The entertainment industry, a playground for the privileged few, with white male voices dominating the scene for decades. But the times are changing, pushing for a more diverse representation in Hollywood is sending a shockwave throughout. 

Ethnic Media Services hosted a media briefing on August 25th, leading the charge, working tirelessly to ensure that all voices are heard in Hollywood. From advocating for change within the industry to providing a platform for underrepresented voices, these groups are making waves and demanding that Hollywood tell stories that reflect the diversity of our world. Of course, in true South Asian fashion, we flew right under the radar.

Speakers

Michael Tran, Co-Author of the Hollywood Diversity Report, Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Sociology, UCLA, and a Graduate Student Researcher with the Hollywood Advancement Project; Fanny Grande, CEO of Avenida Productions, is a Venezuelan American Award-winning Filmmaker, Actor, and Director; Takashi Cheng, Executive Director of Chime TV- America’s only English-language AAPI entertainment network; Adargiza De Los Santos, is an Afro-Latina Actor and Director (EMS).
  • Michael Tran, Co-Author of the Hollywood Diversity Report, Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Sociology, UCLA, and a Graduate Student Researcher with the Hollywood Advancement Project
  • Fanny Grande, CEO of Avenida Productions, is a Venezuelan American Award-winning Filmmaker, Actor, and Director 
  • Takashi Cheng, Executive Director of Chime TV – America’s only English-language AAPI entertainment network
  • Adargiza De Los Santos, is an Afro-Latina Actor and Director 

One of the key issues that has been raised by Ethnic Media Services is the lack of representation for people of color in creative jobs in Hollywood. According to a report by the Hollywood Diversity Report, people of color are significantly underrepresented in creative jobs in the entertainment industry. For example, in 2019, only 16.8% of film directors were people of color, and only 13.9% of film writers were people of color. Lets face it, the lack of representation shapes the stories told to a one-sided narrative.

As Michael Tran, co-author of the Hollywood Diversity Report, explains, “When you have a lack of diversity in the creative jobs, you end up with a lack of diversity in the stories that are told. You end up with a narrow range of perspectives and experiences, and that’s not good for anyone.”

This lack of diversity in storytelling has been a major issue for many years. For example, in the 1990s, there was a growing movement for more diverse representation in Hollywood. Groups like the NAACP preached that Hollywood didn’t accurately represent people of color.

Despite all this, progress has been taking its sweet time. As of recent, however, a more diverse representation in Hollywood has been the talk of the town. By hiring more people of color in creative jobs, Hollywood brings a wider range of perspectives and experiences in the stories told, so we may escape the clichés and get fresh views.

But we are far from over. As Sandy Close, executive director of Ethnic Media Services, explains, “We need to keep pushing for change. We need to keep advocating for more diversity and representation in Hollywood. It’s not just about access to jobs and creative opportunities, it’s about shaping how our stories are told and how diverse communities are seen inside and outside our borders.”

It’s not all gray, Hollywood has had a greater representation for the other ethnic groups. For example, there have been a number of successful films and television shows in recent years that have been created by people of color. Shows like “Reservation Dogs” and “Rutherford Falls,” which were created by Native American writers. “Crazy Rich Asians,” was directed by an Asian American filmmaker and there’s so much more.

Luckily this ray of sunlight can be more widely dispersed. Michael Tran sees a, “more diverse voices in Hollywood, and that’s a good thing. But we need to keep pushing for more. We need to make sure that all voices are heard, and that everyone has a chance to tell their own story.”

For many years, Hollywood has been ruled by the white and by the men. Diversity is key, and we are starting slowly see the shift in the entertainment industry. Progress may have been slow, but there have been some promising developments, with the release of blockbuster movies, becoming a social action of sorts. A long way is still to go. 

There is discernible advancement of the LatinX community, the Asian American community, and people of color. But when it comes to South Asians, we are known to be slick, shy and work under the radar for the most part. It’s time to turn up the heat.