Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Media Killed the Video Star

Trying to keep momentum going as we hustle to finish up the first version of our current project over here while also interviewing tons of awe inspiring women for the new 2012 section of the blog! I am absolutely overjoyed with the responses I have been getting about interviewing the fine ladies of the contemporary cultural landscape, maybe even a little saddened that so many people are hungry for this type of thing and and there aren't more resources! Not to say there are no outlets for women in film and art out there though...if anything the widespread accessibility of media and blog life has made women in the arts have even more consistent voice than before! Here is a small list of some resources that I tend towards when trying to find a more female aspect on film things (we will get to the bleak state of art later!), feel free to add resources in the comments!

Camera Obscura
The traditional feminist film theory journal! YAY! Founded in the 70s (partly by a former mentor/professor of mine) this journal started a language to define women's place in, around, and anywhere near a camera. Sometimes dry (bordering on womyn) and always sincere this journal really paved the way for women to see films as a signifier of social norms and to begin voicing an alternative within it's pages. And yes, I did once completely freak out upon finding original issues of this journal under some moldy Hollywood glossies in a used bookstore in Manhattan!

Women and Hollywood
Indiewire's women and film blog is like Variety for women. A great industry resource with a slight indie tinge for all things film/lady related from basic stats to interviews with leading female filmmakers this site is pretty good survey of where women stand in a larger film system.

The Carpetbagger
Not exactly centered around a female agenda but, being primarily run by a woman, it does tend towards a few not so often discussed aspects of the co-ed cinematic playing field.

Jezebel and Feministing
Jezebel, a bit like the gossipy girl you love to hate, and Feministing, a little more on the righteous side of feminism, aren't solely focused on arts & culture but they both tend to expose the underbelly of injustices within these areas and applaud the triumphs on a pretty large scale!