Welcome back to Acting Up! This week Megan and Jordan are catching up and diving into the historical world of female film directors!

Jordan kicks it off by discussing the statistics and state of affairs for female directors today (shocker - it’s not looking great) despite the quality and cult impact of the work being made. Are things even changing for the better?

Jordan then dives into the life and work of Alice Guy-Blaché, who is widely regarded to be the first woman to direct a film and one of the first filmmakers to make a narrative fiction film. Her fairytale film ‘La Fée aux Choux’ was created to demonstrate the capabilities of the camera used and the potential it had for creating fiction entertainment. Your hosts did indeed watch the film and share their thoughts (poor babies?).

Megan then dives into the achievements of Lois Weber, an American silent film director, screenwriter, producer and actress. Her work was pioneering, demonstrating the inner lives of women and including the first non pornographic depiction of a naked woman her film ‘Hypocrites’. A artist in all aspects, her work was infinitely detailed. Lois has since been inducted into Jordan’s dream blunt rotation.

Megan then discusses the work of Madeline Anderson, a black American filmmaker, television and documentary producer, film director, editor and screenwriter who is credited as being the first black woman to produce and direct a televised documentary film, the first black employee at New York-based public television station WNET and so much more. She was truly an incredible woman.

Ending with a healthy dose of incredible films directed by women for your convenience.

Tangents include catching up, booking a short film, pre BIG CHOP discussion, men stealing women’s ideas, letting your crusty boyfriends be your personality in 2025, unioniosisionation and trigger warning: French accents.

You can find us as @actingupthepodcast on all socials ;)
We are @megan_alderson_ & @jordan.skids
Artwork by @those_who.try
Wanna be on the pod? Email actingupthepodcast@gmail.com 🃏