Five Reasons Why Female Directors Are A Rare Sight

• In a male dominated film making industry, it is incredibly hard for females to even contemplate a career as a director .An issue that has occurred through out the film making history is that individuals with elite links are more likely to progress in their career rather any other hard working person. Naomie Harris explains that knowing the right people can have a positive effect on your career, in terms that if you know certain people really well they are more likely to promote you.I have already established that the film making industry is male dominated therefore men are more likely to know their bosses are colleagues , and would probably hang around more casually.

"The whole way the business is constructed (means there are ) just men at every level, which makes it really hard for women to get their feet in the door"

• According to feminist sociologist Ann Oakley females are constantly faced with the dual burden, which means that women are often primary carers of their children. Being primary carers and having the pressure of their career women are often juggling both aspects of their life. Making it harder for women to succeed within the industry.Directing requires dedication and commitment , something which is hard for a mother to offer. The hours are crazy and women need some sort of stability if they have a family.

• Polly leys co-producer of The Full Monty argues that women re not encouraged enough to purse a career in directing. Leys believe that this issue is related to females issues of self belief. Most females dismiss any thoughts about directing, feminists could argue this can be linked to Self-fulfilling prophcey. Women are labelled negatively within the media industry , they are thought to be unreliable ( having children..etc) and subordinate to men. This attached theory leads women to believe that they are not capable of becoming directors. The fact that there is a lack of role models further discouraged them

• Women are often associated with caring and organisational characteristics,which is why in the media industry women tend to have lower status jobs . Kelly Broad suggests that " a directors role is an intense one" where creativity , and leadership is a necceasisty. Such characteristics are traditionally linked with men ,men possesingmental skills are more suitable for the role.

• Directing can be very stressfull , as it is physically and emotionally tiring. With the crazy hours and teh emense pressure to create a art piece. Although women suffer form the dual burden and are better at multitasking , they are still persived as the weaker sex. Therefore more directing job oppurtunities are offered ot men , becuase bosses tend to think taht men could habdke the pressure better and are therefore more likely to stay focused and director successfully.