Clichés, Stereotypes, and Gender Gaps: The Struggles of Indie Action Narratives
As the countdown to the start of my double feature film Echo 8 trilogy begins, I find myself reflecting on the winding path that has brought me to this point. This significant milestone coincides with my 40th birthday, marking over a decade of passionate pursuit of female-led indie action films.
It was during the tumultuous days of childhood bullying that I first sought solace in martial arts training. This newfound discipline, coupled with a psychology degree and a budding interest in film, laid the groundwork for my future endeavors. While my early years were spent working in the community arts sector and taking on occasional film and acting projects, it was my recognition of the dearth of female-led narratives in the action genre that ultimately led me to establish Phoenix Eye Films.
One of our most notable achievements is the 90-minute feature film, Echo 8. Produced on a modest budget of $10,000 during the tumultuous period of the COVID-19 pandemic, this project showcases strong female protagonists both on and off screen. While Echo 8 has inspired others to explore the indie action genre, the pervasive challenges faced by female filmmakers in this domain remain a source of frustration. I find myself pondering the reasons behind the enduring obstacles that hinder progress in this space.
Here’s my perspective on some key reasons:
1. Limited Resources Lead to Tough Choices Working within tight budgets and short timelines often forces us to make tough decisions. All too frequently, this results in a focus on action over story, relegating the development of strong scripts and well-rounded characters to the back burner. I’ve seen countless hours dedicated to crafting breathtaking action sequences, while the narrative sometimes gets shortchanged.
2. Action Over Story Many indie action directors, including myself, come from stunt or martial arts backgrounds. While we excel at creating visually compelling fight scenes, storytelling may not always be our strongest suit. As a result, our films can feel more like a series of disconnected action sequences rather than cohesive narratives that resonate on an emotional level.
3. Genre Stereotypes and Male-Dominated Narratives The action genre has historically been male-dominated, often centering on male protagonists who triumph over various obstacles. This established pattern frequently sidelines female characters as mere love interests, sidekicks, or damsels in distress. I’ve observed that in many films, women have little to no impact on the story, missing out on opportunities to showcase their strength and complexity.
4. Lack of Strong Female Characters Even when women are included in indie action films, they often lack depth and agency. I’ve seen female characters reduced to mere narrative devices meant to motivate the male lead, or worse, relegated to delivering only a few lines before the next action scene. This issue is not solely rooted in genre conventions; it also stems from a lack of diverse voices behind the camera that could infuse more nuanced perspectives into the narrative.
5. Misaligned Perceptions of Marketability Some indie filmmakers hold the misconception that strong female leads won’t resonate with audiences, leading to the belief that action films should be driven by male characters. This misunderstanding can trap us into sticking with safer, male-centric narratives, stifling the potential for fresh and engaging storytelling.
How Can Indie Action Films Improve?
1. Collaborate with Skilled Writers Partnering with experienced writers can help us develop more robust storylines and flesh out characters beyond basic archetypes.
2. Create More Complex Female Characters Introducing nuanced female characters—whether heroes, villains, or anything in between—adds depth and broadens a film's appeal.
3. Diversify the Creative Team Bringing more women and underrepresented voices into the filmmaking process can enrich narratives and foster inclusivity.
4. Balance Action and Story Rather than focusing solely on action, we should aim to create narratives where action enhances the story instead of overshadowing it.
To address these issues, I believe indie action filmmakers should prioritize collaboration with skilled writers, create more complex female characters, diversify the creative team, and strive for a balance between action and story. By implementing these strategies, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and engaging future for indie action films.
It was during the tumultuous days of childhood bullying that I first sought solace in martial arts training. This newfound discipline, coupled with a psychology degree and a budding interest in film, laid the groundwork for my future endeavors. While my early years were spent working in the community arts sector and taking on occasional film and acting projects, it was my recognition of the dearth of female-led narratives in the action genre that ultimately led me to establish Phoenix Eye Films.
One of our most notable achievements is the 90-minute feature film, Echo 8. Produced on a modest budget of $10,000 during the tumultuous period of the COVID-19 pandemic, this project showcases strong female protagonists both on and off screen. While Echo 8 has inspired others to explore the indie action genre, the pervasive challenges faced by female filmmakers in this domain remain a source of frustration. I find myself pondering the reasons behind the enduring obstacles that hinder progress in this space.
Here’s my perspective on some key reasons:
1. Limited Resources Lead to Tough Choices Working within tight budgets and short timelines often forces us to make tough decisions. All too frequently, this results in a focus on action over story, relegating the development of strong scripts and well-rounded characters to the back burner. I’ve seen countless hours dedicated to crafting breathtaking action sequences, while the narrative sometimes gets shortchanged.
2. Action Over Story Many indie action directors, including myself, come from stunt or martial arts backgrounds. While we excel at creating visually compelling fight scenes, storytelling may not always be our strongest suit. As a result, our films can feel more like a series of disconnected action sequences rather than cohesive narratives that resonate on an emotional level.
3. Genre Stereotypes and Male-Dominated Narratives The action genre has historically been male-dominated, often centering on male protagonists who triumph over various obstacles. This established pattern frequently sidelines female characters as mere love interests, sidekicks, or damsels in distress. I’ve observed that in many films, women have little to no impact on the story, missing out on opportunities to showcase their strength and complexity.
4. Lack of Strong Female Characters Even when women are included in indie action films, they often lack depth and agency. I’ve seen female characters reduced to mere narrative devices meant to motivate the male lead, or worse, relegated to delivering only a few lines before the next action scene. This issue is not solely rooted in genre conventions; it also stems from a lack of diverse voices behind the camera that could infuse more nuanced perspectives into the narrative.
5. Misaligned Perceptions of Marketability Some indie filmmakers hold the misconception that strong female leads won’t resonate with audiences, leading to the belief that action films should be driven by male characters. This misunderstanding can trap us into sticking with safer, male-centric narratives, stifling the potential for fresh and engaging storytelling.
How Can Indie Action Films Improve?
1. Collaborate with Skilled Writers Partnering with experienced writers can help us develop more robust storylines and flesh out characters beyond basic archetypes.
2. Create More Complex Female Characters Introducing nuanced female characters—whether heroes, villains, or anything in between—adds depth and broadens a film's appeal.
3. Diversify the Creative Team Bringing more women and underrepresented voices into the filmmaking process can enrich narratives and foster inclusivity.
4. Balance Action and Story Rather than focusing solely on action, we should aim to create narratives where action enhances the story instead of overshadowing it.
To address these issues, I believe indie action filmmakers should prioritize collaboration with skilled writers, create more complex female characters, diversify the creative team, and strive for a balance between action and story. By implementing these strategies, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and engaging future for indie action films.
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