‘Little Movies’ Offer Good Female Roles--Just Take a Look

The Calendar article “Endangered Species: 1992’s Best Actress? Think Real Hard” (Nov. 8) points out the lack of good female roles in Hollywood and says that because of this, the list of Oscar hopefuls in the best actress category is very bleak this year, virtually devoid of thoroughbreds. The blame seemed to be placed squarely on the shoulders of the studios. On the other hand, the article stated that the list of potential best actor nominees is longer than ever.

As a writer-director, I simply don’t accept the notion that good female-driven material isn’t around. The great female roles are out there, but getting them read is one of the major problems.

My first feature, “The Higher Ground,” is set to roll in January. My partner, Greg Hodson, and I have formed First Pictures Entertainment, an independent company whose goal is to produce low-budget, high-quality motion pictures with female-driven story lines.

Our male leads are cast, but finding a female lead has been an uphill battle. We believe this is a career-making role for an actress that doesn’t require her to get her head blown off or follow the leading man around like a poodle.

But I can’t get this script to any of the many talented actresses I’ve tried to contact, even with wanting to put an offer on the table.

When contacting their agents, I’m struck down dead in my tracks after uttering the catch-words: “low budget.” Usually, it’s their cocky assistants who won’t even let me through to the agent to discuss the script. Never mind asking who I am, and what I’ve done.

However, something intriguing happened when I did get through to several agents. They bypassed my inquiries for an actress and proceeded to ask if I would be interested in any males on their client list.

And then there was the agent who suggested that an actress on his list would rather do her umpteenth slasher movie rather than work for 23 days on a “little movie.” I’d like to hear him say that in front of her.

I guess we independent filmmakers are in trouble. We’re looking for actresses, but we don’t have a lot of money.

Is the criterion for getting a good script to an actress part of the problem? It might be.

In the case of my upcoming film, sure, my partner and I don’t have a $40-million budget and we’re not Paramount or Fox. But there are those of us who want to make good small films where the leads are women, but their agents want nothing to do with us.

Admittedly, it can be difficult for an agent to discern which guy who calls himself a producer is on the level. But before the agent’s assistant closes the door, he or she ought to open a window--like check out the caller. They could phone the producer’s agent and also simply ask the inquiring producer to fax over a resume and a short summary of his or her production goals.

But there’s more. Even when a script is submitted by a writer’s agent, there’s no guarantee that it will be read by the performer’s agent. Generally, it’s placed into “coverage,” to be read not by the performer’s agent but by people hired strictly to read incoming material, judge it and make a recommendation. Many readers are just out of college and have little or no knowledge of the business. Ah, that word, “coverage.” It’s another barrier in getting material into the right hands.

Admittedly, there are a lot of lowbrow, exploitation movies out there from independents. But there are also many good scripts. In fairness, I have talked to a few agents who are looking for that “wonderful role” for their female clients. But they are the exception to the rule.

Ironically, as Calendar also reported (Nov. 12), the theme of the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony is “Oscar Celebrates Women and the Movies.” Perhaps they should celebrate 1933 or 1943. Back then, the best actress nominees outnumbered the usual five; a few years had up to eight. And check out some of those acceptance speeches. They rarely thanked their agents in those days. However, they often thanked their writers.

Yes, the best actress nominees are an endangered species. But, actresses, be on your guard. That wonderful “little movie” may have been shot down--before you even had a shot at an Oscar.