Breaking Through The Glass Ceiling: What It's Like To Be A Black Female FILMMAKER
Courtesy of PNW Production
Introduction
So, you want to make movies and be a filmmaker? Awesome. There's just one problem: You're black. Sounds like a problem...right? While many people (myself included) completely dismiss the idea of race as an issue in the entertainment industry, it is undeniable that there are still plenty of people who refuse to hire black filmmakers or won't even consider them for roles. Will navigating the film industry as a black (female) filmmaker be difficult? Let's find out!
One of the hardest things about filmmaking as a black woman is that you're always in the hot seat.
You're always being asked to justify your existence. And because of this, it can be hard to know where to begin when talking about your work.
An obstacle to overcome is that many people believe that black filmmakers are not able to make good films because they are not well-versed in making films. The truth is that many talented black filmmakers have made great films and they have shown everyone that they can create quality work and not just be actors or dancers or singers.
Another obstacle people may face when being a black filmmaker is the lack of funding for their projects. There have been many times when black filmmakers get their ideas rejected by financiers because they feel it will not make any money so they do not want to invest in it. This happens even today because many companies still believe that black people simply cannot make quality films without spending a lot of money on them.
I would like to point out that many people do not believe that black filmmakers can create anything different from what already exists in Hollywood or other parts of the world; however, this is untrue because there are plenty of talented.
This is where I tell you not to worry so much about what you can't control and focus on what you can. We must start by recognizing how white male filmmakers can get away with saying some awful things without repercussions. Because that's what makes us feel like we have no choice but to say nothing at all in response.
An obstacle that is present is the colorism that is usually associated with AFRICAN AMERICANS.
Colorism is the idea that lighter-skinned people are more beautiful than darker-skinned people. This can be seen in commercials, magazines, and movies.
The black community has been brainwashed by colorism since they were born to believe that lighter skin means better. We see this in our media daily and on social media. I am not saying that everyone who is light-skinned is beautiful or vice versa for darker-skinned people; however, it does make it difficult for us to get jobs in the industry because of our race or ethnicity.
The last obstacle we face as black filmmakers is being stereotyped as an angry person who doesn’t like to work hard or be nice to other people; therefore, they don’t want to hire us anymore because they think we will leave their company soon after they hire us. This can lead to unemployment which can affect your life financially and emotionally.
Conclusion
Being a black female filmmaker is both an exciting and challenging experience. While there are still systemic barriers that black women need to overcome, there has been a surge of support for the cause lately which makes it easier for more diverse stories to be heard. We must continue to challenge Hollywood's status quo and make sure marginalized voices get the representation they deserve in front of the camera and behind it. We hope this article has shed some light on what being a black female filmmaker is like today and inspired you to take action!
