Women really are kicking-ass lately over in Hollywood. What with Kathryn Bigelow scoring the first Oscar for female-kind, Drew Barrymore enjoying a directorial debut, and writers such as Jane Goldman storming the film scene, things are opening up more than ever for women in Hollywood.
Inspired by this bevy of activity from our fellow ladies, we take a look at the women making the big impressions behind the camera....
Jane Goldman
Jane Goldman, from Hammersmith London, is famous not only for her almost life long relationship with Jonathan Ross- she has fronted her own paranormal series (Jane Goldman Investigates), co-written films, authored books, and even been a lingerie model.
Most successful thus far is her co-writing role on the 2007 film Stardust, for which she won the 2008 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form.
However, things could really begin to hot up for Jane Goldman, as she has been working with Mark Miller to co-write the film industry’s latest super hero movie.
It helps that Jane is a massive comic book fan (along with hubby Jonathan Ross). The all-action comedy adaption of Mark Millar’s Kick-Ass comic is released on March 26th, already heralded as the film of 2010. Great to see a woman co-writing the script for a film of this genre- and doing it far better than any man!
Drew Barrymore
One of the favourite women of Hollywood! Following an incredibly successful acting career, Barrymore began to expand her skills into other areas.
She began by producing Never Been Kissed in 1999, followed by Charlie's Angels (2000), Donnie Darko (2001), Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003), Duplex (2003), Fever Pitch (2005), and He's Just Not That Into You (2009).
This year she has also worked on Whip It- directing for the first time, producing and starring in. Whip it has already released in the States to wide acclaim, helping to broaden the appeal of the roller derby sport which the film is built around.
But we’re sure the film will do equally as well this side of the pond (Out here April 7th) - anything this lady touches seems to turn to gold!
Sofia Coppola
An accomplished producer, director, writer and actor, Sofia has worked on many masterpieces. Most notably, she produced, wrote and directed Marie Antoinette (2006) and Lost in Translation (2003).
She also was responsible for writing and directing The Virgin Suicides (1999). Currently she is working on Somewhere (2010), which she has co-written, directed and produced.
Gurinder Chadha
Originally hailing form Nairobi in Kenya, this esteemed writer, director and producer has had a long career that began in radio, then went on to TV, and finally film. Most notably to date she has produced, directed and written It's a Wonderful Afterlife (2010), Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008) and Bend It Like Beckham (2002).
A truly inspirational female, she was has won 15 awards and been nominated for 7- she also been noted for her very down to earth and hands-on approach in promoting her own films. This girl knows what she wants.
Make sure you catch her latest offering, It’s A Wonderful Afterlife, when it is released in the UK on the 21st April- its sure to impress.
Diablo Cody
With a vibrant past as a stripper, and several books under her belt, this is the lady responsible for the script of Jennifer’s Body (2009), and the production and script of Juno (2007).
She began as an author and journalist, having huge success with her blogs and social networking presence (for example racking up over twenty six thousand followers on MySpace, and over a hundred and six thousand on Twitter).
Hugely successful, she has won 20 awards (including an Oscar, a Bafta and a Golden Globe) and been nominated for several others. Another lady not afraid to chase her dreams!
Jane Espenson
Jane is most famous for writing for Buffy, Battlestar Galactica, the Gilmore Girls and the O.C. A talented TV writer and also an author, she has over 50 scripts under her belt as well as several books.
Not only this, but she has turned her hand to producing too, having worked on over 13 TV series in this capacity.
Jane got her lucky break while at university as a post grad in California by entering a writing competition. She also joined the Disney Writing Fellowship, which led to a number of opportunities... Never underestimate those small chances life throws at you!
Kathryn Bigelow
The Hurt Locker was directed and produced by this San Franciscan lady in 2008. Possibly her most famous and highly regarded work, it involved her fully immersing herself in the war zone in Iraq.
In a film which revolves largely around a male environment and themes (lots of guns and explosions) she manages to do a better job than any man out there- indeed this is heralded as one of the best Iraq war films around.
The Oscar speaks for itself. Her other works include Strange Days (1995), Point Break (1991) and Blue Steel (1989). Not only this- she writes and produces too.
Her production work includes the Hurt Locker (2008) and The Widowmaker (2002), and she has written five films including Blue Steel (1989). For someone that is almost 60, and has just been the first female ever to win an Oscar, age really is no limit!
Penny Marshall
Penny from the block! A true New Yorker, she was born in the Bronx and grew up there. She began her career as an actress, in a shampoo advert as the plain girl, to be contrasted against the pretty girl.
This didn’t stop her though, as her acting career took off with bigger roles and eventually even a spin off TV show. In 1986 she tried her hand at directing, with Jumpin' Jack Flash.
Her biggest success came with Big (1988), in which she became the first female director to gross over $100 million at box office.
A League of Their Own (1992) brought this same success, making her the first female to gross over $100 million at box office twice.
She also directed four other films since 1990, including Riding in Cars with Boys (2001). Just goes to show, even if you’re branded as an ugly duckling you can still become a swan.
Mimi Leder
New York born Mimi’s earliest works include TV scripts such as Spawn of the Slithis (1978), Hill Street Blues (1981) and Under the Influence in 1986. She soon began directing, and throughout the late 1980’s and early 1990’s she continued to write and produce as well.
Her work includes the highly acclaimed ER, for which she won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series (1995/96).
Her talents extend beyond TV however- she has also directed several films such as The Peacemaker (1997), Deep Impact (1998), Pay It Forward (2000) and Thick as Thieves (2009). Overall, she has won four awards, including two prime time Grammies, as well as been nominated for further ten awards. Go Girl!
Kick-Ass, co-written by Jane Goldman, is released nationwide on the 26th March.
Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut, Whip It, is out in the UK on the 7th April.
Gurinder Chadha’ latest comedy, It’s a Wonderful Afterlife, is released on the 21st April.
Women really are kicking-ass lately over in Hollywood. What with Kathryn Bigelow scoring the first Oscar for female-kind, Drew Barrymore enjoying a directorial debut, and writers such as Jane Goldman storming the film scene, things are opening up more than ever for women in Hollywood.
Inspired by this bevy of activity from our fellow ladies, we take a look at the women making the big impressions behind the camera....
Jane Goldman
Jane Goldman, from Hammersmith London, is famous not only for her almost life long relationship with Jonathan Ross- she has fronted her own paranormal series (Jane Goldman Investigates), co-written films, authored books, and even been a lingerie model.
Most successful thus far is her co-writing role on the 2007 film Stardust, for which she won the 2008 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form.
However, things could really begin to hot up for Jane Goldman, as she has been working with Mark Miller to co-write the film industry’s latest super hero movie.
It helps that Jane is a massive comic book fan (along with hubby Jonathan Ross). The all-action comedy adaption of Mark Millar’s Kick-Ass comic is released on March 26th, already heralded as the film of 2010. Great to see a woman co-writing the script for a film of this genre- and doing it far better than any man!
Drew Barrymore
One of the favourite women of Hollywood! Following an incredibly successful acting career, Barrymore began to expand her skills into other areas.
She began by producing Never Been Kissed in 1999, followed by Charlie's Angels (2000), Donnie Darko (2001), Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003), Duplex (2003), Fever Pitch (2005), and He's Just Not That Into You (2009).
This year she has also worked on Whip It- directing for the first time, producing and starring in. Whip it has already released in the States to wide acclaim, helping to broaden the appeal of the roller derby sport which the film is built around.
But we’re sure the film will do equally as well this side of the pond (Out here April 7th) - anything this lady touches seems to turn to gold!
Sofia Coppola
An accomplished producer, director, writer and actor, Sofia has worked on many masterpieces. Most notably, she produced, wrote and directed Marie Antoinette (2006) and Lost in Translation (2003).
She also was responsible for writing and directing The Virgin Suicides (1999). Currently she is working on Somewhere (2010), which she has co-written, directed and produced.
Gurinder Chadha
Originally hailing form Nairobi in Kenya, this esteemed writer, director and producer has had a long career that began in radio, then went on to TV, and finally film. Most notably to date she has produced, directed and written It's a Wonderful Afterlife (2010), Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008) and Bend It Like Beckham (2002).
A truly inspirational female, she was has won 15 awards and been nominated for 7- she also been noted for her very down to earth and hands-on approach in promoting her own films. This girl knows what she wants.
Make sure you catch her latest offering, It’s A Wonderful Afterlife, when it is released in the UK on the 21st April- its sure to impress.
Diablo Cody
With a vibrant past as a stripper, and several books under her belt, this is the lady responsible for the script of Jennifer’s Body (2009), and the production and script of Juno (2007).
She began as an author and journalist, having huge success with her blogs and social networking presence (for example racking up over twenty six thousand followers on MySpace, and over a hundred and six thousand on Twitter).
Hugely successful, she has won 20 awards (including an Oscar, a Bafta and a Golden Globe) and been nominated for several others. Another lady not afraid to chase her dreams!
Jane Espenson
Jane is most famous for writing for Buffy, Battlestar Galactica, the Gilmore Girls and the O.C. A talented TV writer and also an author, she has over 50 scripts under her belt as well as several books.
Tagged in Kathryn Bigelow Jane Goldman