Lake Bell, 'Black Rock' Actress, Doesn't Feel At A Disadvantage In Hollywood Because She's A Woman

Lake Bell, star of the new indie film "Black Rock," and general, "oh, THAT girl" actress and director, is not overly concerned about her prospects as a woman in Hollywood.

When BuzzFeed's Jordan Zakarin asked her if she ever felt at a disadvantage in the entertainment business because of her gender -- female filmmakers are significantly underrepresented, and recent data showed that the number of female speaking roles has declines -- Bell seemed more frustrated by the question than the industry. She responded:

I feel that because it’s a question that’s posed to me. I don’t find it in the practicality of my day-to-day; I don’t find it hard to make a film because I am a woman. I think if you have a movie to make, make it. If you happen to have a vagina, that’s okay. Still make it.
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I feel horrible if I’m being trite about it and someone has had a bad experience, but me personally, I have not found that. I think the film community itself is incredibly inviting and supportive and embraces filmmakers, so get in there and make a movie. It doesn’t have to cost a lot; "Freebie" ... cost $15,000. You don’t have to sit there and wait for permission from a studio. Go make a movie.

She also said that she was ready for the conversation surrounding gender in the film industry to change:

I think I’m eager for the moment to arise when the story is less "What does it feel like to be a female director?" I hope the story soon becomes, "I either liked your movie or I didn’t, let’s talk about your movie." That’s the real goal. Because honestly I look around, and I see wonderful role models that are ladies. People who are writers and directors, people who are actors and directors, writer actors. There are a myriad of them and I look around to all sides and I see support and feel support, so I guess I have a more optimistic outlook on them.

The question likely continues to come up because there is a very real gender imbalance in studio films, though women do fare somewhat better in independent movies. But we can understand Bell's "just do it and stop talking about it" attitude.

Women of Hollywood: Lake Bell wants you to lean in.

[H/T BuzzFeed via Jezebel]