ESCAPOLOGY (the escape pod's blog): WHY AREN’T THERE MORE WOMEN IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES?

BOARDSMAG.COM recently enquired whey there are so few female directors. And it got me thinking.

Creative advertising is dominated by guys. Most film directors are male. Most editors, but not all by any means, are male. If you look at advertising, for example, women are prominent in planning/account service/ and of course production. Roles in which, intentionally or not, they are “helping out the guys” and making sure they don’t have ketchup stains on their one tie as they go into the big meeting.

Now it would be very easy to dismiss this as nature playing itself out. Men were the hunters. Women did the rest.

But you would think that in the modern enlightened age of two-thousand-and-fucking-ten that there would be more women film directors, for example. That is a field where gender matters zero. Or should. I had the very great privilege to have several conversations with the legendary Japanese director Nagi Noda (RIP) a few years ago. She was amazing. Because she had a unique flavor. But there are precious few Nagi Nodas. And that’s what makes a director great. Imagination. And that’s not governed by body chemistry. That’s pure imagination.

Full disclosure: I have four very Irish sisters in Ireland, my mom was an angel, I am married to a fiercely intelligent irish-american summa cum laude Wellesly College graduate. I have two amazing daughters. I know from strong women.

Personally I think it’s a matter of confidence. Women look at the industries, and as Cindy Gallop pointed out, don’t’ see themselves. They see guys. Quite often of the white variety. And the white guys look at them and see something strange: women! Eeeek!!!

And to be honest, guys can have that reaction. We really are that stupid! Guys are more comfortable with guys is the basic reason. It’s all very juvenile, but there you are. It’s the case.

But it’s no excuse. And if my daughters are anything to go by, it’s coming to an end. But women do need to try a bit harder to break through. Even today. Sad but true. ESCAPOLOGY (the escape pod's blog)