September 05, 2007 ... The celluloid ceiling.

Director Michal Aviad has claimed that only between 3 and 10% of Israeli made films are directed by women. This is a not dissimilar proportion to women registered with the Director’s Guild of America, so there is little scope for complaint on that score. Of course the point really is that women are poorly represented as directors in the movie industry as a whole, in comparison to their male counterparts.

However, that is only considering the movie industry from the point of view of major studios and the associated distribution chain and awards system. Given modern digital technology and the internet with which to easily network with skilled female writers and to upload finished product to the likes of YouTUBE, for example, there is hardly any impediment for women to develop and direct any quantity of movies they wish to distribute. This is simply using the principle of substitute and alternative means to make it possible for one to enter a market without the impediments imposed by that already already established.

This alternative path to directorship avoids the issue of having a major studio or other financial interest having too much influence over one’s work and artistic vision. And one can rapidly discover the value of, and amend one’s work if need be, by way of an instantly available international audience with which one can communicate directly.

Okay, it must be recognised that one will have to forego the celebrity accolades and money associated with success as is normal for the more traditional route. But since this is not available as much as would be preferred, it will not be missed. Over time, the alternative path will generate its own recognised way to achieve the same result.

As with so much that improves life in the twenty-first century, technology is making your day a lovelier one.