The Pretty Faces Off Camera

In 2010 Kathryn Bigelow took home the Oscar for "Best Director" for The Hurt Locker, which may have sparked some to say, "Women direct films?" Although many barriers have been broken, the gender stats of those working behind the scenes in film and television are still lop-sided.There's no need for a revolution on studios lots, but the lack of female screenwriters, directors, and producers leads to a lack of estrogen pumped films. 
The January issue of Vogue delved into the topic of women in filmmaking with our favorite Harvard grad, and the woman of the moment,Natalie Portman. Portman talks about starting her own production company with Annette Savitch, Handsomecharlie Films, with the goal of making more female- minded movies. Portman says, "Most movies are made by men, it's totally natural they're going to present their worldview, so we're trying to find more women  who are writers and directors who are expressing their worldview" (Vogue volume 201 no.1 p 102). 


The stress of Oscar buzz aside, Portman, who was an executive producer for No Strings Attached, discussed how the film almost never saw the screen. "This script had a character that was funny, with a real job and a real voice. but we had to fight to get it made. Studios always let boys be funny and raunchy, but it's a battle to convince them to let a girl; have that voice" (InStyle Volume 18 no.2 February/11 p 182). 
Maybe displaying that unexpected female character on-screen has attributed to the success of No Strings- it is slated to pass the $50 million mark by next weekend. Movies containing a strong female lead are refreshing since the woman is seen outside of her stereotypical film box.
   
Projects in development for Handsomecharlie Films are Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, along with Important Artifacts, which will co-star Brad Pitt (USA Today).  


Handsomecharlie Films recently teamed up with 1821 Pictures, allowing the two companies to produce projects together.