Pre-Code Versus Contemporary Female Screenwriters: Working Towards More Authentic Depictions of Women on Screen
Disciplines
Arts and Humanities
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Even in the 21st century, movies have remained an integral part of American pop culture, and while methods of consumption have changed, millions of Americans still flock to theaters every year. So why is it that, even in 2022, Americans are not proportionally represented in film? In today’s world, there is a lack of adequate representation of women in film. While there may be more characters who are women than there were in the past, the depictions of women are not always the most accurate. The solution to this ever-present issue in the industry is hiring more women as directors, executive producers, producers, and/or writers, as this increases the likelihood of films portraying women more authentically. Although there were few in number, pre-Code female screenwriters such as Lorna Moon and Dorothy Howell wrote films with daring and realistic depictions of women during a time that was characterized by male dominance. This change from the status quo for female characters sent a ripple through the film industry that can be seen even in films today. Contemporary screenwriters such as Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Diablo Cody carry on the legacies of both Moon and Howell in that they too write more authentic female characters and challenge how society views women today. Although the stories in contemporary films may be different than pre-Code films, the women written by these female screenwriters are very similar and act as lifelines for young girls who are used to seeing the same stereotypical woman in every film they see. Although film has evolved greatly over time, unfortunately, the industry still struggles with its representations of women. However, it’s screenwriters like Waller-Bridge and Cody who are trying to change this and are working upon the foundations the pre-Code female screenwriters built in the early Hollywood era.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - English
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Anna Weinstein
Additional Faculty
Anna Weinstein,
English,
aweinst6@kennesaw.edu
Pre-Code Versus Contemporary Female Screenwriters: Working Towards More Authentic Depictions of Women on Screen
Even in the 21st century, movies have remained an integral part of American pop culture, and while methods of consumption have changed, millions of Americans still flock to theaters every year. So why is it that, even in 2022, Americans are not proportionally represented in film? In today’s world, there is a lack of adequate representation of women in film. While there may be more characters who are women than there were in the past, the depictions of women are not always the most accurate. The solution to this ever-present issue in the industry is hiring more women as directors, executive producers, producers, and/or writers, as this increases the likelihood of films portraying women more authentically. Although there were few in number, pre-Code female screenwriters such as Lorna Moon and Dorothy Howell wrote films with daring and realistic depictions of women during a time that was characterized by male dominance. This change from the status quo for female characters sent a ripple through the film industry that can be seen even in films today. Contemporary screenwriters such as Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Diablo Cody carry on the legacies of both Moon and Howell in that they too write more authentic female characters and challenge how society views women today. Although the stories in contemporary films may be different than pre-Code films, the women written by these female screenwriters are very similar and act as lifelines for young girls who are used to seeing the same stereotypical woman in every film they see. Although film has evolved greatly over time, unfortunately, the industry still struggles with its representations of women. However, it’s screenwriters like Waller-Bridge and Cody who are trying to change this and are working upon the foundations the pre-Code female screenwriters built in the early Hollywood era.