Audience Award London Feminist Film Festival - Did I Say Hairdressing? I Meant Astrophysics
Difficult, dangerous, dirty and damaging to the environment? That's what science, engineering and technology are like. Or so outsiders tend to think - particularly women and girls. And Zod, great man of science, would confirm their worst suspicions. But Zod's daughters, and the twins, Joanne and Joseph, have other ideas.
Directed by Leeds Animation Workshop
Watch Did I Say Hairdressing? I Meant Astrophysics on Vimeo on demand
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
We had already made “Through the Glass Ceiling” - part I of a trilogy about equal opportunities at work. Some women who work in science/technology/engineering/maths (STEM) watched it. They told us they liked it and that another film was needed along the same lines, but about gender discrimination in this specific area.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Because it is about important issues, and it is funny and enjoyable.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The film tells its story through subverting fairytales that bring a narrative resonance and charm of their own.
The subject is gender equality but the story also touches on environmental issues, science and technology
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
We worked on the script and storyboard in consultation with our various partner organisations, going through many different draft stages.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
A lot of positive feedback - and we are delighted to have received the Audience Award this month at the London Feminist Film Festival 2017
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The main surprise is that the film is still as relevant now as when it was made in 1998!
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
It would be great to pick up some sales or distribution deals. The film is suitable for secondary schools, colleges, universities, employers, and many other types off audience as well as the general public.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
All of the above are welcome
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We hope to encourage women and girls to see science, technology, engineering and maths as areas they can enter - whether professionally, or to enable them to make informed choices as responsible citizens, or simply for personal interest. Also we would like to counter the gender stereotyping of children’s toys and activities. We want the general public to recognise that women and men are equally capable of handling all kinds of technology.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How many women scientists can you name?
Would you like to add anything else?
The film is available from us at info@leedsanimation.org.uk
Interview: August 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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Did I Say Hairdressing? I Meant Astrophysics
(1998, 14 minutes)
Narrated by Alan Bennett
Difficult, dangerous, dirty and damaging to the environment? That's what science, engineering and technology are like. Or so outsiders tend to think - particularly women and girls. And Zod, great man of science, would confirm their worst suspicions. But Zod's daughters, and the twins, Joanne and Joseph, have other ideas. They know science, engineering and technology can be creative, caring, cooperative and essential to conservation. In order to find out more, the twins keep changing places - but Joanne runs into trouble when she answers a cry for help. Her adventures take her deep into the Technological Jungle...
Subverting themes from traditional stories, this entertaining and thought-provoking cartoon helps to show why women are under-represented in science, engineering and technology. It illustrates the subtle and the not-so-subtle gender typecasting which still often prevail, from babyhood right up to professional level; but by taking a positive, practical approach, it encourages women and girls to consider study and vocational training in these fields. The film aims to help audiences appreciate the ways in which science, engineering and technology affect our daily lives.
DID I SAY HAIRDRESSING? I MEANT ASTROPHYSICS will raise awareness and stimulate discussion in any educational or training session, conference or presentation. It will be enjoyed by the general public, employees, students of all ages, and everyone concerned with equal opportunities in science, engineering, and technology.
A booklet containing discussion notes and a resource list is supplied free with the DVD.
This film was made with financial assistance from the EC Medium-Term Community Action Programme on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men (1996-2000). Assistance was also received from COPUS, Committee On The Public Understanding Of Science.