Dec. 28, 2023

Casting for Change: Diversity in the Film and TV Industry

Diversity in casting has been a hot topic in recent times as the film and TV industry strives for greater representation. Inclusivity has opened doors for underrepresented communities however concerns regarding tokenism and prioritisation arise amidst the push. By: Wee Yan Ling

The effort in trying to represent the rich tapestry of communities on screen has given rise to the topic of diversity in casting. However, the road for adopting practices that pushes for diverse casting practices is not one without obstacles. 

The main benefit for diverse casting is its ability to push for inclusivity and resonate with audiences behind screens. As underrepresented communities are presented, this helps the minorities find a voice and platform in the industry. It is also powerful when authentic representation is employed as it breaks stereotypes perpetuated over the centuries and helps to portray ethnicities, genders and cultures in a raw and unfiltered state.

With reference to data obtained from Adobe in 2019, 66% of African Americans and 53% of Latinax Americans felt their ethnicity was portrayed stereotypically in advertisements. Another study by Think With Google in the same year had revealed that 64% of consumers took action after seeing an advertisement that they considered diverse and inclusive which highlights the importance of authentic representation and the positive attributes it can bring through.

However, the film and TV industry did not make expectations as figures concluded that only 4% of film lead roles went to women and 26.6% were given to people of colour in the same year of 2018. This underscores the obstacles in achieving impartial representation for minorities. 

Amidst the push for diversity, issues surrounding tokenism and the potential dilution of talent prioritisation have occurred. The idea that individuals from underrepresented groups might be included for their appearance rather than their capabilities is a resounding issue that is complex to deal with.

To counter this issue, theatres and production companies have implemented blind casting. This approach prioritises the selection of an actor best for the role without taking into account their attributes, such as gender, race, sexual orientation just to name a few. This implementation is laudable, however the practice toward this method has surfaced its own set of intricacies.

Casting against type is another viable method when it comes to countering conventional perceptions as it allows for more opportunities for actors as they are not limited to being stereotyped. This method allows for more nuanced and intricate [performances which boosts the overall storytelling experience. 

Diversity in casting is salient as it advances storytelling technique by imbuing it with authentic and diverse representations. However, the waters must be navigated with caution in order to avoid potential pitfalls in the industry. 

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