Louis Weber Women In Film Essay

In the past, women have been depicted on screen with negative stereotypes. They have been subjected to the male gaze by men in films. Also younger women in films before the 1980s were more likely to be chosen rather than their older counterparts. The elderly women were underrepresented and considered less attractive. Feminism is the fight for equality for women, and has been more recognized after the third wave of feminism. Since then, there have been dramatic changes in the roles of women in the film area. Women had to go through hardships in order to get where they are today, women had to compete and succeed over men just to try and reserve a spot for the film (which was very unlikely during this time period). Some women had a major influence

Weber got her start at Gaumont in 1908. Although Blaché initially hired her as an actress, Weber’s talent allowed her to develop a strong career behind the screen, as well as in front of the camera. In 1915 Weber joined Universal Studios, and in 1917 she established Lois Weber Productions, with Universal working as her distributor. Unfortunately, most of the films that Weber made while on her own did not find critical or commercial success, and when her husband and production partner Phillips Smalley left her, she closed her studio and returned to Universal. Weber’s career finally came to an end in the 1920s, with sound production. Paramount Studios also sought to capitalize on the ability of women to legitimize early film. Their star female director was Dorothy Arzner. Arzner began her career as a stenographer at Famous Players-Lasky, which later became Paramount. She was later promoted to film editor and in 1927, directed her first film. Arzner was the only woman who’s work in continuously directing films in the Hollywood studio system of the 1930s. She was known for her movies about fearless, motivated women, as well as her ability to bring out the best in the actresses she