Exploring Gender Inequality in UK Entertainment Industry Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of gender inequality within the UK entertainment industry. It begins with an introduction outlining the background, research aims, objectives, and research questions. The literature review explores existing trends, factors contributing to gender discrimination, and employee perspectives on inequality. The research methodology section details the research philosophies, approach, techniques, design, data collection methods, sampling, and ethical considerations. The data analysis chapter presents the findings and analysis, followed by conclusions and recommendations. The report examines the disparity in the industry, focusing on limited opportunities for women in roles beyond makeup, costume, and casting. It highlights the underrepresentation of women in production and directing roles, the impact of societal perceptions, and the legal framework addressing gender discrimination. The report also investigates the perspectives of employees, the factors leading to gender discrimination, and the impact of inequality on female directors and producers, offering insights into the trends and challenges faced by women in the UK entertainment industry.

GENDER INEQUALITY
IN UK
ENTERTAINMENT
INDUSTRY

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1
Tittle.......................................................................................................................................1
Background of the Study........................................................................................................1
Research Aim and Objectives................................................................................................2
Research Question..................................................................................................................2
Rational of Study....................................................................................................................2
Significance of the Study........................................................................................................3
Structure of Research.............................................................................................................3
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................5
Trends followed in entertainment industry of UK.................................................................5
Factors leading to Gender Discrimination in entertainment industry of UK.........................7
Employees perspectives and thoughts on gender inequality within the UK entertainment
industry...................................................................................................................................8
Concept and theories of Gender inequality within the Entertainment industry...................10
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...........................................................................12
Introduction..........................................................................................................................12
Research philosophies..........................................................................................................12
Research approach................................................................................................................13
Research technique...............................................................................................................13
Research design....................................................................................................................14
Data collection......................................................................................................................14
Sampling...............................................................................................................................15
Ethical consideration............................................................................................................15
Research limitations.............................................................................................................16
Research Plan.......................................................................................................................16
CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS................................................................................................18
Introduction..........................................................................................................................18
Findings and analysis...........................................................................................................18
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS...................................................25

5.1 Conclusion......................................................................................................................25
5.2 Recommendations..........................................................................................................26
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................28

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Tittle
“ To explore significant ideologies of gender inequality in today’s entertainment industry of
UK”.
Background of the Study
Gender inequality is the common point of discussion across the globe. However, the
research will focus on Gender inequality in Entertainment industry of United Kingdom. Film
industry is among leading industries as it is in reach of large population. Further, the trends
influenced in Entertainment industry are followed across the country. Therefore, the inequality
which is being followed in the industry is influence the minds of people. The industry is spread
on large platform and connects with maximum population but it has been discovered that most
gender discrimination is faced in Film industry.
However, it has been analysed that the disparity in film industry is major faced by female
employees like, the women's are allowed to work only in make up, costume and casting
department. All the work which is related to field, camera, innovation is handled by men's
because according to some people in industry women's can not manage field work. The trend of
film industry believes that women can only be hired to work for someone but can not attain
success basis of their skills and abilities. These factors which are increase the gender disparity in
entertainment industry of UK. Further, in industry female employee are recruited as crew
member or as make artist but there is very less involvement of female individuals in production
team or directing team. There are very less successful females in industry because their success
and promotions are restricted by males of society. Moreover, the famous, celebrities, producers
and director have very controversial past regardless of their work and effortless behaviours with
the industry. The females are most active participants of entertainment field but for success
women faces various obstacles which creates hindrance in their growth.
Apparently, new films students also faces genders disparity like if the industry have 50
percent of male entries and 50 percent of females entries than all male entries are accepted but 49
percent of the female entries which clearly represents gender inequality in entertainment industry
of UK. Gender disparity is also termed as gender discrimination in restricted in books of law,
therefore the person found conducting such activities is punishable under the legal framework of
UK. Most women director face issues in stages of their career development there are various
1

obstacles caused by male employee who can not tolerate a woman succeeding over them.
According to data, it has been recorded that 16.1 % of female directors are involved in low
budget film and inly 3.3% of women's have high budget film record which demonstrate a clear
cut Gender disparity in Entertainment industry of United Kingdom (A major new study into
gender inequality in the UK film industry. 2016). In contrast, there are 12.5% female directors
who have launched two movie's and there are only 4.0% females who have made four and more
films.
Research Aim and Objectives
AIM
“To explore significant ideologies of gender inequality in today’s entertainment industry
of UK”.
OBJECTIVES
 To evaluate reports, theories and concepts that address gender inequality in the UK
entertainment industry.
 To identify employees perspectives and thoughts on gender inequality within the UK
entertainment industry.
 To analyse perspectives and thoughts on gender inequality of employees in UK
entertainment industry.
 To determine the factors leading to Gender Discrimination in entertainment industry of
UK.
Research Question
 What are the reports, theories and concepts that address gender inequality in the UK
entertainment industry?
 What is the employees perspectives and thoughts on gender inequality within the UK
entertainment industry?
 What are the factors leading to Gender Discrimination in entertainment industry of UK?
Rational of Study
The ultimate motive of conducting this research process is to determine the factors which
are Leading to gender inequality in entertainment industry of UK. The discrimination from film
industry is rising and spreading all over the country. Therefore, it is very important for the
2

researcher to determine the causes which are reason behind Gender based disparity. Further, the
study will assist in setting and deriving various measures which can assist researcher in analysing
the cause and effect relation of gender based discrimination in Film industry of UK.
Furthermore, the research will aid in analysing the reports and concepts which can address the
inequality factors. The research will be of employees in entertainment industry of UK, who are
ultimate victim of the process and are the best drivers which will helps in analysing the culprits
and the reason which is giving rise of Gender based Disparity.
Apart from this, the study is conducted to analyse the impacts of inequality on the
employees like, female producers, directors, students etc. It is the best source by which the
scholar will able to determining success of male employee in industry instead of female. Thus, it
will assist the scholar in making little changes on the perception and rules which are followed in
Entertainment industry which are restricting the growth and impacting the minds of whole
society.
Significance of the Study
There are various issues in society which increasing due to gender based inequality like,
most females are unemployed and skills because according to people females can not manage
workload and are very emotional due to which women's do not understand the importance for
decision making. Therefore, it is important for the researcher to analyse the factors which are
leading to gender base discrimination. According to various study it has been denoted that most
discrimination is faced by the employees of entertainment industry in UK. Hence, the importance
of the study to assess the employees perspectives and thoughts on gender inequality within the
UK entertainment industry. Hence, with the help of this research, the scholar will able to imply
and present an overview on trends which are being followed in film industry of UK.
Structure of Research
The dissertation comprises various chapters that demonstrate several aspects of research
process which is being followed by scholar to conduct effective process of study. The chapters of
Dissertation are as follows:
Introduction Chapter 1: This chapter of dissertation will comprise the background of gender
inequality in today’s entertainment industry of UK. Further, It will hight the research aim,
objectives and questions which will act as base of entire research process. Apart from this the
chapter will consider motive behind conducting the research which is to analysed the factors that
3

are promoting gender Disparity. Thus, it will include significance of the study which will aid in
analysing the issue which are increasing due to gender based discrimination in film industry of
UK.
Literature review Chapter 2: This is the second chapter where the researcher will focus on
analysing the point of various author and scholar on Trends which are being followed in
Entertainment industry of UK. This is conducted by scholar to enhance knowledge over the aim
and objective which will assist in discovering various cause and effect of inequality which is
increasing in film industry due to Gender. This chapter assists the individual in improving their
in-depth knowledge about the research aim and objective.
Research Methodology Chapter 3: This chapter is the base for researcher as on the basis of
tools of research methodologies the scholar conduct the entire process of data collection and data
analysis. Therefore, it is important for the individual to make careful use of techniques of RM as
this make dissertation process smooth and systematic.
Data Analysis Chapter 4: The chapter is focused on analysing the collected data. In this the
researcher will analyse the articles, newspapers, government publication etc. which is the data
collection tool and will use by investigator at the time of collecting information through
secondary sources. The collected data by researcher will be demonstrated by using descriptive
form as it assist in making easy evaluation of gathered information.
Conclusion and recommendation Chapter 5: In this the researcher summarize the overall
collected data and information on the basis of chapter. This chapter provides an outline of
necessary information. Further, in this chapter the scholar make recommendation on the research
title which assist in establishing improvement measures.
4

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
Trends followed in entertainment industry of UK
According to Banks and Milestone, 2011, it has been stated that inequality based on
gender is common across the globe but it majorly seen in entertainment industry as according to
many people females can not manage work and should not be allowed to participate in film
activities. Gender disparity in film industry is the major reason behind restricting growth of
female artist, directors and producers. The growth of women in the industry is not supported due
to which the environment society in UK is getting hampered. People are most influenced by the
activities of entertainment industry and when the discrimination it first impacts the minds of
people who get influenced by trends of entertainment industry. In contrast, Ellis-Petersen, 2014,
has stated that there are various stages in entertainment industry where females are getting
degraded by male employees due to which the struggle in the industry continues. The author has
stated that the trends in film industry are influence the minds of society due to which the gender
based disparity concept has increased the gender discrimination in all the industries of United
Kingdom. According to scholar, it has been stated that the discrimination on the basis of gender
is most biased process where the innovation and ability of females is degraded. Further, A major
new study into gender inequality in the UK film industry, 2016, analysed that 16.1 % of female
directors are engaged in low budget film and only 3.3% of women's are involved in high budget
films which clearly denotes the gender inequality trends followed in entertainment industry of
UK.
Riegle-Crumb, King and Muller, 2012, has stated that the disparity in film industry is
leading to diversity due to lack of female producers and directors. According to trends it has
been analysed that most crew members in industry are male because according to people the
females are bad at management. The trends in entertainment industry of UK states that females
in industry can only be valued for make-up, costume and fashion department and all the work is
difficult and demands field work which can not given to women's. In contrast, the author states
that there are various department in film industry of UK and females has the ability to handle
costume and wardrobe departments which is related to feminist working. According to analysis
of UK film industry, it has been demonstrated that there are only 17.5 % women's are in industry
where only 16 % of females are engaged in music and there are approximately 95 % male
5

employees handling cameras and electrical which denotes clear cut trend of gender disparity
which is being followed in industry.
However, Hook, 2010, states that in creative areas of film making industry men's are
being dominated and there are different department for male employees but on the other hand the
author states that still after the disparity which is face by males the values of females is less like
as per 2000 films there are only 13 % editors and 10 % writers and 5 % directors who are
females in whole industry. The increasing concept of gender inequality and discrimination has
influenced the minds of society die to which now the concept has become the major issue which
is leading to various problems and social conflicts. In contrast, according to Bradbury, 2015, the
major reason behind increasing social conflicts in United Kingdom ins gender based
discrimination which is continuously increasing due to which the growth of females is being
restricted at every step. Apparently, according to Ellis-Petersen, 2014, there is noticeable change
in trends of UK entertainment industry which represents that the 2500 films release in recent
period are of the women directors whose growth has bee restricted by make employee at every
stage. It has been denoted that after all the gender disparity the confident in female of films
industry is remarkable as the individuals work consistently facing inequality but dealing it with
practical solutions. According to Ridgeway, 2011, it has been stated that in entertainment
industry of UK, there is very less involvement of female individuals in production team or
directing team as the women's can not handle work pressure and can not even manage time.
Hence, in accordance to this criteria of work in industry there are very less successful females in
film making because their success and promotions are restricted by males of society.
As per the views of Chalaby, 2011, the recent trends of UK entertainment industry are
focused on empowering women and their rights. All the female directors' and producers involved
in film making are launching movie which are focused on the power and strong will power of
females like, Wonder Woman, The Bye Bye Man and many more. This is the first step of the
industry to make society learn about the gender balance which gets dominated by the mentality
of people who believes that women do not deserve to work. Thus, the author states that its is
important for the people to analyse the importance of maintaining balance between Gender
because it is the major reason behind various conflicts and social revolutions. Hence, Randle,
Forson and Calveley, 2015, stated that film industry has the power to influence society and their
mentality therefore it is important for the people of entertainment industry to focus on balancing
6

factors which assist in establishing the stable environment of society instead to creating gender
dis-balance because it is the factor which can easily influence the minds and view of society.
Factors leading to Gender Discrimination in entertainment industry of UK
According to Banks and Milestone, 2011, there is no specific factor which leads to
gender disparity instead it is the trends and mentality which people continues ages after ages.
Gender based inequality in Entertainment industry of UK us specially increasing due to
increasing participation and interest of females in film making. The success of female producers
directors in industry is remarkable which assist the industry in making innovation in their
entertainment services but the according to the trends it has been analysed that the success of
females is getting dominated by male employee of firm industry. In addition, as per the views of
Bradbury, 2015, gender disparity starts with the division of work where female employee in
entertainment are recruited as crew member, wardrobe manager, for costume department and as
make up artist but there is very less involvement of women's in directing team and producing
team. According to the industry females can not handle the work related to innovation, cameras
and electricals. This is one of the factor due to which the gender inequality in the entertainment
industry is increasing. However, Lutter, 2015, states that the innovation and success level of
females is increasing due to which the male dominates the success the morale of women's in
order to restrict their growth in entertainment industry. Th success of films like, Wonder women,
Bye Bye Man denotes the success of female creation in industry. The creation of movies which
focus on women empowerment assist in reducing gender dis balance. The author states that the
success of these films in industry which demonstrate the successful creation efforts of women
motivates male to dominate females and create gender balance. The industry still focused on
dominating the efforts and innovation of females which was used to be done in past decades
where people believed that women's are meant only for doing household work. Thus, according
to author, it can be said that the dominating pattern of male in film making industry is leading
gender disparity across United Kingdom.
Apparently, Bradbury, 2015, stated that there are only 13.6% of women who are working
in entertainment industry of UK from past few decades which is clear cut example of gender dis
balance and obstacle which are created by make employees of film making industry. In
accordance, it has been analysed that the major factors of gender disparity in the industry in
innovation and working pattern of female which is completely different from male. The
7

successful efforts of female directors and producers in entertainment industry of UK has created
a revolution with their two or three films which hampered the success and ego of male society,
due to which now there is division of work in industry where females are only promoted as,
make up artist, wardrobe artist, costume specialist and as crew member. In contrast, the author
states struggle of gender inequality is not only with the female who are already the part of
entertainment industry but the discrimination is even faced by new entrants which is hampering
the stability of society. Moreover, it is demonstrated admission pattern of industry where there is
50 percent of male entries and 50 percent of females entries and all male entries are accepted but
only 49 percent of the female entries are accepted which is factor leading to gender inequality in
entertainment industry of UK. According to Gender Equality in the UK Film Industry, 2018, it
has been analysed that the growth of women in entertainment industry of UK is very slow and
gradual like, in 2014 there were only 11.3 % of films which were directed by females which
increased to only 11.9% till 2005 which clearly demonstrate that the women's struggle for their
rights and growth in industry which is leading to increasing Gender inequality.
Employees perspectives and thoughts on gender inequality within the UK entertainment industry.
According to the view of Chalaby, 2011) employees are most crucial asset within the
organisation through which determined objective can address in effective and efficient manner. It
is very important for management of corporation to manage and motivate employees in such
manner so as they can feel demotivate and depress at workplace. In the absence of employees it
is very difficult for management to achieve its objective and sustain in the market for long time.
For attain the objective and sustain in the competitive business environment it is very important
for company to manage its workforce in an effective manner. While management of organisation
treats unethical, unequal and illegal with any employees then it will directly effect the outcome
and quality of business. Thus, it is too important to consider each employee as a valuable asset so
as they can retain within business for long time. In the view of Ellis-Petersen 2014, in the present
time, gender inequality issue major seem in the entertainment industry through which perception
of employees are not positive. In the entertainment industry, this kind of issue arise in the fastest
manner due to which employees are not ready to work in such industry. In the opinion of
Bradbury, (2015) In Entertainment industry the most gender discrimination is faced by
employees in industry because there are people who do not support the progress of female
models, directions, actress etc. Still it has been seen that many of the film producer believes that
8

female candidate are not as active and efficient as compare to the male candidate. Many of the
female in the film industry are discriminated by their producer and directors. In the entertainment
industry, many of the produce recruit only male candidate for the crew. Thus, from this situation,
employees have negative perspective related to the entertainment industry. Employees do not
happy with the same industry because there are many of the people who do not understand the
importance of female candidate. Due to this discrimination related to gender, it has been seen
that people are not ready to come in the film industry and they think that producer and directors
discriminate with people so it is just wastage of time to work in this industry. In the opinion of
Ridgeway, (2011) stated that major impact of this gender discrimination have influenced on the
female candidate as they do not ready to enter in the film industry. Many of the female thinks
that they may use for sexism in this industry due to which they do not want to enter in this
industry. Many of the directors and producers of film recruit and hire female candidates on the
basis of conditions and terms. As per the research it has been found that 99% of women working
in the film and television industries have experienced of sexism. It has seen that there are several
examples in which female are discriminated by their producer and film directors. Women in the
television and film made up by 7% of directors on the top 250 films of 2016 which is actually
declined a 2% from 2015.
According to the view Lutter, 2015, it has been found that employees who works in the
film industry have thought that their owner do not provide equal facilities to them due to the
gender inequality. According to radical feminism concept, the author states that the women in
UK entertainment industry are major discriminated as the talent ad innovation by females is
behind dominated by the males in industry. The male domination in film making holds a strong
control over women participation in direction and production of movies. The new entrants are
also restricted which clearly demonstrate the radical feminism concept. Dominating women
plays crucial role of males in UK society because it is the factor which interrupts in the success
of females. Apart from this the author stated about the social feminism which is followed in
Film making industry of UK where the concept and beliefs of people that women are not capable
of managing innovation work has oppressed the success women's over men's. Apparently, the
society believes that females are only capable of managing some limited wok which are costume,
make-up, wardrobe and due to which the one can only be recruited in entertainment industry for
9