Chloe Zhao – A Profile By Claire Graman I have a dark secret I never discuss in polite company: I don’t like superhero films. However, I’m looking forward to Marvel’s upcoming film Eternals, and it’s all because of its amazing director: Chloe Zhao. Chloe Zhao (Zhao Ting), born in Beijing, China in 1982, attended high …
By Claire Graman Whenever I teach a film class, I make sure to question students’ ideas of what a filmmaker is. We’re all familiar with auteur theory – the idea that the director controls what the film looks like. And there’s an element of truth to that. Directors oversee everything, and they have the final …
Clothes Make the (Wo)man: Three Incredible Costume Designers and Their Mark on Film Read More »
A Profile of Japanese Filmmaker Tazuko Sakane By Claire Graman I love Japanese film, from Akira Kurosawa’s samurai dramas to Satoshi Kon’s mind-bending anime. One of the earliest Japanese films, A Page of Madness (1926), a silent film with no intertitles, blew my mind when I saw it in college. Even cult classics like …
Erica Interviewed at KXCR Radio I’m happy to share my conversation with Larry Bloomfield at KXCR Radio in Florence, Oregon. We covered a wide range of topics, including the history of Girls’ Voices Matter, why it’s important to let girls follow their curiosity, and how making art can be a source of confidence for all …
By Claire Graman The quarantine has affected filmmaking. For aspiring filmmakers, as well as established ones, times are bleak. With stalled productions and delayed releases, cinema seems the most fragile it’s ever been. Particularly when you’re stuck at home, the idea of making a film is daunting. Yet constraints can often spark creativity. One of …
Julie Dash – A Profile By Claire Graman I recently read an excellent article on the lack of black directors represented in the Criterion Collection. I was saddened, but not surprised. What did surprise me was that even among a paltry number of black directors, Julie Dash wasn’t represented. If any director deserves to be …
By Claire Graman These 10 Feminist Anime for Teen Girls were chosen for focusing on girls and women and their struggles. While there still may be some problematic aspects, for the most part these shows critique gender roles and present strong heroines you can root for. Most entries on this list were also written and/or …
Teaching Feminist Media: A Perspective By Claire Graman, Girls’ Voices Matter instructor Bertie the Brain, Video Games and Ada Lovelace: Teaching Feminist Media I wasn’t sure what to expect when I began teaching a class about feminist media and video games. The gaming industry has been notoriously hostile to women and girls at all levels, …
At Girls’ Voices Matter, we’re getting ready for Online Courses for Teen Girls! We’re very excited to bring you these four courses. Each one is designed specifically for the needs of teen girls. They focus on self-expression, creativity, awareness and empowerment. Schedule: July 20, 21, 22, 23, & 24: 10:00 a.m. Pacific / 1:00 …
Online Courses for Teen Girls Coming Monday 7/20/20! Read More »
Ten Media-Arts Activities for Teen Girls 90% of the world’s schools are closed in efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus. Social distancing and isolation are very difficult for teens. As Janine Defao writes in Bay Area Parent, “During adolescence, it’s their developmental job to individuate from us. They’re trying to grow their autonomy and …
