Posted on May 11, 2015 at 3:32 pm
There is only one person who should decide which toy is fun — the person who plays with it. Not the manufacturers or the retailers. President Obama wisely pointed this out by refusing to accept the labels on toys at a holiday giveaway.
Now mega-seller Amazon has decided to no longer categorize toys as “girl’s toys” or “boy’s toys.” Everything is just Toys
I can only say: Well played.
Posted on May 3, 2015 at 3:35 pm
Adam Sandler is currently filming “The Ridiculous Six,” reportedly a comic version of the classic Western “The Magnificent Seven.” According to Indian Country Today Media, a group of Native American actors walked off the set because they were offended by racist and sexist material in the script, including character names like Beaver Breath and No-Bra and crude humor.
“There were about a dozen of us who walked off the set,” said Anthony, who told ICTMN he had initially refused to do the movie. He then agreed to take the job when producers informed him they had hired a cultural consultant and efforts would be made for tasteful representation of Natives.
Five Thirty-Eight has an incisive look at the Sandler films, putting them in three categories: paydays, pineapples (a reference to a particularly gross joke in “Little Nicky”), and “he’s trying.” I wish he would try harder.
Posted on May 1, 2015 at 3:29 pm
Jenna Busch and the wonderful folks of Legion of Leia and Heroic Girls are asking an important question: #wheresnatasha?
Remember last year when the #WheresGamora hashtag called out the lack of Gamora toys in the Guardians of the Galaxy toy line? Well, it’s happening again. Natasha Romanov, the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) is a huge part of the Avengers team and one of the only women in the Marvel films. At the moment, she’s also the only female Avenger. With Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron coming out, you’d think we’d get to throw our money at them and walk home with a Black Widow toy. However, of the 60 products that Marvel and Disney have out for the film, only three feature Black Widow. Not exactly a great percentage. If you’re a Natasha fan, you can head to Target and purchase a tote bag, a men’s t-shirt and a figure that’s part of a LEGO set.
Dudes. Black Widow is awesome. She is every bit as much of a superhero as the other Avengers. Girls want to buy her. And guess what, boys do, too. What were they thinking?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjMdFf8vKqA
Posted on April 28, 2015 at 3:59 pm
Meryl Streep has made a contribution to a lab program for women over 40 who write movies.
The only program of its kind, The Writers Lab evolved in recognition of the absence of the female voice in narrative film, along with the dearth of support for script development. The lab offers 8 promising films by women over 40 a springboard to production.
The Lab will take place September 18-20, 2015 at Wiawaka Center for Women on Lake George. Caroline Kaplan (Time Out of Mind, Personal Velocity), Kirsten Smith (Legally Blond, Ten Things I Hate About You), Jessica Bendinger (Bring It On, Aquamarine), Mary Jane Skalski (Win Win, The Station Agent), Gina Prince-Bythewood (Secret Life of Bees, Beyond the Lights) among others will be serving as mentors, pending scheduling. Mentors advise in one-on-one meetings with additional events to inspire artists to hone their creative vision. The Lab will take place September 18-20, 2015 at Wiawaka Center for Women on Lake George. Caroline Kaplan (Time Out of Mind, Personal Velocity), Kirsten Smith (Legally Blond, Ten Things I Hate About You), Jessica Bendinger (Bring It On, Aquamarine), Mary Jane Skalski (Win Win, The Station Agent), Gina Prince-Bythewood (Secret Life of Bees, Beyond the Lights) among others will be serving as mentors, pending scheduling. Mentors advise in one-on-one meetings with additional events to inspire artists to hone their creative vision.
For submission information or to apply, see the Writer’s Lab.
And here is Ms. Streep talking about why we need more women’s stories.
Posted on March 27, 2015 at 3:57 pm
Cheers to the understandably anonymous “Miss L,” an actress in Hollywood, for her Tumblr posting real-life casting information that shows how limited and misogynistic Hollywood casting is. Casting Call Woe shows actual casting call notices, most of which require actresses to be hot (no matter what the character). Here’s an example: “We need women comfortable dressing in revealing clothes, for the scenery.” And “She might not be the most beautiful woman in the room, like only a 7 on the typical hotness scale.”
A touch of almost Beckett-ian irony in this one: “Single mom desperate to pay her bills. Salary: no pay.”
And these: “Her scene will include being screamed at by a clown and being gagged briefly.” “Involves some leather clothing to attract YouTube fans.”
Of course it is fair to expect that performers will be attractive. But Miss L is absolutely right to call out these demeaning casting notices and I hope the existence of this Tumblr will mean there will be fewer of them.
