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Do women want to direct films as much as men?

9 years, 4 months ago - simon drake

I'm interested in writing an article about female film directors. I've worked in the low budget film world (and also bigger establishments like BBC/Pinewood etc) for over 10 years now, and have produced and directed 2 feature films.

BUT here's the thing that I've noticed during my 10+ years in is that statistically I've not met as many females who actually WANTED to direct films than men regardless of ability/opportunities. Film networking events, film schools, film shoots etc, there's always tons of men who are talking about directing or wanting to direct. But never as many female that I've encountered. I've worked with maybe 4 female directors in over a decade, and every single one hasn't directed since (please note: i'm not suggesting that woman are more quitters than men (plenty of male directors have bailed after 1 film!! Also i'm not suggesting that working with me is enough to make people give up. (Although that second may be true...)

Am i right in this? Or do i just not hang in the right circles? The constant debate of not enough opportunities for female directors is interesting, but now it is so "easy" to make a feature (having made two features i can confirm that it is anything but easy... but it did make them. And regardless of gender, my upbringing, opportunities and naysayers around me is proof that if i can direct a feature with no help and resources, ANYONE regardless of gender can. So is it something deeper? Do women just not want to direct as much as men?

So i'm interested in writing an article (or even just interviewing different filmmakers) about their views on this. Is there still a deep rooted psychology of gender roles in the film world that subconsciously prevents woman being drawn to certain roles (regardless of how easy it now is for anyone, rich or poor, gay or straight, black or white, to make a film) Are those old fashioned views still attached despite what we think/would like? And can we change this?

Or are woman just not AS obsessed about directing than their male counterparts? Or have they heard/had some many horror stories of their gender being an issue on set (i've experienced both sides of this myself. A female brilliant writer/director i worked with gave up after her first short when dealing with a male DOP who bashed every idea she had and derided her script... but that can happen to a male director to. And i've worked on sets when no one cares about the gender of anyone... and the film STILL didn't quite work and people argued.

I'd be interested in hearing from producers or writers who AREN'T bothered about directing and why. And also female's who ARE obsessed about directing and why. Have you directed stuff or are you unsure about how to start? What type of stories do you want to tell?

That's another thing about the male/female director expectations. People saying 'Kathryn Bigelow is so cool as she doesn't make chick flicks!!' is a little patronising as if only a male can direct male stories and vice versa, but is there truth in it? Female directors tackling very masculine material (or genre films like action/horror etc) like Point Break, American Psycho, Ravenous, Wayne's World etc are few and far between. Again, are woman just not drawn to those genres as a general rule as much as males? The counter argument of 'there's not enough decent action/horror genre roles for women' when women just aren't as drawn to those stories. Whereas very female dominant film successes can also be less progressive gender wise (Twilight series, that i like despite the questionable gender politics, 50 Shades of Grey etc) and also don't help the solution from male viewers. Whereas a male writer and director helped created: Riply from Aliens, Clarice Starling, Lisbeth Salander, Sarah Conner, The bride from Kill Bill etc etc that appeal to a wider spectrum of male and female viewers.

I would love to hear people's views (good and bad). I'm not hear to rabble rouse or make/instigate sexist comments. But i would be interested in what others think about this. It's an observation i've noticed over the years, but would liked to be proved wrong. I'd quite like to write an article as it's something i'm passionate about and if i can see it in my small film circle, is it true is a larger capacity to?
Feel free to reply to this thread or email me directly. Would love to hear people's views. And maybe even start recording interviews for a documentary or podcast if i get enough material.

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9 years, 4 months ago - Cassiah Joski-Jethi

Heya! I'm an 'newbie' to the industry, having began working in it 2 years ago since I graduated, and I'm a motivated, darn determined female director and writer. If you want to chat more feel free to email me cassiahjj@hotmail.co.uk as I'd love to be involved in something like this to raise awareness on this subject. Check out my website www.cassiahj-j.com. I'm of the view that there are lots of highly talented female directors/writers that just don't get the same opps. Speak soon.

9 years, 4 months ago - Dan Selakovich

I've met many women that had the goal of wanting to direct. The difference being, they aren't as vocal about it as men. Perhaps women work more quietly until that script or development package is perfect. Of course, I'm in the U.S., so maybe the U.K. is different. I don't know. Perhaps you're looking in the wrong place. There are many women outside of Hollywood making amazing films.

As a side note, why in the world didn't that woman you spoke of fire the DP? Or why didn't the producer pull him aside and have a talk with him at least? I have very little patience for that kind of crap.

9 years, 4 months ago - Alève Mine

Don't know about women, nor about men, but I certainly want to direct my projects. There may be one exception: the action feature, if a really really - really - top notch director takes it (unless I've got a killer prepared team) because acting fights is physically the more demanding. But for an interview if any, I'd just talk about the projects, because talking about the female condition is useless.

9 years, 4 months ago - Alix Austin

Further to Aleve's comment I wouldn't say it's completely useless to discuss the female condition, in so far that I think a big part of the reason women don't end up in the directing position or BELIEVE they can do it, is because there aren't as many female directors in the public eye. Additionally 'conditioning' wise, society in general (equally talking in sweeping statements here to save you a novel and a half) discourages young women from being authoritative - I distinctly remember being called bossy when I was 7 and several other incidents like that. Of course I wish I'd had more of a backbone then, but being an introvert I let it affect me more subconsciously than I would have liked, and I do think this happens to a lot of other people.

In the meantime I decided Acting was for me instead, and went all the way to drama school before I realized that directing was actually a feasible thing for me to do. It seems SO strange to me now because I literally can't think of anything I'd rather do. I also want to state for the record that I don't think is every girl/woman's experience, but I see it A LOT, and I do actually think there are a lot of women who WOULD direct, if they believed in themselves more, or had someone give them a push or an opportunity.

I think I'd also agree with Dan that women are also not always as vocal about their successes - but that is why we need to push for more visibility which is why I'd definitely be interested in talking to you about the article.

Personally my favourite genres are Sci-Fi and Action Adventures, The Lost World being one of my favourite films as a child and Mad Max: Fury Road being my hands down favourite film last years, and I don't normally like car chase sequences, so that gives you an idea of how highly I regard the film. I also love intense dramas like Whiplash, which are bit more minimal on action, but are high in their necessity for amazing performances, which as an Actor's Director I see as my forte. I'm currently applying for the MA in Directing Fiction programme at the NFTS and have almost finished my first funded short (which cost £9'000). I've been directing for almost 3 years and couldn't think of anything better or more exciting to be doing. It's not going to be easy, and there will be bumps in the road - I also found this article fascinating on Karyn Kusama and her career so far and how she struggled to go from indie films to bigger budgets (like Aeon Flux) and it may give you some insight: https://www.buzzfeed.com/adambvary/karyn-kusama-the-invitation-girlfight

If you'd like to talk more my email address is alixaustin.info@gmail.com and my website is www.lonelarafilms.com

I talk about this topic ALL the time as gender equality is a huge issue in the acting world, as there aren't enough projects out there that depict interesting, complex characters, and that counts for diversity at large as well. It's one of the main reasons I pushed myself into filmmaking, because if the industry isn't going to act quickly, we have to instead - and that includes male director/writers as well!

9 years, 4 months ago - simon drake

Thank you for all the excellent and mature responses. Lots to take in. I appreciate people getting in touch. I'm going to compile some questions and will be in contact shortly. Keep the discussions coming!

9 years, 4 months ago - shirley day

Hi Simon. I would love to give my feedback on this. I'm a writer / director / producer for film and theatre. I've been doing it for around ten years. I sometimes feel that women aren't even looked at as a seriously possibility for being a director. I've got some really interesting anecdotes so please do get in touch. Shirley

9 years, 4 months ago - Zara Plessard

Hi everyone, Directors UK are campaigning for gender equality amongst directors, so there is the proof that women do want to direct as much as men but don't get the opportunities. https://d29dqxe14uxvcr.cloudfront.net/uploads%2F1461940382406-gnb2r9f35gxugf12-afb0cfebbe88a829a082dc0b70cc5e7b%2FCut+Out+of+The+Picture+-+Campaign+Brochure+%5B2016%5D.pdf

9 years, 4 months ago - Lynwood Shiva Sawyer

I'm working on a daily, almost hourly basis during our Kickstarter campaign (HOME IS WHERE THE PARK IS, a comedic drama two-hander, about a Yuppie Mum on the verge of a meltdown and a dosser who isn't what he appears to be) with two talented women, director Marianna Dean and original playwright and co-screenwriter Trudi Roth. They are both incredibly high energy, determined and proactive and definitely as hungry to start the cameras rolling as any guy. Just saying.

9 years, 4 months ago - Bhavi Satkunarasa

I was going to write a really long answer but Alix Austin pretty much says it all! (I'm a starting out female director/writer/producer). Also had a number of 'bossy' experiences when I was a kid which I now look back on and realise how strongly it influenced the way I thought. It's an interesting question and I don't mind answering questions if you'd like more input: b.markundu@gmail.com

9 years, 4 months ago - Sibylle Meder

Hi Simon, very interesting questions you are raising and I love that this is coming from a man, cause eventually I believe while in certain issues gender most definitely does play a role, the way to solve this is by being open to the perspectives and experiences of the "others". And as you mention yourself, gender is by far not the only influencing factor. But as all the smart and obviously very capable and articulate women before me have already expressed, there is an issue there, and gender comes in whether in early conditioning or simply the state of the industry's working conditions. I would love to be part of this discussion and am happy to be interviewed for an article or other piece you are planning about it. Just get in touch via SP or my website www.sibyllemeder.net. I am working in the industry mainly in Greece, but with collaborations with UK and Germany for the past 7 years or so. I have directed a feature documentary (and short films, Tv reports, music videos, promos etc) and am in the process of, yes, indeed, going to direct my second feature length docu - and am feeling the strain of the second time. In fact, it's a topic that has been on my mind for the past weeks with exactly that question you are posing, cause I consider myself extremely driven and passionate about directing - but can relate from experience to all the discouragement, self-doubt and frustrating experiences that have been mentioned before. And doing a second indie feature of course also means you are walking with open eyes into what you know could be a quite harrowing next 2-3 years of your life. As you say, that's not female specific. But the conditions around it in the industry are. And the stats being publicised actually reinforce that. So I really like your plan of exploring that question further and maybe debunking some myths or developing strategies to answer this. One thing I would like to add which I am pretty passionate about is the perceived contrast of "male" and "female" topics and actually the value that is attached to a "male" or "female" film, geared for that particular audience. While it is a generalisation and as such questionable, I would also like to know what the heck should be wrong with a "female", read: more introspect, more mature, more emotional topic - can you hear the cliches and prejudice dripping from those characterisations? - even if there is such a thing as a film that appeals more to female than male viewers in general, that means over 50% of the world population!! So what's WRONG about that? (This isn't even taking into account that I find basing a film's value on its box office return or size of audience more than dangerous. But that's another discussion - though part of the gender argument.) As maybe apparent by now, I am passionate about this topic and explore some of it on my filmmaking blog, so would be very happy to contribute to your project. Thanks for bringing the topic up and getting our synapses firing! :) Cheers and good luck to us all!

9 years, 4 months ago - Nathalie Hickson

Hi All,Interesting article & interesting that mainly men that direct. I must say I did notice a film competition was all men selecting.
I posted about starting to write & lots of men have replied. 1 women. I look at films & scripts & many are by men? I am very touched by the support really as I have experienced a lot of sexism/misogyny as many women & girls do in this society, from both men & women. Great to have encouragement on here. A lot of people have very traditional views on roles, state & class.Personally think can do, be whatever you wish as long as does not harm others. However people think it is class based & lots of jealousy also. Reminding me of many situations & phrases to write about! You could not make it up.
Lots of talented multi skilled females discussing in ask section and have started a London female film making group, so could be worth checking if you need more examples.
Yes agree & good point get rid of team member if negative & condescending, holding you back.
Good luck with everything. Nathalie

9 years, 4 months ago - Franz von Habsburg FBKS MSc

I offered my film www.MargeryBooth.com - a film with not only a female lead (Gemma Arterton is reading the script) but also passes the Bechdel test, to a female director and she turned it down. The script is, apparently, so brill that I now have Stephen Fry in it as he adores it!!!

9 years, 4 months ago - jane foster

I'm an obsessed director! Love to chat as have lots to say on the subject - contact me and happy to chat :)

9 years, 3 months ago - Meg Toogood

One of the things that can make a difference is the expectation that women take on caring roles and this can slow their progress. There was an interesting article recently by a writer who had to look after her elderly parents and reckoned it had taken years off her career. I'm a single parent (not through choice) and it does have an effect. But interestingly as men take on a more parenting role some of the organisations trying to focus in this are led by parents, mums and dads, and not just by women. Like others who replied I'm happy to chat more... megantoogood@hotmail.com.

9 years, 3 months ago - Meg Toogood