Actress Jenna Ortega recently commented on current film industry trends in an interview with MTV.

"I love that there are a lot more female leads nowadays, I think that’s so special," Ortega said. "But we should have our own. I don’t like it when it’s a spinoff."

Ortega said this while being questioned about her interest in playing a female Edward Scissorhands or James Bond. To Ortega, giving a female a spinoff role of a male-originated character doesn't look like progress for women.

BFA acting freshman Laini Seltzer sees Ortega's perspective, but she also thinks there is room for some gender swapped films.

"It’s nice of them to consider gender swapping certain roles and not having all these iconic characters be stuck as male characters," Seltzer said. "But it’s also nice to think about having some different franchises with such, like, strong female characters that also aren’t the ditzy blonde."

Seltzer agreed with wanting to see female characters through a lens of strength. She noted that when thinking of iconic male leads, people think of much stronger characters, like superheroes. When thinking of iconic female leads you may think more of Elle Woods from "Legally Blonde" or Cher from "Clueless." Both characters overcome difficulties, but of course, they couldn’t do it in anything other than an all-pink wardrobe or without the occasional shopping break. 

This stereotyped role women have in film is something that is slowly changing. Assistant curator at MSU Broad Art Museum and film studies masters Dalina A. Perdomo Álvarez doesn’t think it’s enough.

"Progress is not just inserting marginal people into, like, what we traditionally see as roles of power," Álvarez said. "It’s that whole kind of having a seat at the table, but is it a table you even want to be at?"

Álvarez saw a lot of current film making trends being in it for the money. With the current culture of remakes, franchises and sequels we have seen a bigger decline in new characters. To Álvarez, this is a big contributor to why the inclusion of women and marginalized groups feels disingenuous. Film studies sophomore Norah Myers agrees and feels like she has seen this phenomenon becoming more common.

"It’s not creating an original story, it’s kind of just diversity to say you have diversity," Meyers said. "It’s not really caring about the story and caring about having women represented."

There’s many who wish to see a more authentic female representation in film. For Seltzer, it’s getting rid of the stereotyped female roles. For Meyer, it’s filmmakers being more passionate in creating new roles and concepts. For Álvarez, it’s action.

"I think people who are advocates for women in film, you know, we shouldn’t wait around for just, who’s directing the next big film," Álvarez said. "We should also just look at locally what are the film screenings that are showing, you know? What film festivals can we go to? What museums can we go to see video and film installations."

Álvarez recognized the importance of not just looking at women in the Hollywood spotlight, but looking at local women in the industry or experimental film makers. Appreciating women in the arts at a smaller scale will help to raise awareness and importance to women at all levels, giving women in film proper recognition and a well-deserved seat at the table.