Gender Inequality in Film: Examining On-Screen Portrayals and Behind-the-Scenes Employment Patterns Dr. Stacy L. Smith Media, Diversity, & Social Change Initiative USC Annenberg

#1 Females are Still Sidelined in Popular Top-Grossing Films

annenberg.usc.edu Prevalence % of female characters 29.9%32.8% 30.3%28.4% male to female ratio 2.35 to to to to 1 % w/gender balanced casts 11.9%15%16.8%4%6% Total # of speaking characters 4,3794,3704,3424,1534,475 Note: ASCJ study examining character demographics and hypersexuality across 500 films from 2007 to Females’ Employment Patterns On Screen

annenberg.usc.edu Prevalence % of female directors 2.7%8%3.6%2.7%4.1% % of female writers 11.2%13.6%13.5%11.1%12.2% % of female producers 20.5%19.1%21.6%18.3%20% gender ratio 5 to 14.9 to 14.5 to 15.5 to 15 to 1 Note: ASCJ study examining character demographics and hypersexuality across 500 films from 2007 to Females’ Employment Patterns Behind the Camera

annenberg.usc.edu Reasons for the Infrequency of Females in Film Reason% of Responses Positive Male Market Forces 43.7% Male-Dominated Industry 32% Male Target Audience 20.4% Males Resist Females’ Stories 17.5% Negative Female Market Forces 15.5% Note: The percentages reflect the proportion of participants within reason giving a particular explanation for gender imbalance. Thus, the response column does not total 100%. Study funded by the Geena Davis Institute for Gender and Media.

annenberg.usc.edu Females On-Screen and Behind-the-Scenes across 500 Top Grossing Films Note: ASCJ funded study examining directors and writers in 100 top-grossing films from 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012.

#2 Females are Still Sexualized in Popular Top-Grossing Films

annenberg.usc.edu Female Sexualization in Entertainment Prevalence % in sexy attire 27%25.7%25.8%33.8%31.6% % w/some exposed skin 21.8%23.7%23.6%30.8%31% % referenced attractive 18.5%15.1%10.9%14.7% Not Measured Note: ASCJ study examining character demographics and hypersexuality across 500 films from 2007 to 2012.

annenberg.usc.edu Percentages of Females in Sexy Attire by Age: Note: ASCJ study examining character demographics and hypersexuality across 500 films from 2007 to 2012.

#3 The Independent Space is More Egalitarian than the Commercial Space

annenberg.usc.edu Females in Key Creative Positions by Storytelling Platform PositionNarrativeDocumentary Directors16.9%34.5% Writers20.6%32.8% Producers29.4%45.9% Cinematographers9.5%19.9% Editors22%35.8% Note: Study funded by Sundance Institute, Women In Film, Los Angeles, and the Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism.

annenberg.usc.edu Barriers for Narrative Female Directors & Producers Impediments% of Responses Gendered Financial Barriers 43.1% Male Dominated Networks 39.2% Stereotyping on Set 15.7% Work/Family Balance 19.6% Exclusionary Hiring Decisions 13.7% Note: The percentages reflect the proportion of participants within reason giving a particular barrier. Thus, the response column does not total 100%. Study funded by Sundance Institute, Women In Film, Los Angeles, and the Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism.