Proposal: Redefining the Roles of Minorities in the Production of Media

Everyday stereotypes.

    On television and in the media as a whole, characters of certain ethnicities are displayed to perpetuate a particular stereotype. Whether it be the black friend who is entirely too loud and sassy, or the asian character who is pinned as the sex symbol, or even the overall submissive female character whom plays a reoccurring role. Regardless of how untrue these stereotypes are, producers and those part of the behind the scene cultivation of such productions can't seem to abandon the storyline. For my project I want to focus on just that, the behind the scene production and the people involved. By going to the root of those who are involved in the process, I feel that can be a catalyst by means of ending stereotypical typecasting. 

Comparison of Male and Female Roles Behind the scenes.

     The amount of women, not to mention women of color, working behind the scenes in the production process of television, movies and advertisements is  very low .This in itself should be alarming, but not completely suprising. When you think about it, it makes sense. Many shows that lack racial diversity or follow the status quo of gender rules, are proctored, produced and directed by a primarily white male board. By lacking in the amount of women or minorities involved in a board meeting, where ideas are pitched, creates a huge problem, because then that production is succumbed to only rely on the stereotypes since there is no input from the group being objectified.

     I'm thankful however, to know women who are not only minorities, but also play a vital role in the behind the scenes of production. A close friend of mine, Lauren Adams, is an African American woman who works as the camera woman and editor for USA Today Sports. Another woman, Isabel Del Rosal is the creator, editor, and director of a comedy sketch group, Smile for the Camera. With the aid of these two women, I want to create a short documentary, which asks them how they got to where they are and how do they think we can move past stereotypes in popular television culture. Aside from Lauren and Isabel, I want to interview friends as well, to see what their thoughts on this issue is as well. In the long run, I want to publish this video on YouTube and hopefully, it becomes a conversation that will get people thinking and eventually take an active role ending it. 

Lauzen, Ph.D., Martha. "The Celluloid Ceiling: Behind-the-Scenes Employment of Women on the Top 250 Films of 2014." 1 Jan. 2015. Web. 30 Mar. 2015. <http://womenintvfilm.sdsu.edu/files/2014_Celluloid_Ceiling_Report.pdf>.