Ellavated Learning: Black Representation in the Film Industry
By: Hildana Haileyesus
Movies and television are a major cultural connection point. At the core, movies and films are designed to tell compelling stories. Stories of the past, stories of pure imagination and stories of a better future. Within the context of Black History Month, it is important to discuss the ways in which the stories that are most widely told often don’t include Black people and when they do- it is in a very limited context.
At the start of February, almost every streaming platform introduces a package of movies and shows that are recommended as “must watches” for celebrating and telling Black stories. One theme that is consistent in these movies is the telling and retelling of the traumas of the Black experience. In our cultural canon, stories of Black joy, love and whimsy are harder to find than stories of Black pain and suffering. One reason for this gap in representation is the lack of diversity in high-impact roles for the off-screen positions, such as writers, directors, and producers.
A Mckinsey study of the film industry between 2015 and 2019 found that only 6% of released films had a Black director, only 6% had a Black producer and only 4% had a Black writer. The same study found that the presence of at least one Black off-screen talent (producer, writer, director) significantly increases the likelihood of Black talent being part of the creative project. For example, if a film has at least one Black producer, there is a 73% chance that there is at least one Black writer on the project whereas films with no Black producers have a less than 1% chance of having a Black writer. As a result, Black off-screen talent end up being responsible for increasing diversity in the industry.
This is an incredible burden for Black creatives who already have significant barriers to entry. Film and movies are notorious for their unpaid internships and entry-level positions that often have very poor compensation. This requires creatives to pursue their dream without many financial prospects in the early stages- an issue for those without well-resourced families. This along with other barriers such as biased behaviors from guilds, unions, and agencies and the referral networks that many Black creatives don’t have access to results in significant challenges. With fewer black voices in these creative rooms, the stereotypical perspectives of film executives take precedence over the lived experiences of Black people and the same stories get retold.
Films and T.V shows impact culture significantly and often become the blueprint for our perception of society. Media has the power to spread misinformation, exacerbate stereotypes or present a diversity of perspectives and experiences. When we are not intentional about telling the holistic story of a group of people, we erase narratives and choose ease and comfort over quality and depth. DEI touches every facet of the world we live in and as members of this society, we have the power to indicate what matters to us by cultivating our institutions to reflect our values. This Black History Month…and every other month, take the opportunity to watch a film or show that celebrates Black joy, Black love and the diverse experiences of Black people.
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