Andrea Gonzalvo
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Jusang Lee
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Strategy / Business
Program: UROPF
Session: Session 3 (11:00am – 11:50am)
Authors: Jusang Lee, Andrea Gonzalvo
Abstract
Recently, vast social movements such as #MeToo and #Oscarsowhite have made waves because of the change they instigated in the Hollywood film industry. They brought to light the mistreatment of gender, sexual, and racial minorities face while working in the industry. So what conventions do these minorities–specifically female directors in Hollywood–face? What puts them at a disadvantage when working in the industry? To determine this we had to look at the films themselves. Their ratings, actors used, income, etc. Which specific factors of the film are female directors being disadvantaged towards. Through the analysis of these factors has led to the determination that 1. Minorities deviations from convention in the film industry lead to disadvantage; 2. Audience assessment in deviations from convention tend to be harsher towards female directors; and 3. Various types of gender unconventionality have different effects among genders. These findings are critical in solving the larger problem of gender discrimination and social inequality prevalent in large industries not only in Hollywood, but in all industries. Hopefully, by determining the roadblocks which all female directors face, we can work to put an end to the discrimination and injustice of the industry.
