As a member of  the Ladies in Red A Cappella group at NC State,  I was asked to make two short films for our Fall 2022 concert. These films would be used to introduce our concert theme, and would be played on screen at the beginning and at the intermission of our concert. The theme of our concert was “Ladylike.” We wanted to emphasize the importance of breaking the gender norms and stereotypes of "what it means to be a lady." 

 

I have studied a lot of older films in my time at NC State but one video that stuck out to me was a short commercial/educational video called, "Let's Make a Sandwich (1950) A Classical Educational Film."  This short film discussed how women are meant to make sandwiches and men are meant to eat them. There are strict and nonconforming gender barriers established in society, but especially in the film industry back in the 1950s, and some of these exist even today. While watching this video I was filled with anger which I thought was silly because it was a video about sandwiches, so why would that make me so upset? I realized it is because of poor representation of gender goals and roles. I was frustrated that women were restricted by the eyes and desires of male filmmakers, producers, and the higher-up figures in the industry.

 

I feel as though the best way to stand out is to be genuinely yourself, and to not care about what others think or expect of you. Make your next move one they would never even imagine happening. I decided to remake this short film on sandwich making, but instead make it full of satire, rage, and the intention of proving how we as women can do what we so please and make our own definition of "what it means to be a lady." I love exploring feminine rage in film and to allow the story to expand as one's anger for societal standards and restrictions pile up around them. I feel as though it is realistic and brings about a lot of relatability and vulnerability. Women are allowed to get angry, to feel upset, to want change, and ultimately to be the change. 

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My hope was that this video gave everyone in my group a sense of pride that they get to define what they think being a lady is. They can identify as they want, do what they want and live the life they so desire. Overall, I feel as though the video was very empowering to make and see on the big screen at our concert. What a joy to see the audience react to it and feel the connection with us and with our concert theme!