Celluloid ceiling

[...] women have been nominated only four times in the Oscars' 88-year history.

"[...] the 'Bigelow effect' never materialized," says Martha Lauzen, executive director of the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University.

While recent attention has focused intensely on the lack of racial diversity in the Oscar nominations, some women in Hollywood are heartened — albeit cautiously — by recent developments that should benefit women and minorities, both behind the camera and in front.

"What we're seeing is an undercurrent of anger over the lack of inclusion in Hollywood," says Janice Min, a veteran industry observer who oversees both The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard.

Min notes that the recent focus on unequal pay for women — sparked by Patricia Arquette's fiery Oscar speech last year, then intensified by high-profile comments from Jennifer Lawrence — has for the moment receded from the spotlight amid questions of racial diversity.

The first, of course, is the pledge by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to double the number of women and people of color among its membership ranks by 2020.

Lauzen's report, "The Celluloid Ceiling," found that in 2015, women comprised 19 percent of all directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers on the top 250 domestic grossing films — an increase of 2 percentage points from last year, and the same as in 2001.

In a world where it's always been all talk and no action, it's pretty stunning to see action being taken.

[...] even where intentions aren't the best, there's always the fear of shame to get things moving.