RISING GAZE IN STORY DEVELOPMENT
RISING GAZE advises people in the film and television industry regarding contemporary representation of women, BiPoC, people with disabilities and LGBTIQ* in film and on stage. We often unintentionally pass on sexist, queerphobic, racist, antiziganist [3] or ableist biases without being aware of it. RISING GAZE helps,
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to make scripts and plays more gender-responsive and diverse
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challenge discriminatory narratives
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to revise stories to reflect the diversity of society
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to present pregnancy, birth, postpartum and motherhood more realistically
Another important topic is the portrayal of violence against women in films and series. Studies [4] show that young men who repeatedly consume films with sexual violence tend to be more accepting of this violence and rape myths. This is because the depiction of violence against women often only serves as a dramaturgical device to advance the male protagonist's plot line. The consequences of traumatic experiences for the victim are rarely discussed, and sexual violence is often presented as a drastic but ultimately strengthening experience. RISING GAZE helps to problematize rather than reproduce violence against FLINTA*
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Is the background story about "Women in Refridgerators"? What alternatives are there?
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Does the portrayal of violence illuminate the context of society as a whole?
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From what perspective is the violence portrayed?
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Are the consequences for the victim discussed? How does the story deal with dissociation, flashbacks and PTSD?
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Does the plot reflect, or at least reference, sex offense statistics? Are narratives such as that of false accusation perpetuated?
[3] The term antiziganism is sometimes discussed controversially. However, since it is recommended by the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma, we use it ever. More here: https://zentralrat.sintiundroma.de/romani-rose-zum-begriff-antiziganismus/
[4] Click here for an overview: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1524838017717745?journalCode=tvaa