LOS ANGELES — With all eyes on Hollywood for the Oscars on Sunday, The Representation Project today called upon the heads of the largest U.S. movie studios to transform the culture in Hollywood and increase the number of women directors, writers, characters and protagonists in films. The call was issued in an open letter placed as an advertisement in today’s Los Angeles Times and was specifically directed at the heads of 20th Century Fox, MGM, Paramount, Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, Walt Disney Studios and Warner Brothers.
“Your movies shape our world and inform our dreams – including the dreams of our daughters, sisters, wives, mothers, aunts, partners, friends, and colleagues,” said Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Founder and CEO of the Representation Project. “Together we have the opportunity to transform culture. It’s time to do the right thing. Will you, as leaders, join us, and pledge to make change a priority?”
According to Motion Picture Association of America, women and girls comprise 52% of moviegoers and 50% of all ticket buyers in the United States. But, according to the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, women were just 15% of protagonists in the top films of last year and only 30% of characters who spoke. Women of color were even less. Additionally, women were just 6% of directors and only 10% of writers in 2013’s top films — lower numbers than in 1998.
The letter can be viewed in the Calendar section of today’s Los Angeles Times.
FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER
Dear Jim Gianopulos (20th Century Fox), Gary Barber (MGM), Brad Grey (Paramount), Michael Lynton & Amy Pascal (Sony Pictures), Donna Langley (Universal Pictures), Alan Horn (Walt Disney Studios), and Kevin Tsujihara (Warner Brothers),
Women and girls comprise 52% of moviegoers and 50% of all ticket buyers in the United States. They are also half of the entire world’s population.
But women were just 15% of protagonists in the top films of last year and only 30% of characters who spoke. Women of color were even less.*
Additionally, women were just 6% of directors and only 10% of writers in 2013’s top films — lower numbers than in 1998.**
Your movies shape our world and inform our dreams – including the dreams of our daughters, sisters, wives, mothers, aunts, partners, friends, and colleagues.
Together we have the opportunity to transform culture.
It’s time to do the right thing.
Will you, as leaders, join us, and pledge to make change a priority?
Regards,
Jennifer Siebel Newsom
CEO/Founder
The Representation Project
Imran Siddiquee
The Representation Project
P.S. – A copy of Miss Representation is on its way to you. We’re here to help.
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About the Representation Project
The Representation Project is a movement that uses film and media content to expose injustices created by gender stereotypes and to shift people’s consciousness towards change. Interactive campaigns, strategic partnerships and education initiatives inspire individuals and communities to challenge the status quo and ultimately transform culture so everyone, regardless of gender, race, class, age, sexual orientation or circumstance can fulfill their potential.
www.therepresentationproject.org
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