Hollywood’s New Era: Diversity on Screen
Over the past few years, gross changes have typified Hollywood as they propel it into a new age of unprecedented on-screen diversity. This shift is one of the great depths in the industrial landscape again, not something of a fashion, but it reflects a growing recognition of how much representation and diversity matter within storytelling. Shift in Narrative: Hollywood’s New Era Historically, one has criticised Hollywood for what appears to be an inability to move beyond the repeated use of specific actors in similar roles and for its tendency to ignore minority voices. Over the last ten years, this has dramatically changed. From blockbuster franchises to independent films, there is this new symbiosis showing a broader spectrum of characters, stories, and viewpoints. This change has been fanned by social movements, audience cravings, and a new crop of filmmakers committed to including diversity in their work. The #OscarsSoWhite movement in 2015 kicked things into gear. It put into the mainstream consciousness what is, frankly, an unbelievable fact that very few Academy Award nominees and winners were diverse in any way, shape, or form. This then sparked the much-needed conversation about inclusive representation to follow. Now, such conversations extend beyond the bounds of the award shows, taking hold throughout the larger entertainment industry, which shifts, in very concrete ways, how stories are told and who does the telling. Diverse Representation in Big Films and Series Perhaps one of the most visible signs of a changed Hollywood will be the diversified representation of characters and stories in big-ticket films and television shows. The movies, along with Black Panther and Crazy Rich Asians, have not only received their fair share of awards but have also proven that a film with an all-non-white cast can do wonders at the box office. It did the same thing Black Panther did by having an all-Black cast and representing African culture, while Crazy Rich Asians brought forward Asian culture and the different ethnicities among them. One also finds a wave of diversity in television. Pose, Schitt’s Creek, and Never Have I Ever are some of the shows that bring new insights just by including a major proportion comprising LGBTQ+ characters, different family dynamics, and immigrant parents’ children. The stereotyping of their respective characters has been broken, and more authentic portrayals, multi-dimensional, are portrayed through these shows which help bring in an inclusive culture and experiences among people. The Rise of Inclusive Storytelling Equally important has been the rise of diverse voices behind the camera. Filmmakers such as Ava DuVernay, Barry Jenkins, and Lulu Wang make varied stories accessible and enable more depth regarding their respective communities and experiences. Take DuVernay’s 13th: on its terms, it becomes a rallying cry for how race, justice, and mass incarceration converge, while Wang’s The Farewell gives a bittersweet glimpse into the immigrant experience and family ties through the lens of culture. Notable in this new era of opening up to diverse cultures and different perspectives is the role played by streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. These not only serve as a host for more varied content but also permit greater experimentation and diversity in storytelling. Diversity’s Impact on the Industry The Diversity Revolution Leaves an Indelible Mark. Myths are shattered, and audiences can see a much more detailed and nuanced world. By reflecting the real diversities of the human experience, Hollywood’s new era makes one empathise with its view, breaking barriers and building bridges across cultures. Greater on-screen diversity may also serve as an inspiration to a whole new wave of filmmakers and actors from under-represented backgrounds. Seeing like-minded people in lead roles and complex characters encourages them to take up careers in the industry and create a more diversified talent bank of skills and perspectives. Yet, while progress has been made, there is much more that should be done. It should continue controlling the under-representation of different groups, establishing more leadership from its ranks, and providing and sharing opportunities and resources equitably. It is important that Hollywood stays committed to diversity and ensures it is something other than a momentary trend but an intrinsic characteristic of its future. Conclusion Surely, the new age of diversity in Hollywood is one to be hailed as good—one that reflects a far greater shift in society and, at the same time, an ever-more voracious public appetite for diverse storytelling. The industry shall engage in this broadening of voices and perspectives, further deepening their stories and contributing to a society with more understanding and consideration toward different opinions. It’s a changing Hollywood. Embracing this change, celebrate it so that the screen tells exactly what it is: a diversified world that we live in.
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