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Does Diversity in Hollywood Exist?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only industry study on those with a disability was commissioned by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and published in May 2005. Complete with recommendations it is surprising that virtually nothing has changed. Obviously Hollywood is not affected by such reports of blatant discrimination as other industries. Read the Executive Summary by clicking here.

director's wheelchair

 

 

 

 

Disability Culture

 

 

"People with disabilities have forged a group identity. We share a common history of oppression and a common bond of resilience. We generate art, music, literature, and other expressions of our lives and our culture, infused from our experience of disability. Most importantly, we are proud of ourselves as people with disabilities. We claim our disabilities with pride as part of our identity. We are who we are: we are people with disabilities."

Steven E. Brown - Mainstream magazine article 1996

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disability Culture

You might notice that the use of the word "disability" a lot more than "handicapped" and there is a very good reason for it. The orgins of the word "handicapped" means beggar - "cap in hand" was made into a more fluent word to say and became "handicapped."

While there may be handicapped people - which means they are beggars due to their disAbility or in my experince many more who are considered able bodied!

But in a more correct use of the term is where there are situations that would handicap me, such as if the only entry into a building was a staircase and because I am paralyzed unable to stand and walk up those stairs - I would have to ask for help to get up the stairs and into the building.

I can assure you I am not a handicapped person. I am not even a disabled person - in most cases I prefer and you will see throughout this website when I am talking I use "person with a disAbility" in most cases! Even a "filmmaker with a disAbility" or to be more specific I will use paraplegic too.

The H word is equivilent to a racial slur such as the N word. Just as there are other racial slurs there are other disAbility slurs such as "gimp" or "crippled" and versions of them like "Lamo"!

So pleae keep that in mind. Being a PERSON or a FILMMAKER or in other cases even a doctor, lawyer should be used first and then the term disAbility or the specific disAbility ie; paraplegic.

My disAbility does not define me. It a part of me - just like I try and portray in my many stories for film. There are a lot of aspects that come with a certain disAbility and there are some that would put the person in a handicapped situation a lot of the time - such as those whose paralysis is rather high, like that the SCI of Christopher Reeve. Yet personally I still would never call him a handicapped person.

 

 

 

 

 

Abilities United Production is providing an authtentic voice and representation of those with a disability.

au·then·tic: (ô-thěn'tĭk)
adj.  
1. Conforming to fact and therefore worthy of trust, reliance, or belief: an authentic account by an eyewitness.

2. Having a claimed and verifiable origin or authorship; not counterfeit or copied: an authentic medieval sword.
The American Heritage®
Dictionary of the English Language,
Fourth Edition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"In the same way that the Black Power movement in the '70s insisted on the unique power and beauty of African Americans, or the women's movement empowered women to expose stereotypes and tell their own stories, the disability rights movement and 'crip culture' are challenging our preconceptions about what it is to be human."

Playwright Kathleen Tolan, American Theater magazine - "We Are Not a Metaphor (April 2001)"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only industry study on those with a disability was commissioned by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and published in May 2005.

The very first line in the Executive Summary of the study says:

" There are approximately 54 million Americans with disabilities, and yet they
remain virtually invisible in the media." Read the entire Executive Summary by clicking here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

director's wheelchair

 

People with disabilities long to see images of people like themselves achieving autonomy and self-sufficiency as well as social and spiritual connectedness and do not want to see themselves portrayed as dependent (Packaged Facts.)

 

 

 

 

One of the recommendations provided in the report commissioned by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) published in May 2005.

" Advocate for the inclusion of performers with disabilities in all diversity
employment initiatives. Address images, language and attitudes that
contribute or hinder inclusion in the workplace."

Read the entire Executive Summary by clicking here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abilities United Production is providing an authtentic voice and representation of those with a disability.

au·then·tic: (ô-thěn'tĭk)
adj.  
1. Conforming to fact and therefore worthy of trust, reliance, or belief: an authentic account by an eyewitness.

2. Having a claimed and verifiable origin or authorship; not counterfeit or copied: an authentic medieval sword.
The American Heritage®
Dictionary of the English Language,
Fourth Edition

 

 
 
 
Does diversity in Hollywood really exist? The answer is yes but with a but! There are some good movements and signs of being more diverse but it almost always is confined to racial, gender or even sexual orientation and rarely if ever includes those with a disAbility. As an example of this here is a link to the Variety magazine’s online article that is featured on their Careers in Entertainment page and is entitled “Multi-authentic: Onscreen diversity starts behind the scenes” Written by Sharon Knolle on 9/28/2006. The whole article can be read by clicking on here, and does a great job of highlighting how Hollywood has made some changes and is bringing in more ethnic cultures and people to write and direct stories that feature their racial and enthnic characters. Ms. Knolle says and quotes from the co-creator of the television show, “Lost” (which on a side note I LOVE!):

“Writers and showrunners take a variety of approaches to ensure authenticity for each character. "Lost" taps the expertise of several Korean-American writers for Korean characters Sun and Jin.

"Lost" co-creator Damon Lindelof says, ‘You could say to a female writer, how do you write men so well? The same rules apply if you're writing a character for whom you don't have that day-to-day experience. (Exec producer) Carlton (Cuse) and I are not Nigerian, nor black, nor warlords, nor priests,’ he says of writing "Lost's" Nigerian drugrunner-turned-priest Mr. Eko. So they turn to Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, who's of Nigerian descent, to flesh out his character.”

The article is a good example showing that Hollywood only considers those from racial minorities as those deserving of an authentic voice and representation. Of course they are now to the point where gender is often not consider a minority anymore since women have more influence in today’s entertainment. But if Hollywood will not recognize those with a disAbility as the largest and fastest growing minority like all other industries have, where do those with a disAbility and the disabled culture turn to for authentic voices and representation on both sides of the camera in the entertainment industry?  The article references to the diversity programs that will have networks reimburse productions that include minorities. So if these diversity programs are the place for those less recognized, those with a history of being stereotyped and discriminated against where are the authentic voices and representation of those with a disAbility in film? Television programs? If you work in the industry how many people with a disAbility do you see around you at work? As a reminder 1 in 5 Americans have a disAbility. So if Hollywood stereotypes and discriminates on both sides of the camera, where do those with a disAbility turn? Where are those that even voice and represent - let alone authentically for those with a disAbility? Many would assume and say that is what the diversity programs, associations and government agencies are supposed to deal with. Let’s take a look at them. Below is an example of what I have run across and into over the past 12 years since beginning this journey!

If you wish to jump ahead click on any of these

FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

CBS/ PARAMOUNT TELEVISION AND SHOWTIME

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MINORITY MEDIA EXECUTIVES

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MINORITIES IN COMMUNICATIONS

MINORITY MEDIA AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS

MEDIA ACCESS OFFICE

THE FUTURE
!  

FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP  

Let’s start with Fox Entertainment Group as it does have one of the great independent studio divisions with Fox Searchlight and because James Cameron’s film, “Avatar” is being co-produced and distributed by 20th Century Fox. The Fox Entertainment Group does have an extensive website covering diversity but just the Diversity home page will give a good picture of what they consider diverse. A picture of three women and two men all of different races stand laughing with one another and the title “Our Fox, Our Future…” Then they have the typical Press info and a Fox Video with is commercials of their programming and starts of course with Tyra Banks. Which is a good one to promote diversity, a black/African-American woman hosting her own talk show. That is good but as we here are wondering about those with a disability being represented let’s move on.  Of course they are promoting their new shows but also how diverse their programming is right? “The Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles” is shown with a poster for the show that has the character of the new “terminator” without limbs and her torso is cut I half with nothing more then metal and wires that dangle from the ripped off arms and body! I actually like it but hope that is not suppose to be the answer to depiction of those who have less than whole working bodies? Still the home page can be found at http://www.fox.com/diversity/

Throughout the remaining sections of their diversity website the only place you will see anything about the disabled community is under the “Outreach” tab. Here you will find a total of three programs that are talked about – none of which are their programs but instead programs they have participated in.

The first is the “Eighth Annual Accessible City Expo for the City of Los Angeles Department on Disability.” Fox donated a whopping $2,500 and set up a booth to “exchange information and giveaways to various school and community program leaders who wish to partner with Diversity in educating their students/members on Careers in Entertainment.” That in itself I do commend but what diverse careers in entertainment are they talking about? First we need diverse films and television programs to place them in. This is exactly what it says it is, an outreach program that does not provide any answers and instead is a way to say they are extending a hand to help those with a disability. They just do not know what to do from that point.

It is not much but at least it is a start. What I find very telling and is a perfect example for what those with a disability face in Hollywood and for this topic is they mention that “Approximately 30 resumes were collected of diverse and or disabled job candidates.” The diverse and the disabled are two separate categories and are not included as one – so when we are talking about diversity – it is most common that Hollywood means that is those of all minority subgroups BUT the disabled who are in another category to themselves and rarely are thought of as subject matters let alone actual writers, directors and performers with a disability! 

The next program listed is the “Careers for the Disabled Job Fair in NYC” where all they say is how many attended and how many resumes they collected (450 and 65 respectively). And that the parent company News Corporation’s HR department and HarpersCollins were at this job fair and that Fox plans to attract an ongoing partnership in ’08 to work with this “important community.” I do hope that is true and more then just talk in a PR campaign!   

The last program listed is with a very good organization called “Wounded Warriors” that involves military men and women returning from Iraq with disabilities. They say that the “diversity staff co-hosted a lunch for veterans involved in the Wounded Warriors program” and the there were of course “touching background stories” that went along with a presentation by some executives with abbreviations in front of their names that I have no idea what they mean.

It concludes with the “Fox Entertainment Group will continue to work with the organization in ’08 to help further this community through mutual collaborations.” What? “Mutual collaborations”? Is that more luncheons? There is a picture of this “event” and shows 8 people, one in a wheelchair all at a conference table as one of them stands and “presents” to the group.  If you really want to “reach out” and really participate in inclusion of those with a disAbility, then make movies and television programs that feature an authentic voice and non-stereotypical representation of those with a disAbility. If you don’t know where to start – click here! 

It is an extensive website and lists a lot of different things including the staff of the Diversity Department but I cannot find anywhere on how to contact the Diversity Department. There are other programs at Fox Entertainment but as far as their inclusion of those with a disAbility, that is it. It is a outreach program that for PR purposes looks enough to say inclusion. Where are the films and television programs that feature a character with a disAbility? How many of those will then also incorporate writers, directors and actors with a disAbility to provide and authentic voice and representation? 

CBS/ PARAMOUNT TELEVISION AND SHOWTIME 

CBS has their own television department listed and a CBS and Paramount  television division. I am not sure if they are one and the same or two separate groups but on the Diversity website the CBS television tab has all their diversity programs listed. The CBS/Paramount tab just has a short statement on how they treat their employees. Showtime is also under the CBS umbrella. Here is an example of what can be found at their Diversity website.

An impressive writing program that really seems like a mentoring program for aspiring writers of television. Under its eligibility for the program it says, “The primary focus of CBS' Diversity Writers Mentoring Program is to provide access and opportunities for talented and motivated diverse writers with a focus on writers of color.”  

Similarly is their director’s mentoring program which again it reads under their eligibility that “The primary focus of CBS' Diversity Institute and the Directing Initiative is to provide access and opportunities for talented, motivated diverse directors -- especially directors of color.”  Both programs require examples of the applicants’ previous work. Again here is a perfect example of the meaning of diversity in Hollywood mainly only includes race or those of color.

There is also a Talent Showcase that are on the “Diversity Institute” page which opens with info on a comedy sketch program with a deadline for submissions is September 8, 2006. Not very up to date but does have a clause to include performers with a disAbility in association with the California State Media Access Office (more info on the Media Access Office below).   But no new or future showcases are listed.

There is several “Past Showcases” that list 1-3 programs per year since 2002. The only one that included those with a disAbility was in 2004 for a recurring role – not a cast member but recurring role on CSI:NY. Well at least it is something! Similar to that of the recurring role of actor with a disability, Robert David Hall on the regular/original CSI: Crime Scene Investigators in which he plays the medical examiner. This role has been the most celebrated for those with a disAbility ever since. So recurring roles where the disAbility is not the focus is a good start! But where is it going from here? Is that it? No info on anything current or future.  

Under “Events” tab it looks similar. The latest event was in January, 2004 and says that CBS has partnered with the NON-TRADITIONAL CASTING PROJECT {NTCP} to have a two-part workshop for television casting directors to provide them with important background and information on specific disabilities and working with performers with a disability. How about hiring television casting directors that have a disAbility?  

Again education is a step in the right direction but this was 4 years ago. What has been done since? What will be done in the future? IF they are doing anything substantial would this not be the place to highlight it? 

CBS/Paramount television page again only has a single statement on diversity and does have contact information as does their Showtime cable television division. The Showtime statement says, “We at Showtime expect that each one of us will continue to acknowledge and respect the unique qualities and contributions of our co-workers, subscribers, and customers. Only by doing so can we continue to remain profitable, competitive, and an industry leader in Diversity.” Rather bold statement, an industry leader in Diversity. I do applaud them in their original programming as I enjoy much of it and it does have more then just those that center on race but also have “The L Word” that provides a voice and representation for those in the lesbian community but I wonder if any of the writers, directors and actors are lesbians and providing the show with authenicity. I am happy that those within the gay, lesbian and transgender community are represented in many programs and for a ratio comparison only let's revisit the numbers. There are approximately 15 million gay, lesbian and transgenders in America. Some have said to me that there are many more and this estimate that I got from MTV when promoting their television network, Logo that features programs and people form the gay, lesbian and transgender community. You could triple that number and still not meet the 54+ million with a disAbility.I just would like a program and not even a whole netwrok that features an authentic program and people with a disAbility! 

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MINORITY MEDIA EXECUTIVES

Here is an association, a non-profit company that has minority and media in the name! But is also only considering race as a minority. Here is what they say on their website, “Today, NAMME is the only organization of managers and executives of color working in both news and business operations, across all media-related fields, uniting diverse leaders across departments and across cultures.” 

NAMIC 

Here is another one that when I Googled I got at the top of my results and read as “NAMIC: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for MINORITIES IN COMMUNICATIONS. Only when I clicked on them they have changed there name by taking out the word MINORITY and replacing it with MULTI-ETHNICITY. Well as least that properly reflects that they are for racial minorities in the communications industry and not considering any other minorities in their group. And they didn’t have to change their abbreviated name! 

MINORITY MEDIA AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL 

“The Minority Media and Telecommunications Council (MMTC) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving equal opportunity and civil rights in the mass media and telecommunications industries. MMTC is generally recognized as the nation's leading advocate for minority advancement in communications. We strongly believe that the breathtaking changes in communications technology and the new global forms of media partnerships must enhance diversity in the 21st century.” This is what is listed on the home page for their website at: www.mmtconline.orgIt also has a link to their statement of the FCC’s Minority Ownership Decision on December 18, 2007 that lists the approved proposals. Not a single word in any ot this website or that statement can there be found “disability”. It is all racial descriptions in the Minority statements. This is so common in the industry as shown here – minorities in their definition only include race. All other minorities do not count.  

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 

While speaking of business I have to say that after working to make an independent production company that features those with a disability and is owned by a persone with a disability, I created all the business documents and formed all that was necessary. It took a lot of effort and time but I am very happy with my results. But I am not happy with how that is accepted or rather not accepted! The Small Business Administration is the same way and does not include disability owned business under their Disadvantaged groups that can be qualified for special programs to help those who would be discriminated against by traditional funding through banks by the SBA. The only way to get that status this is automatically given to companies owned by those of a minority race is to petition the SBA with an explanation that describes and show proof on how those with a disability are economically or socially disadvantaged. Are you serious? Where less than a third of those with a disability are employed full time and the social discrimination is so obvious in nearly all cases and I have to prove this to the SBA to be considered under their disadvantaged small business classification and be able to get considered for their Microloan and all other loan guarantee programs. I did not apply because while I was making this discovery I had been informed by a few with experience in this, that the SBA and the banks that work with them do not consider businesses in the entertainment field to be a worthy risk regardless of the situation.  

This was after I spent months writing a complete business plan with financial projections. And another major avenue for me putting Abilities United Productions on the map has been denied. So with all business means closed to me, I turned to the entertainment industry. Surely there are programs and people who will help one of their own especially one who will bring such a correction to the industry wide and history long stereotypes and discrimination that they are so guilty of. Where is it? Diversity programs? Taking it directly to the producers and studio executives? I have and nobody has responded to welcome this kind of programming, this diversity with an authentic voice and representation, with a real justice for those with a disAbility. The programs listed on this page is another example of this that I am faced with daily in my attempts to provide this voice and representation.  

GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS 

We’ve covered some of the industries diversity programs and the business programs that help those who are disadvantaged and we see that they do not help those with a disAbility – despite being the largest and fastest growing minority in America. Now let’s show some of the government programs. Surely there is plenty of help there? 

MEDIA ACCESS OFFICE 

The Media Access Office is not easy to find through even an internet search online and is primarily known for its “Media Access Awards” which is an annual event that is “Celebrating Disability in the Entertainment Industry.”  Online information can be found on the “Friends of Californians with Disabilities” website which is at http://www.disabilityemployment.org where a link to the Media Access Office page can be found. Here it is stated:  “The purpose of the Media Access Office is to actively promote the employment and accurate portrayal of persons with disabilities in all areas of the media and entertainment industry, ensuring that the industry recognizes people with disabilities as part of cultural diversity.” 

The Media Access Office is supported by many and has been around for some time as also stated on their homepage:  “The Media Access Office was established in 1980 by the California Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, and entertainment and media industry professionals. They recognized the need to provide a liaison between performers with disabilities and the media and entertainment industry. The Media Access Office is currently administered with assistance from the State Employment Development Department and is guided by a Subcommittee comprised of professionals representing all facets of the entertainment and media industry. The office is also supported in part by the Friends of the California Governor's Committee on Employment of People With Disabilities, Inc., a private, non-profit (501) c(3) organization.” 

Every person I talk to that is a person with a disability working or wanting to work in the entertainment field and many who are able bodied will refer to the Media Access Office. I look forward to working closely with the Media Access Office to move Abilities United Productions as the premier motion picture and television production company that exclusively features an authentic voice and representation of those with a disAbility.  

THE FUTURE 

It takes more then just one active program that promotes and celebrates those with a disability in the entertainment industry. More then the huge parent corporations of the studios and network television to have merely an “outreach” program to comply with political correctness. As I mentioned above if all of this help COMBINED still has not produced an authentic voice and representation then it is a start but needs to go further.    It is going to take more then a single movie to change the stereotypes, end the discrimination and make a change for the better in American Cinema to reflect society as it is rather then to perpetuate the hiding, ignoring and dismissing of those with a disAbility. It will take more then me with Abilities United film projects and will take the support of those in the entertainment field with and without a disAbility to push this forward just as other causes within the entertainment field were pushed and in some cases still being pushed for a fair and equal representation of their voices.