Research Proposal: Gender Inequality in American and South-Asian Film

This research proposal aims to analyze gender inequality in cast selection within the American and South-Asian film industries, focusing on the socio-mental impact on talent. It highlights the existing disparity between male and female representation and the underlying gender perceptions and masculinity tendencies that contribute to this imbalance. The proposal includes a literature review discussing the underrepresentation of women in various roles within the film industry, from directors and writers to actors, and explores the factors contributing to this inequality. The methodology outlines the research philosophy of interpretivism, an analytical research design, and the use of both primary (interviews) and secondary (academic journals and books) data collection methods. The proposal also addresses ethical considerations and potential limitations of the study, providing a Gantt chart for the project timeline. This research seeks to understand the reasons behind gender-biased cast selection, its socio-mental impacts, and potential means of addressing persistent gender inequality. Desklib provides access to this and other solved assignments for students.

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Gender inequality in cast selection of American and South-Asian film industry
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author Note

1RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Abstract
The aim of the research is to analyze the issue of gender inequality in cast selection of the
American and South-Asian film industry and the talent’s socio-mental impact for the same. The
importance of this issue in the recent years is the growing disparity of the male and female in the
respective industries and the impact of this skewed sex ratio in the film industry. It is argued that
the gender perception and the masculinity tendency prevailing in the film industries are the
reasons to the present situation hence it is important to find out the issues of this gender
inequality in form of a research. The research methodology developed for this study has been
elaborated in the body of the research and it will be completed within the period of 12 weeks.

2RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Table of Contents
Background of the study..................................................................................................................4
Problem statement...........................................................................................................................4
Rationale for research......................................................................................................................4
Research aims and objectives..........................................................................................................5
Research questions...........................................................................................................................5
Literature review..............................................................................................................................5
Concept of gender inequality.......................................................................................................5
The concept of gender biased cast selection in the film industry................................................6
Methodology....................................................................................................................................7
Research philosophy....................................................................................................................7
Design Research..........................................................................................................................7
Data collection method................................................................................................................7
Sampling method and Sampling size...........................................................................................8
Data analysis method...................................................................................................................8
Research ethical consideration....................................................................................................8
Limitations of the study...............................................................................................................8
Fig: Gantt chart................................................................................................................................9
References......................................................................................................................................10

3RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Background of the study
There have been earlier researches conducted in this field which argues that number of
women in the film industry is less compared to their male counterpart (Bielby, 2009). Historical
evidences claim that the film industry has largely been male centric and this had led to the
mushrooming of male writers and the number of female scriptwriters in the American as well as
the South Asian film industry are way behind the number of men in the industry (Bielby et al.,
1996). There are researches which explain the skewed sex ratio in the filmmaking business.
Despite multiple attempts to modernize effort for empowering women however number of
women filmmakers in both the American and South Asian industry are far behind the number of
men (Jones et al., 2015). Among the number of writers and film makers in the industry, men
have always been overearnings than their female counterpart.
Problem statement
Even though there are increasing number of measures ensured for the inclusion of women
writer and filmmaker, it is astonishing to see the gender bias attached to the cast selection in the
American and South-Asian films. Cast selections in American and South-Asian films are
impacted by multiple factors and it is imperative to see the rationale behind the gender inequality
in the film industry.
Rationale for research
There are shreds of evidences depicting the practice of gender biased attitude and the
skewed sex ration starting from the female writer to filmmakers to female directors. However,
there has not much research done on the issue of gender biased cast selection in the film industry

4RESEARCH PROPOSAL
and their socio-mental effect on the individual. Hence, this research will be focused on the above
mentioned topic.
Research aims and objectives
The aim of the research is to find out the issue of gender based cast selection and gender
inequality in the American and South-Asian film industry and their socio mental impact.
The research objectives are:
1. To understand the gender inequality among the actors and their selection process.
2. To find out the reasons behind this growing inequality in the film industry in terms of
cast selection
3. To suggest the means of wiping out the persistent gender inequality in the film industry
of America and South-Asian.
Research questions
RQ1. What the reasons behind the gender biased cast selection in the films of the American
and South-Asian film industry?
RQ2. What are the socio-mental impacts on the people in the film industry?
Literature review
Concept of gender inequality

5RESEARCH PROPOSAL
According to the estimated data, there are only 4% female directors, while among the
writers it is 15%, 3 % cinematographer, 18% producers and 14% editors in the Hollywood
industry (Conor et al., 2015). This is to be noted that the total number of women in the film
industry is less compared to men (Conor et al., 2015). This situation is even worse in the South-
Asian film industry. It is more important to note that the equal work equal pay cannot be justified
when it comes to cast selection in the film industries like Hollywood and Bollywood (Tanrıöver,
2017). It is further argued that there are number of factors that directly impact the under-
represented female gender in the film industry (Jansson, 2017). It is to be noted that film
industries of Sweden have even ensured gender quotas for the female entries to ensure better sex
ration in the entertainment industry (Jansson, 2017). However, the issue still bothers the under
representation of female film makers and actors.
Fig: gender gap in the film industry
Source: (Womenandhollywood.com, 2019)
The concept of gender biased cast selection in the film industry
It is argued that since 2000’s number of female directors have manifold however number
of female in movies have seen a lowering growth (Jones et al., 2015). It is also to be argued that
the reasons behind the unequal treatment of women in the cast selection in movies are

6RESEARCH PROPOSAL
responsible due many factors. It is to be noted the cast selection of male have been given higher
preference due to the nature of film and the script which considers women to be less fit for the
chosen role (Noam, 2018). Moreover, in the South-Asian films, this situation is even more
serious where the portrayal of women is always as a supportive role and the centrality of the film
is the male character (O'Brien et al., 2015). Hence, it can be argued that number of women’s
under-representation and growing gender equality is actually a result of multiple other factors.
However, there is not much research conducted in the field of the talent’s socio-mental
impact and the overall impact of the gender based cast selection of the American ad South-Asian
film industry. This research will be focusing on the key issues of this gender inequality in the
film industry and their probable impact.
Methodology
Research philosophy
Among the three prevalent research philosophies of interpretivism, realism and
positivism, interpretivism is the chosen research philosophy for this study since it is based on the
interpretation of knowledge and not mere acceptance of objectivity (Choy, 2014).
Design Research
This research proposal would adopt the analytical method since it would help the
research to be conducted in analytical mode of comprehensive description (Choy, 2014). In
following the analytical method, it would explore the exploratory model for analyzing multiple
concepts.

7RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Data collection method
For conducting an elaborative research, the primary and secondary data would be used in
the body of the research. Primary data would be collected through the interviews of the female
directors and film makers (Gast et al., 2014). For the secondary data, multiple academic journals
and books would be used (Gast et al., 2014). This will help to have coherent information both
from the primary and secondary sources.
Sampling method and Sampling size
This research will be based on the probability and non-probability sampling method. This
would also be based on some random data collection method since it will be helpful in collecting
the concrete results for the research (Choy, 2014).
Data analysis method
To derive a proper analysis of the acquired data, the quantative data collected will be
analyzed and presented in graphical form. This would include the charts and graphs, while the
thematic approach will be applied for analyses of the qualitative data for conducting the research.
Research ethical consideration
While conducting the research it is important to consider certain ethical issues like any
form of logo or symbols would not be used during the interview process. All forms of consent
would be taken from the respective authority in form an authorization letter. No interviewee
would be forced to any statement and for the secondary data, references were be duly used since
it would otherwise lead to plagiarism. It would be kept in mind that the research is purely for the
purpose of academic consideration; hence any form of unethical means would be avoided.

8RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Limitations of the study
Limitations are common to all planned researches hence there will be limitations like
unavailability of resources or problem of getting consent for conducting interviews. Hence,
information may be unavailable during the conduction of the research.

9RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Activities 1st to
3rd
week
4th to 5th
week
6th to
7th
week
7th
week
8th
week
9th to
12th
week
12th
week
Topic selection 
Collection of data both
primary and secondary
 
Layout formation 
Literature review   
Analysis and
interpretation of collected
data
  
Findings  
Concluding remarks 
Final draft  
Submission 
Fig: Gantt chart
Source: As created by the author

10RESEARCH PROPOSAL
References
Bielby, D. D. (2009). Gender inequality in culture industries: Women and men writers in film and
television. Sociologie du travail, 51(2), 237-252.
Bielby, D., & Bielby, W. (1996). Women and Men in Film: Gender Inequality among Writers in a
Culture Industry. Gender and Society, 10(3), 248-270. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org/stable/189696
Choy, L.T., (2014). The strengths and weaknesses of research methodology: Comparison and
complementary between qualitative and quantitative approaches. IOSR Journal of
Humanities and Social Science, 19(4), pp.99-104.
Conor, B., Gill, R., & Taylor, S. (2015). Gender and creative labour. The Sociological Review, 63, 1-22.
Flick, U., 2015. Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research
project.Sage.
Gast, D.L. and Ledford, J.R. eds., (2014). Single case research methodology: Applications in special
education and behavioral sciences. Routledge.
Jansson, M. (2017). Gender equality in Swedish film policy: Radical interpretations and ‘unruly’
women. European Journal of Women’s Studies, 24(4), 336–350.
Jones, D., & Pringle, J. K. (2015). Unmanageable inequalities: sexism in the film industry. The
Sociological Review, 63(1_suppl), 37-49.
Noam, E. (2018). Inequality and the Digital Economy. In Digitized Labor (pp. 117-140). Palgrave
Macmillan, Cham.
O'Brien, D., & Oakley, K. (2015). Cultural value and inequality: A critical literature review. Arts and
humanities research council.

11RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Tanrıöver, H. U. (2017). Women as film directors in Turkish cinema. European Journal of Women’s
Studies, 24(4), 321–335.
Tay, J., & Turner, G. (Eds.). (2015). Television Histories in Asia: Issues and Contexts. Routledge.
Womenandhollywood.com (2019). Crosspost: GendRE & IMDb: An Open-Data Analysis of the Film
Industry Gender Gap. [online] Womenandhollywood.com. Available at:
https://womenandhollywood.com/crosspost-gendre-imdb-an-open-data-analysis-of-the-film-
industry-gender-gap-b17db401959d/ [Accessed 7 Feb. 2019].
Womenandhollywood.com (2019). Statistics. [online] Womenandhollywood.com. Available at:
https://womenandhollywood.com/resources/statistics/ [Accessed 7 Feb. 2019].