ABSTRACT

In recognition of the lack of female representation on screen, in 2015 Screen Australia launched the Gender Matters Program. However, it did not address the lack of representation of older women (defined as over 40 or ‘a woman of a certain age’). The research question addressed by this article is how to write older female characters over the age of 65 who are tough, capable, and complex. The research methodology combined Schon’s reflective practice theory, and Denscombe’s action research model with Batty and Baker’s practice-led research principle to create a feature film screenplay as the research artefact. The research strategy encompassed a broad approach comprising a field excursion to Winton to interrogate place and theme and a comprehensive review of literature in the field of gender, screenwriting, and female representation. The investigation revealed that in feature films there are a lack of complex female characters who are leaders in their community, who determine their own destiny and are still considered young at 40 years of age. A set of 10 guiding principles were identified which shaped the writing of the older characters in the research artefact, the feature film screenplay Myrtle and Ivy. Myrtle and Ivy seeks to redress this lack of older female representation to depict complex, tough, and capable characters.

摘要

认识到屏幕上缺乏女性代表，澳大利亚银幕在 2015 年启动了性别问题计划。然而，它没有解决老年妇女（定义为 40 岁以上或“某个年龄的妇女”）缺乏代表性的问题。本文的研究问题是如何写出 65 岁以上的强硬、能干和复杂的老年女性角色。研究方法结合了 Schon 的反思实践理论、Denscombe 的行动研究模型以及 Batty 和 Baker 的实践主导的研究原则，创造了一个故事片剧本作为研究人工制品。研究策略包括广泛的方法，包括实地考察温顿以询问地点和主题，以及对性别、编剧和女性代表领域的文献进行全面审查。调查显示，在故事片中，缺乏复杂的女性角色，她们是社区的领导者，她们决定了自己的命运，40岁时仍然被认为是年轻的。确定了一套 10 项指导原则，这些原则塑造了研究人工制品、故事片剧本中较旧角色的写作桃金娘和常春藤。Myrtle 和 Ivy试图弥补老年女性形象的缺失，以描绘复杂、坚强和有能力的角色。