Diversity and Representation in Film and Television: Progress and Challenges

Diversity and representation in film and television have become increasingly important topics in recent years. While the entertainment industry has made some progress in showcasing diverse stories and talent, such as the critically acclaimed series "Pose" featuring a predominantly LGBTQ+ cast and the hit sitcom "Fresh Off the Boat" centered on an Asian-American family, there is still much work to be done.

This article will cover:

The current state of diversity in Hollywood
Challenges preventing full representation
Efforts to increase diversity and inclusion
Why representation matters

By looking at these points, we can better understand the complex issue of diversity in entertainment and the steps needed to create meaningful change.

The current state of diversity in film and television

Is there truly a lack of representation in Hollywood? According to a 2023 Time Magazine article, despite discussions about the need for better representation onscreen, a review of 1600 top-grossing films from 2007 to 2022 showed no significant shift in representation in terms of gender, race and ethnicity, LGBTQ+ identity, or disabilities. The 2020 UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report also found that people of color remained underrepresented on screen in 2019, with just 27.6% of lead roles in films and 24.0% in scripted TV shows.

However, there have been recent improvements. Films like "Black Panther" and "Crazy Rich Asians" are examples of films that broke barriers and showcased the power of diverse storytelling, tackling issues of race, gender, and cultural identity. Television has also seen an increase in diverse programming with shows like "Atlanta" and "Superstore."

Moreover, diverse talent has gained increased recognition at major awards shows, with the 2020 Academy Awards making history as "Parasite," a Korean movie, became the first non-English language film to win Best Picture.

Despite these strides, consistent and proportional representation is still lacking across various marginalized groups. The LGBT community, for example, remains significantly underrepresented, with only 10.2% of regular characters on broadcast scripted primetime TV identified as LGBT in the 2019-2020 season.

In short, while Hollywood has made some progress in recent years, the industry still has significant work to do to achieve genuine diversity and representation across all identities.

Challenges in achieving diversity

Why is it hard to get more diversity in the film and television industry? Well, some challenges are deeply ingrained in the system, and require a concerted effort from all to overcome.

Underrepresentation of certain groups

One of the most pressing issues is the underrepresentation of certain groups, such as the LGBTQ+ community and people with disabilities. As mentioned above, only a low percentage of series regular characters on broadcast scripted primetime TV were LGBTQ+. Characters with disabilities remain even more scarce—only 2.8% of series regular characters had disabilities in 2021, which is below the actual percentage of people with disabilities in the United States.

This underrepresentation persists due to a lack of understanding and awareness among decision-makers, as well as a fear of alienating certain audiences.

Lack of diversity in leadership and behind-the-scenes roles

The shortage of diversity in leadership and behind-the-scenes roles is another significant challenge. A 2020 report by McKinsey & Company found that only 6% of Hollywood studio heads were people of color. Additionally, across all directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers in Hollywood, women make up just 34% of these positions, while men account for 66%.

This is difficult to change because of entrenched networks and resistance to giving up power and control. Those in positions of authority may be hesitant to take risks on new, diverse talents, preferring to stick with familiar faces and ideas. Of course, the results are an insufficiency of diverse voices in decision-making positions and a cycle of limited representation on screen.

Stereotypical and tokenized portrayals

Stereotypical and tokenized portrayals also continue to be a problem, such as:

Black Americans, especially women, being perceived as poor, uneducated, unfeminine, promiscuous, and enjoying fried chicken; and
Asians represented as lacking traditional masculine qualities or as being uninterested in romantic relationships (men), or portrayed as objects of desire, with their cultural backgrounds exoticized and their personalities shown as submissive (women).

Overcoming these stereotypes is challenging because they are deeply ingrained in societal attitudes and biases. This reinforces harmful stereotypes and limits the diversity of stories being told.

Limited opportunities for diverse storytelling

Hollywood tends to rely on familiar formulas and established intellectual properties (IPs) due to the industry's focus on risk reduction and the pursuit of immediate mass audience appeal, which leads to the producers making money. An example of this is the multiple number of Spider-Man movies.

This reliance on established formulas and stories makes it challenging for fresh, diverse voices to break through and share their unique perspectives.

Initiatives and solutions

Various initiatives and solutions have been proposed and implemented to address the challenges faced in achieving diversity and representation in film and television. Let’s take a look at some.

Industry-wide commitments to diversity and inclusion

One key approach is securing industry-wide commitments to diversity and inclusion. Organizations like the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have taken steps to diversify their membership and ensure more representation in awards categories, making it a goal back in 2016 to double the number of women and underrepresented ethnic/racial communities by 2020. This sends a strong message that diversity is a priority and encourages others in the industry to follow suit.

Diversity and inclusion programs within studios and networks

Studios and networks have also begun implementing their own diversity and inclusion programs. These initiatives often focus on recruiting and nurturing diverse talent through mentorship, training, and targeted opportunities. For example, WarnerMedia's Access Programs provide development and networking opportunities for aspiring actors from historically marginalized groups, including individuals with disabilities, Indigenous, MENA, and Trans communities.

Empowering diverse creators and decision-makers

When people from underrepresented groups are given positions of power and influence, they can champion diverse stories and ensure more authentic representation. Such an initiative is NBC's Female Forward program, which aims to increase the number of female directors in television. Similar to this is Ryan Murphy’s Half Initiative, which has the goal of having an inclusive entertainment industry by providing opportunities for women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and minorities behind the camera.

Supporting and amplifying diverse voices and stories

Support is more than agreeing that there needs to be change; it involves actively seeking out and investing in diverse creators and promoting these stories to a wider audience. Organizations like the Sundance Institute's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion program provide resources and support for underrepresented filmmakers

The impact of representation

Representation in film and television has far-reaching effects that extend beyond the entertainment industry. For members of underrepresented groups, seeing themselves reflected in media can have positive effects on self-esteem, identity formation, and a sense of belonging. When children see characters who look like them or share their experiences, it validates their existence and shows them that their stories matter, such as the reaction of black children to Halle Bailey’s black Little Mermaid.

Representation also has the power to encourage empathy and understanding among audiences. When viewers are exposed to diverse perspectives and experiences through storytelling, it can challenge stereotypes and promote greater acceptance. Shows like "Transparent" have been praised for their nuanced portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters, helping to foster understanding and empathy for these communities.

Finally, representation can challenge long-held assumptions and biases, leading to more inclusive and equitable societies and shifting attitudes. The impact of shows like “When They See Us" exemplifies how representation can raise awareness about social issues and inspire activism.

Final thoughts

The film and television industry has taken important steps towards better diversity and representation in recent years, but much work still needs to be done. While there have been successes like groundbreaking projects and increased recognition for diverse talent, challenges such as underrepresentation, stereotyping, and limited opportunities persist.

However, as audiences become more diverse, reflecting that diversity in media is critical. Therefore, the industry must prioritize diversity at all levels, from hiring practices to storytelling choices, to create entertainment that accurately reflects the world we live in. By doing so, the film and television industry can lead the way in promoting positive change and fostering a more inclusive society.