We know film school doesn’t cover everything, and that’s where Film Nerd Moment comes in. Brought to you by The Light Leaks, Mercedes Gonzales Bazan dives into film theory, history, and pop culture through a feminist lens—breaking it all down in a way that actually makes sense (and won’t put you to sleep).
Think of it as your go-to guide for all the cool, quirky, and often overlooked sides of cinema. Whether you're working in the industry or just a movie lover at heart, we're here to break down the lingo, unpack the tropes, and shine a light on the hidden gems that make film so legendary.
Tressie Souders: The First African American Woman Director | Film Nerd Moment
In 1922, Tessie Souders made history with A Woman’s Error, becoming the first known African American woman director in the United States. At a time when the film industry largely excluded women of color, Souders carved out a space for herself, showcasing her talent and determination against the odds. Her work laid the foundation for future generations of Black filmmakers, yet her name remains far too overlooked in film history.
Film Nerd Moment is brought to you by The Light Leaks—a community dedicated to supporting, educating, and uplifting women and nonbinary filmmakers. Through resources, discussions, and industry insights, we’re here to help you tell your story and carve your own path in film.
14 Feb 2025
Alice Guy-Blaché: The First Woman Behind the Camera | Film Nerd Moment
Before there was Hollywood as we know it, there was Alice Guy-Blaché—a true trailblazer in cinema. As one of the first-ever film directors, she didn’t just make movies; she shaped the industry itself. Directing over 600 silent films, she broke barriers, pioneered narrative storytelling, and proved that women have always had a place behind the camera.
So why isn’t her name as well-known as her male counterparts? In this episode of Film Nerd Moment, we uncover Alice’s extraordinary contributions, the challenges she faced, and how history nearly erased her impact on filmmaking. It’s time to give credit where it’s due.
Film Nerd Moment is brought to you by The Light Leaks (http://thelightleaks.com/)—a community dedicated to supporting, educating, and uplifting women and nonbinary filmmakers. Through resources, discussions, and industry insights, we’re here to help you tell your story and carve your own path in film.
29 Jan 2025
Hays Code, Hollywood’s 30-Year Censorship Guidelines| Film Nerd Moment
This episode of Film Nerd Moment explores the censorship guidelines that controlled the film industry for over 30 years. Under pressure from political and religious groups, these rules severely restricted creative freedom, leaving a lasting impact on how films were made and the stories that could be told.
Film Nerd Moment is brought to you by The Light Leaks (http://thelightleaks.com/)—a community dedicated to supporting, educating, and uplifting women and nonbinary filmmakers. Through resources, discussions, and industry insights, we’re here to help you tell your story and carve your own path in film.
Further Reading
Motion Picture Production Code (https://www.asu.edu/courses/fms200s/total-readings/MotionPictureProductionCode.pdf)
What the Hays Code Did for Women – The New Yorker (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/05/02/what-the-hays-code-did-for-women)
The End of American Film Censorship – JSTOR Daily (https://daily.jstor.org/end-american-film-censorship/)
29 Jan 2025
Hollywood's Boldest Films: the Pre-Code Era | Film Nerd Moment
The 1930s were full of Hollywood’s most daring and boundary-pushing films. In this episode, Mercedes unpacks the Pre-Code era—what it was, why these bold films shook up the industry, and how they led to stricter censorship rules.
Film Nerd Moment is brought to you by The Light Leaks (http://thelightleaks.com/)—a community dedicated to supporting, educating, and uplifting women and nonbinary filmmakers. Through resources, discussions, and industry insights, we’re here to help you tell your story and carve your own path in film.
Suggested Reading
Pre-Code: Hollywood before the censors (https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/features/deep-focus/pre-code-hollywood)
How Hollywood Freed Itself From the Hays Code's Restrictive Grasp (https://collider.com/hays-code-hollywood-history/)
A Brief History of Film Censorship (https://ncac.org/resource/a-brief-history-of-film-censorship)
19 Dec 2024
The Scully Effect — How The X-Files Inspired Women in STEM | Film Nerd Moment
Movies and TV shows often have a greater impact on society than we realize. In this episode of Film Nerd Moment, Mercedes Gonzales Bazan talks about the Scully effect and how representation of a female scientist in the XFiles prompted surge of women moving into STEM fields!
Film Nerd Moment is brought to you by The Light Leaks (http://thelightleaks.com/)—a community dedicated to supporting, educating, and uplifting women and nonbinary filmmakers. Through resources, discussions, and industry insights, we’re here to help you tell your story and carve your own path in film.
19 Dec 2024
Flipping the Script: The Female Gaze in Birds of Prey | Film Nerd Moment
In Ep 3, Mercedes talks about Cathy Yan’s Birds of Prey and the way that Harley Quinn’s character transforms through a female director.
Film Nerd Moment is a video series by the Light Leaks that dives into film theory, terminology, history, and pop culture through a feminist lens. Created and researched by Mercedes Gonzales Bazan, this series is meant to share film school topics in a digestible manner for a social media audience.
Film Nerd Moment is brought to you by The Light Leaks (http://thelightleaks.com/)—a community dedicated to supporting, educating, and uplifting women and nonbinary filmmakers. Through resources, discussions, and industry insights, we’re here to help you tell your story and carve your own path in film.
19 Dec 2024
The Male Gaze: How Film Has Framed Women for Decades | Film Nerd Moment
Ever notice how the way scenes are framed in movies and TV shows affects our connection with the characters on screen? 🎥 In episode 2 of Film Nerd Moment, Mercedes Gonzales Bazan breaks down the difference between the Male Gaze and Female Gaze in media, and why perspective matters in storytelling!
Film Nerd Moment is all about analyzing media in a fun, down-to-earth way. It’s like film school, but a lot more inclusive!
Film Nerd Moment is brought to you by The Light Leaks (http://thelightleaks.com/)—a community dedicated to supporting, educating, and uplifting women and nonbinary filmmakers. Through resources, discussions, and industry insights, we’re here to help you tell your story and carve your own path in film.
19 Dec 2024
Origins of The Bechdel Test on Women's Representation in Film| Film Nerd Moment
🎬 The Bechdel Test has become a popular tool for critiquing representation in movies, but have you ever wondered where it came from and why it’s still relevant decades later? In this episode of Film Nerd Moment, Mercedes Gonzales Bazan breaks down the origins of The Bechdel Test, the criteria required to pass the test, and so much more!
Film Nerd Moment is brought to you by The Light Leaks (http://thelightleaks.com/)—a community dedicated to supporting, educating, and uplifting women and nonbinary filmmakers. Through resources, discussions, and industry insights, we’re here to help you tell your story and carve your own path in film.
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Podcast Authority Score: 44 / 100
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