The Power of an Audience to Change Society | Eisha Chopra | TEDxSPIT

Summary

In this inspiring speech, the speaker shares their journey as a female actor navigating the challenges of a male-dominated industry. Reflecting on early lessons in feminism from their father and the struggles of being 'too strong' or 'too smart' for certain roles, they highlight the evolution of their career. From playing stereotypical, weaker female characters to embracing roles that celebrate strength and equality, the speaker emphasizes the power of storytelling in shaping culture. They advocate for films that break gender norms, where men are allowed vulnerability and women are empowered, urging the audience to support these transformative narratives.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker reflects on their journey as an actor, facing both failures and successes before finding their breakthrough.
• 😀 The story emphasizes the struggles actors face, especially when their talents are misunderstood or seen as 'too strong' for certain roles.
• 😀 The speaker's first lesson in feminism came from their father, who taught them that gender equality is about recognizing that boys and girls are equal.
• 😀 Growing up, the speaker was ashamed of their mother's unconventional career and role, but later realized that her work ethic and strength were qualities to be proud of.
• 😀 In the early stages of their acting career, the speaker was encouraged to fit traditional stereotypes, but soon realized the importance of being authentic and true to oneself.
• 😀 The turning point in the speaker’s career came with a role in a film that celebrated a woman's strength and intelligence, breaking away from traditional gender roles.
• 😀 The success of the show 'Ashoka' became a significant moment, as it portrayed a female character who was older, smarter, and more successful than the male lead, challenging conventional norms.
• 😀 The speaker highlights the changing dynamics in the entertainment industry, where audiences now demand stronger, more authentic female characters.
• 😀 Acting is not about pretending or make-believe, but about finding an honest connection between the actor's personality and the character's, creating a truthful performance.
• 😀 The speaker argues that the purpose of acting is to affect culture and society by telling better stories that can shape better human beings and promote positive change.
• 😀 The speaker calls for a shift in cultural narratives, advocating for stories that break traditional tropes of femininity and masculinity, promoting equality and emotional expression for both genders.

Q & A

What is the speaker's main message about the journey of becoming an actor?

The speaker emphasizes that the journey to becoming an actor is often filled with failures and setbacks, with success sometimes coming unexpectedly after numerous attempts. It highlights the perseverance and unpredictability that come with pursuing a career in acting.

How did the speaker’s early life and family influence her perspective on gender equality?

The speaker's father taught her about feminism when she was eight years old, explaining that gender equality is not about men versus women, but about equality between them. This lesson shaped her understanding of feminism and led to her growing up with a working mother and a father who was emotionally expressive.

What was the significance of the speaker's early experiences with auditions?

The speaker initially struggled with being perceived as 'too strong' or 'too smart' for roles, which was seen as a disadvantage in the industry. She tried to conform to expectations by playing more stereotypically 'feminine' roles, but ultimately, she realized that this did not reflect her true self or talent.

How did the speaker's role in the film 'Nietzsche' challenge traditional gender norms?

In the film 'Nietzsche,' the speaker played a character who was strong, smart, and unafraid, which contrasted with the traditional portrayal of women as weak or dependent on male characters. The role allowed her to break away from the usual tropes and showcase a more empowered female character.

What role did the web series 'Ashoka' play in shifting the speaker's career trajectory?

'Ashoka' allowed the speaker to portray a powerful and intelligent female character who was respected and not diminished by her strength or success. This role marked a shift in her career, as she moved away from playing stereotypical characters to ones that represented women as strong, capable, and unafraid.

How does the speaker define acting?

The speaker defines acting not as pretending or make-believe, but as finding honesty within a character. It involves discovering where an actor’s personality intersects with the character's, and acting from that truthful space is what makes a performance real and powerful.

What is the speaker's opinion on the necessity of actors in the world?

The speaker acknowledges that acting is not an essential profession for the survival of the world, as society would continue without actors. However, she believes that actors play a crucial role in affecting culture and changing society by telling better stories that influence people's perceptions and create better human beings.

How has the portrayal of women in popular cinema changed in recent years, according to the speaker?

The speaker notes that recent films have shifted away from portraying women as damsels in distress and have started to celebrate strong and independent female characters. At the same time, these films also celebrate the vulnerability of men, moving away from toxic masculinity and celebrating emotional depth in both genders.

What does the speaker mean by the term 'toxic masculinity' and how does it relate to cinema?

Toxic masculinity refers to the harmful stereotype that men must always be strong, unemotional, and dominant. In the context of cinema, this has been perpetuated through narratives where men chase women relentlessly, disregarding their autonomy. The speaker calls for a change in storytelling that allows for more balanced and realistic portrayals of both men and women.

What is the importance of supporting films that tell empowering stories about both women and men?

The speaker encourages supporting films that showcase both strong women and emotionally open men, as these stories challenge harmful stereotypes and promote healthier cultural narratives. By supporting such films, audiences contribute to the creation of more diverse and progressive storytelling, which ultimately shapes societal values.