Posted on 03/12/2021 9:24:41 AM PST by EdnaMode
When it comes to diversity, inclusion and representation, Hollywood is far from where it needs to be, but we are seeing progress. However, there are many blind spots that have been overlooked and cracks in the foundation that are growing bigger and bigger each day. If it doesn’t fix them, the industry will have more problems than it can repair — one of them being the undervaluing of Black-led projects.
McKinsey & Company released a study about the film and TV industry that is both not that surprising but is very eye-opening when it comes to the work that needs to be done to achieve equality in front of and behind the camera. The research is the first integrated view of the data and reveals the many barriers that Black talent encounters across the film and TV-production ecosystem. It also shines a light on the economic impact of those inequities and offers solutions to bolster inclusivity.
The company analyzed data on more than 2,000 films and interviewed dozens of industry professionals, including writers, directors, producers, agents, actors, and executives, and collaborated with the BlackLight Collective, a coalition of Black executives and talent in the industry, including Franklin Leonard of The Black List.
The research found that media and entertainment make up a bedrock industry with revenues of nearly $150 billion each year. That said, Hollywood has the potential to gain an additional $10 billion in annual revenues — which amounts to nearly 7% more than its baseline — by addressing the racial inequities. Specifically, McKinsey found that Black-led projects have been consistently underfunded and undervalued even though there has been evidence that is clear as day that they outperform other properties when it comes to a return on their investment. This aligns with a report from the UCLA-based Center for Scholars and Storytellers titled “Beyond Checking A Box: A Lack of Authentically Inclusive Representation Has Costs at the Box Office” that was released in October 2020.
In addition, the term “representation matters” continues to ring true on-screen and behind the scenes. Black talent is underrepresented across the industry particularly in off-screen roles such as producer, director and writer. The one caveat here is that there is significant representation in these roles if at least one senior member of the production is Black. Other than that, Black talent behind the camera has not improved over the past 15 years.
Looking at positions of creative control, the research shows that less than 6% of Hollywood films’ writers, directors, and producers are Black.
When it comes to the talent in front of the camera, the study found that up and coming Black actors receive significantly fewer chances to make their mark in leading roles than white actors. In their first 10 years of work, emerging Black actors get an average of 6 leading roles, while their white counterparts get 9.
McKinsey also unpacks the concept of the “Black tax”, a fee that Black professionals in film and TV often need to pay. This “tax” can be considered literal or a metaphor where Black professionals have to fight — or pay out of pocket — for what others can take for granted, or needing to advocate for greater racial equity on their own. This is an unfair burden that falls in the lap of Black talent or creatives who could otherwise be honing their craft and focusing on their own careers.
At the top of the Hollywood food chain, there is a severe underrepresentation of Black people in decision-making and leadership roles. Black professionals hold few executive C-suite roles throughout the industry. For context, the study found that 87% of TV executives and 92% of film executives are white. The film industry, in particular, remains disproportionately white, ranking last among industries and behind sectors such as energy and finance. To add to that, the agents and executive staff at the industry’s top three talent agencies were about 90% white — and the partners at these agencies were 97% white.
In order to drive change, break down hidden barriers that reinforce the racial status quo in the problematic Hollywood ecosystem, McKinsey offered four steps that streaming companies, studios, agencies, and other industry players can take to advance racial equity in entertainment and beyond. For one, companies need to ensure diverse representation — especially among off-screen talent and executives. Secondly, there needs to be an increase in transparency and accountability. Third, these companies need to seek and financially support a wide range of Black stories. And finally, these institutions must collaborate and create an independent advocacy organization to coordinate action across the ecosystem.
To read the full McKinsey study click here.
Mel Gibson made a boatload of money from “The Passion of the Christ”. But I think Christians and Christian-themed movies are underrepresented. Weird, huh?
Ping.
Maybe my dollars don’t count, but the more woke the film (overly and self-consciously black, trans, or feminist), the less eyeball time it gets from me.
A self-serving study, I expect.
Oh FFS, this is just ridiculous
Yes, so the Lakers need to let 8 white guys be on the team, using that rationale.
Good luck breaking into the “top levels” of Hollywood. And the money in Hollywood is NOT the actors.
Imagine how much the people in charge make if the actors gets $10-20 million per project. Those folks are not going to “let that go.”
This is Steve Mnuchin territory.
It’s the case in advertising now
How many times have we heard the like of this?
- “It’s worth [or I’m worth] XXXX, but I can only get YYYY.”
Uh huh.
Hollywood makes a product and now want to make a product that no one wants
Great news.
Follywood goes Woke and you know what comes next!
Two peoples that deserve one another, blacks and “Hollywood” management.
Ask any old man about his life.
He will tell you about how he overcame obstacles through persistent effort.
It’s a universal story.
Old women used to tell you about their families, but we’ve been changing them into men for years now.
Hollywood can make more films about Americans of African Descent overcoming obstacles and being successful.
Honestly, I’ve seen enough of them.
I am glad when an American of African Descent is successful because of hard work and intelligent decisions.
I just don’t need to pay $12 to see another film of it.
Sorry.
13% of the population expects to get more than 50% of the roles and jobs in Hollywood.
Excerpt from article
McKinsey & Company released a study...The company...collaborated with the BlackLight Collective, a coalition of Black executives and talent in the industry...
I think I get the gist of this.
“McKinsey also unpacks”
What, a suitcase? Stupid writer.
Go woke go broke. There are already many American’s turned off to Hollywood’s hypocrascy & the foisting of illogical and fictitious social justice on Americans by the movies they release. Their math is based on fallacious reasoning and they will not prosper by doubling down.
$10 billion? Why not $10.5 billion. Or $9 billion?
Figures lie and liars figure.
“87% of film executives are white”
Are they really white ?
Then go back and make Blax-Exploitation movies like they did in the 1970’s, they hit the market and made a lot of money then. Bring back Rudy Ray Moore and Shaft.
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