A Hollywood ladies power-packed meeting, The New Women’s Em(Power)ment luncheon at Soho House featured the latest 2011 Glamour Reel Moment directors Eva Longoria, Olivia Wilde and Zoe Saldana discussing women’s roles in the film industry.
Moderated by Shaun Robinson, the panel also featured Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith, a screenwriter known for such female-empowered films as Legally Blonde and House Bunny, and Chris Payne, the VP Marketing for Clarisonic – the underwriting sponsor of 2011 Glamour Reel Moments series and a company with a strong position on female empowerment.
Glamour Reel Moments is a three-part video series showcasing inspiring real-life story submissions from Glamour readers, brought to life by Hollywood A-listers. For most of the actors, this is their directorial debut. Proceeds from Reel Moments benefit a charity chosen by each director.
Free Hugs, Directed by Olivia Wilde
A Proper Send-Off, Directed by Eva Longoria:
Kaylien, Directed by Zoe Saldana:
The panel covered the subject of women in film, as well as women feeling empowered through directing and challenging their role within the industry. LA’s The Place, courtesy of Glamour Magazine, brings you direct quotes from Eva, Olivia and Zoe shared yesterday:
Eva Longoria on directing her first film:
“Oh my god, it was so fun because I’m naturally bossy, in life… there is something so empowering about it. I love it [directing] because you have more creative control, as an actor you sit there and you just hope they edit you well, and you hope they use the best take, and you hope you look good.”
Zoe Saldana on why there is a lack of women in film:
“Look at now, its like all about vampires, if women were cool, female topics were cool and they were making a lot of money, studios would be green lighting left and right.”
Olivia Wilde on the inspiration behind her Glamour Reel Moments film, Free Hugs:
“I was very inspired, actually, by “Bridesmaids” in terms of a kind of tone of storytelling because I feel so often the stories about women are told in a very melodramatic way that kind of alienates the male audience, it makes people feel like ‘oh its a chick flick,’ it’s not going to be as biting or crass.”
Eva Longoria on not being afraid:
“As women, you can be rooted in being a woman, but not constrained by it. I find that you should celebrate it, but many women feel constrained by it.”
Zoe Saldana on women finding the confidence to lead:
“Everyone is born with the power to lead, just not everybody is given the tools to believe in themselves. I think that now we have a lot of women, throughout our lives, our politics, our country, our community, our world, in our art that are inspiring us and taking leadership, we just have to follow that and not be afraid. You don’t have to please everybody…”
The actresses-turned-directors also shared how working in the role as director had helped them see the many other sides of the production of a film besides acting, and how it rounded out their vision from an actor’s standpoint.
They also spoke about how the challenge it is for women in Hollywood to succeed as directors and writers. Of the roughly 13,400 members of Directors Guild of America, only about 1,000, or 7 percent, are listed as female directors. No woman has ever won an Academy Award for best director. Glamour’s Reel Moments is about empowering the women of Hollywood and the women of Hollywood lending their support for their charities and getting people’s stories of inspiration and courage out there, spreading good, positive, informative messages.
Panal included Chris Payne, Kirsten Smith, Olivia Wilde, Eva Longoria, Zoe Saldana
Clarisonic is the sponsor of the 2011 Glamour Reel Moments series. Clarisonic puts the power of a woman’s beauty in the palm of her hand. Clarisonic Skincare Brush is a professional-grade skincare brush, and provides a gentle sonic micro-massage for cleaner, healthier skin at home!
Clarisonic featured their new Clarisonic PLUS Sonic Skin Cleansing System, for Face and Body.
Read why Clarisonic was the best-kept secret at LA Fashion Week in our article here..
The new Clarisonic PLUS Sonic Skin Cleansing System, for Face and Body.
