A new study by USC has revealed that of the top 100 movies from 2014, only a meager 28% of speaking characters were women. That’s not much of an improvement over the past seven years. In fact, it’s slightly down from 2007’s 29.9%. Even if a female role did have lines, it was often not of much significance, as only 21 films featured a female lead or co-lead. None of those leads were age 45 or older. Roles were not only scarce in front of the camera: of 1,326 content creators surveyed, only two directors and 33 writers were women. If you combine all seven years studied (with the exception of 2011), only 24 female directors have ever worked on a major Hollywood production since 2007.
Source: USC
Women were not the only group underrepresented. The report also found that in the top 100 films, only 14 had lesbian, gay or bisexual characters. There were no transgender characters at all.
Source: USC
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Author: Donald Armbrecht is a freelance writer and social media producer.
Image: The Hollywood sign towers over neighborhoods of Los Angeles, California, United States. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
