Women in Film A History and Analysis

WWomen have been making significant contributions to the film industry for decades, often innovating and pushing boundaries. Women have made lasting contributions to the industry, but are often overlooked and devalued in comparison to their male counterparts. This lack of female representation, specifically focused on women of color, have made the film industry a difficult one for women to find work in. Women in modern film have made significant strides in this industry, and are continuing to make the industry a more inclusive one.

Throughout history, women have consistently been leaders as well as trendsetters in film, but this progress is often covered up, and happens behind the scenes. An example of one of the first women to take the silver screen by force was the icon Marilyn Monroe. Monroe showed her exemplary skills as well as influence on other women in movies such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Some Like it Hot, directed by Howard Hawks, and Billy Wilder, respectively. Along with her performance in these films, her charm and ability to entrance the public considerably influenced her rise to fame. These influential acts as well as performances helped to define a generation.

Rakeda Irvin, the Director of Community Education at Austin Film Society devotes her career to providing educational opportunities for people interested in working in the film industry. Her position helps her to educate young people, specifically women interested in working in fields related to the film industry. Throughout her time in this position, she plans to continue to implement an expanded workforce. She also plans to put an internship program into place at the Austin Film Society for young Austinites looking to explore the industry. She gave this advice to young people, particularly women, who want to get involved in the film industry: “If you’re in school, enroll in classes that will help you develop your skills, meet collaborators, and express your creativity.” Her position helps these people expand their horizons and opportunities in order to improve the film industry.

Today, women like Zendaya and Angela Bassett are continuing to make their mark on the industry. Zendaya has become a breakout star in recent years, with roles in films such as Spider-Man: Homecoming and The Greatest Showman, as well as the hit

HBO series Euphoria. Meanwhile, Angela Bassett has been a force in Hollywood for over three decades, with memorable performances in films like What’s Love Got to Do with It and Black Panther. Especially as women of color, Zendaya and Angela Bassett have not only faced discrimination in the industry for their gender, but their race as well. Their roles in these blockbuster movies prove the ability of women all over the world to succeed in the film industry. “Especially being a young woman in this industry, a young Black woman in this industry, your opinion is not taken as seriously. Or maybe I don’t have the knowledge of film or the time or the experience, or whatever the case may be. But I’ve never felt that, not from day one with Sam,” said Zendaya about director of Euphoria, Sam Levinson. These tremendously influential performances as well as interviews pave the way for younger people interested in the film industry.

Gali Rosen, a student in the Department of ly being a young woman in this industry, a young Black woman in this industry, your opinion is not taken as seriously. Or maybe I don’t have the knowledge of film or the time or the experience, or whatever the case may be. But I’ve never felt that, not from day one with Sam,” said Zendaya about director of Euphoria, Sam Levinson. These tremendously influential performances as well as interviews pave the way for younger people interested in the film industry.

Gali Rosen, a student in the Department of Radio, Television, and Film at the University of Texas revealed that her biggest inspiration in the film industry is Emma Watson. Works such as the Harry Potter series and Greta Gerwig’s film adaptation of Little Women inspired Rosen to expand her education regarding film. Rosen’s inspiration from Watson comes from her advocacy for herself. “Watson stands up for herself, even though the public doesn’t always agree with her,” says Rosen, regarding Watson’s step back from acting due to feeling “a bit caged”. Emma Watson’s experience in the lm industry proves the restraints put on women have limited their experiences and have limited the industry as a whole. ese women, along with many others, are proving that women have a place in the lm industry and are capable of creating powerful, thought-provoking, and entertaining lms. As the industry continues to evolve and change, it’s important to remember the contributions that women have made and will continue to make. With more and more women breaking into the industry and telling their stories, the future of lm looks bright and exciting. e experiences of these women not only prove the capabilities of women all over the world, but also prove the discrimination they face in the lm industry, speci cally. Although progress has been made regarding the acceptance of women in powerful positions, especially women of color, there is still much progress to be made. Women like Zendaya, Marilyn Monroe, and Angela Bassett prove the accomplishments and potential of women in these roles.

ory’s Top 3

Hi ory’s Top 3

Influential Women in Film

Most Influential Women in Film

1. Zendaya

1. Zendaya

The name “Zendaya” is surely a recognizable one for anybody interested in modern film. Zendaya Coleman grew up in Oakland, California, and was always interested in theater as a child. She started out as a Disney star, featuring in shows like K.C. Undercover and Shake It Up!. Since her Disney debut, she has been featured in many Marvel films, including blockbuster Spiderman: No Way Home. Zendaya’s career does not stop at just acting; along with Zendaya dabbling in the music industry, she also directed and starred in her own film in 2021, called Malcolm and Marie. The actress continues to pave the way for women of color in the film industry, and has made tremendous strides in reshaping the norms of the industry.

The name “Zendaya” is surely a recognizable one for anybody interested in modern film. Zendaya Coleman grew up in Oakland, California, and was always interested in theater as a child. She started out as a Disney star, featuring in shows like K.C. Undercover and Shake It Up!. Since her Disney debut, she has been featured in many Marvel films, including blockbuster Spiderman: No Way Home. Zendaya’s career does not stop at just acting; along with Zendaya dabbling in the music industry, she also directed and starred in her own film in 2021, called Malcolm and Marie. The actress continues to pave the way for women of color in the film industry, and has made tremendous strides in reshaping the norms of the industry.

2. Marilyn Monroe

2. Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) is considered a pop culture icon by many. Her performances in many films (including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Some Like it Hot) made a lasting impact on the film industry and would pave the way for women like her in the future. Monroe struggled with a difficult childhood, but she persisted. Monroe studied with Lee Strasberg (director and “chief American exponent of method acting”) in New York City and continued to make her mark in her debut drama Dangerous Years.

Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) is considered a pop culture icon by many. Her performances in many films (including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Some Like it Hot) made a lasting impact on the film industry and would pave the way for women like her in the future. Monroe struggled with a difficult childhood, but she persisted. Monroe studied with Lee Strasberg (director and “chief American exponent of method acting”) in New York City and continued to make her mark in her debut drama Dangerous Years.

3. Angela Bassett

3. Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett, born in New York City, has made her mark on the film industry through various performance in blockbusters. Bassett has been present in the industry since the 80’s, making her debut in F/X, a 1986 action film directed by Robert Mandel. Bassett was an accomplished student in both her high school and college years, attending Yale and graduating with a Bachelors degree in 1980. She then received a Master of Fine Arts in 1983. She performed in plays in New York City until eventually making her debut in the film industry. In more recent years, Bassett has appeared in Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda For-

Angela Bassett, born in New York City, has made her mark on the film industry through various performance in blockbusters. Bassett has been present in the industry since the 80’s, making her debut in F/X, a 1986 action film directed by Robert Mandel. Bassett was an accomplished student in both her high school and college years, attending Yale and graduating with a Bachelors degree in 1980. She then received a Master of Fine Arts in 1983. She performed in plays in New York City until eventually making her debut in the film industry. In more recent years, Bassett has appeared in Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda For-