Negative social media reaction to the recent Academy Award nominations made it clear that Americans are growing increasingly critical of Hollywood for failing to include and reward people of color who work in and produce mainstream films.
In December, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences drew much criticism after Academy members neglected to nominate Ava DuVernay for Best Director and David Oyelowo for Best Actor in the acclaimed civil rights movement drama Selma.
Critics have long pointed to such Oscar snubs as symptomatic of Hollywood’s inattention to diversity in the U.S. film and television entertainment industry.
In an effort to raise industry and public awareness around film and TV diversity, researchers at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism announced last month that the school’s Media, Diversity, & Social Change (MDSC) Initiative will conduct an annual survey and grade Hollywood firms on their diversity efforts. The annual survey is titled the Comprehensive Analysis and Report on Diversity (CARD) and it will report on how well major entertainment companies facilitate “diversity in hiring, casting, and content” in film, television and digital platforms.
“In 2013, there were 17 films among the top 100 grossing movies that featured not one Black or African-American speaking character. Across 600 popular films between 2007 and 2013, just two [films] were directed by Black women,” said Dr. Stacy Smith, director of the MDSC Initiative, in a statement.
“Clearly, not one group or one company is solely responsible for the lack of diversity on-screen or behind the camera. … We need a broader look at who is doing well, and who needs to step up their game. The USC Annenberg CARD will do just that,” she explained.
As part of the CARD research, MDSC researchers will examine the chain of command at major media companies to document diversity in executive suite decision-making. Aspects of on-screen diversity spanning film, TV and digital content — including gender, race/ethnicity and LGBT representation — will be analyzed and graded. Smith will manage the USC Annenberg CARD.
