I had a thought today, which is kind of dangerous for me anyway. I don't know if this is the right place to put this, but here goes. I see a lot of script requests that say things like, "looking for a script with diversity." I think these kinds of scripts are beautiful and in our society needed. When I see one, I know, "This producer is doing their part to encourage diversity." But then another thought strikes me. It is kind of sad when we live in a society where producers have to make a call for a specific sex, ethnicity. Every part in every film needs to be open for everyone regardless of race, sex, sexual identity etc. unless it calls for a specific ethnicity. I've written one script with a minority lead in mind as I wrote it. This morning it occurred to me, "I shouldn't have to do this." Every one of my scripts contains characters who could be filled by anyone of any ethnicity. I hope you know what I mean by this. I don't know if I phrased it very well.
Screenwriting : Diversity by Steven M. Cross
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Hey Steven, this is Karen from the Stage 32 team. I just wanted to let you know I moved your post from Acting to Screenwriting, as it fits much better there. Let me know if you have any questions, and all the best to you!
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I actually started to put it in screenwriting first.
Yeah, I'm just not sure what actors would have to say about it, but since screenwriters are the originators of the characters, they'd have more to contribute. Although, you could share a link to this discussion in the Filmmaking Lounge (https://www.stage32.com/lounge/directing) and see what directors think, too. Here's the link to this post: https://www.stage32.com/lounge/acting/Diversity
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I think we need to encourage the next generations of everyone. As a white male, I do see myself a lot on screen.
I had a casting conversation recently. A detective, the director thought male, I suggested female. Otherwise the only woman in the film would be wives and hookers.
Yes, equity means everyone, but some people start from a few miles back.
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I rarely mention race or physical descriptions unless it's relevant to the storyline. Seldom mention specific age for same reason.
When one of my thrillers was optioned, and looking close to going into production, I met with the producers in LA for 'lunch'. They pulled out their I-Pad and were showing me their list of Actors for the male and female leads. All white.
I looked at them and said, "You know, he could be black. Or her..." and left that hanging in the air.
"You're RIGHT! " they immediately began discussing possible casting.
This made me wonder - as a writer - what is my 'obligation' to diversity. Is it to 'precast' or to simply 'open cast' in my writing. Again, not speaking about a specific storyline that requires such casting - just as an open call.
I finally hit on this approach. I write 'open' casting for my characters - and when pitching - I simply say "Casting can be multi-cultural' - as a gentle reminder to the producers to think outside the box.
Your mileage may vary.
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I describe everyone, even if it is a few words. In the same way I may describe a chair to add some detail or colour.
The barman slides up to the girls, cool young black guy, a Denzel wannabe.
Of course it will be ignored. They may have someone. Everything is up for grabs once you sell it.
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I always describe the characters, but it's rarely necessary to give detailed physical descriptions. I'd rather imply their appearance. "A cop, two donuts away from a heart attack'. "A woman that could control the classroom with one eyebrow and a shrug'. "A businessman still clinging to the hairstyle of his youth, even when both had left him'.
For example.
Love the businessman description
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Richard, I take a similar approach so the Casting Director has something to work with.
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I agree with Dan. Additionally, I've seen in several so-called "diversity" contests where the past winners were almost always white males. I even read an article where one guy complained and protested the fact that one contest required that a writer had to be a PoC to enter. Out of literally THOUSANDS of contests out there with no requirement, he had to complain about that ONE.
Jordan Peele has stated: "I Don't See Myself Casting a White Dude As the Lead", and he's gotten push-back from the industry, even though his movies have been very successful.