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"Women Don't Go to Movies" -- Huh?
A little-known fact: some studios recently decided to no longer make female-lead movies.
Lately, I've been in meetings regarding a new script idea I have. A studio executive asked me to change the female lead to a male, because... "women don't go to movies."
Really?
When I pointed out the box office successes of Sex and The City, Mamma Mia, and Obsessed, he called them "flukes." He said "don't quote me on this." So, I'm telling everybody.
I'm in a new movie, My Life In Ruins, out in theaters now. It's a small indie, that was picked up for distribution by a studio (thank you Fox Searchlight.) We're in one-third, maybe less, about one-quarter of the amount of screens of the big movies...yet we made it into the Top Ten.
I'm not too cool to admit this -- on the weekend, I snuck into the back of the theaters to hear people laughing. It's a very good-mood-inspiring sound, better than the sound of potatoes being dipped into a fryer. (Almost.)
The theaters were full of people laughing. Women were there. Sure, men were there, we are a date movie too, but the fact is women were there, some in big girls night groups.
Our movie isn't "playing everywhere," yet these audience members found it. We had an advertising budget of about 6 bucks, Canadian. We don't have billboards, or giant newspaper ads, or skywriting. So I've been Twittering (NiaVardalos), loading homemade videos onto YouTube : "My Life In Ruins, Really!" and blabbing to anyone who makes eye contact with me.
It's called show business for a reason. The theater owners want to make money, and understandably so. My Life In Ruins is the highest testing movie in Fox Searchlight history so we've been given a chance. And, the theater owners said they'll keep the movie in their theaters if people go.
So, women: can we speak up with our wallets?
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If women "don't go to see movies" did they ever think it might be the movies they're making are just movies women don't *want* to see? Maybe women just don't go see YOUR movies, guy! A good business person would try to formulate a plan to recoup that lost audience!
Oh please! You ask those mo-rons...why do they think the majority of men go to the movies? It's because of women! The women they're dating! The women they're married to and the future women they're fathers of!
And even the majority of single, unwed, childless men go... just to see women!
I suggest that the studio honcho was grabbing for an excuse -- preferably one that was offensive so she wouldn't bother him again. Tick that one off the list, ma'am.
Really?
Has anyone told this to Kate Winslet, Angelina Jolie, Meryl Streep, Charleze Theron, Cameron Diaz, etc., etc., etc...?
***What's wrong with that? Have you ever heard Mel Gibson or Tom Cruise advertising their movies under the guise of enlightening the planet?***
No, because neither of them have any opinions that would enlighten the planet.
***Please, Nia is entitled to talk about her experiences trying to get female-driven movies made, and how that experience relates to this release. Lighten up***
Female driven movies are made all the time. Just because she allegedly spoke to a man who thought otherwise doesn't his views are to be taken seriously when the blindingly obvious evidence suggests that "chick flicks" or movies of interest to a female audience are regularly produced.
Let's focus on REAL issues facing american men, women and children.
You mean, like discrimination in entertainment, a huge business industry?
Actually, this is a REAL issue. Even though it is problematic that a comment by one studio can be extrapolated to apply to all studios, if this was an accurate description it would effect opportunities of all women in an important cultural area. Any issue that effects a class of people is very REAL.
Here's a helpful hint: Just because you feel that something doesn't affect you doesn't make it unimportant.
Women and girls need strong representation, including in the movies.
I am a writer for film and television who writes very strong and complex female leading roles. Whoever the studio execs and producers are who say that women don't go to the movies, are not only misinformed, but like the three old-school networks on TV, they are putting themselves out of business. Women, and a strong "feminine perspective" are exactly what's fresh and intriguing right now. You can check out my website at: http://fullpermissionwriting.blogspot.com/; and my blog at : http://fullpermissionliving.blogspot.com/ for further info.
Peter Loffredo
I don't know if you've noticed but one of the "three old-school networks on TV" that you mention (ABC) has practically made itself the new Lifetime network in how much it caters towards women. ("Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives," "Ugly Betty," etc.) About the only strong, male-oriented programming they have now is sports that stems from their connection to ESPN.
I don't identify with any women on Desperate or Ugly.
***She's advertising her movie under the guise of female empowerment***
Agreed.
What's wrong with that? Have you ever heard Mel Gibson or Tom Cruise advertising their movies under the guise of enlightening the planet? Please, Nia is entitled to talk about her experiences trying to get female-driven movies made, and how that experience relates to this release. Lighten up.
I took my Greek friend to see My Life in Ruins after reading your post and we enjoyed it so much! It's a rare treat to see a movie set in modern-day Greece ~ it was funny, sweet and very enjoyable. Thank you for bringing it to our attention!
Ive seen every Julia Roberts, Meg Ryan, Sandra Bullock film out there. I just saw My life in Ruins and Land of the lost last week and Im going to go see The Proposal with Sandra Bullock today. Movies is my way to escape from the world even if its just for two hours. I also have over 200 DvD's in my collection, one being "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and cant even tell you how many DvDs I rent a month because they are many.So in my opinon this executive knows squat about female movie goers.
How many women are there in America? 121,950,292 over aged 15 in 2008 census data.
How many of them have money for a movie ticket? How many go to a movie with their girlfriends because their husbands won't go anywhere?
How many want to watch a Pr*ck Flick?
We like real female characters, not just a pair of t*ts.
We like a good story, not just bang, boom, zoom and cgi
We like realistic relationships. Creepy old men, fat ugly men, dumb men, undesirable men and hot babes just make us sigh. And, other than the Cloris Leachman/Jack Black scene, we don't just want "t*t for tw*t.
I wish she'd mentioned which studio that exec belonged to. I'd love to boycott them.
Well yes, If you make movies geared for teen aged boys, women will not go to them. DUH. Give us movies with strong female characters with emotional depth and we will go. Next. try giving us some movies with plots and stories and we will go.
They should fire the person who said that women don't go to movies. That has got to be the stupidest statement ever. From my own experience, women are the most loyal fans, they often go to see one and the same film several times, even if they can't really afford it. Guys I know, on the contrary, are more likely to just download a crappy quality version from the internet and then think if they really want to see it in a theater. Just think how successful Twilight turned out.
Well done Nia! your hard work does not go unnoticed (as is evident in your latest film's success). Hollywood is in a disappointing phase at the moment with nothing fresh or exciting being promoted. There are some great films being made... but they are left to their own devices when it comes to getting "on the radar" and noticed by the general public.
It's a shame that so much money and effort is being driven into not only mindless films (which are ok some of the time) but also into remakes of already existing hit films... Recently rumours dropped that the following remakes are in the works: Predator, Short Circuit, The Warriors, Ghostbusters, Total recall, Universal Soldier, Beverly Hills Cop, Conan, The Thing, Escape from New York, Alien, RoboCop, NeverEnding Story, Karate Kid....
No surprise that these are all films aimed at the so call "core market" of adolescent males... and only goes to prove your point even more.
The sale responses to S&TC and Mama Mia... are not flukes... they are a result of a starved audience grasping at the rare film that is NOT aimed at the core audience for a change.
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