Calibrate This!

And, the award goes to . . .?

Regardless of their merits, I have this hunch that women will get gypped again at the Oscar's this year and that the majority of the lucky winners will be white and male. Surprised? If you are, then you are not paying attention, and you need to wake up to the world.

The facts* speak for themselves. . .

FACT: When a woman acts as executive producer on a film, the average number of women behind the scenes on the film doubles.

FACT: Only three women have ever received Oscar nominations for directing: Lina Wertmuller for Seven Beauties (1977), Jane Campion for The Piano (1993), and Sofia Coppola for Lost in Translation (2003).

FACT: Nearly half the top 100 films from 1997 had no women writers, producers, directors, cinematographers or editors.

FACT: Although women make up the majority of Americans, men got 62% of the roles cast in motion pictures and television in 1999.

FACT: In 1997, the median earnings for female film writers was $60,000, while the median earnings for male film writers was $75,000.

FACT: Women comprise only 15% of all film writers, producers, directors, cinematographers and editors.

FACT: Of the 250 top grossing films in 1999, 5% had female directors and 17% had female writers.

FACT: Of films with at least one woman working as an executive producer, producer, director, writer or editor, the average domestic box office was $43.8 million. Of those films without women in those roles, the average domestic box office gross was $32.9 million.
*Facts courtesy of Women of Color Film Festival.

Here are just a few things that you can do to stand against the sexism and racism that is rampant in the film industry. I encourage you to contribute some of your own activist suggestions by posting your comments.

* Get a group of friends together and regularly attend movies directed, produced, or written by those underrepresented in the film industry. (Note: You can also do this solo. However, there is power in numbers and all of that.)

* Write a letter to the "big shots" in Hollywood, Sundance, or any other cultural venue and let them know how you feel about the status quo. Make sure to also show your support when they get it right!

* Combine the fun of a DIY project with cultural-political activism a la Guerrilla Girl ingenuity!

* If you live in the Bay Area, attend this year's Women of Color Film Festival.

* While you are at the aforementioned festival, make sure to check out Michelle Dizon's Calibrate (2003, 5 mins, Color, Video).

See you at the movies with labels in hand!