There's a belonging problem in Hollywood. Who dictates who belongs? The very body who dictates that looks all one way.
Ava DuvernayRead
When we say there's a dearth of women directors, it's not that there's a lack of women who direct: it's a lack of opportunities and access for women to direct and be supported in that.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the importance of providing opportunities for women in directing roles rather than questioning their capabilities.
Ava Duvernay emphasizes that the perceived shortage of women directors stems not from a lack of talent or interest among women, but rather from systemic barriers, including limited opportunities and inadequate support within the film industry. This quote calls attention to the need for equitable access in a field where women are underrepresented, encouraging a shift in how the industry operates to foster diverse leadership.
In practice
Using this quote during a panel discussion on gender equality in the film industry.
There's a belonging problem in Hollywood. Who dictates who belongs? The very body who dictates that looks all one way.
I just don't think there's a lot of support for the woman's voice in cinema, and it becomes really difficult to raise that money and start again every time.
I didn't go to film school. I got my education on the set as a niche publicist in the film industry.
I think for female filmmakers a big issue is making their second and third films.
I intend to be making films until I'm an old lady. So, if God willing I get there, I need to create a paradigm for myself where I can make it regardless of whether or not they still like what I'm making.
I think that if we really want to break it down, that non-black filmmakers have had many, many years and many, many opportunities to tell many, many stories about themselves, and black filmmakers have not had as many years, as many opportunities, as many films to explore the nuances of our reality.
The opposite of an underminer is a supporter. When colleagues are supportive, they go out of their way to be givers rather than takers, working to enhance our productivity, make us look good, share ideas, and provide timely help.
Authority is not a quality one person 'has,' in the sense that he has property or physical qualities. Authority refers to an interpersonal relation in which one person looks upon another as somebody superior to him.
Management by results - like driving a car by looking in rear view mirror.
There has to be absolute trust between the tiger and its master, but its master must be the master - there must be no mistake about that.
As a director, you're a bit of a dictator. But I feel that you're a better director if you're open to other people's ideas. It means that it's tougher: you have to be in a choosing process; you have to put the ego aside. As long as everybody's aiming in the same direction... I'm open to my main partners in the film crew.
I think you can be the greatest orator of all time, the greatest motivator of all times, but if those players know that you don't care about them, and you don't try to understand them, then they're never going to hear what you have to say.
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