"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?
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
Nia is right. If we want movies we can relate to, we have to sit our butts in movie theater seats, not rent them or download them. The industry counts box office as a sign of success, so everyone, get you to a movie theater anf buy a damn ticket!
If you look at the rest of the top ten, you'll see it's true that they're male-oriented. I think the issue is that more men groups go to movies than females groups, particularly teen-aged boys AND when male-female groups go to movies (i.e., date night) A LOT of them go to the "guy movie" (Bromance, action movies) vs. the "girl movie" (character-oriented dramas).
Most big Hollywood movies are 2 hour long special effects; even the ones called "good" are crap --without character development or rational plot. The makers of these movies couldn't write a lucid paragraph, let alone a coherent script. These more talent in the TV wasteland.
BRAVO !! .............going to the movies.......and ordering on NETFLIX !! Yup !!
To help remedy this problem (as well as to support films whose leading actors are people of color), I find myself going more-and-more to so called "African American films." These films increasingly tend to present women as the protagonists/in strong leading roles and aren't afraid of wading deep into relationship issues.
I'm going to see this with my grandmother and mother so there's three women for you!
Their reasoning is circular. Women don't go to movies that are targeted at 13 year old boys. Studios make movies targeted at 13 year old boys because they think women don't go to movies. Women don't go to movies targeted at 13 year old boys....
exactly
Go Indies!
This movie was funny, but I thought you looked better in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
We are changing this statistic on Thursday night when we load up 14 rowdy females into a car (well.. maybe 2) and head to the theater to see "My Life In Ruins" (my second time, laughed so hard the first time Sprite came out of my nose)!
Fantastic job Nia - GO GO GO!!!
Γιασου νια,
Two words-
Dis- connect..
Actually that's one, but...
These statements show how the level of micro managing markets and profit share concerns lead to
Art by bean-counting. Absolutely profits are important and in terms of the studios 'paramount'. However, this leads to a reduction of distribution, because of pessimism without ever having released the product!
You can do all of the screenings and surveys you want, however quantitative analysis is no longer the most effective means of gauging a reaction- qualitative my friend, qualitative!!!
Εφαριστο νια!
εγο, ιμε πυππι!
Women are turned off by todays silly-sh*t movies designed by
greedy directors without a clue: Film car chase, aggression "themes" and
soupy-weepy overly-sentimental mindless "mushy-gushers" are DEFINITE LOSERS.
Movies? Forgeddaboudit.
Better go out to buy A REAL BOOK with
A REAL STORY in it.
You forgot to mention pointless pyrotechnics. There are a lot of formulaic movies. I suspect you can and will find wheat but only after sifting through a lof of chaff. I look forward to seeing Nia's movie. I loved Greek Wedding.
But women do go to good movies. At least the women I know. I think it is interesting as we look at who dominates what market that TNT has four shows on three of which have female leads. The Closer, Saving Grace, and now Hawthorne. That is a paradigm shift from FX and the high testosterone shows. Even FX made a push and gave Glen Close a show. What people have discovered is that guys will watch good shows with women characters, as long as they are good. And couples will watch them as well. This does translate onto the big screen. There is a middle road between chick flicks and between action flicks. Angelina Jolie navigates it well.
J
Also look at the showtime hits of weeds and, the newest addition, nurse jackie. both female leads programs that have a huge following and why this household pays an extra $10 a month for showtime. We are also big fans of the rachel maddow show - also female "lead" hosted.
Further, I know more women who go to movies than men because, let's face it, men are cheap and movies are expensive.
On Saturday, I was near my local movie theatre and thought of going to see one. Not a single one appealed. Instead we met friends for dinner and drinks. Take that.
I think this is why Ms. Vardalos is saying go out and support the movies that you like so they will continue to be picked up and shown. She is right that there are some movies available for women (and thinking people) out there that are just not being supported by Hollywood business types.
Personally I only see these kinds of movies --indies, anything with Streep, Winslet, etc. I hate the sappy stories and car chases too. Boring!
No female lead movies? And this surprises people? In a Christianity-dominated patriarchy like this one?
I'm sure that what you say is true. However, even more important to the Christian-dominated patriarch is money. If there is money in a certain type of movie, say with a female lead then I can't help but think someone, somewhere will make this type of movie. To these guys bucks are the bottom line. It's getting allot cheaper to make movies (excluding animation and special effects) so perhaps we will see more female lead movies. By the way Steven Spielberg is a big shot Hollywood type, and if memory serves me correctly he is Jewish.. So maybe we should say the movies are run by a Judaic-Christian dominated Patriarch.
Female lead movies:
Resident Evil
Lara Croft
I'm sure I could think of more, but the point I am making is tongue in cheek, those movies have female leads so men can drool...
Oh Nia....I so loved this post from you. Seriously, you go girl!
I am a big fan of yours (for many reasons) and have been looking forward to this flick ever since I first read about it during pre-production.
Now that it is finally in the theaters....I will be attending a showing next Thursday with a large group of girlfriends...one of whom is Greek and owns & operates a wonderful local Greek restaurant here in Columbus, Ohio -- the Mykonos Taverna & Bakery (It's a wonderful & welcoming restaurant, and reminds me a bit of your family's restaurant in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding").
I also must add that your reemergence on the film scene inspired me to write a piece on Romantic Comedies for the MORE magazine website http://www.more.comm).
I am a recent guest writer for them, and I knew when they asked me to contribute weekly, that I wanted to write about your new film. Well, they just published that piece today.....so I thought I would share the link to it with all of your well-wishers & fans here (and of course, YOU as well!).
My piece is titled: "Great Romantic Comedy? It's All Greek To Me!"
Please click the line to check it out: http://www.more.com/2057/5176-great-romantic-comedy--it-s-all
Thanks for listening to my "gushing".......fingers crossed for your flick!
Women don't go to the movies? Really? I guess I should get my money back for the three I saw last week.
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
