And I shouldn’t be entirely cycnical. I have people in the business that like the work I’ve done so far, and (I think) have mostly liked the experience of working with me — I can get a bit Oh, look, shiny! during revisions and run off in directions that people didn’t ask for, which occasionally annoys the shit out of them, which I understand completely. But I’m hopeful some of them will help me.

Those first steps — getting some relationships, some grounding, someone in one’s corner, the first assignment, a film on the screen — are so daunting. I don’t know if visual artists and photographers and sculptors and dancers need champions, but I’m convinced that they are essential to the success of many authors and screenwriters and directors.

Thanks for the link to the NPR story. I heard it on the radio as well, and sent it to my producer.

And they probably need to be male. This is not just because there are more men in position of power, but because male voices are heard better, and taken more seriously, than female voices in this industry.

I’m delighted that you have such a person helping you in your career, Kelley. Men need to not only observe the power imbalance, they also need to do something about it. Thankfully, there are some of them out there doing just that.

Here’s a new story today on NPR about the work of women directors appearing at the box office this year.

We need to get to the point where women don’t have to scrabble for financing under every rock, and by calling in every favour. Women’s work is just not trusted. That won’t change until we have a more visible representation on every level, and have a stronger body of successful work.

Unfortunately, it’s also a terrible pressure for women to bear in the industry: to feel that if their films fail they are making it harder for other women to get their work greenlit.

Sometimes he really doesn’t get it. But he understands that it’s a part of the bigger picture, and so he always listens. The more people I talk to about their experiences in the business, the more I realize my good fortune in this regard.

Carrie, I’ve been investigating Women and Film here in Seattle. So far, I haven’t seen anything like what you’re describing in terms of marketing/pitching skills training or technical stuff, although I’m probably just not looking hard enough. It’s a tough call for me — I’m also looking into the Northwest Screenwriters Guild, and both organizations are expensive to join. NWSG offers regular events with film peeps, private pitch meetings, yadda yadda…. and is more tempting in the purely professional sense. But we’ll see. At some point soon, I need to attend both groups as a guest and see what they feel like.

Cat, thanks for reminding me about A League of Their Own. You’re right — it was a first for me too.

I am really proud that my screenplay has two great roles for women. There’s a boyfriend too, because, well, it’s Hollywood. And he’s a sweet guy (grin). And the men’s roles are as 3D and non-stupid-about-women as I can make them. And we have smart women on the production team and a fabulous woman attached to direct, who is just as interested as I am in putting strong women characters on the screen.

John, I haven’t seen Heaven and Earth. To be honest, it’s probably not a movie that I ever will see. I think it’s important to tell women’s stories, absolutely, and I am also personally very tired of stories of the abuse, rape, brutalization, alienation, and othering of women. I get that it happens, you know? I don’t need yet another lesson in it. That’s my personal stance: everyone else’s mileage may/will vary hugely.

Interesting about the Barbie movies! What did the Prince say when she turned him down?

In the Princess and the Pauper, one of the girls get proposed to at the end by the Prince but decides to follow her dream to travel and sing instead. Fairytopia has a prince who is interested in the main Fairy character but defeats the villain (also female) herself and they don’t get married in the end.

The others are more in the meet the prince and get married vein but the lead woman handles many of the problems on her own.

On the adult front, what does everyone think of Oliver Stone’s Heaven and Earth? I thought that was a really powerful female-centered story.

Maura, no worries, this is all very interesting.

I’ve got a bunch of Things To Do right now but will respond for real as soon as I can to all the comments.

It seems like their positive but also realistic attitude, a chance to practice things like pitching and networking in a supportive environment, and the ties that develop between members, really make a difference for many members, many of whom are early in their education and careers. (They’ve involved local teens in events as well, showing their work and advertising their screenings. We have a couple good programs for girls to work in TV and make short films.) Things aren’t great in Hollywood, but for young women just starting out, there are a lot more resources than there used to be to learn how to deal with that fact and do what it takes to build a career.

Also, I wanted to mention the Alcyone Festival 09, which is going on in Chicago at the moment. It’s an inspiring line-up of drama written by women (there’s also one science fiction piece in the group).

Finally, check out the last study (from 2002) on women’s participation in theatre. Some of it makes very familiar reading.

I really liked it and when the credits were rolling at the end I remember thinking “if this had been a male cast it would have been a block-buster”. Instead, I don’t think I’ve ever talked with someone else who’d seen it.

Anger and frustration don’t begin to scratch the surface of the feelings I have about this issue. Generations of repression.

I recall watching Thelma and Louise with my mother. When Louise shot the rapist my mother, in the most vitriolic tone I’d ever heard, said : “Good.” There is a hunger in women of all ages and backgrounds to be shown as we are – fully capable in every way.