men write good romance novels….?
If I had a dollar for every time a producer told me I’d have to change my protagonist to a male in order to get the film made, I’d have enough money to make the film myself. Hey, there’s a thought…
Best way to handle people who say these sorts of things is to call them out on it – as you have done here, and please, if they say this stuff in public, feel free to call them morons. Then, proceed past them and get your film made, get your book published, get your own TV show, direct, produce, write, or whatever else it is that these folks say women can’t do.
” … please, if they say this stuff in public, feel free to call them morons”.
Amen to that JG 😀
Stephen – it’s hard to believe these mad assertions still exist, never mind come from the lips from those who would never dream of saying they didn’t like a black or gay filmmaker’s work, but sadly it still happens. Which is why LSF and my site B2W will do it all it can to include women writers and filmmakers cos we agree too, it SHOULD be about the quality of the writing! 😉
Dug – LOVE Point Break too! K-Bigz as we call her at B2W Towers can always be relied on to provide great action (oooh Matron).