Women Writers?

The bias that still exists within the film and television industry toward women is, for a lack of a better word – odd. The fact that writing positions are still type-casted also seems simply wrong. Women novelists and scholars have been able to experience great success in the last several decades. Any stereotypes of males being better writers or thinkers seems to have faded fast. Without a name on the cover of a novel, would you truly know if it was a male or female writing the book? For what reason than, do executives still think women writers will not add as much as male writers when developing television series? While the financial pressure of succeeding is a large burden, and the safest way to alleviate this would be to follow the systematic formula that has been in place; denying female writers too much involvement seems archaic none the less.

However, even more troubling than their minority status in the television writing community is this fact according to Bielby and Bielby, “empirical results…show that compared to male television writers of similar age, experience, and track record, women earn 11 to 25 percent less throughout their careers.” Such statistics say that when women are finally hired, they are looked down upon as less valuable to the studio, or simply are undeserving of the payment their male counterparts receive. This statistic was recorded in 1992, and I have to hope that it has been alleviated in the years since. However, I know this to not be the case. Such statistics are common place across many different professions. How can women become franchised when they are systematically devalued? The only solution lies in women rising to the executive level and then franchising themselves. Good thing they have already started.

The Downward Trend of Women in Media Production

The presence of females in media production has alarmingly decreased.  The articles assigned reveal the drastic decrease in female writers and producers.  The writers also make relatively reasonable causes of the decrease of females in media production; however, I found myself agreeing with one particular cause.  Maureen Ryan’s article, “Why is Television Losing Women Writers? Veteran Producers weigh in”, states that possible cause of a lack of women in media production is the economy.  In general, the number of employees on a writing team is decreasing; however, one producer felt that minorities are being “disproportionately impacted” and are the first to be dismissed.  Unfortunately, it has been determined that women are the minority.  I find it startling that a woman who may be more qualified than a man for a position on a writing staff may not even be considered because in a time of economic crisis minorities are not being hired.  This realization is very sad, and much like many others I began to think that women were having more of a presence behind the scenes. Another statement made was that men are still considered to be the breadwinners in a family, while women only have to provide for themselves.  This is completely inaccurate and it isn’t rare to find a stay at home dad and a successful women working in the professional world. 

            This brings me to where I strongly agree with Ryan’s article.  Ryan states that there are still men in media production who just don’t get it and these are the men that strive to make the female writers uncomfortable in a professional atmosphere and who believe that men cannot discuss inappropriate fart jokes.  There are men who are extremely traditional and who are accustomed to a male dominated industry.  These are the men that prevent young female writers from mentoring opportunities.  I believe until these men “get it” the number of female staff writers will continue to decrease or remain extremely low.  If I was trying to make it as a big Hollywood writer I would find myself becoming extremely frustrated because my career was continuously disrupted by past traditions.  However, this must be true for many careers.

We Are Not Tokens, Do Not Create For Us

The disproportionate ratio of men to women in television and film programming is a very alarming trend in media. Considering that women make up the majority of the population of the USA (and the GLOBE) and thus, are the majority of television and film audiences, it is not only alarming but a little surprising to learn that the number of women involved in the writing, directing and production of these media forms is so low. Even shows purposely targeted at women and families are mostly written and directed by men, which does not seem very logical. The low numbers of women in such positions in the media can be attributed to various things; including the economy and subconscious sexism. There are fewer women in such positions because networks and major film studios are afraid that women are just not as good as the men, even when it comes to producing shows/movies TARGETED at women.

The piece that most struck me was Pamela Ribon's 'The Magical Vulva of Opportunity.' I found this piece particularly interesting because it relayed the experience of a woman actually in the industry and who has suffered with the institutional sexism. I was a little surprised at the manner in which her male colleagues treated her as nothing more than a "token" writer. They had the perception that she would always manage to move from "failed sitcom to failed sitcom" not because of her talent as a writer but simply because she was a woman and studios would hire female writers like herself to fulfill some sort of quota requirement. As a woman (and a minority in many other aspects), I have often faced the same issue. There are many times when people have wondered (out loud to my face and behind my back) if my race and gender had anything to do with my accomplishments. As though my talent and determination were not enough for me to accomplish anything in life. And I have often asked myself the same question. And although I can not say for sure that my minority status has or has not been a factor in my achievements, I can definitely say that I can relate to the writer's frustration at the issue. Especially since these factors that make us 'minorities' usually tend to hinder us from success as opposed to propelling us.