In this episode, we’re setting the scene. During the Silent Film era in the U.S., the film industry was dominated by women filmmakers. But, with the invention of a certain technology, women began to be pushed out of the leadership roles they once occupied. Why? How did this happen? Before we dive into the individual stories of the persevering women of this era of film, we need to know the factors that caused their journeys to be so difficult. From the formation of the Big Five studios to the adoption of the Hays Code, this episode explores why women were pushed out of an industry they once dominated.

Instagram: @foundingfemalesoffilm

Sources/Audio:
Joseph Breen on the PCA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIaS7y5K73A
Silent Film score: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ-Su4utvm8&t=1239s
The Hays Code: https://www.umsl.edu/~gradyf/theory/1930code.pdf

In this episode, we’re going on the journey of Mary Pickford, from her theatre career to co-founding the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Known as “America’s Sweetheart,” Pickford proved her stardom from an early age. She knew what she wanted, and she wasn’t afraid to ask for it.

Instagram: @FoundingFemalesofFilm

Sources:

Women Film Pioneers Project:
https://wfpp.columbia.edu/pioneer/ccp-mary-pickford/

BBC:
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20190204-mary-pickford-the-woman-who-shaped-hollywood

NPR:
https://www.npr.org/2018/02/27/589061990/mary-pickford-darling-of-the-silver-screen-to-major-hollywood-force#:~:text=She%20was%20a%20woman%20of,film%20preservation%20and%20many%20charities.

In this episode, we’re diving into the life of Lois Weber. From performing in the theatre to creating her own production company, we’re talking about the successes and challenges that Weber faced as she tried to remain a powerful force in an industry determined to push her out.

Instagram: @FoundingFemalesofFilm

Lois Weber’s Suspense (1913):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfgiUvBaosg

Sources:
PBS Unladylike2020:
https://kera.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ull20-lois-weber/unladylike2020/

Women Films Pioneer Project:
https://wfpp.columbia.edu/pioneer/ccp-lois-weber/

BBC:
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20190318-lois-weber-the-trailblazing-director-who-shocked-the-world

In this episode, we’re setting the scene. During the Silent Film era in the U.S., the film industry was dominated by women filmmakers. But, with the invention of a certain technology, women began to be pushed out of the leadership roles they once occupied. Why? How did this happen? Before we dive into the individual stories of the persevering women of this era of film, we need to know the factors that caused their journeys to be so difficult. From the formation of the Big Five studios to the adoption of the Hays Code, this episode explores why women were pushed out of an industry they once dominated.

Instagram: @foundingfemalesoffilm

Sources/Audio:
Joseph Breen on the PCA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIaS7y5K73A
Silent Film score: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ-Su4utvm8&t=1239s
The Hays Code: https://www.umsl.edu/~gradyf/theory/1930code.pdf