Women's Voices in Digital Media: The Sonic Screen from Film to Memes

The book "Women's Voices in Digital Media" explores how contemporary screen media and cultural practices police and fetishize women's voices, while also providing new ways to amplify and empower them. It discovers newly acknowledged or erased female voice actors, engages with dialogue that is spreading with only the memory of a voice, and encounters vocal ventriloquism on RuPaul's Drag Race.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 26 April 2022
Publisher: University of Texas Press

In the realm of digital media, where women's voices have found a ubiquitous presence across various platforms, it is essential to acknowledge that these new forms of communication are often intertwined with outdated gender politics. In her groundbreaking book, "Womens Voices in Digital Media," Jennifer O'Meara delves into the intricate dynamics of contemporary screen media and cultural practices, exploring both the policing and fetishization of women's voices while also presenting exciting opportunities for amplification and empowerment.

As O'Meara embarks on her digital journey, she uncovers a wealth of information about the newly acknowledged or newly erased female voice actors from classic films on YouTube, encounters the AI and digital avatars in "Her" and "The Congress," and witnesses the disembodied voices of women in podcasts and virtual reality voice-overs. Through engaging with dialogues that exist solely in the memory of a voice, she examines how popular media like "Clueless" and "The Simpsons" have been mined for feminist memes, and encounters vocal ventriloquism on "RuPaul's Drag Race" that queerly celebrates and valorizes the female voice.

Through these detailed case studies, O'Meara makes a compelling argument that the digital proliferation of screens has a profound impact on the reception of sounds, just as it does on images. This has significant implications for women's voices, as they navigate a landscape where their presence is both celebrated and contested.

In conclusion, "Womens Voices in Digital Media" is a vital contribution to the field of media studies, offering a comprehensive exploration of the sound and silence of women in the digital age. By highlighting the complexities and challenges faced by women in this realm, O'Meara provides valuable insights into the ways in which we can foster greater inclusivity and representation for women's voices in the years to come.

Weight: 432g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781477324448