Film Nerd Moment
Your go-to video series for breaking down film theory, history, and pop culture through a feminist lens.
Film Nerd Moment is more than just another deep dive into film—it’s a chance to view the medium through a feminist perspective. From film theory to iconic moments in film history, each episode takes complex ideas and breaks them down into digestible, bite-sized chunks. Mercedes Gonzales Bazan brings you insightful commentary and research to give you a deeper understanding of film, all while keeping it fun and engaging.
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Episode 1 : Origins of The Bechdel Test on Women's Representation in Film
In Ep 1, Mercedes dives into the Bechdel Test rules, its origins as a comic by Alison Bechdel, and its relevancy years later.
Suggested Reading
Episode 2: The Male Gaze: How Film Has Framed Women for Decades
In Ep 2, Mercedes discusses the Male Gaze as introduced by Laura Mulvey, common definitions, and the way that the gaze impacts how we connect to characters on screen.
Suggested Reading
Episode 3: Flipping the Script: The Female Gaze in Birds of Prey
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.
Episode 5: Hollywood's Boldest Films: the Pre-Code Era
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.
Episode 6: Hays Code, Hollywood’s 30-Year Censorship Guideline
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.
Episode 7: Alice Guy-Blaché: The First Woman Behind the Camera
Before Hollywood became the powerhouse of cinema, Alice Guy-Blaché was shaping the very foundation of the industry. As one of the first-ever film directors, she didn’t just make movies—she pioneered narrative storytelling, directed over 600 silent films, and proved that women have always belonged behind the camera.
So why isn’t her name as well-known as her male counterparts? In this episode of Film Nerd Moment, we explore Alice’s groundbreaking contributions, the challenges she faced, and how history nearly erased her legacy. It’s time to give credit where it’s due.
Episode 4: The Scully Effect — How The X-Files Inspired Women in STEM
In Ep 4, Mercedes explains the Scully Effect, a trend that showed the X-Files increased the amount of women in STEM through Dana Scully.
Meet Our Host
Mercedes Gonzales Bazan
Mercedes (she/her) is a writer and researcher, with a background in media studies. Mercedes holds a masters from NYU in Media, Culture, and Communication and a bachelor’s from the University of New Mexico in both English & Communication. Her research interests center around representation and identity within popular culture, specifically film, television, and internet trends.
Her past work includes hosting the Meet Cute podcast The Rom-Com Room, being an editorial fellow for Women & Hollywood, and assisting with the Call Your Girlfriend podcast.
You can find her on all social platforms at @mercedesgb11 or through her website mercedessgb.com
Support Our Series
If you’re loving what we’re doing and want to see more, consider supporting us on Patreon! Every bit of support helps keep the series running and allows us to keep exploring the world of film through a feminist lens.