The role of women on screen and behind the scenes in the television and film industries: review o a program of research

A study has been carried out of motion pictures released in 1997, 1992 and 1987, and of prime-time TV in 1997-1998 and 1995-1996. This study shows that women are underrepresented in the TV and motion picture industries, though there is a correlation between numbers of women employed behind the scenes and the extent to which women are shown in the screen. Female executive producers may hire more women writers who give stronger dialogue to women characters. There is a need for research on why women have been underrepresented in these industries.