I imagine that would be because (and why) the male oriented genres are not really about character and thereby very character-thin. Anyway, most women aren't really dumb enough to get themselves into the kind of situations prevalent in the male-oriented genres. That would probably be a reason that the female leads in slashers tend to have fallen into the situations instead of having lead themselves into the proverbial fire.

Maybe that's sexist, but dealing with stereotypes of any kind is (blank)-ist.

I do know that most of my stories are male driven. My Fempiror one only has two female characters speak of out of a huge cast of them...and one of them was an afterthought to allow for a later story. Usually, any females I write are just the love interest of the lead...with the exception of my slasher one where the female was the lead, of course.

Thanks Rick for some great thoughts.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films I once heard it said that men are more interested in objects and women in the realtionships between objects. So men are more likley to write stories (like Armored) about people trying to get something or do something, whilst women are less concerned with the actual action and more about how people behave.

I think that’s true but only in a proportional sense, not a literal one. I generally try to write stories I think will appeal to both men and women.

I write a lot of stuff that might be considered something males would like but I still put a focus on the relationships between the characters. With something like “Armored,” I would have considered the relationship between Ty and Jimmy pivotal to the story. I would have definitely focused on it although it wouldn’t have been the main drive of the story.

I write every main character with both a physical goal and an emotional need.

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films One thing I would say is that women don't get that many roles to play outside of love interest and mothers....you might find you can attract a top quality actress with a part in a different genre because there aren't that many around.

I’ve been trying this for years. I practically specialize in writing scripts with female main characters who are strong yet still feminine, in stories that appeal to both men and women.  Doesn’t work that well -- haha. To get to the actresses, you still have to go through all the males in the business who groan at the idea of a script written by a woman.

I think assumptions about men and women are definitely part of the problem. For example; It’s automatically assumed guys hate rom-coms so they’re basically written for women and end up driving men crazy. It’s like a self fulfilling prophecy.

Same with action movies. There’s an assumption women can’t enjoy a movie that’s “too rough” so they’re geared exclusively for males, thus putting women off.

It doesn’t have to be that way and quite frankly I think it stems from ignorance. There are too many male writers who don’t know anything about women and it shows in their female characters. And vice versa. It works both ways. If writers would spend a little more time trying create more complex characters, and viewing the opposite sex as human rather than alien, then I think there is room for great movies that appeal to both genders.

Re: Dana being beaten, what I meant was that she wouldn’t survive the beating as described in the script. I was surprised that Jimmy survived it. It depends on whether she lives or dies. But yeah, Dana getting a severe beating would have definitely been more powerful.


Breanne

It's funny how the discussion has turned to the representation of women in film, and the only female character in the script we're discussing got cut.

Has there ever been an all-female cast heist movie?

I bet we could have some fun with that....once the script club dies, we should do a script factory. With the knowledge of everyone on this thread we could put together a cracking script.

Funnily enough, Disney have announced one...just did a quick Google...

http://movies.nytimes.com/movi.....st-project-/overview

Directed by Diane English.

Ah well, right idea, just a little late. Although I wonder if a Disney film would have the necessary balls or creativity to pull it off...

Very funny how the above sounds just like Armored, except with a woman...

EDIT: It's a true story.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heather_Tallchief

Sounds quite interesting, plus seems the field is still open for the all out action female heist, that sounds like it will be a bit more serious.

I remember a female heist movie I saw long time ago. They were all black. Can't remember the title right now, but I think I liked it.

And about Jimmy, I remember while reading the script that I felt I was supposed to be really worried about him when they were on their way to go get him, but I didn't really care so I guess that means that character didn't really work for me. Also agree with Breanne about Dana's initial scenes. I assumed she was going to be a pretty big character in this and I did like her. In other words, they should have kept her and ditched Jimmy altogether.

Quoted from Grandma Bear I remember a female heist movie I saw long time ago. They were all black. Can't remember the title right now, but I think I liked it.

Was it Set it Off?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set_It_Off

Yes it was. Thanks!