"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's point is (sadly) way too true.
Not only do movie studios abstain from female leads, networks are unusually biased in their hiring of men over women for most comedy shows:
For example:
Late Night With Conan O'Brien (NBC): 14 male writers, 0 women
Real Time with Bill Mahr (HBO) : 12 male writers, 0 women
The Colbert Report (Comedy Central): 14 male writers, 2 women
The Daily Show (Comedy Central): 14 male writers, 1 woman. 6 male correspondents, 1 woman
Saturday Night Live (NBC): 18 male writers, 4 women, 9 male cast members, 4 women
The last glass ceiling for women is comedy/entertainment.
I, for one, plan to support Nia's movie. Way to go! Fight the power!
I believe the one woman on the Daily Show left so now they're done to--wait, let me calculate it--zero.
I will see it tomorrow :) I am looking forward to it. I rarely go to movies because I know that the target audience is usually 13 year-old boys (most of male America). I love female lead movies, but they are woefully rare.
I so glad Nia is back! I can't wait to see this movie.
My sister and I saw your movie this afternoon in St. Augustine, Florida and found it delightful. There were more people in the theatre than we thought there would be for a matinee and they were responding with lots of laughter. Screw the NYT's movie critic!
Critics also panned Nia's movie, Connie and Carla, yet the packed audience where I enjoyed this movie in Harrisburg, PA, gave it a standing ovation. REALLY. It was one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. I'm sure I'll enjoy this one just as much.
I really enjoyed My Life in Ruins. Yes, the tourists were stereotyped, but it was a funny show and my daughter and I had a great time watching it. Please, I am not going to Judd Apatow movies, he has publicly stated that his goal is to feature a full frontal male nude scene in every movie he makes. And that is not entertaining. That is boring, sorry to say. I'm telling everybody about your new movie, the scenery is fabulous and where did you get those fantastic dresses!
Just a note to all who are posting here re female driven films: "Waitress" was a wonderful film, helmed by a woman, starring several warm and engaging actresses. A quirky, interesting film about female friendships. Too bad writer, director Adrienne Shelly was killed. A sensitive, strong female talent.
Nia- If your movie "My Life in Ruins" is anything like "My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding", you'll have a hit on your hands. My son and I are still quoting lines from Greek Wedding. It was that funny and clever/
Just saw the movie with 2 other girlfriends and we laughed and laughed! It was just great, ignore what movie critics say because I think they're seeing too many movies in a day. Nia, please keep writing movie scripts (although you didn't write 'life in ruins') how about asian women? white males think they can manipulate us maybe because we behave like lambs? then they find out we're dragons inside!
The studies themselves are to blame for losing the female audience. Even my screenwriting teacher agreed that most movies are made for the 13 year old male mentality. Grownups need grownup entertainment. Studios would be better off if they made an effort to lure women back to theaters--after all a woman's dollar spends just as well as an adolescent boy's.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but with the economy being the way it is people are unwilling to pay to see movies that are getting GOOD reviews. I won't get into details but critics can be some hurtful people. One reviewer made a comparison to Paul Hogan which I think is a good analogy. See ethnic stereotypes, or stereotypes in general tend to wear thin rather quickly and we know how popular Paul Hogan is nowadays. And he's a dude. Now I realize that this movie may have tested highly, but so did Super Babies. My point is, sometimes a movie is just bad and does badly as a result and gender or gender bias has nothing to do with it. Written by a man that thoroughly enjoyed My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
Im an androgynous type of guy...I guess. I raise Draft horses, work on antique tractors and cried like a Baby watching Marley and Me. I like quiche and lattes and would rather drink camel piss then have a Bud light. I only watch sports during playoffs. But I am a movie fiend. And the best action movie? Hands down! Is ALIENS with Sigourney Weaver. She makes James Bond look like a prep school sissy. Number two is The Long Kiss Goodbye with Geena Davis. Dude action heroes round out the rest of my top ten I suppose. And you know Barb Wire with Pam Anderson was not all that bad, but certainly not in my top ten. But why dont lots of guys go to see these "girlie"action flicks (or any girlie flicks) in the theatre? Why do dudes watch sports? It must be a narcissistic like experience for guys. Really! I just dont think they can envision themselves as Ripley getting into a freight robot and taking on the big mama of all aliens in the best action sequence ever! All I see when watching football is guys in tight spandex man-handling each other. It is like pseudo-gay neo-Spartans. Doesn’t do a thing for me. But red blooded American dudes love it? So what is the deal with this gender biased voyeurism? Loved MBFGW and Connie and Carla. But dudes...they have like no taste in movies. But they are good for lifting heavy objects!
How old are you and are you married? ;D
Isnt the romantic comedy genre huge?
What I wouldn't give for more movies with real women in them! I love going to the movies, but lately there just isn't anything I want to pay to see. I did see this film and enjoyed it, as did the rest of the theater. Since I usually go to matinees, I have to say there's definitely an audience for something other than action films, but they're hitting the indie theaters or "flukes." Where else is there to go?
As to the chick flick....funny how a man exploring his inner self is considered a mindblowing film, but any movie with a woman not obsessing about a man is a chick flick, no matter the quality. The same is true of what's considered a classic novel.
Seriously, spare me the man struggle for a second. I want to see people who worry about their families, their lives, their responsibilities, not another man-on-a-quest piece of crap. If you can discover yourself in the midst of a house full of demanding children, good for you! Where are the adolescent girl movies about getting your period wearing white pants or dealing with your friend's date rape, eh?
If you have to bank on the special effects, the film is crap, period.
After reading your piece today, I decided to put my money where your mouth is and I went to see "My Life In Ruins". While I think the reviews were fair, you weren't making an art film. "My Life In Ruins" is a nice feel good film. As such you succeeded. As for the film exec, I will add that the majority of the audience at the screening this afternoon were women.
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
