Diversity in top films misrepresents U.S. population

[Fullbuster]

Diversity in top Hollywood films is significantly below that of the U.S. population, according to a new study by the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

The study examined 3,932 actors who spoke at least one word in the 100 top-grossing films of 2013.

Fewer than 5% of actors in top Hollywood films are Hispanic, though they make up 17% of the population. The study determined the group to be the most underrepresented, even though Hispanics bought about 25% of all movie tickets and are more likely to be moviegoers than any other group, according to the Motion Picture Association of America.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2014/08/05/diversity-in-top-hollywood-films-misrepresents-us-population/13615949/

 

 

That's pretty true, I mean I rarely see Hispanic people in US movies, it's surprising given 53 million of them live in the US.

[CloneWars]

I feel like this whole diversity movement is getting a bit overblown. People want more black people in movies and now more women and Hispanics and Asians. It's like nothing satisfies people anymore. All I want is good movies.

[ladyevenstar22]

what's the acting population ethnic breakdown  in the usa?

 

among the one ethnic group we're most familiar with "whites"  a lot are just not that good of an actor to begin with so imagine other groups that have even less actors in them how many are just that good at it ?

 

of course that stat is skewed because they aren't offered as many oppotunities to grow as an actor and prove they have the skills to be an A lister or even B which isnt so bad , its the Cs and Ds that leave us wondering why am i poor when that fool is still getting gigs as awful as they may be?

[The Panda]

what's the acting population ethnic breakdown in the usa?among the one ethnic group we're most familiar with "whites" a lot are just not that good of an actor to begin with so imagine other groups that have even less actors in them how many are just that good at it ?of course that stat is skewed because they aren't offered as many oppotunities to grow as an actor and prove they have the skills to be an A lister or even B which isnt so bad , its the Cs and Ds that leave us wondering why am i poor when that fool is still getting gigs as awful as they may be?

I think it really has to do with the schools that push their fine arts. Sure, some people go into acting without any theater in school, but most screen actors got stage experience before. From what I know whites make up a very large majority of the theater programs in schools even if the school isn't majorly white.

[Water Bottle]

I feel like this whole diversity movement is getting a bit overblown. People want more black people in movies and now more women and Hispanics and Asians. It's like nothing satisfies people anymore. All I want is good movies.

 

Says the white guy whose already represented in films.

[DAR]

It is kind of surprising that Hollywood, generally thought to be a very liberal, fairly inclusive town, still does fall short when it comes to equal representation to minorities, women or gays into films and tv shows.

[AniNate]

There are a large number of factors in play here. The article does say that blacks are represented on a proportional basis, but mostly thanks to black-majority films.

 

So it seems part of the issue is a lack of Latino-driven Hollywood films. Maybe this is just something that needs to play itself out as the expanding, moviegoing Hispanic audience become professional filmmakers. Right now it seems Guillermo del Toro and Alfonso Cuaron are the only ones who have any sort of clout.

 

One other thought: How did they determine whether someone is Hispanic or non-Hispanic? Not everyone wears their ethnicity on their sleeve.

Edited August 5, 2014 by tribefan695

[Fullbuster]

I feel like this whole diversity movement is getting a bit overblown. People want more black people in movies and now more women and Hispanics and Asians. It's like nothing satisfies people anymore. All I want is good movies.

 

+1 I completely agree

[Fullbuster]

Says the white guy whose already represented in films.

 

When I watch Japanese animated movies I don't feel represented in it, people in it are clearly Japanese, but I'm never disappointed when quality is there.He's right, quality is more important than diversity.

Of course, Hispanics should be more represented than they are now but it's not of primary importance.

[Water Bottle]

When I watch Japanese animated movies I don't feel represented in it, people in it are clearly Japanese, but I'm never disappointed when quality is there.He's right, quality is more important than diversity.Of course, Hispanics should be more represented than they are now but it's not of primary importance.

No one but you guys are tying the lack of diversity with quality.The people who advocate for a better representation of groups in media aren't saying we shouldn't care about quality but rather that diversity is also important.I'm sorry it bothers you that I want to see Hispanic actors and actresses in Hollywood films.

[Fullbuster]

It is kind of surprising that Hollywood, generally thought to be a very liberal, fairly inclusive town, still does fall short when it comes to equal representation to minorities, women or gays into films and tv shows.

 

Let's be clear : most liberals are white and while they're always talking about diversity it's just all talk because their actions aren't in accordance with their words. Many of them flee minority cities/neighborhoods to go in mostly white places.

[Water Bottle]

Let's be clear : most liberals are white and while they're always talking about diversity it's just all talk because their actions aren't in accordance with their words. Many of them flee minority cities/neighborhoods to go in mostly white places.

I'm not a liberal. I am Hispanic.

[Fullbuster]

No one but you guys are tying the lack of diversity with quality.The people who advocate for a better representation of groups in media aren't saying we shouldn't care about quality but rather that diversity is also important.I'm sorry it bothers you that I want to see Hispanic actors and actresses in Hollywood films.

 

So if Hollywood must choose between a talented white actor and a less talented Hispanic actor they should choose the Hispanic one just for the sake of diversity? I don't say Hispanic actors are necessarily inferior to white ones, it's just an example.

In that case I think they should choose the white one because it increases the potential quality of the movie, so quality is more important than diversity.

 

But I will say it again : I agree we should see more hispanics in US movies, but not at the cost of quality.

Hollywood and these associations could partner to find and train good Hispanic actors in mostly hispanic places like San Antonio, El Paso or Miami, this way would be fine.Quality + diversity is perfect, diversity without quality is the worst thing.

[Fullbuster]

I'm not a liberal. I am Hispanic.

 

Did I say it was about you? No.

[Water Bottle]

So if Hollywood must choose between a talented white actor and a less talented Hispanic actor they should choose the Hispanic one just for the sake of diversity? I don't say Hispanic actors are necessarily inferior to white ones, it's just an example.In that case I think they should choose the white one because it increases the potential quality of the movie, so quality is more important than diversity. But I will say it again : I agree we should see more hispanics in US movies, but not at the cost of quality.Hollywood and these associations could partner to find and train good Hispanic actors in mostly hispanic places like San Antonio, El Paso or Miami, this way would be fine.Quality + diversity is perfect, diversity without quality is the worst thing.

I don't think you understand. I'm not asking for Hollywood to pick a weaker actor for the sake of diversity. I'm asking that instead they start writing more Hispanic roles or preferably they do blind casting. Right now Hollywood isn't picking between a white and Hispanic actor. Right now it's picking between white actors.Your scenario would be ideal and if that was the case we Hispanics can fix that by improving our acting abilities. The problem is that white actors don't get cast by merit alone but because the role is envisioned as white by the casting people.

[Noctis]

Oh, are you Middle Eastern? We have a great role for you to play. The terrorist. No? Uh, how about a criminal? No? What about playing the owner of a kebab shop that ogles at every passing woman? Not even that? Hey, I know! A man who works alongside the U.S intelligence department only to get killed in the end!No? Well, fuck you, sand n******.

[Water Bottle]

Oh, are you Middle Eastern? We have a great role for you to play. The terrorist. No? Uh, how about a criminal? No? What about playing the owner of a kebab shop that ogles at every passing woman? Not even that? Hey, I know! A man who works alongside the U.S intelligence department only to get killed in the end!No? Well, fuck you, sand n******.

Hey now. 90210 had a Middle Eastern. The character was rich because his parents made porn.But Hispanics tend to be drug dealers, corrupt cops, illegal...

[TServo2049]

My question is the same as the gender one: How would you propose to SOLVE this? If the problem is in the Hollywood studio culture itself, what's the fix? If Hollywood can't be trusted to do it themselves, would some external governing body need to impose diversity from without?This is something I am honestly curious about. I'm interested in seeing unconventional casting, I'm interested in seeing people of different races/genders/ages/orientations/body types/whatever play completely against type. I would be interested in seeing movies be completely unpredictable as to who plays what kind of character, not out of a desire for social justice but just out of a desire for movies to not all be the fucking same like they are now. But how the heck would such an end goal be ACHIEVED?

Edited August 5, 2014 by TServo2049

[Noctis]

Hey now. 90210 had a Middle Eastern. The character was rich because his parents made porn.But Hispanics tend to be drug dealers, corrupt cops, illegal...

That is true. But there is an enormous Persian population in L.A.And yes...those are awful stereotypes of Hispanics in Hollywood.

[Noctis]

I feel like this whole diversity movement is getting a bit overblown. People want more black people in movies and now more women and Hispanics and Asians. It's like nothing satisfies people anymore. All I want is good movies.

Says the white male.