Geena Davis "Gender In Media News"

This weekend, I read 2 of Geena Davis' linked articles on her Institute of Gender in Media website. It is very interesting to scroll through the articles, and to learn more about gender in the media today.


Article: 'I was being paid ten per cent of what my male co-star was getting:' Amanda Seyfried speaks out about huge gap between what male and female stars earn in Hollywood

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3157994/I-paid-10-cent-male-star-getting-Amanda-Seyfried-speaks-huge-gap-male-female-stars-earn-Hollywood.html

• Amanda Seyfried is a very successful actress in Hollywood (appearing in movies such as Les Misérables, Ted 2, Mean Girls, and Mama Mia!), yet she is unfortunately a victim of the gender pay gap.
• "A few years ago, on one of my big budget films, I found I was being paid 10 per cent of what my male co-star was getting, and we were pretty even in status," she told the newspaper.
• I think this fact is quite horrendous, especially considering the fact that she and her male co-star were basically equal. Receiving only 10% of his pay is a ridiculously huge pay gap - ALL BECAUSE SHE IS A WOMAN
• "I think people think that just because I'm easy going and game to do things, I'll just take as little as they offer," she said.
• However, in reaction, Amanda says she has found the courage to walk away from job offers that just aren't good enough. A very brave move for any film star, given the cut-throat nature of the industry. I really look up to Amanda after learning this.
• Before each role, she weighs up what it'll do for both her reputation as a movie star and her career long-term, and if it doesn't fit with her plan, then she's not afraid to turn it down. She says "It's not about how much you get, it's about how fair it is. You have to decide if you're willing to walk away from something, especially as a woman."
• I think it is very courageous for Amanda to make these decisions no matter what. It really makes a statement to the movie industry and if she keeps it up, she may make a big change.

Article: Watch Out, Wonder Woman, Female Superheroes Are On The Rise

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/watch-out-wonder-woman-female-superheroes-are-on-the-rise_55a167f8e4b0b8145f72e10a

• In 1941, Wonder Woman was born. She wore a mini skirt, strapless top, knee-high boots, with her Lasso of Truth, and some weaponised jewellery. BUT Compared to the men superheroes, she wore decidedly less clothing and more bondage-inspired accessories.
• Marvel, DC and other comic generators were hesitant to give ladies their own comics, mainly because of the fact that comic book readers were believed to be primarily men and boys.
• The comic world has 3 times as many male characters as women (118 vs 38). I think that this is a very interesting and surprising fact, but knowing that the comics were usually aimed at male readers, it is easy to understand.
• Characters who get their own comic: F-35%, M-44%
• Hoever, since 2000 alone, Marel has added 18 women-led titles
• In 1994, 9 male characters entered the canon, compared to only 2 females. Sixteen years later, in 2010, the spread was 6 male characters to 4 female. A small but very significant jump
• Years until a character gets their own comic: F-15y, M-18y
• Writers are acknowledging the existence of misogyny in the industry and have made strides into including women and LGBT characters into their series.
• I find this a very big jump for women in comics and I am so excited to see newly introduced women characters AS WELL as men. Maybe soon, we'll even see women with realistic costumes and realistic body types (and also men).