Female representation in the media

[Recidiva]

A collection of tests to run on them. Fortunately a lot of things pass now in media. Still sad how many fail. Most recent example of memory - "Guardians of the Galaxy" failed...pretty much all of these.

Mad Max did a good job.

Firefly did better.

The Bechdel:

Two or more women talking to each other about something other than a man

The Mako Mori:

At least one female character with her own narrative arc that is not about supporting a man’s story

The Sexy Lamp:

A female character that cannot be removed from the plot and replaced with a sexy lamp without destroying the story.

The Anti-Freeze:

No woman assaulted, injured or killed to further the story of another character.

The “Strength is Relative”:

Complex women defined by solid characterization rather than a handful of underdeveloped masculine-coded stereotypes.

Bonus -

Proposed:

The Furiosa Test:

Your movie/game/book/play passes if it causes Men's Rights Activists to protest.

 

[Busybody]

oh please

women are good for 2 things and 2 things only

 

[Recidiva]

oh please

women are good for 2 things and 2 things only

I heard six, but I couldn't figure out the other two.

 

[Busybody]

naw, 2

Complain about everything all the time to everyone

and

Stick hands out and say, GIMME

 

[Recidiva]

naw, 2

Complain about everything all the time to everyone

and

Stick hands out and say, GIMME

We also read books and see movies.

 

[Liar]

The Anti-Freeze:

No woman assaulted, injured or killed to further the story of another character.

This one I don't understand as far as litmus tests go. Secondary charachter being assaulted, injured or killed to further the story of primary character is pretty much a narrative staple, regardless of gender.

"My name is Inigo Montoya..."

 

[Recidiva]

This one I don't understand as far as litmus tests go. Secondary charachter being assaulted, injured or killed to further the story of primary character is pretty much a narrative staple, regardless of gender.

"My name is Inigo Montoya..."

Yes, but putting a woman in danger is a cheap way to get some visceral reaction when the narrative is otherwise lacking.

I think it gets a reaction because of protective impulses that apply to women that do not apply to a man. A woman in need is to be sympathized with and helped. Makes the audience sympathize.

Conversely often a man in need gets "that's what you get" and he is expected to save his own ass.

 

[Recidiva]

"My name is Inigo Montoya..."

Unfortunately Princess Bride does not pass the Bechdel test and relies fairly heavily on Anti-Freeze. I love this movie and the book.

 

[Busybody]

We also read books and see movies.

so you can complain that there are no strong female characters

 

[Recidiva]

so you can complain that there are no strong female characters

Yes! Also marvel over special effects.

There is a trend where "strong woman" means "I'm really a man with boobs, that's what makes me strong" and that's a no no also.

 

[Liar]

Unfortunately Princess Bride does not pass the Bechdel test and relies fairly heavily on Anti-Freeze. I love this movie and the book.

If his mother had been killed instead, would it had been a worse movie?

 

[Recidiva]

If his mother had been killed instead, would it had been a worse movie?

No, that would have been Freeze.

I think there are 4 women in the entire film? Buttercup, Max's wife, the lady in the dream sequence, and someone at the wedding?

 

[Busybody]

Yes! Also marvel over special effects.

There is a trend where "strong woman" means "I'm really a man with boobs, that's what makes me strong" and that's a no no also.

and bitch at teh MACHO shit they say permeates the movies

 

[Recidiva]

and bitch at teh MACHO shit they say permeates the movies

That doesn't bother me as much as the boredom. There are clearly macho people, they get loads of representation.

 

[Busybody]

BTW, I said 2, you said 6

what are the other 4 things women do?

DO WELL??????????

dont gimme the baby stuff, doesnt count

 

[Liar]

No, that would have been Freeze.

And that's apparently a problematic thing. Meaning you can't treat a woman equally to a man in a narrative.

I think there are 4 women in the entire film? Buttercup, Max's wife, the lady in the dream sequence, and someone at the wedding?

No idea, haven't seen it since the 90's. I only remember André the Giant and the memes.

 

[Recidiva]

BTW, I said 2, you said 6

what are the other 4 things women do?

DO WELL??????????

dont gimme the baby stuff, doesnt count

Cook.

Complain.

Have babies. IT COUNTS SHUT UP.

Menstruate.

 

[Recidiva]

And that's apparently a problematic thing. Meaning you can't treat a woman equally to a man in a narrative.

No idea, haven't seen it since the 90's. I only remember André the Giant and the memes.

It would have raised the female quotient to 5? It would have been much cooler if his mom was a blacksmith though. A badass blacksmith.

I have the movie memorized and I read the book...which is darker and more cynical and all that awesome stuff.

 

[Busybody]

Cook.

Complain.

Have babies. IT COUNTS SHUT UP.

Menstruate.

but chefs are men

Compalin, I give you that

Babies? But they fuck em up once they have em, assuming they dont CHOOSE to kill em first

Menstruate? Like I said, Bitch n Moan n Complain

 

[Recidiva]

but chefs are men

Compalin, I give you that

Babies? But they fuck em up once they have em, assuming they dont CHOOSE to kill em first

Menstruate? Like I said, Bitch n Moan n Complain

Bakers, then. Geez.

Thank you.

Maybe if they're forced to hang out with you and they have no other outlet.

It sucks. I'm not proud of it.

 

[Busybody]

well, I bring out the worst in em

bake? maybe, but they bake lousy cakes

real problem is

they EAT em as well




























































https://i.warosu.org/data/biz/img/0002/67/1396935019961.jpg

 

[Liar]

It would have raised the female quotient to 5? It would have been much cooler if his mom was a blacksmith though. A badass blacksmith.

I have the movie memorized and I read the book...which is darker and more cynical and all that awesome stuff.

Them books usually are. You can cram about a novella's worth of complexity into a regular length movie. Which is why so many adaptations end up lacking.

 

[Recidiva]

Them books usually are. You can cram about a novella's worth of complexity into a regular length movie. Which is why so many adaptations end up lacking.

Yeah, Stephen King's movies get the biggest beating because his strength is internal dialogue and description.

Yeah, I like books better. I can count maybe 5 decent adaptations of books I love, and that's a stretch.

Gone Girl, however, did a good job, though it strictly does not pass the Bechdel test either.

Tana French's novels also excellent in that vein.

 

[Conager]

Lassie was not 'female' I think you should be outraged about that.

 

[Recidiva]

Lassie was not 'female' I think you should be outraged about that.

You'd think someone named Lassie would be a female. It's nice to know that the female dog actress was represented.