I am a Black entertainment professional with over ten years of experience. When I apply for Manager and Director positions, I get told I need to start over in a support position. It insults me. I want to be an Executive. I do not want to roll calls for another two to three years. I see my non-Black peers job-hopping and advancing to Director and Vice President level without being advised to be the help!
I am the only Black employee at my entertainment company. Most recently when I asked for a modest increase I was told I make enough and I am welcome to leave if I am unhappy. Then, the virus happened and the company works from home. My boss has not reached out to ask how I am doing during the protests, there was no blackout, and he has not added the June 19 holiday to the annual holiday list despite other companies doing so. Every day, I wonder if I should quit and risk not being eligible for unemployment or stay and continue to be treated as if my contributions to the company do not matter and my emotional well-being does not matter. When I look at this executive list, I understand why it looks the way it does. There are many hardworking Black people in entertainment doing the right things (professional and educational) and treated as if they do not matter.
Are asians considered POC? Honestly asking, as an Asian-Am who is a senior executive at an entertainment company. I'm confused because I don't think Asians are typically considered POCs unless statistically convenient.
I would never work for the entertainment industry, no matter the money that would be offered. These pictures say it all. Especially Disney. Blacks were not allowed in Disneyland when it opened. Not much has changed I see with Disney. They reflect Disney himself. All this to say the content that we see in programming comes from these people, White people. Their view of the world, their life’s experiences, upbringing, etc. Their perspective of the world. It’s makes sense why minorities are often not represented or even shown. And when they are it’s always a version of what these White people think it is. I don’t believe it will change, too much money, etc involved. I have been Black for 64 years, hell we were “allowed” to vote in 1964. Racism is so ingrained that it is normal. So ingrained that a white woman recently said that Aunt Jemima, on the pancake box, looked like a happy, friendly mother cooking for her family. I think that sums it up.
as an African-American male attorney/creator who is in the process of launching my first project...this was not surprising...thanks for raising the issue!!!
I worked at Sony Pictures in the 90s and there was a sprinkle of blacks in charge. I worked in every department as a "floater" to the executives and when slated for a position in studio operations, having worked there for an entire year which was supposed to be a permanent position 3 months in, with salary agreed, the VP of that department fired me when the studio went through their crazy mandate of releasing one employee per department due to finances. As a floater, that crazy VP woman boss fired me (the 5th floater in that spot). I was the only floater who could tolerate her, the only one with a COLLEGE DEGREE, B.A. in that entire department (even that VP didn't have an AA ), and the only black person in that department. HR didn't intervene due to the layoff of one person in each department, but being that I was a floater, I didn't count. I heard she got let go. Hope so. Hope they let all those in HR go as a matter of fact. How could they wage me, give me a start date and allow her to drag it on 8 months later then allow her to use me as a pawn? I'm still in the industry but as a freelancer and scriptwriter. Doing good. Won't get a Masters because I truly believe having a degree made them jealous.
This is alarming. I knew it was bad but not this bad.
As an independent producer who has solid relationships with leaders in traditional and streaming services, it is a well guarded process, open only to celebrities, those already established in the business, and friends and family. The submission process is rigged and not intended or set up to allow new voices with new experiences, even when those voices/experiences have proven to be highly successful in other areas of entertainment...one would think they would be given the opportunity and resources afforded to others "under the table." Netflix used to support the up-and-coming and newbies. Now, they want pedigree...same old story. Same for Amazon, FB, Spotify and Apple. And those that are diverse and make it to the very top, forget to look back. The succession plan for this leadership is also white and mostly male, so there is little hope for change in the near or distant future. And when a person of color is hired, it's usually for the human resources or diversity & inclusion roles, the ghetto as it's fondly called.
A young female director applied for the ABC program for young writers and was denied participation in the application process because it was intended for professionals in mid-career stages. This is a woman who's financed, written, produced, and directed four short films and has a few great ideas for scripted series, all while working two jobs to keep her dream alive. But because she's Black and and not with the "it crowd," but working to survive and support her passion, she was told she couldn't participate in a program. If anyone with common sense was running the program, s/he would open it up to those who really need it...not those already inside. I'm so disgusted. People of color and women need to raise their voice with their credit cards. Cancel memberships to streamers, FB, YouTube, and stop watching traditional networks. Start buying books and patronizing independent bloggers and content creators. This needs to be the next revolution. Like most of America, Hollywood and the media industry won't get it...ever, unless it's forced upon them. For Hollywood, it's about protecting each other; continuing the status quo and making sure your circle of friends who've come up along the way with you continue to prosper with you. Forget about the changing demographic...that's tired news. They don't get it.
Let's face it, the people who gained the most by the civil rights movement were women—white women. But they've done very little to pay it forward to Black people for breaking the barrier that was holding them back too. Female leaders like Bonnie Hammer, Donna Langley, Gail Berman and others in senior roles have been not only complacent but strict enforcers of the status quo. As soon as they reached the top, they became part of the all boy (white) network.
Oh...can you do the same for YouTube and FB, Spotify, Instagram, and Apple?
Great reporting, something we all knew but great to see it laid out like this.
It's still a tough road for women as well in Hollywood. Very difficult to be taken seriously, get promoted up the corporate hollywood ladder. It's a white male run industry that's the facts and until these men retire or hand over the reigns it's probably not gonna change, sadly.
This is excellent work. Hollywood must truly diversify, including at the top. I am a white woman and I am sick of being on sets and entertainment offices with 99% white people (mostly white men). I once confronted a producer who had only cast POC as background and he said "there are no experienced actors of color in Canada". I wanted to throw up. It is incredibly hard to get into show business no matter what, but when you are a person of color it is 10x harder.
This is awesome! THANK YOU for putting in the time. As a white female trying to break into TV directing and knowing the nepotism of Hollywood this is quite depressing. I thought after the whole #metoo there would be considerable change by now. I'm hoping articles like this can hold accountability and we see more POC at the top! Ava Duvernays Array & Her show Queen Sugar are fine examples of how the industry could be. She has skyrocketed so many women directors careers through that show in the last 5 years!
Those in control don't want to relinquish power to anyone not in the club. You can tell by what is released on film and tv that there is no diversity. I have become selective in what I watch because there are racist subliminal message in most products coming out of Hollywood
Thanks for doing this. Black exec here.
I am a Black entertainment professional with over ten years of experience. When I apply for Manager and Director positions, I get told I need to start over in a support position. It insults me. I want to be an Executive. I do not want to roll calls for another two to three years. I see my non-Black peers job-hopping and advancing to Director and Vice President level without being advised to be the help!
I am the only Black employee at my entertainment company. Most recently when I asked for a modest increase I was told I make enough and I am welcome to leave if I am unhappy. Then, the virus happened and the company works from home. My boss has not reached out to ask how I am doing during the protests, there was no blackout, and he has not added the June 19 holiday to the annual holiday list despite other companies doing so. Every day, I wonder if I should quit and risk not being eligible for unemployment or stay and continue to be treated as if my contributions to the company do not matter and my emotional well-being does not matter. When I look at this executive list, I understand why it looks the way it does. There are many hardworking Black people in entertainment doing the right things (professional and educational) and treated as if they do not matter.
Are asians considered POC? Honestly asking, as an Asian-Am who is a senior executive at an entertainment company. I'm confused because I don't think Asians are typically considered POCs unless statistically convenient.
TRULY WELL DONE!!!! Thank YOU!
Thank you!!
I would never work for the entertainment industry, no matter the money that would be offered. These pictures say it all. Especially Disney. Blacks were not allowed in Disneyland when it opened. Not much has changed I see with Disney. They reflect Disney himself. All this to say the content that we see in programming comes from these people, White people. Their view of the world, their life’s experiences, upbringing, etc. Their perspective of the world. It’s makes sense why minorities are often not represented or even shown. And when they are it’s always a version of what these White people think it is. I don’t believe it will change, too much money, etc involved. I have been Black for 64 years, hell we were “allowed” to vote in 1964. Racism is so ingrained that it is normal. So ingrained that a white woman recently said that Aunt Jemima, on the pancake box, looked like a happy, friendly mother cooking for her family. I think that sums it up.
as an African-American male attorney/creator who is in the process of launching my first project...this was not surprising...thanks for raising the issue!!!
I worked at Sony Pictures in the 90s and there was a sprinkle of blacks in charge. I worked in every department as a "floater" to the executives and when slated for a position in studio operations, having worked there for an entire year which was supposed to be a permanent position 3 months in, with salary agreed, the VP of that department fired me when the studio went through their crazy mandate of releasing one employee per department due to finances. As a floater, that crazy VP woman boss fired me (the 5th floater in that spot). I was the only floater who could tolerate her, the only one with a COLLEGE DEGREE, B.A. in that entire department (even that VP didn't have an AA ), and the only black person in that department. HR didn't intervene due to the layoff of one person in each department, but being that I was a floater, I didn't count. I heard she got let go. Hope so. Hope they let all those in HR go as a matter of fact. How could they wage me, give me a start date and allow her to drag it on 8 months later then allow her to use me as a pawn? I'm still in the industry but as a freelancer and scriptwriter. Doing good. Won't get a Masters because I truly believe having a degree made them jealous.
I know you were discussing race.
But also interesting that majority of Americans are obese, but I only saw one person who was not "thin"
This is alarming. I knew it was bad but not this bad.
As an independent producer who has solid relationships with leaders in traditional and streaming services, it is a well guarded process, open only to celebrities, those already established in the business, and friends and family. The submission process is rigged and not intended or set up to allow new voices with new experiences, even when those voices/experiences have proven to be highly successful in other areas of entertainment...one would think they would be given the opportunity and resources afforded to others "under the table." Netflix used to support the up-and-coming and newbies. Now, they want pedigree...same old story. Same for Amazon, FB, Spotify and Apple. And those that are diverse and make it to the very top, forget to look back. The succession plan for this leadership is also white and mostly male, so there is little hope for change in the near or distant future. And when a person of color is hired, it's usually for the human resources or diversity & inclusion roles, the ghetto as it's fondly called.
A young female director applied for the ABC program for young writers and was denied participation in the application process because it was intended for professionals in mid-career stages. This is a woman who's financed, written, produced, and directed four short films and has a few great ideas for scripted series, all while working two jobs to keep her dream alive. But because she's Black and and not with the "it crowd," but working to survive and support her passion, she was told she couldn't participate in a program. If anyone with common sense was running the program, s/he would open it up to those who really need it...not those already inside. I'm so disgusted. People of color and women need to raise their voice with their credit cards. Cancel memberships to streamers, FB, YouTube, and stop watching traditional networks. Start buying books and patronizing independent bloggers and content creators. This needs to be the next revolution. Like most of America, Hollywood and the media industry won't get it...ever, unless it's forced upon them. For Hollywood, it's about protecting each other; continuing the status quo and making sure your circle of friends who've come up along the way with you continue to prosper with you. Forget about the changing demographic...that's tired news. They don't get it.
Let's face it, the people who gained the most by the civil rights movement were women—white women. But they've done very little to pay it forward to Black people for breaking the barrier that was holding them back too. Female leaders like Bonnie Hammer, Donna Langley, Gail Berman and others in senior roles have been not only complacent but strict enforcers of the status quo. As soon as they reached the top, they became part of the all boy (white) network.
Oh...can you do the same for YouTube and FB, Spotify, Instagram, and Apple?
Great reporting, something we all knew but great to see it laid out like this.
It's still a tough road for women as well in Hollywood. Very difficult to be taken seriously, get promoted up the corporate hollywood ladder. It's a white male run industry that's the facts and until these men retire or hand over the reigns it's probably not gonna change, sadly.
This is excellent work. Hollywood must truly diversify, including at the top. I am a white woman and I am sick of being on sets and entertainment offices with 99% white people (mostly white men). I once confronted a producer who had only cast POC as background and he said "there are no experienced actors of color in Canada". I wanted to throw up. It is incredibly hard to get into show business no matter what, but when you are a person of color it is 10x harder.
This is awesome! THANK YOU for putting in the time. As a white female trying to break into TV directing and knowing the nepotism of Hollywood this is quite depressing. I thought after the whole #metoo there would be considerable change by now. I'm hoping articles like this can hold accountability and we see more POC at the top! Ava Duvernays Array & Her show Queen Sugar are fine examples of how the industry could be. She has skyrocketed so many women directors careers through that show in the last 5 years!
wow, I am freaking impressed with Ur work here. Thank U.
Those in control don't want to relinquish power to anyone not in the club. You can tell by what is released on film and tv that there is no diversity. I have become selective in what I watch because there are racist subliminal message in most products coming out of Hollywood