(L-R) Part of the Multi-Ethnic Coalition Sonny Skyhawk, George Takei & Edward James Olmos
Edward James Olmos, Sonny Skyhawk, George Takei Join Multi-Ethnic Coalition’s Calls to Talent Agencies for Collaboration
Los Angeles, CA —
Talent firms remain a major barrier to full inclusion of the nation’s diversity in television and film. According to the 2014 Hollywood Diversity Report by UCLA’s Bunche Center for African American Studies, “minority talent remained underrepresented on every front at the dominant agencies,” as directors, leads, creators, and writers in film and television.
That is a problem, given the “tremendous influence” major talent agencies wield, which continues to “shape the labor market of the film and television industry.” Without representation, especially in the top talent firms, people of color are denied a fair chance at advancing their careers in the entertainment industry.
The coalition, which includes American Indians in Film and Television, Asian Pacific American Media Coalition, NAACP Hollywood Bureau, and National Hispanic Media Coalition, will be contacting major talent agencies for meetings to discuss their diversity efforts. Since 1999, the coalition has met annually with the top four television networks–ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC-pushing for better inclusion of minorities both in front of and behind the camera to more accurately reflect the reality of America’s diverse population.
Prominent entertainment industry figures of color urged the agencies to meet with the coalition.
“It’s long past time for Hollywood talent agencies to get it right and tap into the incredible talent pool of Latinos and other people of color that has always existed. I urge the agencies to work with the experts on diversity, the Multi Ethnic Media Coalition, to move the needle on inclusion.” –Edward James Olmos“Although the major talent agencies are located in Los Angeles, the most diverse city in the world, they seem largely unaware of the amazing talent that exists in communities right under their noses. They should partner with these coalitions for their mutual benefit: more representation and jobs for Asian American and other actors of color, and more dollars for the agencies.” – George Takei“Despite demographic changes and technological advances, talent agencies are still in the Dark Ages when it comes to providing and casting people of color in general, and that is totally unacceptable. We challenge them to enter the 21st. century of reality, and the Multi-Ethnic Media Coalition stands ready to work together, shoulder to shoulder, to help them not only change that negative dynamic, but to be inclusive of the reality and present make-up of American audiences and performers.” — Sonny Skyhawk, founder of American Indians In Film & Television, and 37-year member of the Screen Actors Guild“We live and work in more demographically and culturally diverse towns and cities. It is time that those in front of the cameras and behind them represent and reflect present day communities. We’re calling on the Agencies to recognize the changes from the communities to the viewing audiences and change business as usual to include more people of color on your teams, in your pitches, on the screens and behind the scenes. Diversity isn’t just good business, it’s the only business and should be reflected everywhere in Hollywood.” – Robin Harrison, NAACP Hollywood Bureau
The Multi-Ethnic Media Coalition’s call to meet with the talent agencies comes after entertainment industry outlet Deadline Hollywood ran an offensive article on the casting of people of color on television shows. The article included quotations from unnamed talent agents who seemed more inclined to complain about fewer opportunities for their white clients than seeking to expand their talent pools to include qualified people of color. This prompted a widespread community outcry, including a number of Hollywood celebrities of color who took to Twitter to speak out against the article. Deadline issued an apology on March 29.
The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is a media advocacy and civil rights organization for the advancement of Latinos, working towards a media that is fair and inclusive of Latinos, and towards universal, affordable, and open access to communications. Learn more at www.nhmc.org. Receive real-time updates on Facebook and Twitter @NHMC.
American Indians in Film and Television (AIIFT) is an advocacy group that endeavors to defend and enhance the interests of American Indians in the mediums of film, television and telecommunications.
The Asian Pacific American Media Coalition (APAMC) has agreements with ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC committing them to work to increase diversity on-screen and behind the camera. APAMC members include such organizations as the Asian American Justice Center, East West Players, Japanese American Citizens League, Media Action Network for Asian Americans, National Federation of Filipino American Associations, OCA, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, and Visual Communications.
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. You can read more about the NAACP’s work and our five “Game Changer” issue areas here.
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